How Old Do Kids Need to Be? Minimum Ages for 15 Tour Types
Updated 2026-11-02 · Based on 2214 tour listings
We collected the minimum age for 2214 tours. 35% accept children of any age, while 11% require guests to be 12 or older.
Minimum age by activity
| Activity | Typical minimum age | Any age accepted | 12+ only |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whale watching | Any age | 59% | 1% |
| Boat and catamaran trips | Any age | 53% | 5% |
| Submarine rides | Any age | 52% | 2% |
| Helicopter tours | 2+ | 29% | 3% |
| Snorkeling tours | 2+ | 40% | 5% |
| Tandem skydiving | 3+ | 13% | 40% |
| Buggy and UTV tours | 3+ | 34% | 9% |
| Ziplining | 4+ | 16% | 7% |
| Caves, cenotes and catacombs | 4+ | 32% | 7% |
| Horseback riding | 5+ | 13% | 12% |
| Parasailing | 5+ | 10% | 11% |
| Hot air balloon rides | 5+ | 8% | 0% |
| ATV and quad tours | 5+ | 21% | 22% |
| Jet ski tours | 5+ | 41% | 23% |
| White-water rafting | 6+ | 19% | 22% |
What “minimum age” means on a listing
Most operators state one age below which children cannot join. Some also set a separate age for driving (ATVs, buggies, jet skis) or for sitting in a particular seat. Children above the minimum usually still need an adult with them. For activities where you drive, a child may ride as a passenger long before they are old enough to drive.
Tips for families
- Boat trips, whale watching and submarine rides are the most likely to accept all ages.
- Ziplines, rafting, ATVs and horseback riding more often set a minimum and sometimes a minimum weight or height too.
- Bring proof of age if your child is close to the limit; some operators check.
See minimum ages by destination, or enter your youngest child’s age in the tour checker.