Christchurch Shore Excursion: City Tour & Jet Boating

Jet boating happens on a shallow braided river where the boat does the steering.

A Christchurch shore excursion for cruise passengers pairs a guided city tour covering earthquake damage, rebuilding efforts and heritage sites with a 30-minute jet-boat ride on the Waimakariri River. You'll walk through Mona Vale Gardens, explore Cathedral Square and then board a jet boat for a high-speed run on the fast-flowing river. Port pickup and drop-off are included, along with life-vests and splash-proof jackets for the water portion.

Step-by-step itinerary

Christchurch city tour and jet boating

• Start tour after ship disembarkation
• Admire views over city and Alps
• Walk through Mona Vale Gardens
• Explore Cathedral Square on foot
• Lunch break
• Jet boating on Waimakariri River

The experience

Mona Vale Gardens anchors the walking section of the tour: a riverside property with ponds and landscaped grounds that gives you a sense of Christchurch's green spaces. From there you move through Cathedral Square on foot, taking in the city's recovery from the 2010 and 2011 earthquakes alongside its remaining historic landmarks. The guide provides live commentary throughout, and the air-conditioned vehicle handles transport between stops. A lunch break falls midway through the day.

The jet-boat portion is the centerpiece: a 30-minute ride on the Waimakariri River, a shallow braided waterway where jet boats operate at their best. Life-vests and splash-proof jackets are provided. The boat's speed and maneuverability on this particular river type make it distinct from flat-water jet-boating elsewhere. Start time depends on your ship's docking and disembarkation schedule, typically 8:30am or up to an hour after your ship begins letting passengers off.

The full excursion runs about 6.5 hours from port pickup to drop-off. Pickup and return transport are included, as is the guide and all commentary. Food and drinks are not included, so plan accordingly during the lunch break.

What’s included

• Jet-boat ride on the Waimakariri River.
• driver and live guide in English.
• air-conditioned vehicle transport.
• port pickup and drop-off.
• life-vests and splash-proof jackets for the jet-boat portion.
• Worry-free Shore Excursion Guarantee.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:30

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (14 and older) · Child (3 to 13 years) · Infant (under 3)

GroupUp to 24

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 2 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Leisure Tours

Is this one for you?This is a shared tour with a set schedule timed to cruise ship arrivals and departures, so the timing works only if your ship is docked in Christchurch. The jet-boat ride is the defining element. If you want to combine city sightseeing with a high-speed water experience on a river designed for it, this excursion delivers both in a single half-day.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 13 years); Infant (under 3).

What is Mona Vale and why does the tour spend time there?

Mona Vale is a riverside garden property in Christchurch with ponds and landscaped grounds. The tour includes a walking section through the gardens to show you one of the city's green spaces and give you a break from the vehicle portion of the day.

How does jet boating work on the Waimakariri River?

The Waimakariri River is a fast-flowing shallow braided river (multiple channels of water flowing across a wide bed), where jet boats are designed to operate. The boats use jet propulsion to navigate the shallow water and can make sharp turns and quick movements that wouldn't be possible on deeper rivers.

What happens if my ship docks late or early?

The tour start time adjusts based on your ship's actual disembarkation time. At booking, you'll provide your ship name, docking time, disembarkation time and re-boarding time so the operator can schedule your pickup accordingly, typically 8:30am or up to one hour after disembarkation begins.

What does the city tour cover besides the jet-boat ride?

The city portion includes a viewpoint overlooking Christchurch, the Canterbury Plains and the Southern Alps; a walk through Mona Vale Gardens; and time exploring Cathedral Square on foot. The guide discusses the earthquake damage from 2010 and 2011, the ongoing rebuild and the city's remaining historic landmarks.

Are there any restrictions on who can do the jet-boat ride?

Children aged 2 and under are not suitable for the jet-boat portion. Pregnant travelers are not recommended for the ride. Life-vests and splash-proof jackets are provided for everyone on the water. Infants who do participate must sit on an adult's lap.