Embark on the original jet boat ride on the Shotover River. Prepare for wall-to-wall action with high speed and thrilling 360-degree spins. Includes transportation from Queenstown.

About this activity

Free cancellation: Cancel up to 24 hours in advance to receive a full refund
Covid-19 precautions: Special health and safety measures apply. Learn more
Reserve now & pay later: Reserve now & pay later to book your spot without any charges today. Learn more
Duration 87 minutes: Check availability to see starting times.
Instructor: English
Wheelchair accessible

Highlights

Enjoy a uniquely breathtaking white-water ride on the Shotover River
Skim along the river at high speed, fishtailing into 360-degree spins
Hold on tight as the captain manoeuvres over rapids and through narrow canyons
Join the only company permitted to operate in the iconic Shotover Canyons

Full description

Take on the ultimate jet boat experience on the Shotover River for a breathtaking ride through dramatic and narrow canyons, located less than a 10-minutes drive from Queenstown. A short drive from Queenstown will have you at the shores of the Shotover River. Meet your experienced guide and gear up for your high-speed jet boat ride.

Hold on tight as the driver expertly navigates the jet boat over white-water rapids and squeezes through the narrow walls of the Shotover Canyon. Speed past rocky outcrops, skim around boulders, and zip through the dramatic and narrow canyons as its walls tower above you. After 25 thrilling minutes, return to the jet base and relax on the shuttle transfer back to Queenstown.

Includes

25-minute jet boat ride
Life jackets
Heated handrails and buffs during winter

Photos and videos (available to purchase)

Not suitable for

Pregnant women
People with back problems

Covid-19 precautions

Safety measures in place

All areas that customers touch are frequently cleaned

Traveler requirements

Masks are required while indoors
All participants who are over 12 years old must present proof of full vaccination

Meeting point

Please check-in at the river base. The river base is located on Gorge Road in Arthurs Point (approximately a 10-minute drive from Queenstown).

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Important information

What to bring

Warm clothing
Sunglasses

Not allowed

Cellphones

Know before you go

Children must be a minimum height of 1 meter tall must be accompanied by a fare-paying adult; this height may be changed to 1.2 meters if operating in high river conditions
Contact the tour operator if you are pregnant or have any medical conditions including back or neck problems
Life jackets are mandatory and are supplied, along with optional splash coats
Eyewear recommended all year round
Dress warmly in winter – warm clothes, jacket, hat and gloves (although handrails on the jet boats are heated) are strongly recommended
Onsite facilities include parking, gift shop, cafe, toilets, secure lockers and viewing areas
Only cameras allowed on board are forehead mounted hands-free GoPro or similar; any other cameras or phones are not permitted to be carried aboard

Customer reviews

Overall rating

4.9 /5

based on 54 reviews

Review summary

Guide
5/5
Transportation
4.5/5
Value for money
4.5/5
Safety
4.9/5

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This is an activity definitely worth doing while in Queenstown. It's quite short in duration (25 minutes I think), but with lots of adrenaline while the driver was going nearby all the possible rocks and doing 360 degrees turns. They are giving you a waterproof coat in order to not wet your clothes. You can then stay on the river beach and watch other boats passing by in speed. I would definitely advise you to book a hotel transfer too, as the taxi is quite expensive for such a long distance.

January 3, 2020

Great Experience! It was my favourite activity in Queenstown. (Even better than Skydive and Bungy!) I was visiting Queenstown with a friend and we loved the jet boat ride. It’s definitely a “must do” in New Zealand. Even if pricing is pretty high, I think it was worth every cent and I would do it again. Thank you for the great experience!

November 3, 2019

Fantastic nearly as good as racing my Historic sports car

if ou want a great experience but don't want to jump out of a perfectly good plane or bungy tower this is the way to go. experienced driver on a boat wich lets you see as you are travelling at about 80kph centimetres form the edge of a very beautiful river banks (rock faces). the Shotover Jet Boat was awesome! don't just go on the lake go up the Shotover River!

October 30, 2018

Shotover River: Extreme Jet Boat Experience

Shotover River: Extreme Jet Boat Experience

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Fantastic nearly as good as racing my Historic sports car