Shotover River Extreme Jet Boat Ride in Queenstown
Recommended by 97% of travelers
Queenstown, New Zealand
+11
- 25 minutes (approx.)
- Pickup offered
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
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.
- Exclusive access to the Shotover River canyons—no other operators go here
- Optional return transport available from central Queenstown
- Fun for Queenstown locals and tourists alike
- Multiple tours throughout the day to conveniently fit into your schedule
What's Included
- 25-minute high-speed jet boat ride on the Shotover River
- Exclusive access to the Shotover River canyons
- Professional and highly skilled jet boat driver
- Full 360° spins and high-speed manoeuvres
- Safety briefing and all required safety equipment (life jackets)
- Informative commentary and local stories throughout the experience
- Food and drinks
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
Meeting and Pickup
You can head directly to the meeting point, or request pickup
What To Expect
At your chosen time, head to the departure point or hop aboard a complimentary shuttle bus in downtown Queenstown. After a short ride through New Zealand’s once-thriving gold country, arrive on the shores of the Shotover River to embark on your high-speed jet boat ride.
Get a short safety briefing, then hold on tight as the driver expertly navigates the jet boat over white-water rapids and squeezes through the narrow canyon walls of the Shotover. Pass sheer cliffs and rocky outcrops, then feel your adrenaline pumping as the boat makes trick maneuvers, twists, and turns.
Once back on firm ground, relax on the shuttle transfer back to Queenstown (if option selected).
Get a short safety briefing, then hold on tight as the driver expertly navigates the jet boat over white-water rapids and squeezes through the narrow canyon walls of the Shotover. Pass sheer cliffs and rocky outcrops, then feel your adrenaline pumping as the boat makes trick maneuvers, twists, and turns.
Once back on firm ground, relax on the shuttle transfer back to Queenstown (if option selected).
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Near public transportation
- Not recommended for travelers with back problems
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Most travelers can participate
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Children must be at least 3 feet (1 meter) in height; dependent on water conditions, the operator reserves the right to increase the minimum height to 4 feet (1.2 meters)
- Lifejackets are provided
- Please allow 1.5 hours for return trip from Queenstown if taking shuttle bus
- Locker facilities available for personal belongings
- Check-in is 30 min prior to jet boat ride departure if self-driving to the river base
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 14 travelers
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Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
Absolutely a thrilling ride! So much fun. Would definitely recommend and do again. Friendly, organized staff and very competent driver! Enjoyed the information shared about the jetboats along with the area history as well.
Reviews
4.8
based on 2,864 reviews
Sort by: Most insightful
Great activity for the whole family. We were a group of 10, ages 11 to 50and everyone thoroughly enjoyed this activity.
Fun boat ride in the Shotover river. The ride can be quite bumpy and wet, buts it’s fun, especially for the kids
It was really fun! Would do it again definitely worth the money. It was a little cold the day we went but the heated handle bars definitely helped.
At first, I was really nervous because I was worried I might get thrown out of the boat, especially when it started turning! But once I found my bearings and got comfortable, I was able to relax and really enjoy the experience. By the end, I was even confident enough to put my arms up while the boat was turning! Such a fun and thrilling experience! I’d definitely do it again!
Amazing experience, definitely recommend! Our flight was delayed the day of booking and the team were so helpful and accommodating and made sure we didn’t miss out.
Fantastic high speed adventure! Great driver and loads of fun! Easy, seamless operation from pickup to drop off!
Take sunglasses or goggles to keep to freezing wind out of your eyes! Always take the complementary neck scarf!!!
Great experience and worth every cent. If you have Meta glasses, definitely worth bringing them foe the best photos/video's.
When booking through third party like viator, read fine print and make sure you cancel within 24hrs. Even if 5 or 10 mins late it's unlikely you'll get a refund even with good reason. Having said that, the crew of the actual adventure were great when trying to cancel and were very nice people. We will try again at another time and book direct with the operator.
Shot over is well worth the time. The area is beautiful, the tour is as well run as any you might find anywhere. “Jet boat Joe” , our driver was excellent and informative.
Absolutely incredible experience, well worth the price. There’s really nothing like it! Our driver Misu was so fun and charming, making the experience that much better. Would totally do it again!
Really well organised and the time spent in the jet boat is great and longer than the last time we went.
Must do experience…So much excitement and great adrenaline with a little history thrown in. I would compare to F1 on the water. 👌
An awesome experience., Driver was excellent. Definitely would go again. Queenstown is a definate vibe.
Fun activity, definitely gets very windy so layers and eye protection is recommended, the drivers are very skilled and 25 minutes are worth it, but they lost my pictures :(
This is a really fun thing to do. The jet boat is so much fun and it’s a great way to experience the Shotover river. Highly recommend!
Check in staff at the counter in town was not friendly. Although actual riding was somehow fun but overall experience was not what i expected.
Response from Host, May 2026
Kia ora Kwan Young,
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We’re sorry to hear the service at check-in did not leave a positive impression, as we aim to provide a welcoming experience from start to finish. We do appreciate your comments and are pleased to hear you still found the ride enjoyable.
Ngā mihi,
The Shotover Jet Team
This was the coolest boat ride I've ever done. Definitely worth experiencing. If I'm ever back in the area I will bring whoever is with me to do this again.
Response from Host, May 2026
Kia ora Annie,
Thank you for the great review! We’re so pleased to hear you had such an awesome experience and that it made such an impression. We’re glad we could be part of your Queenstown adventure!
Ngā mihi,
The Shotover Jet Team
Amazing thrill must do activity in Queenstown,
Enjoyed a lot with out friends and children
👌👌👌👍👍
Response from Host, May 2026
Kia ora Pratik,
Thank you for the great review! We’re so pleased to hear you all had an amazing time and enjoyed the thrill with us.
Ngā mihi,
The Shotover Jet Team
Bloody awesome!
The drivers are seriously talented and all the staff are very welcoming and professional
Response from Host, May 2026
Kia ora Thomas,
Thank you for the awesome review! We’re so pleased you had a great time and loved the skills of our drivers and the welcoming team.
Ngā mihi,
The Shotover Jet Team
Absolutely brilliant… if you like an adrenaline flued ride you love this- highly recommend as part of your trip
The Jetboat experience was awesome. The locality is great with a mix of canyons, bridges and river flats. The driver takes the boat incredibly close to the canyon walls and it is thrilling. Highly recommend.
It was awesome, fun, amazing, exciting. Must do in Queenstown. Day was beautiful, cold and a once in a lifetime experience.
Must-do when in Queenstown. Did this first when I visited in February with my sisters, and enjoyed it so much, I had to take my now husband on the way to our wedding. Both of us were really nervous before the first time we both went, but the drivers are absolutely amazing (I think they said they train for 18mths before they take passengers). Ngāi Tahu tourism are an extremely professional operation, and their safety record is impeccable. They are the best for a Queenstown jet boat experience - don't skimp and go for a cheaper operator - Shotover Jet have the exclusive rights to the section of river that's best for this. So much fun - you really won't regret it (and like us, will probably want to go again as soon as you get off!)
So much fun. Transportation to the river from Queenstown. Felt safe and secure the whole way. Glad this was recommended to us as the river is the best venue.
It was exhilarating. Wear warm clothes, gloves, scarf, spray jacket in cool weather. Would highly recommend.
Wow what a ride the best thriller ride ever 😊 the spins, then looks like you were going to hit the sides
I booked for the 4th and you changed it to the 2nd people going on the boat at 12 lunch time on the 2nd had not even arrived in the country I asked for a refund and did not get a reply I will never use you again Cheers Paul
This was such a fun activity and ran seamlessly from check-in at The Station in Queenstown to our return shuttle bus drop off. We felt safe at all times. The staff were all great and I really can't fault our experience. Highly recommend!
This is an awesome experience. Boat driver was excellent and made everyone feel very safe. Awesome ride!
Member Pricing
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$112.40
per personWas $118.32(-5%)
up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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