Extreme Jet Boat, 25 Minutes

Shotover River Extreme Jet Boat Ride in Queenstown

★ 4.8 2,904 reviews

from $115.79 per person

Opens the live booking page with current dates. Book there; nothing is charged on this site. Free cancellation applies to this Shotover ride; check the booking page for the exact cutoff before you book.

Duration: 25 minutes
Meeting point: Shotover Jet base, Arthurs Point
Cancellation: Free cancellation applies to this Shotover ride; check the booking page for the exact cutoff before you book.
Operator terms: Shotover Jet terms: free change or cancel up to 24 hours before; inside 24 hours up to a 100% fee. Third-party bookings follow the seller's own terms.
If the operator cancels: Shotover Jet: if the operator cancels for weather or river conditions, the traveller gets a full refund or a new date.
Run by: Shotover Jet Ltd

Overview

This is a 25-minute high-speed jet boat run on the Shotover River, operated by Shotover Jet Ltd from a river base at 3 Arthurs Point Road in Arthurs Point, about 10 minutes drive from Queenstown's centre. The boats run the lower Shotover canyons, a QLDC permit-controlled stretch, where a professional driver takes passengers through tight turns and full 360-degree spins at speed. Commentary and local stories run throughout the ride.

The practical shape of the trip is simple. Travellers check in at the river base 30 minutes before departure, get a safety briefing and life jackets, then ride the canyon section before returning to the same point. A free return shuttle from the Station Building at 25 Shotover Street runs on selected departures only, and travellers who book through a third party need to phone or email Shotover Jet directly to reserve a shuttle seat. Boats carry a maximum of 14 travellers.

It suits families and mixed groups: reviewers describe trips with ages 11 to 50 all enjoying it, and children can ride from about 3 feet (1 meter) tall, though the operator can raise that minimum to 4 feet (1.2 meters) depending on water conditions. It is not recommended for travellers with back problems or pregnancies.

An open jet boat with passengers in life jackets runs a narrow stretch of the Shotover canyon between layered grey schist walls.

What's Included

Included

25-minute high-speed jet boat ride on the Shotover River
Professional and highly skilled jet boat driver
Full 360° spins and high-speed manoeuvres
Safety briefing and all required safety equipment (life jackets)
Informative commentary and local stories throughout the experience

Not Included

Food and drinks
Hotel pickup and drop-off

Itinerary

Check inArrive at the river base at 3 Arthurs Point Road, Arthurs Point, 30 minutes before departure if self-driving. The base is roughly 10 minutes drive from Queenstown CBD.
Safety briefingStaff run a safety briefing and hand out life jackets, which are required for the ride. Lockers are available for personal belongings.
Jet boat rideA 25-minute high-speed ride through the Shotover River canyons with a professional driver, including full 360-degree spins and commentary on the boats and local history.
ReturnThe activity ends back at the meeting point at the river base.

On the water25 minutes

Minimum height100 cm

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points come up again and again in traveller reviews, mostly about cold, spray and timing.

Dress for cold. Two reviewers mention freezing wind on the boat, with one singling out winter conditions.
Eye protection. Sunglasses or goggles are a recommendation from a reviewer, to keep freezing wind out of the eyes at speed.
Expect to get wet. Life jackets are provided.
Family friendly pace. Reviewers describe groups from children to adults enjoying it together, including one party of 10 aged 11 to 50. Children under 10 ride with a fare-paying adult aged 16 or over, while ages 10 to 15 may ride without an adult if a parent or guardian aged 16 or over is at the river base, and all riders must meet the minimum height of about 3 feet, which the operator can raise to 4 feet depending on water conditions. Boats take up to 14 travellers.
No food provided. Food and drinks are not included, and hotel pickup and drop-off are not part of the product. The free return shuttle from the Station Building runs on selected departures only, and third-party bookers must contact Shotover Jet by phone or email to arrange a shuttle seat.
Heated handrails. Two reviewers mention heated handle bars as a welcome feature on cold days. One said they definitely helped when the weather was cold, and another called them an added bonus.

Ready To RideCheck availability →

Common issues. The main complaints are practical rather than about the ride itself. The strict 24-hour cancellation cut-off caught one reviewer out, who reported no refund even with a good reason for cancelling late, so read the fine print before booking. The ride is not recommended for travellers with back problems or pregnancies, and it runs daily except 25 December, weather and river permitting, with poor-weather cancellations offering a new date or a full refund.

Common Questions

What Is Included In The Price?

The price covers the 25-minute jet boat ride, exclusive access to the Shotover River canyons, a professional driver, full 360-degree spins, a safety briefing, life jackets and commentary with local stories. Food and drinks are not included, and neither is hotel pickup and drop-off. Lockers at the river base are available for personal belongings.

Is Pickup Included?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included. A free return shuttle from the Station Building, 25 Shotover Street, runs on selected departures only. Travellers who book through a third party must phone or email Shotover Jet to arrange a shuttle seat.

Where Do I Meet And When Should I Arrive?

The meeting point is the river base at 3 Arthurs Point Road, Arthurs Point, about 10 minutes drive from Queenstown CBD. Check in 30 minutes before your departure time if self-driving. The activity ends back at the same point.

Can Children Ride The Jet Boat?

Yes, children must be accompanied by an adult and be at least 3 feet (1 meter) tall. Depending on water conditions, the operator can raise the minimum to 4 feet (1.2 meters). Reviewers describe family groups, including children around 11, enjoying the ride together.

What Is The Cancellation Policy?

Cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Within 24 hours, no refund is given and changes are not accepted. If the operator cancels due to poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.

What Should I Bring And Wear?

Reviewers recommend a windproof jacket, beanie, scarf and sunglasses or goggles. Life jackets are provided, and the boats have heated handle bars.