WaveRunner is the trademarked name of personal water craft (PWC) produced by the Yamaha Motor Company, but the term "waverunner" has become a generic name for all types of personal watercraft.

Another popular name for a PWC is called a Jet Ski.

In 1987, Yamaha introduced the sit-down WaveRunner and the stand-up WaveJammer, and in 2002 introduced the world's first four-stroke high performance PWC.

Yamaha continues to manufacture both two stroke and four stroke models, as well as supercharged and naturally aspirated models.

Using nanotechnology, Yamaha engineers were able to create a high-strength, lightweight material called NanoXcel. This material is exclusive to Yamaha and allows making the hulls and decks of select models 25 percent lighter and improving durability- significantly improving the power-to-weight ratio, responsiveness, acceleration and top speed.

All WaveRunner models have Yamaha's trademarked Visibility Spout: A waterspout from the rear of the craft that improves the watercraft’s conspicuity.