Queenstown has more jet boat rides than anywhere else in New Zealand, spread across three rivers. The Shotover Jet skims a narrow canyon at speed, the Kawarau and Shotover confluence in town suits a first-timer, and the Dart River runs into Mount Aspiring National Park for a wilder, slower thrill. Here is what is on offer.
Shotover Jet through Shotover Canyon
The Shotover Jet covers 25 minutes of tight canyon corners on the Shotover River at Arthurs Point, up to 90 kilometres an hour with 360-degree spins built in. No set minimum age, but riders need to stand at least one metre tall, and it is not suitable for pregnant women. Boats depart every 30 minutes, a 10-minute self-drive from central Queenstown.
Skippers Canyon Jetboat and 4WD Tour
The Skippers Canyon Jetboat and 1.5 Hour 4WD Tour pairs a 45-minute 4WD drive into the canyon with a 30-minute jet boat ride on the Shotover River, plus commentary on the area's gold mining history and film locations. Minimum age is three; not suitable for pregnant women. Departures leave central Queenstown; the whole trip is about three hours.
KJet on the Kawarau and Shotover Rivers
The KJet has run from Queenstown's Main Town Pier for more than 60 years, covering about 45 kilometres across the Kawarau and Shotover Rivers in a 60-minute ride. Children from age two travel free, minimum height one metre, pregnancy not recommended. Boats leave every hour, 10am till dusk, 365 days a year, no hotel transfer needed.
Dart River Wilderness Jet Safari in Glenorchy
The Dart River Wilderness Jet Safari trades canyon walls for Mount Aspiring National Park, with two hours of jet boating and guide commentary on the area's history. Minimum height is 100 centimetres, rising to 1.2 metres in some conditions; children under five ride free once they meet it. Departures leave the Dart Visitor Centre in Glenorchy, optional transfers about 45 minutes each way from Queenstown.
Funyak and Dart River Jetboat Safari
The Funyak and Dart River Jetboat Safari combines a one-hour jet boat ride with a paddle in an inflatable funyak canoe and a buffet lunch on the riverbank, a full day out from Glenorchy. Minimum age is five; no previous kayaking experience needed. Allow eight to nine hours including transfers; transport available from central Queenstown from around 8.30am.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum age for jet boating in Queenstown?
Minimum ages and heights vary by trip: KJet accepts children from age two, the Skippers Canyon Jetboat and 4WD Tour sets the bar at three, and the Funyak and Dart River Safari requires riders to be at least five. The Shotover Jet and Dart River Wilderness Safari use height instead of age, both starting around one metre tall.
Can you go jet boating while pregnant?
No, the Shotover Jet, the Skippers Canyon Jetboat and 4WD Tour, and KJet all advise against jet boating during pregnancy, and operators can decline boarding on the day. A scenic lake or river cruise is a calmer alternative for a pregnant traveller.
What is the difference between the Shotover Jet and KJet?
The Shotover Jet is the faster, more technical ride, twisting through the narrow Shotover Canyon at up to 90 kilometres an hour with 360-degree spins. KJet runs a calmer 60-minute loop across the Kawarau and Shotover Rivers from central Queenstown, departing hourly with no self-drive required, suiting families without a car.
Does any Queenstown jet boat trip include lunch?
Yes, the Funyak and Dart River Jetboat Safari includes a buffet lunch on the riverbank as part of its full day out from Glenorchy, alongside a jet boat ride and a paddle in an inflatable funyak canoe. Most other Queenstown jet boat trips run one to two hours and do not include a meal.
What happens if the weather turns on a jet boat trip?
Queenstown's jet boat operators reschedule or fully refund trips affected by heavy rain or unsafe river conditions, as with the Dart River Wilderness Safari's weather policy. Most trips also allow free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure, so checking the forecast a day out is worth doing before locking in a time.
Local tip: book the first Shotover Jet or KJet run of the day, the rivers run calmer before the tour buses arrive.
Compare the rides above, or see Adrenaline in Queenstown for bungy and skydiving.