NEW ZEALAND

New Zealand Jet Boat Rides: Our Top 15

23 tours  ·  from $65 a head

The jet boat was invented here to run the shallow braided rivers, and the tourist version keeps the spins. These 15 rides cover the Shotover, the Kawarau and the Waikato, with the length, the age limit and how wet you get.

Shotover River Extreme Jet Boat Ride in Queenstown - From central Queenstown to the river base
Jet Boat Rides, New Zealand Speedboat Tours, Queenstown Speedboat Tours, Tour Reviews

Shotover River Extreme Jet Boat Ride in Queenstown

1.Shotover River Extreme Jet Boat Ride in Queenstown

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

Ride a high-speed jet boat through the Shotover River’s narrow canyons, skimming rapids and spinning 360 degrees under the guidance of drivers such as Peter, Joe, Paul, and Matt. The ride lasts about 25 minutes, with shuttle transport from central Queenstown and lockers at the river base.

“Best boat ride ever, Crew was amazing and friendly. Had the best time with my family and it will definitely be one for the books.”

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Queenstown: Shotover River and Kawarau River Jet Boat Ride - Lake Wakatipu gives you the big mountain views
Jet Boat Rides, New Zealand Speedboat Tours, Queenstown Speedboat Tours, Tour Reviews

Queenstown: Shotover River and Kawarau River Jet Boat Ride

2.Shotover River and Kawarau River Jet Boat Ride

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

Join KJet at Queenstown’s Main Town Pier for a fast 1-hour ride across Lake Wakatipu and up the Kawarau and Shotover rivers. Expect 360-degree spins, speeds up to 95 km/h, 45 kilometres of water, heated handrails, and guides such as Sam, Reuben, Charles, and Puni.

“Our skipper Rueben was fantastic and gave us an awesome experience.”

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Waikato River Jet Boat Ride from Taupo - Starting at Aratiatia Scenic Reserve
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Waikato River Jet Boat Ride from Taupo

3.Waikato River Jet Boat Ride from Taupo

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

Ride a 550-horsepower jet boat from Aratiatia Scenic Reserve, surf the Nga Awa Purua rapids, twist through a narrow canyon, and hear local stories from guides such as Jacob, Shannon, or Taylah. The 35-minute trip carries up to 11 people and returns to the starting point.

“Awesome experience. Jacob the host and boat driver was great had so much fun and would recommend doing it again thanks team at rapids jets”

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Queenstown: Shotover River Extreme Jet Boat Experience - Safety Briefing, Life Jackets, and Heated Rails
Jet Boat Rides, New Zealand Speedboat Tours, Queenstown Speedboat Tours, Tour Reviews

Queenstown: Shotover River Extreme Jet Boat Experience

4.Shotover River Extreme Jet Boat Experience

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

You’ll ride with an English-speaking driver-guide through the Shotover Canyons, the only operator-approved section of the river. Expect 25 minutes of fast turns, rapids, close rock passes, and 360-degree spins. Add the Queenstown shuttle if you want transport, and dress warmly.

“Such fun. So easy to access and fun for our family. Great experience, beautiful scenery, high adrenaline. Would highly recommend doing this activity.”

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Taupō: Huka Falls 30-Minute Jet Boat Experience - What the 360° spins feel like
Jet Boat Rides, New Zealand Speedboat Tours, Tour Reviews

Taupō: Huka Falls 30-Minute Jet Boat Experience

5.Taupō: Huka Falls 30-Minute Jet Boat Experience

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

Ride a high-speed jet boat from Wairakei Tourist Park to the base of Huka Falls. Expect 80 km/h runs, sharp 360° spins, native bush, rock cliffs, hot springs, and lively commentary from drivers such as Scott, Ricky, Chopper, or Tee. You may get thoroughly wet, even in good weather.

“The guide was funny and gave us good Informations. (And by the way also handsome.) I really liket the aktivity because we saw the water fall very near. But I would recommend everybody to put on your sun glases because the wind is so strong that otherways you habe to close your eyes and can‘t enjoy it that much.”

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From Queenstown: Skippers Canyon Jet Boat Ride - Meeting the bus in central Queenstown
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From Queenstown: Skippers Canyon Jet Boat Ride

6.Skippers Canyon Jet Boat Ride

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

Ride from Queenstown with guides such as Cal, Dan, Willy, or Rob along the cliff-hugging Skippers Road, then board a jet boat for 30 minutes of high-speed runs and 360-degree spins through the Shotover River canyons. Allow three hours, bring warm layers, and use the toilet before leaving.

“We had a blast! Prepare to be driven down the canyon on the very edge of the mountainside! What a thrill just riding to the River! The jet boat was great. Dan was our guide and he was funny and knowledgable about the history of the area and our boat driver was awesome too. Def worth the money!”

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Jet Boat Journey through Fiordland National Park - Pure Wilderness - Upper Waiau River: fast water, clear views, and local stories
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Jet Boat Journey through Fiordland National Park – Pure Wilderness

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

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

From Te Anau, Fiordland Jet takes you by powerful jet boat along the Upper Waiau River to Lake Manapouri. Expect warm gear, fast spins, quiet wildlife stops, three Lord of the Rings filming locations, and a short guided walk in Fiordland National Park. Guides include John, Jade, Alex, Harry, and others.

“What a memorable experience! Our guide was knowledgeable, entertaining, and clearly loved his job! The rest of the staff was friendly and helpful.. They have everything you may need - beanies, windbreakers, and sunscreen! I was a little Read more”

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Hukafalls Jet Boat Ride in Taupo - Starting at 200 Karetoto Road
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Hukafalls Jet Boat Ride in Taupo

8.Hukafalls Jet Boat Ride in Taupo

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

Ride with Hukafalls Jet from 200 Karetoto Road for a fast, wet 30-minute run along the Waikato River. Your driver-guide handles 360-degree spins, power brakes, and the close approach to Huka Falls. Guides such as Scott, Ricki, Arthur, and Rocky are praised for sharp driving and lively commentary.

“We had so much fun and you come really close to the waterfalls. Great guides and opportunity to take photos. Just Book it ☺️”

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KJet Queenstown Jet Boat Ride on the Kawarau and Shotover Rivers - Lake Wakatipu and the first mountain views
Jet Boat Rides, New Zealand Speedboat Tours, Queenstown Speedboat Tours, Tour Reviews

KJet Queenstown Jet Boat Ride on the Kawarau and Shotover Rivers

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

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

Join KJet at Queenstown’s Main Town Pier for a one-hour ride across Lake Wakatipu and along the Kawarau and Shotover rivers. Captain Puni, Jack, Ben, Anton, and other skilled drivers are known for lively commentary, careful handling, and plenty of 360-degree spins. Expect spray, speed, and Remarkables views.

“We had Jack as our driver today & he made the experience so much fun! Definitely worth adding this activity to your itinerary!”

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Dart River Jet Boat and Wilderness Experience - The Dart River ride mixes speed with quiet stretches
Jet Boat Rides, National Parks, New Zealand Speedboat Tours, Queenstown Speedboat Tours, Tour Reviews

Dart River Jet Boat and Wilderness Experience

10.Dart River Jet Boat and Wilderness Experience

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

Travel from Queenstown to Glenorchy, then race, turn, and spin along the glacier-fed Dart River into Mt Aspiring National Park. Guides such as Jordan, Pedro, Dean, and John add local stories about Māori culture, wildlife, and changing river channels. The four-hour trip suits families and first-time jet boat riders.

“It was a thrilling experience, totally worth the money! Pedro, our jet boat driver was such an amazing guy, he took good care of us, did some thrilling stunts on the water and gave lots of good info. Would do it again!”

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Dart River Canoe and Jet Boat Experience from Queenstown - The Jet Boat Ride into the National Park
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Dart River Canoe and Jet Boat Experience from Queenstown

11.Dart River Canoe and Jet Boat Experience from Queenstown

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

Travel from Queenstown to Glenorchy, then race upriver on the Dart River by jet boat before paddling a three-person funyak through side streams, rock pools, and chasms. Guides such as Rob, Brendan, Ella, and JJ are praised for keeping beginners safe and engaged. Lunch and all water gear are included.

“We had a fantastic time. It is so helpful to have them provide all of the gear (wetsuit, booties, fleece, raincoat, and a gater that proved helpful in a variety of ways—hair control, face cover, hat protector). The jet boat ride was a thrill. When we goRead more”

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Small Group Jet Boat Adventure on the Clutha River from Wanaka - What happens during the 90-minute ride
Jet Boat Rides, New Zealand Speedboat Tours, Tour Reviews, Wanaka Speedboat Tours

Small Group Jet Boat Adventure on the Clutha River from Wanaka

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 small-group ride on the Clutha River. Guide and pilot Pat combines fast corners and 360-degree spins with stories about gold mining, the river, and the Upper Clutha Valley. Transport is available from Albert Town, and the boat carries no more than nine people.

“Amazing Ride! We enjoyed the Jet boat ride with Pat, he is so knowledgeable and he absoblutely loves nature! Explaning to us about the Clutha river, activities around the river, history and so much more! And not forgetting the twists and turns Read more”

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Jet Boat and Wilderness Walk Tour from Wanaka - A 50-minute walk into Mount Aspiring National Park
Jet Boat Rides, National Parks, New Zealand Speedboat Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Walking Tours, Wanaka Speedboat Tours

Jet Boat and Wilderness Walk Tour from Wanaka

13.Jet Boat and Wilderness Walk Tour from Wanaka

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

Travel from Wānaka into Mount Aspiring National Park by jet boat, with local guides such as Ben and James sharing stories along the Matukituki River. After spins and mountain views, take a 50-minute guided walk through beech forest to waterfalls and glacier-fed streams. The four-hour trip suits most moderately fit participants.

“The fact that you are in this wide marvelous mountain surroundings, on the water, moving further into the valley and towards the high mountains, makes you feel in aw and humble. It was also a nice walk into the beech forest to a waterfall.”

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Lakeland Jet Boat Adventure - Clutha River - Why the scenery is more than a backdrop
Jet Boat Rides, New Zealand Speedboat Tours, Tour Reviews, Wanaka Speedboat Tours

Lakeland Jet Boat Adventure – Clutha River

14.Lakeland Jet Boat Adventure – Clutha River

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

Join LakeLand Wanaka for a 60-minute jet boat ride from Wānaka’s lakefront into the Clutha River. Expect mountain views, tight channels, rapids, shallow-water runs, tunnels, Hamilton spins, and live commentary from guides such as Amber, Matt, Max, or Sarah.

“Fun and fairly exciting jet boat ride along the river ! Our guides were really fun and experienced, and the ride was totally worth it. It can be quite windy, cold and a little wet, so do make sure you are dressed prepared. Part of ticket proceeds goes to conservation as well, so do sign up!”

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Queenstown: Jet Boat Adventure with Thunder Jet - Entering the Kawarau River
Jet Boat Rides, New Zealand Speedboat Tours, Queenstown Speedboat Tours, Tour Reviews

Queenstown: Jet Boat Adventure with Thunder Jet

15.Jet Boat Adventure with Thunder Jet

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 175 reviews · 30 minutes - 1 hour · from $65Best value

Ride Thunder Jet across Lake Wakatipu and the Kawarau River at speeds up to 95 km/h. Your English-speaking guide combines 360-degree spins, sharp turns, local stories, and views of The Remarkables. Choose a quick 30-minute introduction or a fuller one-hour ride.

“The best fun, particularly if you don’t mind getting soaked to the skin.”

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