Speed Boat Tours

Shotover Canyons 25-Minute Jet Boat Ride

Tourists on Shotover Jet navigating white water rapids in Queenstown, New Zealand.

Shotover Jet boat speeding through river with hills and lush greenery in Queenstown, New Zealand.

Shotover Jet navigating canyons with tourists in lifejackets, Queenstown, New Zealand.

Shotover Jet navigating narrow canyons in Queenstown, New Zealand.

Blast through the Shotover Canyons on a high-speed jet boat ride! Enjoy thrilling 360° spins, heart-racing speeds of 95km/h, and epic river canyon views.

The Shotover Canyons jet boat ride is perfect for thrill-seekers, offering high-speed action, sharp turns, and epic 360° spins through narrow canyons.

Skim just inches from towering canyon walls at 90km/h as your expert driver navigates the twisting Shotover River, the only jet boat allowed in these canyons.

Speed through dramatic gorges and past towering rock formations, with the turquoise waters of the Kawarau River churning beneath you at exhilarating speeds.

Opt for round-trip transfers from Queenstown for a hassle-free experience. Just sit back, relax, and get ready for the ride of your life.

Fun fact: The Māori name for the Shotover River, Kimi-ākau, means ‘looking for the coast,’ a nod to early explorers searching for a route westward.

25-minute jet boat ride

Life jackets

Complimentary round-trip transfers from Queenstown (based on selected option)

Food & beverages

You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.

The ultimate canyon adventure

Hold on tight—this is no ordinary boat ride! Feel the rush as your jet boat blasts off into the narrow, twisting Shotover Canyons, where sheer rock walls tower on either side. From the moment you hit the water, the adrenaline kicks in. Your expert driver cranks up the speed to 90km/h, skimming across just centimeters of water before—whoosh!—a high-speed turn sends a wall of spray skyward. Then, with barely a moment to recover, you’re darting through tight passageways only meters wide. The roar of twin V8 engines echoes against the canyon as you twist, turn, and spin through the river’s hidden bends. But it’s not just about speed—between the thrills, hear fascinating stories of the river’s Māori heritage, the gold rush era, and the daring figures who once navigated these waters. When you pull back into the dock, you’ll be drenched, exhilarated, and buzzing from an unforgettable ride through one of Queenstown’s most spectacular landscapes.

What to bring

Bring your waterproof jacket, sunglasses, sunscreen, insect repellent, warm clothing and gloves (in winter), hats, and water.

Accessibility

This experience is not accessible by wheelchair.

Pregnant people and guests with back issues, cardiac issues, and other serious medical conditions cannot participate in the experience.

Additional information

Guests should have a moderate physical fitness level.

If you've opted for Queenstown transfers, arrive at The Station Building 45 minutes before your jet boat departure time. Your selected time is for the jet boat ride. The transfer takes approximately 10 minutes each way. Total experience duration will be 1 hour 45 minutes, including return transfers.

Your voucher will be emailed to you instantly.

Display the voucher on your mobile phone with a valid photo ID at the redemption/pick-up point.

Please arrive at the redemption/pick-up point 45 minutes before the scheduled time of your visit to avoid any delays.

Ticket redemption point

Please check your final voucher for the redemption/pick-up point details and specific instructions.