Shotover Jet Queenstown rides are the heart-racing highlight of any New Zealand adventure.
You may have thought New Zealand was laid back… almost Hobbit-type?
Think again and imagine skimming across turquoise water at breakneck speed, surrounded by canyon walls so close you could touch them.
These jet boat Queenstown experiences mix adrenaline with jaw-dropping scenery — it’s Queenstown’s and New Zealand’s most iconic thrill for a reason. And if you’re chasing that same rush elsewhere in Aotearoa, don’t miss the 7 Best Milford Sound Tours from Queenstown or a bucket-list dip with dolphins on the Kaikoura coast.
Below, I’ve picked the top 3 rides through the region’s most dramatic river landscapes and given you all the insider information on riding a Shotover Jet.
Whether you’re after spins, canyon narrows, pure velocity or just an adrenaline junkie, here’s where the real fun begins.
👇 Scroll down for quick picks and full reviews.
Jet Boat Queenstown
| Shotover River Extreme Jet Boat Ride in Queenstown | From Queenstown: Skippers Canyon Jet Boat Ride | Queenstown: Shotover River and Kawarau River Jet Boat Ride |
|---|---|---|
 |  |  |
| Duration: 25 minutes | Duration: 2 hours | Duration: 1 hour |
| Pickup: Optional hotel transfer | Pickup: Included from central Queenstown | Pickup: No pickup offered |
| Cancellation: Free up to 24 hours | Cancellation: Free up to 24 hours | Cancellation: Free up to 24 hours |
| Includes: Safety briefing, life jackets, expert driver | Includes: Jet boat ride, local guide, transfers | Includes: Jet boat ride, river views, commentary |
| High-speed canyon run with 360° spins | Explore historic Skippers Canyon by water | Two rivers, one wild ride beneath the bridges |
| 👉 Reserve Your Spot! | 👉 Reserve Your Spot! | 👉 Reserve Your Spot! |
Queenstown Jet Boat
- Shotover River Extreme Jet Boat Ride in Queenstown
- From Queenstown: Skippers Canyon Jet Boat Ride
- Queenstown: Shotover River and Kawarau River Jet Boat Ride
Jet Boat New Zealand (2025 Reviews)
Tour 1: Shotover River Extreme Jet Boat Ride in Queenstown
✅ Meeting Point: Shotover Jet Beach, Gorge Rd, Arthurs Point, Queenstown 9371, New Zealand
✅ Departure Time: Rides available every 15 minutes between 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
✅ Duration: 25 minutes
✅ Guide: Live driver commentary (English)
✅ Free Cancellation: Yes, up to 24 hours in advance
✅ Includes: Safety briefing, life jacket, professional jet boat driver
We booked the Shotover River Extreme Jet Boat Ride in Queenstown mostly because it felt like a rite of passage — and ended up laughing like maniacs before it was halfway over.
This isn’t your average thrill ride. You’re rocketing through a gorge so narrow your elbows instinctively tuck in. At one point, I swear I saw my reflection in the cliff face. The water glows this icy turquoise that doesn’t even look real — like someone dialed up the saturation on nature itself.
Our driver had a wicked sense of humor and nerves of titanium. He’d swerve toward a rock wall and spin the boat at the last second, flinging mist across the bow and grins across every face on board. If adrenaline were a currency, we left that boat rich.
What I loved most? It felt like Queenstown distilled — bold, playful, a little wild.
Tour 2: From Queenstown: Skippers Canyon Jet Boat Ride
✅ Meeting Point: 61A Shotover Street, Queenstown (inside Station Building)
✅ Departure Time: Multiple daily departures; first at 8:00 AM
✅ Duration: 2 hours
✅ Guide: Live English-speaking guide
✅ Free Cancellation: Yes, up to 24 hours in advance
✅ Includes: Scenic drive to Skippers Canyon, jet boat ride, return transport, local guide
This one surprised me. The Skippers Canyon Jet Boat Ride is part thrill ride, part time machine. You start with a drive through Skippers Road — a bumpy, beautiful route that snakes along the canyon wall, sometimes only a few inches wider than the van.
I wasn’t expecting to be wowed before the jet boat even showed up — but the canyon itself is raw, remote, and wild. You can almost hear old mining ghosts echoing through the rock.
The boat ride? Exhilarating in a different way. It’s not just about speed — it’s about weaving through this ancient landscape, catching glimpses of rusted relics from the gold rush days as you shoot past. The guide balanced facts with fun, and the boat moves fast enough to keep your heart rate elevated but not so fast you miss the scenery.
There’s a hush in the canyon between turns — that rare kind of stillness where you’re fully present. This ride left me thoughtful and smiling, which isn’t a bad combination.
Tour 3: Queenstown: Shotover River and Kawarau River Jet Boat Ride
✅ Meeting Point: Main Town Pier, Marine Parade, Queenstown 9300, New Zealand
✅ Departure Time: Rides run every 30–60 minutes from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
✅ Duration: 1 hour
✅ Guide: Live commentary from jet boat driver (English)
✅ Free Cancellation: Yes, up to 24 hours before departure
✅ Includes: Jet boat ride, riverside views, commentary, life jackets
I joined the Shotover River and Kawarau River Jet Boat Ride on a clear morning, thinking it would be a “nice ride.” It ended up being part scenic cruise, part aquatic rollercoaster, and somehow also a Queenstown sightseeing tour with an engine growl.
This one departs from right in town — perfect if you don’t want to drive out to Arthurs Point. You hit two rivers, which means two totally different moods. The Kawarau is wide, blue, breezy. Then comes the Shotover: tighter, twistier, with more speed and splash.
Our driver stitched it all together with cheeky commentary and just enough history to anchor the experience. You zoom under bridges, past cliffs, and if you’re lucky, you’ll even catch the Remarkables reflecting off the water as you spin.
There’s no big transfer or extra fluff — just a hit of fun that leaves you windblown and grinning. A great choice if you’re short on time but want the full Queenstown jet boat vibe.
Shotover Jet Boat
The Wildest 25 Minutes in Queenstown
If you’ve heard whispers about Queenstown’s thrill factor, chances are someone mentioned the Shotover Jet boat. This isn’t your average boat ride. It’s a full-throttle, heart-thumping sprint through a narrow canyon where the boat seems to defy physics. If James Bond needed a commute, this would be it.
The Shotover Jet is a high-powered jet boat that skims just centimeters above the turquoise Shotover River, executing 360-degree spins and carving past rock faces at hair-raising speeds.
Located at Arthurs Point, only about 10 minutes from central Queenstown, this is the only commercial operation permitted to operate in the dramatic Shotover Canyons. And yes, they’ve been perfecting the adrenaline art since the 1960s.
What to Expect
After check-in at the riverside base, you’ll gear up — lifejacket, splash coat, and the signature red smile of someone about to get properly soaked. A short safety briefing covers the basics: hang on, don’t stand up, and get ready to laugh. Then, you’re off.
The boat roars to life and slingshots down the river, hugging cliff faces and whipping up curtains of spray. Expect high-speed twists, heart-in-mouth near misses, and spontaneous whoops of delight. It’s 25 minutes of pure, unfiltered Kiwi adrenaline.
What to Wear
Let’s talk logistics.
You will get wet, not soaked to the core, but damp enough that jeans will feel like a bad idea. Go for quick-dry fabrics, sneakers (not flip-flops), and leave the fancy camera behind (unless it’s waterproof and strapped on). The splash coats help, but think of them more as a suggestion than a promise.
Pro tip: In cooler months, wear layers. Gloves and a beanie won’t look out of place here.
Weather Conditions
Queenstown weather can change faster than a jet boat turns. Summer (Dec–Feb) brings long days and temperatures between 20–30°C (68–86°F). Winter (Jun–Aug) can be chilly, with snowy peaks and temps hovering around 5–10°C (41–50°F).
The Shotover Jet runs in nearly all conditions, except during extreme floods or lightning. Rain? Still running. Snow? Even better. There’s something magical about those canyon walls dusted in white.
Where in New Zealand Is It?
The Shotover Jet operates just outside Queenstown, on New Zealand’s South Island. Queenstown itself is a compact alpine resort town that packs a serious punch for its size — equal parts adventure base, luxury escape, and wine country gateway.
It’s nestled on the shores of Lake Wakatipu, with the Remarkables mountain range rising behind it like a movie backdrop. Think of it as the adrenaline capital of New Zealand, and arguably, the entire Southern Hemisphere.
Other Nearby Attractions
Shotover Jet might be the headline act, but it’s far from the only show in town. Here are a few more thrills and chills to consider:
- Skyline Queenstown Gondola & Luge – Panoramic views, then race your friends downhill on a gravity-powered luge.
- Kawarau Bridge Bungy – Home of the world’s first commercial bungy jump.
- Milford Sound Day Trips – Fiordland’s iconic fjord is an unmissable day trip by coach, plane, or helicopter.
- Arrowtown – A charming gold rush village with boutique shopping and historic vibes.
- Wineries in Gibbston Valley – Sip pinot noir with a view.
- Skiing and Snowboarding (in winter) – The Remarkables and Coronet Peak are both within 30–45 minutes.
Planning a Trip to New Zealand?
If you’re planning a trip to New Zealand, read our 15 Best Ways to Plan Your New Zealand Adventure in 2025. Queenstown is the kind of place that turns travel plans into travel obsessions. But it’s just one highlight of a country that feels like nature’s best-of reel.
- North Island: Think geothermal wonders in Rotorua, beaches in the Bay of Islands, and Maori culture in full color.
- South Island: Alpine landscapes, vast national parks, and postcard-perfect lakes.
- Transport Tips: You can fly into Queenstown directly or connect via Christchurch. A rental car gives the most flexibility, but day tours are plentiful if you’d rather sit back and let someone else drive.
- Currency: New Zealand Dollar (NZD)
- Driving: Left side of the road!
- Visa: Most countries can enter visa-free for up to 90 days, but check requirements beforehand.
Final Thoughts
The Shotover Jet isn’t just a boat ride — it’s a baptism by spray into the wild heart of New Zealand. Quick, exhilarating, and uniquely Queenstown, it will leave your heart racing and your camera roll full.
Whether you pair it with wine, wilderness, or more white-knuckle thrills, it’s a ride you’ll talk about long after you dry off.
Seriously: don’t skip this.
FAQs (3 Best Shotover Jet Queenstown Rides (2025 Reviews)
Where does the Shotover Jet boat depart from in Queenstown?
The Shotover Jet departs from Shotover Jet Beach, Gorge Rd, Arthurs Point, about 10 minutes from central Queenstown. There’s free parking on-site, and optional transport may be available depending on your booking.
How wet will I get on the Shotover Jet ride?
You’ll definitely get splashed! The boat kicks up plenty of spray, especially during 360° spins. A splash coat is provided, but quick-dry clothes and sneakers are your best bet. Avoid jeans, and leave anything not waterproof at your accommodation.
Is the Shotover Jet boat ride safe for children?
Yes, it’s family-friendly — but children must be at least 1 meter tall (about 3 ft 3 in) to ride. All passengers are securely strapped in with safety gear and receive a briefing before departure.
What’s the best time of year to ride the Shotover Jet?
The Shotover Jet operates year-round. Summer offers warm sun and turquoise water, while winter provides a snowy, dramatic canyon backdrop. Rainy weather rides still operate and can be just as thrilling.
How long is the Shotover Jet ride?
The ride itself lasts approximately 25 minutes, with check-in, gearing up, and briefing taking about 15–20 minutes more. Plan for roughly an hour round-trip from Queenstown.
Can I bring a camera or phone on board?
Not recommended. Unless it’s waterproof and securely strapped on, it’s safer to leave it behind. Professional photos and video packages are usually available after the ride.
What else can I do near the Shotover Jet area?
Plenty! Combine your ride with a visit to Arrowtown, sip wine in Gibbston Valley, or take the Skyline Gondola for stunning views. For even more thrills, try bungee jumping or skydiving — all nearby.
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