If you’re looking for the perfect blend of adrenaline, sunshine, and Pacific Northwest beauty, a jet ski adventure on the Columbia River is hard to beat. We kicked off our day at Broughton Beach Park on the Portland side, where the sand meets the wide, glittering expanse of the river. Xtreme Rentals had us set up in no time, and Jeremiah, our friendly guide, made sure we knew the ropes before sending us out for our four-hour ride.
From the moment we throttled forward, the Columbia opened up like a playground. Wind in our faces, sun glinting off the water, and a feeling of pure freedom. We skimmed under the I-5 bridge, admired the Vancouver Waterfront Park, and went under the railroad bridge just as a train was traveling overhead (so cool!). Then we veered onto the Willamette River. Gliding beneath the iconic St. John’s Bridge at Cathedral Park, with its green gothic arches towering above, felt like slipping into a postcard.
Jeremiah had assured us that the jet ski was very stable and that pretty much the only way it would tip over is if we were turning too slowly. Somehow, at one point, we found ourselves doing exactly that and proved Jeremiah exactly right. The Columbia felt amazingly refreshing, and we clambered back on laughing. If I had been nervous before about falling in (yes, maybe a little), this was the perfect cure for any fear. It was nice to realize how friendly the water was.
We spent the rest of the afternoon zigzagging across the water, opening up the throttle for bursts of speed, then slowing down to take in the views. There’s something magical about seeing Portland and Vancouver from the water. I’m so used to admiring the river from land, this was a delightful new vantage point.
One of my favorite moments was just drifting for a minute in the middle of the river, engines quiet, letting the gentle current rock us while the sun warmed our shoulders. Out there, you realize how wide and wild the Columbia really is. The water sparkled, the air smelled faintly of summer grass from the banks, and for a few blissful seconds, the whole world seemed to slow down.
By the time we cruised back toward Broughton Beach Park, our hair was windblown, our arms pleasantly tired, and our faces sore from grinning. The Columbia had given us exactly what we came for—sun, speed, splashes, and memories worth keeping.
Whether you’re a first-time rider or a jet ski regular, this stretch of river has a way of turning a simple afternoon into a full-on highlight reel. We’ll be back! Though maybe next time, we’ll try not to turn quite so slowly.
We topped off the day stopping for a bite at the Island Cafe, a floating restaurant tucked just off Hayden Island. Sitting at a waterside table, admiring the river from a new angle, it was the perfect encore to our day. With good food, a gentle breeze, and the soft lapping of waves against the dock, it was the ideal way to savor every last drop of the day’s adventure.
