New Zealand · JET BOAT RIDES

Jet Boat Rides in New Zealand: The 15 Best Runs

21 tours  ·  from $65 a head

The boat was invented here to run shallow rivers, and the tourism version runs them at speed. The 15 below compare the Shotover, the Dart, the Waikato and the Buller on length, price and how much of it is canyon.

Shotover River Extreme Jet Boat Ride in Queenstown - From Duke Street to the river base
Boat Tours in Queenstown, Cruises & Boat Tours, Jet Boat Rides, Queenstown Tours, Tour Reviews

Shotover River Extreme Jet Boat Ride in Queenstown

Queenstown: Shotover River and Kawarau River Jet Boat Ride - From Main Town Pier to Lake Wakatipu
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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

Ride KJet through Lake Wakatipu, the Kawarau, and Shotover rivers at 95 kph, with spins, mountain views, and heated handrails.

“Easy location, excellent customer service by phone and in person. The guide was very friendly and considerate. It was absolutely awesome!!! You are bound to get wet especially if you are sitting in a corner so be prepared. We loved it though.”

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Waikato River Jet Boat Ride from Taupo - The guides make a real difference
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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 the Waikato River from Taupo with rapids, canyon runs, 360-degree spins, scenic commentary, and a small group of 11.

“It was about as much fun as you can have in half an hour. Our pilot Jacob was highly skilled and entertaining both as a jet boat pilot and guide. My whole family loved it.”

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Queenstown: Shotover River Extreme Jet Boat Experience - From Queenstown to the river base
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Queenstown: Shotover River Extreme Jet Boat Experience

4.Shotover River Extreme Jet Boat Experience

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

Race through Shotover Canyon at 90kmh with rapid 360-degree spins, skilled guides, dramatic scenery, and optional Queenstown transport.

“Wow! Exhilarating through the canyons. The turns were exciting and the kids and I loved it. Thanks for an awesome experience with a fun and professional guide :)”

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Taupō: Huka Falls 30-Minute Jet Boat Experience - The 30-minute route along the Waikato River
Boat Tours in Taupo, Cruises & Boat Tours, Jet Boat Rides, Taupo & Tongariro Tours, Tour Reviews

Taupō: Huka Falls 30-Minute Jet Boat Experience

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

Trade Queenstown for Skippers Canyon on a scenic mountain road and thrilling Shotover River jet boat ride with 360-degree spins.

“Absolutely great! The tour was so entertaining, and our buddy boy “golf” was humorous & outstanding. The ride to and from Skippers Canyon was insightful, and the views were amazing! Definitely a highlight of our Queenstown trip, and we hope the tour guide blesses more souls with his charm. Cheers!”

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Jet Boat Journey through Fiordland National Park - Pure Wilderness - Lake Manapouri Brings the Quiet
Boat Tours in Fiordland, Cruises & Boat Tours, Fiordland & Milford Sound Tours, Jet Boat Rides, National Parks, Tour Reviews

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

Ride the Upper Waiau River from Te Anau to Lake Manapouri with Fiordland views, Lord of the Rings sites, spins, and a short forest walk.

“It was a AWESOME experience Very knowledgeable driver The session was a lot longer then we expected it also included stops with the history of the area The hard turns of the Jet boat was Fantastic we all had a great time I would highly recommend this company for anyone they were AWESOME”

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KJet Queenstown Jet Boat Ride on the Kawarau and Shotover Rivers - Crossing Lake Wakatipu beneath the Remarkables
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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

Queenstown’s KJet combines Lake Wakatipu views, fast river runs, and 360-degree spins in a family-friendly one-hour adventure.

“Too many people squashed into boat. A row that should seat 5 had 6 squashed in. Given the price of this experience it was a little disappointing to be sitting awkwardly. The driver and the boat trip was fun, amazing the turns and spins the boat can make.”

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Dart River Jet Boat and Wilderness Experience - Stops Along the River and Time to Listen
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Dart River Jet Boat and Wilderness Experience

Dart River Canoe and Jet Boat Experience from Queenstown - Getting ready for the Dart River
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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

Ride the Dart River by jet boat and funyak through Mt Aspiring National Park, with lunch, gear, guides, and Queenstown transport included.

“Such an amazing day in Mount Aspiring park! Knowledgeable and helpful guides in Rob, Georgia, John and Toby. Staff provided necessary gear and the lunch was a great spread and accommodated allergies well. Would highly highly recommend to anyone in Glenorchy !”

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Small Group Jet Boat Adventure on the Clutha River from Wanaka - The thrills: spins, turns, and a comfortable pace
Boat Tours in Wanaka, Cruises & Boat Tours, Jet Boat Rides, Tour Reviews, Wanaka 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

Ride the Clutha River from Wanaka on a small-group jet boat with 360 spins, mountain views, gold-mining stories, and photo stops.

“Patrick and his crew were very experienced and made us feel comfortable and safe, while having fun. The boat was clean and well-maintained. Patrick was knowledgeable about the area and shared lots of good information. The scenery Read more”

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Jet Boat and Wilderness Walk Tour from Wanaka - A 50-minute walk through forest and water
Boat Tours in Wanaka, Cruises & Boat Tours, Jet Boat Rides, National Parks, Tour Reviews, Tours, Walking Tours, Walking Tours in Wanaka, Wanaka Tours

Jet Boat and Wilderness Walk Tour from Wanaka

Lakeland Jet Boat Adventure - Clutha River - The Clutha River turns up the pressure
Boat Tours in Wanaka, Cruises & Boat Tours, Jet Boat Rides, Tour Reviews, Wanaka Tours

Lakeland Jet Boat Adventure – Clutha River

14.Lakeland Jet Boat Adventure – Clutha River

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

Wanaka's Lakeland Jet Boat Adventure races across Lake Wanaka and the Clutha River with spins, rapids, mountain views, and live commentary.

“This was a great excursion - definitely worth the $. We were fearful of the threatening weather - but they were flexible and provided the option to just cruise the river and we avoided the pounding waves on the Lake. Our guide was incrediblRead more”

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Amuri Adventure Jet Boating in Hanmer Springs - From the meeting point to the boat ramp
Hanmer Springs Tours, Jet Boat Rides, Tour Reviews

Amuri Adventure Jet Boating in Hanmer Springs

15.Amuri Adventure Jet Boating in Hanmer Springs

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 191 reviews · from $80

Ride the Wairau River near Hanmer Springs through canyons, rapids and shallows on a one-hour Amuri jet-boat adventure.

“Brendon took us for a great ride in his jet boat getting close the rocks and the overhanging trees. Great fun. Access to the boat down a steep ramp was daunting but needed the help of a rope. Not suitable for those who find walking difficult. Brendon pointed out points of interest in between spinning the boat on its axis. Wonderful👍😁”

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