On the water · JET BOAT RIDES

The World’s 15 Best Jet Boat Rides

126 trips  ·  from $32 a head

Shallow rivers, rock walls and a hull with no propeller to lose. These 15 sort the canyon runs, the harbour thrill rides and the wilderness trips by length, fare and how much of it is scenery versus spin.

Shotover River Extreme Jet Boat Ride in Queenstown - From Duke Street to the river base
Jet Boat Rides, Jet Boat Rides in New Zealand, New Zealand Speedboat Tours, Queenstown Speedboat Tours, Speedboat Tours, Tour Reviews

Shotover River Extreme Jet Boat Ride in Queenstown

1.Shotover River Extreme Jet Boat Ride in Queenstown

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,540 reviews · from $113 a head Our pick

Take a high-speed jet boat through the Shotover River’s narrow canyons, skimming shallow water, passing sheer cliffs, and spinning through full 360-degree turns. The ride lasts about 25 minutes, with entertaining local commentary from skilled drivers such as Peter, Joe, Paul, or Matt. A downtown Queenstown shuttle, lifejacket, and locker access are provided.

“Wakes you up for the day!! Well worth the outlay, helpful staff, and our driver Paul was very skilled and welcoming.”

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Queenstown: Shotover River and Kawarau River Jet Boat Ride - Crossing Lake Wakatipu at full speed
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Queenstown: Shotover River and Kawarau River Jet Boat Ride

2.Shotover River and Kawarau River Jet Boat Ride

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 1,682 reviews · 1 hour · from $89 a head

Join KJet at Queenstown’s Main Town Pier for a one-hour, 45-kilometre jet boat ride across Lake Wakatipu and up the Kawarau and Shotover rivers. Your English-speaking pilot handles speeds up to 95 kilometres per hour, tight turns, and 360-degree spins. Heated handrails help in cold weather, but expect spray, especially in the corner seats.

“What a fun and wild ride. Didn't matter that it was cold and rainy. The guide stopped at times to check in and make sure everyone was having fun. Dress in your rain gear best”

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Surfers Paradise, Gold Coast Jet Boat Ride: 55 Minutes - The tricks: spins, slides, and beach runs
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Surfers Paradise, Gold Coast Jet Boat Ride: 55 Minutes

3.Surfers Paradise, Gold Coast Jet Boat Ride: 55 Minutes

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,499 reviews · from $42 a head

Join Jet Boat Extreme at 30-34 Ferny Ave for a 55-minute Broadwater ride with power slides, 360-degree spins, beach runs, and speeds up to 40 knots. Captain Jake, Toby, Mike, Hamish, and others are known for lively commentary and smooth boat handling. Life jackets, lockers, and spray jackets on colder days are included.

“Great fun! Toby is very friendly and skilled! Highly recommend! Very thrilling experience and beautiful scenery!”

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Waikato River Jet Boat Ride from Taupo - Surfing the Nga Awa Purua rapids
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Waikato River Jet Boat Ride from Taupo

4.Waikato River Jet Boat Ride from Taupo

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,441 reviews · from $89 a head

Set out from Rapids Jet near Aratiatia Scenic Reserve for a 35-minute Waikato River ride. Your guide pilots an 11-seat jet boat through Nga Awa Purua rapids, narrow canyons, and fast spins, with commentary on local wildlife, film locations, and river history. Jacob, Shannon, and Taylah are among the guides praised for skilled driving and lively narration.

“Fun and informative about the river. Jacob was a great driver. Photos that were taken are terrific.Thanks guys.”

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Hersonissos: Jet Boat Tour with Snorkeling - Saint George’s Bay, where the speed gives way to still water
Greece Speedboat Tours, Jet Boat Rides, Snorkeling Speedboat Trips, Snorkeling Speedboat Trips in Greece, Speedboat Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Hersonissos: Jet Boat Tour with Snorkeling

5.Hersonissos: Jet Boat Tour with Snorkeling

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 1,385 reviews · 1 hour · from $53 a head

Leave Hersonissos Port for a one-hour jet boat ride along Crete’s coast. Captain Kostas or another experienced skipper can take you to 90 km/h and perform controlled 360-degree turns before a 30-minute swim and snorkel stop at Saint George’s Bay. Gear, life jackets, and hotel pickup are included.

“Good ride, very safe and enjoyable! The swimming was nice, snorkels were provided for free, I recommend this to old and young!”

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Queenstown: Shotover River Extreme Jet Boat Experience - The short trip from Queenstown
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Queenstown: Shotover River Extreme Jet Boat Experience

6.Shotover River Extreme Jet Boat Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 1,203 reviews · 25 - 90 minutes · from $107 a head

Join Shotover Jet for a 25-minute high-speed ride through the Shotover Canyons, less than 10 minutes from Queenstown. Drivers such as Paul, Matt, Will, Missy, and Joe mix sharp handling, 360-degree spins, and commentary on local history, geology, and Maori culture. Expect cold wind, dramatic rock walls, and a surprisingly manageable amount of spray.

“Great fun and a good way to start our introduction to Queenstown.”

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Jet Boat Safari on the Sigatoka River - From Nakaracia to the river’s interior
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Jet Boat Safari on the Sigatoka River

7.Jet Boat Safari on the Sigatoka River

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,135 reviews · from $140 a head

Travel from Sigatoka by air-conditioned minibus to the Sigatoka River, then speed upriver through jungle scenery with a local captain such as Laps or Freddy. Visit a village for a kava ceremony, guided walk, Fijian lunch, singing, and dancing before returning by jet boat. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included.

“We did the Sigatoka River Safari on 22/09 and it was absolutely incredible! From start to finish, the whole experience was so much fun and truly unforgettable. We both enjoyed every moment — it was the perfect mix of adventure, culture, and Read more”

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Niagara Falls, ON: Jet Boat Tour on Niagara River - Devil’s Hole and the 365° Hamilton Turn
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Niagara Falls, ON: Jet Boat Tour on Niagara River

8.Niagara Falls, ON: Jet Boat Tour on Niagara River

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 1,128 reviews · 45 min · from $69 a head

Take a 45-minute jet boat ride through the lower Niagara River’s Class 5 rapids, enter Devil’s Hole, and spin through the 365° Hamilton Turn. Choose the Wet Jet for a full soaking or the Jet Dome to stay dry. An English-speaking guide adds river history and points out the differences between the Canadian and American sides.

“It was an amazing activity for the whole family. Lots of fun, loads of thrills and none stop action. Highly recommend”

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Niagara Falls Canada Open-Top (Wet) Jet Boat Tour - From safety briefing to open water
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Niagara Falls Canada Open-Top (Wet) Jet Boat Tour

9.Niagara Falls Canada Open-Top (Wet) Jet Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,000 reviews · 45 minutes (approx.) · from $71 a head

Ride an open-top jet boat from Niagara-on-the-Lake into the Niagara Whirlpool’s white water. Your guide provides live commentary while the captain spins, surges, and splashes through the rapids. Ponchos are provided, but bring dry clothes and waterproof footwear. The ride does not show Niagara Falls.

“Staff was great!! One of the best experiences we’ve ever had as a family! Just wish we had bought the video of the tour but was too pricey”

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30-Minute Sydney Harbour Jet Boat Ride on Thunder Twist - Starting at Jetty 1 in Circular Quay
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30-Minute Sydney Harbour Jet Boat Ride on Thunder Twist

10.30-Minute Sydney Harbour Jet Boat Ride on Thunder Twist

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 841 reviews · from $60 a head

Meet at Jetty 1, Circular Quay, for a 30-minute ride on Thunder Twist. Your captain, possibly John or Tom, leads a safety briefing before high-speed spins, slides, fish tails, wave riding, and power stops. Ponchos and lockers are provided, but bring dry clothes and expect to get wet.

“Great exhilarating experience in beautiful Sydney harbor with friends The views are stunning and the guides were professional”

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Albufeira: High-Adrenaline Jet Boat Ride - The calmer opening: caves and rock formations
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Albufeira: High-Adrenaline Jet Boat Ride

11.High-Adrenaline Jet Boat Ride

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 780 reviews · 30 min · from $35 a head Best value

Set out from Gate 4 Café at Albufeira Marina for a 30-minute jet boat ride along the Algarve coast. You’ll see caves and rock formations before the captain adds 180 and 360-degree turns, slides, wake jumps, and power brakes. Guides speak several languages, and you should wear swimwear because you will get soaked.

“Prepare to be completely soaked! Absolutely awesome ride, thank you!”

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Taupō: Huka Falls 30-Minute Jet Boat Experience - The 30-minute route along the Waikato River
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Taupō: Huka Falls 30-Minute Jet Boat Experience

12.Taupō: Huka Falls 30-Minute Jet Boat Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 759 reviews · 30 min · from $89 a head

You’ll race along the Waikato River at up to 80 km/h, skim past cliffs and hot springs, and reach the base of Huka Falls by jet boat. Your English-speaking driver, such as Scott, Ricki, Chopper, or Tee, handles the boat and adds local commentary. Expect sharp 360-degree spins, strong wind, and a very good chance of getting wet.

“Wow what an exhilarating experience, we thoroughly enjoyed it. Our driver was fantastic, really ensured we had the most thrilling experience. Beautiful scenery along the way and some brilliant spins.”

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From Queenstown: Skippers Canyon Jet Boat Ride - The scenic road is a real part of the adventure
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From Queenstown: Skippers Canyon Jet Boat Ride

13.Skippers Canyon Jet Boat Ride

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 699 reviews · 3 hours · from $118 a head

You’ll travel from Queenstown along the perilous Skippers Road with an English-speaking guide, pause for canyon views, then take a 30-minute jet boat ride through the upper Shotover River. Guides such as Cal, Dan, Willy, and Rob are known for lively commentary, while skilled boat drivers handle close canyon turns and full spins.

“The two guide were great. The coach ride was interesting and the jet boat a lot of fun”

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Jet Boat Journey through Fiordland National Park - Pure Wilderness - The ride to Queens Reach
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Jet Boat Journey through Fiordland National Park – Pure Wilderness

14.Jet Boat Journey through Fiordland National Park – Pure Wilderness

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 678 reviews · from $127 a head

From Te Anau, Fiordland Jet takes you by jet boat along the Upper Waiau River to Lake Manapouri. Expect warm gear, local stories, three *Lord of the Rings* filming locations, native birds, a short guided walk, high-speed turns, and 360-degree spins. Boats carry no more than 11 people, with morning and afternoon departures.

“Words can’t describe how beautiful this place is!! Not only we got to do super fun spins but we got to see one of the most beautiful parts of the world! Our guide was great fun and very informative. We then went on a little nature walk through what I thought was a magical Forrest!! This is a must!!”

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Hukafalls Jet Boat Ride in Taupo - What the 360-degree spins feel like
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Hukafalls Jet Boat Ride in Taupo

15.Hukafalls Jet Boat Ride in Taupo

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 658 reviews · from $94 a head

Ride a 30-minute jet boat from 200 Karetoto Road along the Waikato River to the base of Huka Falls. Expect high-speed runs, 360-degree spins, power brakes, local commentary, and an eye-level view of the 11-meter falls. Drivers such as Scott, Ricki, Arthur, and Rocky are known for skilled driving and lively hosting. You return to the same meeting point.

“Fantastic experience. Thrilling. I love boat rides and this was one of the best. Driver was great and very skilled.”

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