The 12 Best Queenstown Speedboat Tours

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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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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3.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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4.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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5.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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6.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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7.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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8.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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9.Queenstown Kawarau River Rafting and Jet Boat

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 158 reviews · from $197

Ride a jet boat through the Kawarau River and Lake Wakatipu, then raft grade 2 to 3 rapids through a historic gorge. You’ll swim, paddle, and optionally jump from a cliff before tackling the 400m Dog Leg rapid. Guides such as Matt, Mark, Guy, Gabe, and Danny are praised for calm, friendly instruction.

“Fantastic views and an exciting experience. They do make you get off the raft and get in the water which was unexpected so be prepared for that part.”

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10.Dart River Canoe & Jet Boat Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 148 reviews · 390 - 510 minutes · from $256

Travel from Queenstown to Glenorchy, then ride a wilderness jet boat up the Dart River before paddling back in a Funyak. Guides such as Dean, John, Ellie, and Georgia keep the day safe and well paced. Expect cold water, a chasm walk, picnic lunch, and a Paradise Valley film-location tour.

“JJ and Matt were friendly and knowledgeable. I had a small back strain and JJ cheerfully made sure I was comfortable and not in danger of further injuring myself. The scenery was gorgeous and we got a good amount of time out on the river, with some nice landmark guidance should we want to go back out in the area for activities like the Routeburn Track. Even the drives between Queenstown and Glenorchy were beautiful and the driver pleasant. Glenorchy was charming and I would have gladly spent another couple of hours hiking nearby if I had had the time.”

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11.Kawarau River Rafting and Jet Boat Ride

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 145 reviews · 4h 30m · from $190

Ride a high-speed jet boat from Queenstown to the Kawarau River, then raft 8 kilometers of Grade 2 to 3 whitewater with an English-speaking guide. Expect canyon views, swimming, optional cliff jumping, and the 400-meter Dog Leg rapid. Guides such as Morgan, Jess, and Nico are known for clear safety advice and good humor.

“Will and his team were amazing. Professional yet humourous throughout the entire experience. Josh was our guide and we felt extremely assured that our safety was well taken care of. Even my son who was not a strong swimmer enjoyed himself thoroughly. Memorable experience for friends and families. Highly recommended!”

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12.Dart River Wilderness Jet Boat Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 123 reviews · 2 - 4 hours · from $178

Travel from Queenstown or meet at Glenorchy for a two-hour Dart River jet boat ride through Mt Aspiring National Park. Your English-speaking driver-guide, such as Pedro, Finn, or Dean, combines high-speed turns with Maori legends, Greenstone trail history, and film locations from The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit.

“A fantastic experience well worth the money. The bus ride from QT to Glenorchy was amazing in itself with incredible scenery. The whole tour was very well organised and the jet boat ride itself was exhilarating. Breathtaking scenery and Pedro,our driver, was very informative, stopping every now and then to explain where we were and the history of the landscape. A must do if you’re in the area.”

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