The 15 Best Jet Boat Rides in New Zealand

1.Shotover River Extreme Jet Boat Ride in Queenstown

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,540 reviews · from $113Our pick

Race through the Shotover River’s narrow gold-mining canyons on a 25-minute jet boat ride with high-speed turns, rapids, and full 360-degree spins. A skilled driver provides local stories as you pass cliffs and rocky outcrops. Meet in central Queenstown or drive to the river base, with lifejackets and lockers provided.

“It’s an outdoor speed boat navigating rapid and shallow water through river bed and gorge….. you will get wet”

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2.Shotover River and Kawarau River Jet Boat Ride

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 1,682 reviews · 1 hour · from $89

KJet takes you from Queenstown’s Main Town Pier across Lake Wakatipu and up the Kawarau and Shotover rivers. Expect speeds up to 95 kilometers per hour, sharp turns, and 360-degree spins, with heated handrails for cold days. Guides such as Reuben, Charles, Sam, and Jack mix safety advice with local commentary during the one-hour ride.

“Very thrilling and adrenaline fueled activity. It was beautiful weather and we had a blast. Our Driver/Guide Charles was fantastic and very professional.”

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3.Waikato River Jet Boat Ride from Taupo

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,441 reviews · from $89

Join Rapids Jet at Aratiatia Scenic Reserve for a 35-minute Waikato River blast. Your driver-guide, such as Jacob or Shannon, handles the 550-horsepower jet boat, spins through clear water, surfs Nga Awa Purua rapids, and shares local stories. Boats hold only 11 people. You may get wet, and Huka Falls is not included.

“Well delivered boat ride, great fun, great staff. Busts of speed and turns, over rapids several times, stationary river facts were given at appropriate points.”

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4.Shotover River Extreme Jet Boat Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 1,203 reviews · 25 - 90 minutes · from $107

You’ll ride with Shotover Jet through the narrow Shotover Canyons, skimming white-water rapids at up to 90 kmh and spinning through 360-degree turns. The 25-minute ride includes a safety briefing, life jacket, guide commentary, and heated handrails in winter. Add the Queenstown shuttle if you do not have your own transport.

“Lots of fun, you don’t get too wet so don’t let that put you off. Our driver was very skilled and told us lots about the surrounding areas. He was very friendly and answered all the questions about the boat.”

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5.Huka Falls 30-Minute Jet Boat Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 759 reviews · 30 min · from $89

You’ll race along the Waikato River at up to 80 km/h, spin beside sheer cliffs, and reach the base of Huka Falls with an English-speaking driver-guide. Guides such as Scott, Ricki, Chopper, and Tee are known for lively commentary and confident boat handling. Heated handrails help in cool weather, but expect to get wet.

“The jet was awesome! I'm soaked and it was so worth it. My driver was chopper and his driving was amazing, if I was here longer I'd have gone straight back on again. The Huka falls are cool to see but the 360 turns are mega fun. Definitely recommend to anyone in the area visiting New Zealand!”

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6.Skippers Canyon Jet Boat Ride

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 699 reviews · 3 hours · from $118

Travel from Queenstown along the infamous Skippers Road with an English-speaking guide such as Cal, Willy, or Dan, then ride a jet boat through the upper Shotover River. This three-hour trip combines mountain views, gold mining stories, photo stops, and high-speed spins. Transport, life jackets, and spray jackets are included.

“Boat ride was awesome and our guide Tom on the bus was great!”

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7.Jet Boat Journey through Fiordland National Park – Pure Wilderness

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 678 reviews · from $127

Set out from Te Anau with Fiordland Jet for a two-hour jet boat trip on the Upper Waiau River. Your skipper, such as Alex, Jade, John, or Harry, combines fast turns and 360-degree spins with local stories, Lord of the Rings locations, trout spotting, a quiet stretch on Lake Manapouri, and a short native forest walk.

“Alex was awesome. Such a good time and informative. We really enjoyed the trip and it was well worth it :)”

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8.Hukafalls Jet Boat Ride in Taupo

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 658 reviews · from $94

Ride a jet boat from Wairakei along the Waikato River to the base of Huka Falls. Expect high-speed runs, 360-degree spins, power brakes, local commentary, and spray, with drivers such as Scott, Arthur, Rocky, and Ricki bringing plenty of skill and humor. The 30-minute trip ends where it begins.

“Best experience ever, the driver Ricki was awesome. Great value for money. Highly recommend this to anyone thinking about it.”

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9.KJet Queenstown Jet Boat Ride on the Kawarau and Shotover Rivers

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 590 reviews · from $92

Start at Queenstown’s Main Town Pier for a one-hour KJet ride across Lake Wakatipu, the Kawarau River, and the Shotover River. Captain Puni, Anton, Jack, Ben, and Reuben are among the drivers praised for making the ride lively and reassuring. Expect high-speed runs, tight turns, 360-degree spins, and spray.

“This was our first experience on a Shotover and it was awesomely thrilling. The staffs were great and helpful. The jet driver Puni was skilled and made our trip fun and exciting. Special thanks to Puni who made sure I got my beanie back which I had forgotten on the jet.”

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10.Dart River Jet Boat and Wilderness Experience

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 531 reviews · from $190

Travel from Queenstown to Glenorchy, then ride a jet boat 45 kilometers along the glacier-fed Dart River. Guides such as Jordan, Pedro, Dean, and John combine fast turns with stories about Māori heritage, native plants, wildlife, and changing river channels. The four-hour outing suits families, with lifejackets, spray jackets, and selected Queenstown transfers provided.

“What a wild ride! Lots of fun, surrounded by gorgeous scenery. I am not an adrenaline junkie, so wasn’t too sure about booking this one — but it turned out to be one of the highlights of my trip to New Zealand. Highly recommend!”

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11.Dart River Canoe and Jet Boat Experience from Queenstown

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 342 reviews · from $273

Travel from Queenstown to Glenorchy, then race 30 kilometres upriver by jet boat before paddling a funyak through Mt Aspiring National Park. Guides such as Nikki, Rob, Ella, and JJ add safety tips and local stories. Expect cold water, sandflies, occasional dragging over rocks, and a picnic lunch in the bush.

“Just do it! I was reluctant thinking I wasn’t fit enough but it was the best day ever. Nikki our jet boat driver was very experienced and made our ride out to the start of our funyaks journey exciting, stopping along the way to give us interesRead more”

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12.Small Group Jet Boat Adventure on the Clutha River from Wanaka

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 302 reviews · from $98

Join Go Jets Wanaka for a 90-minute jet boat ride on the Upper Clutha River. Pat and the crew mix fast turns and 360-degree spins with stories about gold mining, local nature, and the Southern Alps. Groups are limited to nine, with pickup from Albert Town and possible Wanaka accommodation transfer.

“Thoroughly enjoyed our Jetboat experience , lots of 360s and cruising around on the river along with commentary from Pat. Much longer than other tours offer and is nice being in a small group also. Highly recommend!”

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13.Jet Boat and Wilderness Walk Tour from Wanaka

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 259 reviews · from $215

Travel from Wanaka into the Matukituki Valley by shuttle and jet boat, with spins, mountain views, and stops in deep pools. A 50-minute guided walk leads through beech forest to waterfalls and glacier-fed streams. Guides such as Ben and James share local knowledge. The easy-to-moderate outing lasts about four hours.

“We have had a number of excellent, exciting experiences on this trip to NZ... but far and away, this was the best so far. Fun, beautiful, fabulous boat driver, knowledgeable and concerned with everyone's comfort and safety. If you do only one excursion ... make it this one.”

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14.Lakeland Jet Boat Adventure – Clutha River

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 210 reviews · from $83

Meet LakeLand Wanaka at 100 Ardmore Street for a 60-minute jet boat ride across Lake Wānaka and along the Clutha River. Expect speeds above 80kph, shallow channels, rapids, tight turns, tunnels, and Hamilton spins. Guides such as Matt, Max, Amber, and Sarah combine boat skills with stories about local history and water ecosystems.

“Well organised and convenient meeting point right on Lake Wanaka. Great driver , very informative , spectacular scenery”

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15.Amuri Adventure Jet Boating in Hanmer Springs

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 191 reviews · from $80

Join Amuri Jet Adventures for a one-hour Hanmer Springs outing, including a 35-minute Wairau River jet-boat ride. A family guide such as Chris or Brendon handles the boat and commentary as you race through a canyon, skim shallow braids, spot the pink and white marble fault line, and finish with free ride photos.

“Had a fabulous time.Chris driving and providing information. My wife who suffers sea sickness loved it so much she wanted to go again.”

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