Jet boating started as a way to reach farmland that the Waikato and Clutha Rivers cut off from the road, and the shallow draft hulls built for that job now spin, skim and surge through some of the best river canyons in the country. From the Shotover Canyon in Queenstown to the Waikato River below Huka Falls in Taupo, here is where to find a jet boat ride the whole family can book with confidence.
Shotover Jet Boat Queenstown
The Shotover Jet Boat Queenstown races through the narrow Shotover Canyon at speeds up to 85 kilometres an hour, closing in on rock walls before snapping into the ride's signature 360 degree spin. Child tickets apply for ages 5 to 15, with a minimum height of 1 metre and children aged 3 to 4 travelling free as infants.
Dart River Wilderness Jetboat in Glenorchy
The Dart River Wilderness Jetboat trades top speed for scale, a 2 hour run through the braided Dart River and into Mount Aspiring National Park, with stops for Māori history and native beech forest along the way. A gentler pace than the Shotover Jet makes it a solid pick for families with younger or more cautious riders, child tickets apply for ages 5 to 15, with a minimum height of 100 centimetres.
Lakeland Jet Boat Ride on the Clutha River
The Lakeland Jet Boat Ride departs the Wanaka waterfront for a 1 hour run down Lake Wanaka and onto the Clutha River, spinning through pressure waves and pausing to spot trout in the turquoise water. Minimum age is 4, with no height restriction beyond fitting into a life jacket, and Family tickets covering 2 adults and 2 children.
Huka Falls Jet Boat Tour, Taupo
The Huka Falls Jet Boat Tour covers 30 minutes of 360 degree turns on the Waikato River, passing the Wairakei Geothermal Power Station and Huka Prawn Park before reaching the turquoise plunge pool below Huka Falls. Children must be 1 metre tall to ride, with child pricing for ages 15 and under.
Lake Rotoiti Hot Pools by Jet Boat, Rotorua
The Lake Rotoiti Hot Pools by Jet Boat pairs 90 minutes of jet boating across Lake Rotorua and Lake Rotoiti with a 1 hour soak at the Manupirua Hot Springs, a pool only reachable by water. Minimum age is 2, with child pricing for ages 5 to 14 and infants aged 2 to 4 travelling free.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum age for jet boating in New Zealand?
It varies by operator and region, from age 2 on the Rotorua hot pools jet boat to a 1 metre height requirement on the Shotover Jet and Huka Falls Jet, so check the specific minimum before booking.
Which jet boat ride is calmer for younger or nervous kids?
The Dart River Wilderness Jetboat in Glenorchy runs at a more moderate intensity than the Shotover Jet, with wilderness scenery and Māori history alongside the thrills.
Can pregnant women ride a New Zealand jet boat?
No, jet boat operators including the Shotover Jet and Lake Rotoiti Hot Pools by Jet Boat do not recommend the ride for anyone who is pregnant, due to the high speed, physical nature of the trip.
Do jet boats operate in the rain?
Most jet boats run in light rain, though heavy rain or rising river levels can see trips rescheduled or cancelled for safety reasons.
Is there a jet boat ride that combines more than one activity?
Yes, the Lake Rotoiti Hot Pools by Jet Boat in Rotorua combines a jet boat ride with a soak at the Manupirua Hot Springs, a pool only accessible by water.
Local tip: book the Shotover Jet and Dart River Wilderness Jetboat on different days if your family wants to try both, they depart from the same region but deliver a genuinely different pace.
Go everywhere. Do everything. Book your family's New Zealand jet boat ride above, Queenstown, Glenorchy, Wanaka, Taupo or Rotorua.