Shotover River Jet Boat Ride in Queenstown: 360° spins through river canyons
Experience the thrill of high-speed spins through the narrow Shotover River canyons
Shotover Jet is a 25-minute high-speed jet boat ride through the Shotover River canyons near Queenstown, operated exclusively by Ngāi Tahu (the Māori people of the region). You pilot the river on a boat built for tight canyon walls, executing full 360° spins and high-speed manoeuvres while a professional driver handles the controls and shares local stories about the landscape and its cultural significance. The ride includes safety briefing, life jacket, and exclusive access to the canyons: no other operator runs this stretch. Children from age 5 are welcome if they meet the height requirement (minimum 1 meter, or 1.2 meters depending on water conditions).
Options for this experience
2 optionsWhat’s included
- The 25-minute jet boat ride through the Shotover Canyons with exclusive access only Shotover Jet operates.
- professional driver and full 360° spins and high-speed manoeuvres.
- safety briefing and life jacket.
- informative commentary and local stories throughout the experience.
- locker facilities for personal belongings.
Times
- Every day except Saturday 09:30 09:45 10:00 10:15 10:30 10:45 11:00 11:15 11:30 11:45 12:00 12:30 13:00 13:30 13:45 14:00 14:15 14:30 14:45 15:00 15:15 15:30 15:45 16:00
- Saturday 09:30 09:45 10:00 10:15 10:30 10:45 11:00 11:15 11:30 12:00 12:30 13:00 13:30 13:45 14:00 14:15 14:30 14:45 15:00 15:15 15:30 15:45 16:00
Before you book
Operated by Shotover Jet Ltd
Prices and times updated today
Traveler reviews
The experience
The Shotover Canyons exist nowhere else on the river, and only Shotover Jet has the right to take you through them. The boat is built for the job: narrow enough to thread the canyon walls, powerful enough to hold speed in tight turns, and responsive enough that the driver can execute full 360° spins in the middle of the run. You sit in an open cockpit with nothing between you and the canyon rock, and the boat accelerates hard into each section. The 25-minute ride is wall-to-wall action: high-speed runs, sharp turns, and moments where the canyon walls seem to close in as you're moving at full throttle.
Before you board, you get a safety briefing and a life jacket. The driver is a professional jet boat operator who knows every feature of the river and talks through what's coming: the history of the canyons, the Māori connection to the Kimiākau (Shotover River), and the stories of the landscape you're moving through. The commentary is woven into the ride itself, not a separate narration. It's part of what makes the experience feel grounded instead of just fast. Locker facilities are available at the base if you need to leave personal belongings behind.
Two purchase options exist: Shotover Jet alone, or Shotover Jet with transport from Queenstown. If you drive yourself, check in 30 minutes before departure at the river base. If you take the shuttle bus from town, allow 1.5 hours for the return trip. Children must be at least 1 meter tall (or 1.2 meters depending on water conditions on the day) and must be accompanied by an adult. The ride is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, poor cardiovascular health, or pregnancy. Public transportation options are available near the base if you're not driving.
Is this one for you?Choose the option with transport included if you're arriving in Queenstown without a rental car or prefer not to drive to the river base. Otherwise, the jet boat alone works if you're self-driving and can check in 30 minutes before departure. The tight canyon walls and high-speed manoeuvres mean this ride is intense and physical. It's built for the adrenaline, not a scenic cruise, so book it if you want to feel the speed and the power of the river, not if you're looking for a calmer water experience.
Compare the 8 alternatives
Top questions
Can children come?
Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 15 years). Children under 5 can't be included in the booking.
What happens if it rains?
It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.
What makes the Shotover Canyons different from other jet boat rides in New Zealand?
The Shotover Canyons are exclusive to Shotover Jet: no other operator has access to this stretch of river. The canyons are narrow, the rock walls are close, and the ride is built around the unique geography of this section. Shotover Jet is also owned by Ngāi Tahu, the Māori people of the region, and the cultural connection to the river goes back centuries. That history is part of what you experience during the ride.
How long is the actual jet boat ride on the water?
The jet boat ride itself is 25 minutes of continuous high-speed action through the canyons. If you're taking the shuttle bus from Queenstown, allow 1.5 hours total for the return trip from town.
What's included in the ride, and what do I need to bring?
The ride includes exclusive access to the Shotover Canyons, a professional driver, safety briefing, life jacket, and informative commentary throughout. Locker facilities are available for personal belongings. Food and drinks are not included. If you're self-driving, check in 30 minutes before departure. If you're taking the shuttle, that transport can be added at checkout.
Are there any health or physical conditions that would stop me from riding?
The ride is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, poor cardiovascular health, or pregnancy. It is suitable for all other physical fitness levels. If you have concerns about your health, check with the operator before booking.
What happens if the water conditions are bad on the day of my ride?
The operator reserves the right to adjust safety requirements based on water conditions. This may include increasing the minimum height requirement from 1 meter to 1.2 meters. The ride operates in a range of conditions, but safety is the priority.
Shotover River Jet Boat Ride in Queenstown: 360° spins through river canyons
25m · EN
from NZ$ 204.11 per person
≈ US$ 117 in your currency
Next, you choose your date and number of travelers and see the final price.