Top Queenstown Jet Boat Tours

Ideal for thrill seekers, this experience lets you take a jet boat ride on the Shotover River canyons. Experience adrenaline-fueled fun as the jet boat skims the water’s surface at high speed and fishtails into 360-degree spins. Hold on tight as the captain maneuvers the jet boat over rapids and through narrow canyons during one heart-pounding adventure you won’t soon forget.

Enjoy a thrilling jet boat ride on the Dart River, taking you to places you couldn’t reach any other way. During the half-day tour, venture into the UNESCO World Heritage–listed Mt Aspiring National Park from Glenorchy, a short drive from Queenstown. Surrounded by awe-inspiring peaks and hidden valleys, twist and turn down the glacier-fed Dart River. Listen to your guide’s stories about the area’s natural and cultural history en route.

Experience heart-racing fun on an exhilarating Queenstown jet-boat ride. The expert captain races across Lake Wakatipu, navigates tricky turns on the Kawarau River, and speeds through the shallow waters of the Shotover River. Grab hold of your seat as the jet boat makes 360-degree spins and fishtails on a rollercoaster ride over the water.

Thunder Jet is the only jet boat provider who play music on their trips - your own personalised soundtrack! Also the only 30-minute jet boat ride on Lake Wakatipu, we guarantee an exhilarating jet boat ride along the stunning Kawarau River, where breathtaking landscapes meet thrilling speed. Reaching speeds of up to 95km/h while enjoying iconic 360º spins, you can choose between a 30-minute high-speed thrill or a 60-minute journey through New Zealand’s natural beauty, complete with expert local commentary. With plenty of opportunities for scenic photos and a blend of fun and professionalism from the skilled Thunder drivers, this is an essential Queenstown experience.

Enjoy mountain and lake views from a different angle when you cruise from Queenstown aboard the vintage “TSS Earnslaw” steamship or the modern “Spirit of Queenstown” catamaran across Lake Wakatipu to the Walter Peak High Country Farm. Refuel with a gourmet barbecue lunch featuring Central Otago specialties, salads, desserts, and local cheeses at the Colonel’s Homestead. Learn about local rural life during sheep-shearing and sheepdog demonstrations at the farm.

This full-day adventure includes a “funyak” (inflatable canoe) and jet boat ride on the Dart River, within Mt. Aspiring National Park. Take the complimentary return coach from Queenstown or make your own way to Glenorchy. From there, speed upriver on a thrilling jet boat before climbing aboard an easy-to-handle funyak. No previous experience is necessary and you paddle in a flotilla behind your guide.

xperience Queenstown differently with Thunder Jet – the only Queenstown jet boat with music on board, combining high-speed adventure with our very own soundtrack, 360° spins, spectacular scenery and personalised local commentary. Choose a 30-minute jet boat ride or go further on our 60-minute adventure, travelling a 47km round trip and venturing deep into the Kawarau River’s untouched wilderness and historic gold-mining areas. Thunder Jet’s 60-minute trip travels further down the Kawarau River than any other Queenstown jet boat experience. Reach exhilarating speeds of up to 95km/h as you skim across the water and experience the landscapes surrounding Queenstown from a completely different perspective. Perfect for families, couples, groups and adventure seekers of all ages, Thunder Jet delivers a uniquely Queenstown experience with more river, more adventure and music all the way.

Combining two of Queenstown's most iconic activities, this trip is second to none! Starting on the Queenstown Jet Boat, you'll get to experience those famous 360 degree spins and speed. Discover the Kawarau River and its pristine wilderness as we race you down the river to your next mode of transport. Then jump straight into a raft to complete the last section of river, where the Jet Boats fear to go. Spend your morning or afternoon paddling through the historic Kawarau gorge, famous for its gold mining, wineries and it’s stint in The Lord of the Rings franchise. Paddle and swim your way through grade 2-3 whitewater rapids with a brand new cliff jumping section added for the adventure junkies (optional). Complete your journey by tackling the famous 400m Dog Leg rapid – the longest commercially rafted rapid in New Zealand. Then head back to Rafting Base for a hot shower.

A unique water adventure awaits you on Queenstown's stunning lake with our semi-submersible shark ride. Feel the rush as you reach speeds of 80 kph on the surface and dive under the water at 40 kph, all while enjoying a personal ride with an experienced pilot. Experience exhilarating jumps as the shark leaps out of the water, sending splashes all around. With the first commercial Seabreacher X watercraft at your disposal, you can customize your ride to be as mild or wild as you want. Don’t miss this one-of-a-kind thrill while in Queenstown.

Enjoy uninterrupted views of the mountain scenery without having to self-drive to Milford Sound from Queenstown in a glass-roofed coach. Your driver will provide commentary along the way, to keep you informed. At Milford Sound, embark on a cruise on the water, all the way out to the Tasman Sea. Relax and take in the views as you enjoy lunch on board, too.

Thrill seekers will enjoy this fun adventure activity combo that includes jet boating and off-roading near Queenstown. Be amazed by the speeds you’ll get to in the four-seater Jet Sprint boats, which can accelerate to 62 miles (100 kilometers) per hour in just 2.5 seconds. Follow this with a ride on land in a four-wheel-drive vehicle that can venture over the most rugged terrain. The activity starts at 2696 Gibbston Highway, Gibbston.

Learn how it feels to fly on the water. Literally. Take a ride in our unique custom-built 4-seater Jet Sprint Boats. Oxbow’s Jet Sprint Boats are the only four-seaters in the world and are guaranteed to make a screamer out of everyone it has the pleasure of meeting. Jet Sprints are next level jet boating. While Oxbow’s goal is to make sure you have the most epic experience of your life, we always put safety first. Our one-of-a-kind Jet Sprint Boats are regularly inspected and maintained to follow the highest safety standards. We also provide sturdy helmets for every passenger and take you through a safety briefing before your ride so you can relax and have the time of your life.

Pair the fine wines of Central Otago with a gourmet lunch platter on this small-group wine-tasting tour of Gibbston, Bannockburn, and Cromwell from Queenstown. Drive through valleys and vine-clad foothills rich in gold mining history, and stop at four boutique wineries for tastings along the way. Numbers are limited to ensure an intimate experience with other wine lovers and personalized attention from your guide.

Explore Lake Wakatipu by boat on a 1.5-hour cruise from Queenstown. As you travel to the end of the lake, you can see stunning lakeside homes, a variety of bird life, Kawarau Dam, and the magnificent scenery that surrounds Queenstown. Get unobstructed views from the sundeck or stay warm in the heated cabin, and have the option to purchase drinks from the onboard bar.

Adventurous travellers will love this thrill seeking experience which includes driving off-road vehicles, jet boating, and clay bird shooting. This experience is unique as it includes all three activities, meaning visitors will make the most of the exciting opportunities available in the Queenstown region. Enjoy thrill seeking against New Zealand’s magnificent backdrop.

See an enormous range of New Zealand highlights and have unforgettable experiences over 11 days on this tour. See both the North and South Islands, visit secluded natural spots and big cities, take in truly spectacular scenery, enjoy a thrilling range of adventure activities from jet boating to zip-lining, and much more. This is the perfect way to see the whole country in less than two-weeks, at an affordable price.

Learn how it feels to fly on water and take a ride in Oxbow’s unique, custom-built 4-seater Jet Sprint Boats! Accelerating at an incredible 0 to 100kph in only 2.5 seconds, it’s the perfect activity in Queenstown for the adrenaline seeker. After your ride in our 620 horse-power boat, head over to our Oxbow Gun Club, our custom-designed compact sporting field set against one of New Zealand’s most magnificent backdrops. Equipped with eight automatic clay target throwers to suit all abilities; it also includes the run-away rabbit across the ground (don’t worry, it’s not the real thing!)