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Shotover River Jet Boat Ride

Highlights

  • Ride on the world's most famous jet boat
  • Hold on tight for a series of extreme manoeuvres
  • Stunning steep canyon walls surround you

Embark on the world's most exciting jet boat ride on Shotover River, hold on tight on this 25 minute ride with awe inspiring spins and canyon views.

What's included?

  • 25 minute jet boat ride on Shotover River
  • Safety briefing
  • Life jackets

Acknowledged as the world's most famous jet boat operation, this is one ride you won't want to miss! It's a thrilling ride, skimming past rocky outcrops at close range in our jet boats as you twist and turn through the narrow canyons at breathtaking speeds. Hold on tight as the driver takes you through a series of extreme manoeuvres, including the world famous 360 degree spins!

The part of the Shotover River in which this experience operates is less then 10 minutes' drive from the centre of Queenstown and consists primarily of steep canyon walls, divided by the fast flowing river. The canyons have been carved over thousands of years by billions of tonnes of glacial water from the heart of the Southern Alps. The very grandeur of the river provides an element of excitement.

This experience is part of the Responsible Range as it was awarded a Qualmark Enviro Gold endorsement.

Important information

  • Please allow 90 minutes for this experience including a 25 minute jet boat ride
  • Boats depart every hour
  • Please arrive 30 minutes prior to departure
  • Available from 10am to 4pm
  • Available seven days a week excluding Christmas Day
  • Minimum height is one metre, the experience provider reserves the right to extend this to 1.2 metres to ensure participant safety
  • This experience is not suitable for anyone pregnant or people with medical conditions such as neck or back problems
  • For safety reasons the only cameras allowed on board are forehead mounted hands free Go Pro or similar
  • Any other camera or phones are not permitted to be carried aboard
  • Bookings are required as seats are limited
  • Return complimentary transport is available from Queenstown for selected trips
  • Change your booking up to 24 hours before the start time of your experience
  • Changes are not permitted within 24 hours of your experience
  • Late arrivals or no shows may result in you forfeiting your experience

Minimum of four and a maximum of 14 people in each jet boat.

Anyone is welcome to visit the river base and watch the jet boats.

In unsuitable weather conditions the experience may be cancelled if safety is a concern, you will be contacted by the experience provider and rescheduled.

Please wear eyewear all year round and dress warmly with a jacket, hat and gloves in winter, although hand rails on the jet boats are heated, these are strongly recommended. Free lockers are available for your valuables.

This experiences departs from Shotover River, 3 Arthurs Point Road, Arthurs Point, Queenstown, 9371 NZ.

Reviews

5.0
19 reviews
5 stars 18
4 stars 1
3 stars 0
2 stars 0
1 star 0
Recommended

Incredible Experience

Tamara 6 October 2025

[Employee of redballoon] I recently got to take this experience, and it was hands down one of the highlights of our NZ trip. No other jet boat experience can compare to this one. The staff were incredible and so skilled at what they do, along with the stunning scenery and insane thrill. This is a must do!

Customer Experience

Hi Tamara, Thanks so much for sharing your experience! We're thrilled to hear it was a standout moment of your NZ trip. It’s great to know the scenery and thrill made it unforgettable.

13 October 2025

Recommended

The best jet boat

Kiani 25 June 2025

[Employee of redballoon] This is the most iconic experience in Queenstown for a reason, it was the perfect amount of time and so so much fun

Customer Experience

Hi Kiani, your feedback is important to us, and we’re so glad to hear that you enjoyed your experience!

26 June 2025

Recommended

Such an awesome Jetboat experience in Queenstown!

Laura 25 June 2025

I had such an awesome time on this experience. It’s amazing how the jetboat drivers do such intricate turns and twists around such narrow spaces! Everyone was so friendly and genuinely seemed to love what they do

Customer Experience

Hi Laura, we're so pleased to hear you enjoyed your experience. We appreciate you taking the time to leave such positive feedback!

26 June 2025

Recommended

Pure adrenaline in Queenstown

Matt 24 June 2025

Absolutely wild ride. High speed, tight canyon turns, and those 360° spins hit hard. The Shotover scenery is stunning, and the guides nail the balance between thrill and safety. It’s short, sharp, and unforgettable. If you're in Queenstown, this is a no-brainer.

Customer Experience

Hi Matt, it is always great to hear about the wonderful experiences our customers have, thank you for sharing!

26 June 2025

Awesome

Sof123 20 January 2020

Great experience and would reccomend red balloon and the shotover jet

A Must Do in a Queenstown

Blake 3 August 2018

Awesome experience and the best of all the jet boat rides in Queenstown. It’s a must and you can travel from town by there free buses or drive yourself. The service is exceptional and the drivers make your experience fun

This was a great experience

Leapea 12 March 2018

The Shotover jet boat ride and crew were fantastic.

Was so much fun!

Johnny and Vivian 24 March 2017

Was so much fun - just hold on tight! Great way to swish through the river!

Unforgettable fun

The witt 27 February 2017

An exciting and exhilarating ride with an entertaining driver. Great entertainment which ever way you look at it. Not to be missed !

Awesome Experience!

Loz 18 July 2016

Was a great experience. Was super fun and thrilling and also wet! The entire experience from the collection at the station building to the drop off back to the building was very good. All the staff were lovely and the views around the area were breathtaking the photo really doesn't do it justice. Would definatly recommend this experience to others.

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