Skippers Canyon Jetboat & 1.5 Hour 4WD Tour
Highlights & inclusions
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May 2026
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Highlighted reviews
Our family’s experience with Skipper’s Canyon was AWESOME! We looked into several options with other jet boat operators but went with Skipper’s Canyon as the experience included the very cool 4-wheel drive along Skipper’s Canyon road and the jet boat ride was longer than what the other operators offer. Also, Skipper’s Canyon is a smaller operation so it’s way less crowded than other (bigger) operators. The team (bus driver and boat drivers) were soo great… very knowledgeable and super skilled! All our kids (two teenagers and a four year old) and my wife and I LOVED it! We’d do it again for sure!
Had a lot of fun!!!. The boat goes really fast. And we enjoyed a lot
What you can expect
Charge through an awe inspiring canyon towering intimidatingly over the river, and grip the handrail with white knuckled hands as the jetboat careens past craggy cliff faces and rocky canyon walls. Your adrenalin levels skyrocket as you coast the shallow waters of the Shotover River at terrifying speeds and launch into dizzying jet spins, otherwise known as Hamilton turns.
A jetboat ride with Skippers Canyon adventures in Queenstown is the only way you can explore the renowned Skippers Canyon in such an exciting manner. The company is the only one allowed to operate in the area. Getting to the start of your ride is great fun in itself, as your transport to and from Queenstown takes on a 4WD tour down the Skippers Canyon Road, which was dug out of schist rock and takes you past some of the most incredible scenery in New Zealand.
Get to see several filming locations used in the making of the Lord of the Rings, learn about the incredible engineering prowess of the early pioneers and enjoy your driver’s commentary as he details the history of various mining relics littering the riverbank.
The Jetboat
The large, blue jetboat used by Skippers Canyon was specially designed for use on the Upper Shotover River. Made of heavy gauge aluminium, the boats offer the utmost in strength and are extremely manoeuvrable.
The “Big Blue” jetboats run on Chevrolet v8 engines with 450 horsepower and consume high-octane aviation fuel. A powerful Hamilton Jet 212 jet unit, which pumps an impressive 25,000 litres of water per minute, provides a mighty thrust.
Location
What you need to know
- Return transfers from central Queenstown
- Transport into Skippers Canyon from Queenstown with amazing canyon views (45 min each way)
- The thrill seeking Jetboat adventure ride powering up & down the Shotover River through narrow canyons (30 min)
- Gold mining history, Lord of the Rings locations & spectacular scenery
- 30 minute Jetboat ride
- Allow 3 hours from Queenstown including 4wd trip each way
- Departs 8:30 am, 12 pm & 3:30 pm during summer (Oct-Apr)
- Departs 9 am & 1 pm during winter (May-Sept)
- Pick up from outside the Station Building, central Queenstown
- Operates daily all year
- Can I visit Skippers Canyon without doing the jet boat ride? Yes, if you would like to visit Skippers Canyon without doing the Skippers Canyon Jet Boat, you can choose a dedicated Skippers Canyon 4WD tour instead, which focuses on the scenery and history of the area.
- Where is the central Queenstown pick-up for the Skippers Canyon Jet Boat tour? The central Queenstown pick-up for the Skippers Canyon Jet Boat tour is from The Station Building, located at the corner of Shotover and Camp Street. Hotel pick-ups are not available for this tour.
- Can I drive myself to Skippers Canyon for the jet boat experience? While it is technically possible to drive into Skippers Canyon, it is not recommended. The road is unsealed, narrow, and considered dangerous, with steep drop-offs and no insurance coverage for rental vehicles. It is best to use the included transport with experienced local drivers.
- How long does the Skippers Canyon Jet Boat tour take? The full Skippers Canyon Jet Boat experience takes approximately 3 hours from pick-up in Queenstown to drop-off, including transport and the jet boat ride.
- How long is the drive into Skippers Canyon? The drive into Skippers Canyon takes approximately 45 minutes each way. The journey itself is part of the experience, with scenic stops and commentary along the historic Skippers Road.
- Is the Skippers Canyon Jet Boat tour suitable for young children? The minimum age for the Skippers Canyon Jet Boat is 3 years old. Children under this age are not permitted due to safety requirements.
- Can I take a GoPro on the Skippers Canyon Jet Boat? Yes, you are welcome to bring a GoPro on the Skippers Canyon Jet Boat experience, provided it is securely attached.
- Are photos available for purchase on the Skippers Canyon tour? Yes, photos of your Skippers Canyon Jet Boat experience are available to purchase on the day.
- Child rates available (3-15 yrs)
- Photo packs of your jetboat ride can be purchased on the day
- Dress warmly, sunglasses are recommended
- Spray jackets are provided on request to help keep you dry
- Not suitable for pregnant women
Recent reviews
Our family’s experience with Skipper’s Canyon was AWESOME! We looked into several options with other jet boat operators but went with Skipper’s Canyon as the experience included the very cool 4-wheel drive along Skipper’s Canyon road and the jet boat ride was longer than what the other operators offer. Also, Skipper’s Canyon is a smaller operation so it’s way less crowded than other (bigger) operators. The team (bus driver and boat drivers) were soo great… very knowledgeable and super skilled! All our kids (two teenagers and a four year old) and my wife and I LOVED it! We’d do it again for sure!
Had a lot of fun!!!. The boat goes really fast. And we enjoyed a lot
Worth every cent. Highly recommended
Need help?
- Email us at plan@everythingnewzealand.com
- Product ID: 5677
- This experience is supplied by Skippers Canyon Tour with Jet Boat Ride