Shotover River Extreme Jet Boat Ride in Queenstown
4.8

Shotover River Extreme Jet Boat Ride in Queenstown

By Shotover Jet
Recommended by 96% of travelers
96% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
What is Travelers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Churning rapids and towering cliffs make the Shotover River a thrilling experience by jet boat, and this high-speed tour gets you spinning, fishtailing, and skimming across the surface. Frequent departures from Queenstown means you can easily tailor a time to fit your schedule, while the included round-trip transport means you don’t need a car and ensures maximum adventure time on the Shotover River.
Lowest price guaranteeReserve now & pay laterFree cancellation

Ages 5-99, max of 14 per group
Duration: 25m
Start time: Check availability
Mobile ticket
Live guide: English
More

Highlights
  • Shotover River jet boat tour offers frequent departures from Queenstown
  • Maneuverable jet boat can perform 360-degree spins and turns
  • Experience Queenstown's legendary adrenaline sports just outside of town
  • Round-trip transport from a walkable departure point

  • Jet boat ride
What's not included
  • Food and drinks
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Souvenir photos (available to purchase)

Your jet boat excursion starts at a central location in Queenstown. Meet a shuttle bus for the trip to the Shotover River. Departures are available throughout the morning and afternoon, and may be selected when booking. It’s a quick trip from downtown Queenstown to the departure point on the Shotover River. Upon arrival, suit up for the jet boat with personal flotation devices and wet gear to keep out the splashing white water. Hold on tight as the jet boat driver maneuvers through the Shotover River’s narrow canyon walls, squeezing past tight corners and rocky outcroppings. At the end of the trip, get the opportunity to purchase souvenir photos if desired, or simply hop on the shuttle back to Queenstown, where you'll be walking distance from many of the city’s top attractions, restaurants, and hotels.

Start:Traveler pickup offered.
  • 3 Arthurs Point Road, Arthurs Point, Queenstown 9371, New Zealand
    Please check-in 30 minutes prior to your departure time at our river base in Arthurs Point. The river base is approximately 10 minutes drive from Queenstown CBD.
Pickup details
  • Our check-in area is located inside the Station Building in the Queenstown CBD. Please see our friendly team to check-in for your shuttle transfer.
Additional pickup options
During checkout you will be able to select from the list of included pickup points.
  • The Station Building Duke Street, Queenstown 9300, New Zealand
End:This activity ends back at the meeting point.

    • Not wheelchair accessible
    • Near public transportation
    If you have questions about accessibility, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 5626SHOTOVER

    • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
    • Not recommended for travelers with back problems
    • Not recommended for pregnant travelers
    • Most travelers can participate
    • 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
    • This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
    • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 14 travelers

    • For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.

    If you have questions about this tour or need help making your booking, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 5626SHOTOVER

    From
    ₱5,931.96
    per adult
    Select date and travelers

    Similar experiences

    About the operator
    Don’t take it from us – here’s what people have to say about this operator:
    • Shotover Jet
      4.8 of 5 bubbles6,311
      Queenstown, New Zealand
      Joined in May 2007
    • Paradise35943712300
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Awesome ride. Very safe and fun
      Awesome ride. Very safe and fun. Location is very good and worth the price. Safety is the first priority and having fun is 2nd one
      Written January 19, 2025
    • kiwikiwimichelle
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      So much fun
      Amazing trip the river was beautiful and Hamish knew all the moves would love to go again next time in Queenstown 10/10 highly recommend.
      Written October 22, 2024
    • Chris G
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      This was cool!
      Cool experience, easy online booking through to well managed check in at the jetty. Ride itself was awesome with Marc our driver. We drove ourselves to Arthur’s Point as we had booked too late to get the shuttle - not a problem and an easy short journey by car from Queenstown with plenty of parking. Great brewpub nearby to watch the action afterwards.
      Written January 3, 2024
    • Kim-Brian37
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Must do even for the motion sick!
      So much fun!! Had a great experience from check in with Ali to our ride with Misuzu! Misuzu was super enthusiastic and a great driver! We did about 5 360° spins throughout. I am very prone to motion sickness so I prepped with some ginger tabs ahead of time and tolerated it well! The video recording of our experience was an added bonus! Definitely a must do!!
      Written December 30, 2023
    • FamilyInt
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Exhilarating and great fun
      We all absolutely loved this experience. Exhilarating, fun and great value for money. Exceptional and talented staff. We then headed across to the Canyon Brewing. Perfect day, thanks so much to all.
      Written December 8, 2023
    • Freedom28908407402
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Fast and fun
      The ride was 25 minutes. The driver, had good experience in driving the Jet Boat. Ride was fast and fun! Highly recommendable!
      Written December 3, 2023
    • guennie3
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Shotover Jet-a 100% must do!
      Wow!! If I could rate this 6* I would. What an amazing experience. If you do only one Queenstown adrenaline experience do this! The views along the gorge were amazing as we shot along at 90km per hour in parts. The 360 degree spins were great fun. Hannah our driver and guide was fun, knowledgeable about the boat and the area and a crazy but safe driver. The whole team was friendly and so well organised. We turned up a bit early for our booked trip and were quickly put on an earlier one. If you have a GoPro take it as it is the only way you can take photos/video due to safety. Otherwise, buy the photo/video package. It is worth it. Finally, don’t expect to stay dry. I think the Shotover team pride themselves on creating maximum splash for maximum fun.
      Written November 18, 2023
    • K4850WSmargarett
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Don’t Miss the Boat!
      What an awesome adventure this experience was! Hannah was in the driver’s seat and I felt completely in safe hands. Thanks Hannah for taking me out of my comfort zone.
      Written November 18, 2023
    • Betsy R
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Awesome experience for all ages
      My teens and 76 year old parents all just LOVED this experience. Laughing and yelling the entire time and a beautiful vista as well. Totally recommend this activity.
      Written April 16, 2023
    • ShirishParanjape
      0 contributions
      4.0 of 5 bubbles
      Why no transport?!
      The Shotover Jet experience continues to be a good and thrilling experience. I recommend booking in advance, particularly during holiday season. My only ‘complaint’ is the lack of their transport from Queenstown City. Previously, we have always been able to use their bus but this time (late 2022), they did not have the option. Hence, we had to use Ubers to get there and back, which cost over $40 per car for the return trip. However, the price with or without the use of their transport option is the same - which, I feel, is unfair to those who are not provided transport option. The least Shotover Management can do is to offer a $5-10 discount if the transport option is not offered/ available.
      Written January 4, 2023
    • hannahfK4936YK
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      ONE TO REMEMBER
      So glad we chose this experience over the other jet boat experiences overall. The driver Matt was so cool! Gave us some background knowledge about the area, had some great jokes and stories, was a PHENOMENAL driver and truly made our jet boat experience one to remember. On arrival we did have to wait at the door for about 5 minutes with no staff to greet us despite arriving at the time they told us to be there to check in, yelling out and knocking several times. Went from no staff to all of a sudden 5 which annoyed us from the outset. Our driver Matt truly did save our experience overall. Hopefully if you go, you get him! He’s awesome! Scenery was amazing, river was stunning and the route they take you on is beautiful. Such a fun way to spend a day!
      Written March 13, 2022
    • LeanneCassieB
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      An amazing trip had by the whole family.
      We had an amazing trip with so much fun. Our driver Matt put us at ease right from the word go, he knew his stuff and made the trip fantastic for us all. We would definitely recommend this as a must do while in Queenstown.
      Written November 13, 2021
    • StaceyCheer
      0 contributions
      4.0 of 5 bubbles
      Fun, with beautiful scenery
      A must-do when visiting Queenstown. We did it in winter, so it was cold - recommend layering up! Great driver, nice little shop, definately worth doing!
      Written July 6, 2021
    • 558aleksl
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Good fun
      A worthwhile experience. A good trip that takes you down the gorge and back. Dress warm as the wind chill is cold
      Written May 13, 2021
    • bonnieolckers
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      So much fun!
      We had the best time with Nadia at the healm of our jet! She was friendly, fun and made us feel at ease. The experience was exhilarating and breathtaking at the same time. The views are just WOW. Highly recommend this trip!
      Written May 4, 2021
    See all 6,311 reviews
    These reviews are the subjective opinions of Tripadvisor members and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

    Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

    Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

    Popular mentions

    4.8
    4.8 of 5 bubbles1,790 reviews
    Excellent
    1,545
    Very good
    177
    Average
    38
    Poor
    13
    Terrible
    17

    penny v
    Edinburgh, UK41 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Mar 2025 • Couples
    This was an amazing 30 minutes which we thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend. Everyone in our boat and those people we saw getting off before and after us were of the same mind.
    But - they have at least two boats going out each time and we had to wait at one point for what felt like several minutes for another boat to come through before we could head off again. Given that we paid a precious $169 dollars for 30 minutes, that's a chunk of money wasted, and you could argue that's because the Shotover Jet Company over-monetise the stretch of river they use.... I thought it was a bit cheeky. Let's say all 14 of us paid £169 and we stopped for 4 minutes. That's $315 of our money going towards them over using the river?
    Written March 11, 2025
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

    tumbleweedchris
    Richland, WA1,055 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Jan 2025 • Couples
    There are a few jet boat experiences in Queenstown, but this is the original one and the only one with access to this stretch of river. Don't pick one of the other jet tours that are trying to make a quick buck off this one. Do the Shotover Jet because it is the best. The experience is a relatively quick 30 minutes, but it is a thrilling 30 minutes. It includes cliff near misses, 360 spins, and some fun splashes. The drivers are great and maximize your time on the river. There are a couple spots where they talk about the river and the boats, but most of it is spent speeding around these shallow waters. This is an easy attraction you can do within a couple hours (we used the shuttle, which was efficient). It's well worth adding to the Queenstown itinerary.
    Written February 8, 2025
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

    Dhaval K
    2 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Jan 2025 • Family
    It's quite an experience, simply amazing. The best thing is the staff at ShotoverJet, I stuffed up my booking and was short of one ticket, even it was very full on the day, the staff made sure I get a slot with my family members. It looks quite frightening to people but the Jet drivers are very skillful, professional and friendly. Their maneuvering of jet is on next level. Very safe.
    Written January 27, 2025
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

    Ryan Chew
    Singapore, Singapore31 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    The experience with Shotover Jet is extremely awesome. The 30 minutes thrill ride is worth every penny! A must-try in New Zealand.
    Unfortunately, Klook tickets were invalid when we arrived at Shotover Jet and we were required to purchase new ones physically. Klook failed as a third party company, they refused to refund us the money after our ride. Hence, we had to return to Shotover Jet to request for assistance. Jane Morris, the customer service manager investigated the issue and refunded us our physical tickets the next day! She’s a great help and efficient! Highly suggest everyone to get their tickets directly from Shotover Jet!
    Written February 3, 2025
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

    Sue K
    Vienna, Austria36 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    I had an absolutely amazing time with Shotover Jet! The entire experience was exhilarating, and the combination of speed, stunning scenery, and thrilling turns made it unforgettable.

    A special shoutout to Nick, our guide, who was fantastic throughout the ride. His skillful driving and friendly demeanor added an extra layer of fun to the adventure. He made sure everyone felt safe while still delivering an adrenaline-packed experience.

    If you’re looking for an activity that’s equal parts fun and breathtaking, Shotover Jet is a must-do. Highly recommended—I’d do it again in a heartbeat!
    Written January 10, 2025
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

    Nicole
    Tampa, FL2 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Nov 2024 • Family
    Nice tour! Hubby just wished it was faster. I don't think it is possible to go any faster. My only complaints were the life jackets smell as if they have never been cleaned. Kinda gross. And some of the staff checking us in down by the water seemed disgruntled and were taking it out on us by being short. It seemed like they were bothered to be doing their job. We still enjoyed the tour. Our boat driver Misuzu was great!
    Written November 26, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

    D and J
    Perth, Australia55 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Dec 2024 • Couples
    We caught the bus, driven by Yuki, out to the jet boat river station where we were given a safety briefing and equipped with our life preservers. We boarded our boat, our driver was Mimi, and we took off, rushing at incredible speeds through Shotover Canyon. The boat skirted the edges of the canyon and dodged rocks and trees in the river – it was a thrilling ride. We stopped a couple of times for information about the canyon, the river and the ride. Then came the spins – loud and fast we completed several rapid spins with water flying all around. Did we get wet – you bet – did we enjoy it – Yessiree – did we want Mimi to do another spin – Oh Yeh!! – and she did !! We were all buzzing after this amazing adventure – it was awesome !! Don’t forget your photos and video on your way out. This is still the best adrenalin rush in New Zealand – an absolute must do!!
    Written December 22, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

    AsBeautifulAsYou
    37 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Jan 2024 • Family
    We Combined our Shotover Jet Boat ride with a Nomad 4WD Safari experience, called The Essential Queenstown Combo. It was a really fun way to experience the rugged land and the wild water.
    Our Nomad 4WD Safari included some Gold mining history of the area, and we were able to try our luck at Gold panning in the Arrow River, also where scenes from 'Lord of the Rings' were shot (Arwen creating the great wave to wash away the Nazgul).
    The Shotover Jet Boat Team were amazing, especially out Jet Boat Driver who provided lots of 'Hold onto your Seats' moments.
    It was a breathtaking way to experience the Shotover river.
    Written January 25, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
    Kia Ora, thank you for taking the time to leave us a review! Were so glad you enjoyed the beautiful scenery that our trips entail! E mihi ana/Kind regards, Customer Experience Team
    Written February 22, 2024
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

    Filmrn
    New York City, NY6 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    This particular Jet ride in Queenstown is truly unique. NONE of the other boats have this scenic path which is spectacular.
    I would have never known that this particular jet boat ride was so vastly different from all of the others if my guide from CheekyKiwi travel didn’t point it out on our way into Queenstown.
    I’m not sure what the body of water is but, I called it a gorge. The water is a beautiful blueish green which is boarded by magnificent grey rocks.
    Transportation is included from the center of town and it’s all very well organized. I was hesitant to go as I’m 63 and was traveling solo but, I’m so glad I did!! What a treat!! So much fun!
    Written February 19, 2025
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

    SianOnTour
    Glasgow, UK35 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Nov 2024 • Couples
    Great experience when in Queenstown. Very efficient courtesy bus service the short distance to and from the centre of town to the river, and the jet boat worth it both for the thrills of the ride and for the scenery, particularly in the narrow canyon section. The whole thing takes less than two hours form pick up to drop off, so easily fitted into the schedule.
    Written November 18, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

    Showing results 1-10 of 1,771
    *Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.

    Shotover River Extreme Jet Boat Ride in Queenstown provided by Shotover Jet

    All Queenstown HotelsQueenstown Hotel DealsLast Minute Hotels in Queenstown
    All things to do in Queenstown
    RestaurantsFlightsTravel StoriesCruisesRental Cars