Queenstown 60-minute Jet Boat Ride on the Shotover & Kawarau Rivers

246 Reviews

Badge of Excellence

Queenstown, New Zealand

Queenstown 60-minute Jet Boat Ride on the Shotover & Kawarau Rivers

From $71.23

Lowest Price Guarantee

Free cancellation

Up to 24 hours in advance. Learn more

Safety measures

1 hour (Approx.)

Mobile ticket

Offered in: English

Good for avoiding crowds

Overview

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 milky 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.

1-hour jet-boat ride on Lake Wakatipu and the Kawarau River and Shotover River, from Queenstown
Zip around the scenic waterways of Queenstown on a thrilling high-speed jet boat adventure
Hold on as your expert driver spins the boat in 360-degree circles and fish-tails on the water
Take in stunning views of the Remarkables mountain range and local life on the waterways
Choose from multiple tours throughout the day to suit your schedule
Includes safety briefing and all safety gear

Saved to wishlist!

From $71.23

Lowest Price Guarantee

What's Included

1-hour jet boat ride

Driver/guide

Life vests supplied

Food and drinks

Gratuities

Hotel pickup and drop-off

Departure & Return

Departure Point

Main Town Pier, Marine Parade, Queenstown 9348, New Zealand

Please check in at the Main Town Pier 15 minutes before your scheduled Jet Boat departure.

Return Details

Returns to original departure point

What To Expect

Roar across Lake Wakatipu and down the Kawarau and Shotover rivers on a 1-hour adrenaline-pumping jet-boat adventure, departing from the main pier in central Queenstown. After you receive wet-weather gear, a life jacket and a safety briefing, hold on for the 27-mile (45-km) jet-boat ride down some of New Zealand’s most scenic waterways.

First, zoom across pristine Lake Wakatipu and look up at the majestic Remarkables mountain range. From the mouth of the Kawarau River, glide past the Kawarau Dam and prepare for 360-degree spins before your driver expertly navigates the fast-moving currents of the narrow channels of the Shotover River, gaining speeds up to 59 mph (95 kph) in shallow water.

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Not recommended for travelers with back problems
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Children must be accompanied by an adult
Minimum age is 2 years
Please wear comfortable shoes, jacket and sun protection
Wheelchair accessible
Stroller accessible
Near public transportation
Infants must sit on laps
Transportation is wheelchair accessible
No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
Caregivers are required to assist drivers with carrying any disabled passengers down the stairs and on to the Jet boat. When carrying larger numbers, at least one caregiver must travel on the boat.
Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 140 travelers
OPERATED BY K Jet Queenstown

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Learn more about cancellations.

Frequently Asked Questions

The answers provided below are based on answers previously given by the tour provider to customers’ questions.

What is the policy on sanitization during Queenstown 60-minute Jet Boat Ride on the Shotover & Kawarau Rivers?

A:The policies on sanitization are:

Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas
Gear/equipment sanitized between use
Transportation vehicles regularly sanitized

See all safety measures taken by Queenstown 60-minute Jet Boat Ride on the Shotover & Kawarau Rivers.

What is the social distancing policy during Queenstown 60-minute Jet Boat Ride on the Shotover & Kawarau Rivers?

A:The policy on social distancing is:

Contactless payments for gratuities and add-ons

See all safety measures taken by Queenstown 60-minute Jet Boat Ride on the Shotover & Kawarau Rivers.

What measures are being taken to ensure staff health & safety during Queenstown 60-minute Jet Boat Ride on the Shotover & Kawarau Rivers?

A:The policies on staff health & safety are:

Guides required to regularly wash hands
Paid stay-at-home policy for staff with symptoms

See all safety measures taken by Queenstown 60-minute Jet Boat Ride on the Shotover & Kawarau Rivers.

Traveler Photos

Reviews

4.5

246 Reviews

5 stars

197

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 star

Reviews by Viator travelers

Showing 1-10 of 246 reviews

My 10 yr olds favourite thing on our trip

Cellena_I

, Jul 2021

The best time!!! Everyone has to do this!! Driver was awesome and so was the experience...the family loved it :)

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Response from Host , Aug 2021

Love this review, 'Best Time' 'Everyone has to do it' ! We agree with you and of course we hope you loved your free digital photos. # memories

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Expensive

Michael_H

, Aug 2020

The ride is great, sadly buying through VIATOR was $25 per person more expensive than just buying in Queenstown. So I feel ripped off!!!

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360 spins

Isobel_S

, Jul 2020

I had a fantastic time and I am definitely going to do this again. However, I just hope next time I do it that’s it’s not raining and it’s a beautiful day so I can see more views. The pilot was excellent and made it fun for all. I look forward to seeing them all next time 😊

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Kjet after covid

Jason_G

, Jun 2020

Great time with plenty of grins. Knowledgeable and good humoured guide. Recommended for most age groups.

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Response from Host , Aug 2020

Thanks so much for leaving 5 stars for the Big Yellows! Cheers The KJet team

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Enjoyed thoroughly

Christina_G

, Mar 2020

All of the people involved with the experience were awesome—from checking in, to making sure our valuables were stored to, to the entire boat trip. They were both professional, helpful, and fun to be with.

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Awesome experience

Peter_W

, Jun 2019

Well it was absolutely freezing .. 3 degrees Celsius at ten am but the ride was awesome .. thoroughly enjoyed it and would highly recommend it.. thanks guys

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Not much to see, boring part of the...

Bradney_T

, Oct 2017

Not much to see, boring part of the river. Lots of gratuitous 360 spins maybe the kids like this but annoying for an adult A poor value in my opinion. The same price in the US gets me a jet boat ride on the Columbia River for the whole day ! The other jet boat outfit does a more scenic part of the river. Go with them or skip this all together.

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1 traveler found this review helpful

This was really enjoyable, lasted...

jamesnisbet24

, Feb 2016

This was really enjoyable, lasted for the hour and the driver really throw the boat around. However we were booked for a 5 p.m. trip but chanced going out early butte company said they were not operating a trip at our supposedly booked time so we were very lucky we chanced our luck at 3. Would suggest double checking at the pier side before you turn up to avoid being disappointed.

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Like a Jetboat ride and scenic cruise...

sendit2matt

, Jan 2016

Like a Jetboat ride and scenic cruise together, it was awesome!

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The staff were very prompt and...

John H

, Jan 2015

The staff were very prompt and courteous. The time on the boat was excellent which was great value for money. The departure and finish location was in the centre of Queenstown so it was very handy and no wasting time travelling. Definitely recommend

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