Revision 3

Overview

Water sports are recreational activities available in Grand Theft Auto VI that take advantage of the game's extensive waterways and coastal setting. The state of Leonida features ocean coastline, river systems, lakes, and island chains, providing diverse environments for aquatic recreation. Confirmed water sports include kayaking, a first for the GTA series, and jet skiing, which returns from previous entries.

Kayaking

Kayaking is a new addition to the Grand Theft Auto series, confirmed through official Rockstar screenshots. Players can pilot kayaks through the rivers of Mount Kalaga National Park, paddling through natural environments that showcase the game's vegetation, water physics, and wildlife. Unlike motorized watercraft such as jet skis or airboats, kayaks provide a quiet, immersive way to explore Leonida's waterways.

Official screenshots show characters paddling down river channels surrounded by dense vegetation, confirming that kayaking takes place in the more remote, natural areas of the map rather than the urban waterways of Vice City. The activity emphasizes exploration and scenery over speed, fitting the relaxed pace of the national park environment.

Jet Skiing

Jet skiing has been confirmed through both Trailer 1 and Trailer 2. One of the final scenes in Trailer 2 shows Jason and Lucia riding together on a jet ski across open water, with the scene serving as a moment of recreational downtime between the trailer's more intense action sequences.

Jet skis, known as the Speedophile Seashark and similar models in the GTA universe, have appeared in multiple GTA games. In GTA VI, the warm coastal waters and extensive island geography of Leonida make jet skis a natural fit for both transportation and recreation. Players can use jet skis to travel between islands in the Leonida Keys, cruise along the Vice City beachfront, or race across open water.

Confirmed Water Sports

Watercraft

Beyond recreational water sports, GTA VI features a range of watercraft visible in trailers and screenshots. Boats, speedboats, and airboats have been spotted in various scenes. The airboat, a flat-bottomed vessel powered by a large rear propeller, is particularly suited to the Grassrivers swamplands and shallow waterways of inland Leonida. These vehicles serve both transportation and potential mission purposes throughout the game.

Setting Advantages

Leonida's geography makes it the most water-focused setting in GTA history. The state is surrounded by ocean on three sides, contains a major freshwater lake (Lake Leonida), features an extensive swamp system, and includes a chain of islands connected by bridges and waterways. This means water-based activities are not confined to a single area but are distributed across the entire map, giving players reasons to engage with aquatic gameplay throughout the experience.

Kayaking: A First for the Series

Kayaking marks the first time a paddle-powered watercraft has been available in any Grand Theft Auto game. Trailer footage and official screenshots show characters navigating rivers and swamp channels aboard single-seat kayaks, using a paddle to steer through narrow waterways that motorized boats cannot access.

The kayak is ideal for exploring the winding waterways of Grassrivers and the mangrove channels of the Leonida Keys. Its quiet propulsion means it does not startle nearby wildlife, making it useful for approaching animals for observation or photography. Screenshots from Rockstar's official website show a character paddling through Mount Kalaga National Park's river system, surrounded by pine forests and rocky banks. The kayak is expected to be available at rental stations near waterways, or may spawn naturally along riverbanks and dock areas.

Jet Ski Racing and Freestyle

Jet skis return in GTA VI with expanded functionality beyond simple transportation. Two jet ski models have been confirmed from trailer footage: the classic Seashark and a new unidentified model inspired by the Sea-Doo RXT-X 300, a high-performance personal watercraft. The new model seats two riders and appears capable of higher top speeds than the returning Seashark.

Jet ski racing appears to be a structured activity, with trailer footage showing multiple jet skis racing in formation through open ocean near Vice City's coastline. Players may be able to enter organized races for cash prizes, similar to street racing activities on land. The open waters between Vice City and the Leonida Keys provide an expansive racing environment with dynamic wave physics that affect speed and handling.

Airboat Adventures

Airboats are confirmed as a primary means of traversing the Grassrivers wetlands and other shallow-water zones across Leonida. These flat-bottomed, fan-propelled vessels are a staple of real-world Florida Everglades tourism, and their inclusion adds an authentic regional flavor to the game's water activities.

Trailer footage shows airboats cruising through flooded grasslands as flamingos scatter overhead. In Trailer 2, Jason is shown piloting a helicopter in pursuit of an airboat through Grassrivers, confirming that airboats play a role in story missions as well as free-roam exploration. Airboat rides may also be available as a tourist activity, similar to real Everglades fan-boat tours.

Underwater Exploration and Scuba Diving

Scuba diving returns in GTA VI and appears significantly expanded from GTA V's underwater segments. An official screenshot from the GTA VI website shows a scuba diver exploring the waters off the Leonida Keys, surrounded by eels, sea turtles, coral formations, and tropical fish. A dedicated dive boat has been identified in Trailer 1, featuring a rear diving platform designed for deploying divers.

Underwater exploration involves managing oxygen supply, navigating limited visibility based on depth and water conditions, and avoiding marine hazards including sharks. Storm activity affects underwater visibility and current strength. Players can search for sunken shipwrecks, hidden loot, and submerged caves. The advanced water physics engine renders total internal reflection on the underside of water surfaces, with waves acting as mirrors that reflect the seabed, creating a visually stunning underwater experience.

For more on swimming and diving mechanics, see the dedicated article. Information about available boats and watercraft can be found on the vehicle pages.

Trivia

• Kayaking is the first non-motorized watercraft activity in a GTA mainline game, marking a shift toward quieter, exploration-focused recreational options.

• The jet ski scene in Trailer 2 has become one of the most iconic images from the trailer, frequently used in fan discussions about the game's lighter, more relaxed moments.

• The rivers of Mount Kalaga, where kayaking takes place, run through one of Leonida's most visually striking natural areas, showcasing the game's vegetation rendering technology.