Shotover River Extreme Jet Boat Ride in Queenstown
Overview
Available languages
25 minutes
Mobile ticket
Prepare yourself for the ultimate jet boating experience with Shotover Jet - the unique, breathtaking white water ride and adrenaline rush you’ll never forget!
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Children must be accompanied by an adult
Minimum age is 5 years and child must be at least 3 feet (1 meter) in height; dependent on water conditions, the operator reserves the right to increase the minimum height to 4 feet (1.2 meters)
Lifejackets are provided
Please allow 1.5 hours for return trip from Queenstown if taking shuttle bus
Locker facilities available for personal belongings
Check-in is 30 min prior to jet boat ride departure if self-driving to the river base
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
THE SPECTACULAR SHOTOVER CANYONS. ONLY WE CAN TAKE YOU THERE! The only way to experience our Canyons, see their beauty and feel their power, is to come on a journey with us, the world’s most exciting jet boat ride. A unique combination of beauty and power, it’s an experience like no other, blending pristine natural landscape with wall to wall canyon action from start to finish! Proudly owned by Ngāi Tahu, the Māori people of this land, our connection to the Kimiākau (Shotover River) goes back centuries. As the home of our tīpuna (ancestors), this place is part of us. Only we have access to the spectacular Shotover Canyons and no one knows this area like we do!
What‘s Included
Full 360 degree spins on the jet boat
Exclusive access to the Shotover canyons with your highly skilled and entertaining jet boat driver
Informative commentary and local stories of the history of the river
Access to retail store to view your photos and videos and purchase merchandise
Lots of free parking onsite
Adrenaline Jet boat ride on the world's most exciting jet boat ride
Food and drinks
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Souvenir photos (available to purchase)
Options
Shotover Jet
Jet Boat Adventure: Departs from Shotover River.
Shotover Jet + Transport
Jet Boat & transport from QT: Includes return transport from Queenstown, check-in is 45 mins prior to departure in the Station Building, Queenstown CBD
Pickup included
Reviews
2,642 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Fantastic ride
mjmb 40,Mar 1, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Had to cancel our original booking due to heavy rain. Team were very accommodating to find us another slot, which was by chance on a sunny day and boy was it worth it! Would highly recommend this adventure!
Shotover Jet
Janine T,Mar 1, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Great fun and the driver was skilled and friendly. Rug up if you go in the morning as it is cold even in summer.
Covers a very short...
Zygmund L,Feb 28, 2026
- Review from Viator
3.00Covers a very short distance and time. It only lasted about 20 minutes. Should be longer considering the price
Adrenaline rush but you feel safe at the same time - a must do activity
ALH2025,Feb 28, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This is a fabulous activity that will leave you wanting more. The jet travels at a fast but sensible speed (significantly and sensibly slower for the spins) and is nothing to be scared about but at the same time it will get pulses racing in a good way. The skippers are very competent and have great banter and you always feel in safe hands even when pulling 360's. Where else can you experience such a thrill on such a craft.
Exhilarating! Scary feeling but they were very safe. I recommend everyone try it. I liked it so much I went again.
Tim M,Feb 28, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Exhilarating and very safe. Went again the same day.
A must-do in Queenstown....
Rachel M,Feb 28, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00A must-do in Queenstown. Done this experience a few times and it’s still as good as the first. Highly recommend.
Great thrilling activity for family
11hannah11,Feb 28, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Highly recommended!!! Visited with my 70+ parents and they had sooooo much fun. Even said it was the best part of their visit to Queenstown. The jetboat driver is crazily skilled. We havent experienced this anywhere else and think it would be worth your while if you are in the area. Recommended to book in advance especially during peak seasons.
Absolutely fantastic
GFCJ,Feb 27, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Absolutely exhilarating, would do it again and again and again. Got to take your hat off to the boat drivers for their skills in navigating the course. You literally touch the sides of the gorge in some places. A total thrill of a lifetime experience, highly recommended.
No Videos
Richard T,Feb 27, 2026
- Review from Viator
4.00The recording of our adventure that Shooter usually does was not done. They are in the process of changing the system but that has been 5 months. Shotover charged for the service which we would have paid now we have no real video. They need eda plan that could have been buy a bunch of go pros and rent them to customers to get a video. Their experience would be captured and satisfaction higher
All right!
Anne d,Feb 26, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We did 3 jet boat experiments in NZ: Hukkafallsjet near Lake Taupo, Wanaka jet boat on Lake Wanaka and the adjacent river and finally the shotover jet near Queenstown. All 3 were fine but the most impressive is definitely the shotover.
From NZ$183.59
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Operated by Shotover Jet Ltd