The 5 Wanaka Speedboat Tours That Earn Their Fare

1.Small Group Jet Boat Adventure on the Clutha River from Wanaka

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 302 reviews · from $98 a head Our pick

Join Go Jets Wanaka for a 90-minute jet boat ride on the Clutha River. Guide Pat mixes 360-degree spins and sharp turns with stories about gold mining, the river, and the Upper Clutha Valley. The tour includes live commentary, photo stops, and pickup from Albert Town or your Wanaka accommodation if arranged.

“Our guide was great and we had a blast with the spins and quick turns! Thanks for all the history of the river and the area - great fun!”

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2.Jet Boat and Wilderness Walk Tour from Wanaka

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 259 reviews · from $215 a head

Travel from Wanaka into Mount Aspiring National Park by shuttle and jet boat. You will speed over shallow river braids, try controlled spins, then take a 50-minute guided walk through beech forest to waterfalls and glacier-fed streams. Guides such as Ben and James add local stories. The tour suits reasonably fit participants aged four and up.

“It's totally worth the money, our jet boat driver Ben was engaging and extremely knowledgeable. Importantly he is a master of his art - controlling a jet boat.”

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3.Lakeland Jet Boat Adventure – Clutha River

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 210 reviews · from $83 a head Best value

Join LakeLand Wanaka for a 60-minute jet boat ride from the Wānaka lakefront into the Clutha River. Expect mountain views, shallow water, rapids, tight channels, tunnels, high-speed turns, and Hamilton Spins. Guides such as Matt, Max, Amber, and Sarah combine local stories with confident boat handling. Small groups are limited to 10 people.

“This was a great excursion - definitely worth the $. We were fearful of the threatening weather - but they were flexible and provided the option to just cruise the river and we avoided the pounding waves on the Lake. Our guide was incrediblRead more”

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4.Wanaka: Jet Boat Ride on Clutha River

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 143 reviews · 1 hour · from $83 a head

From Wanaka’s waterfront, you cross Lake Wanaka before racing along the fast-flowing Clutha River at speeds above 80 kilometers per hour. Expect rapids, sand bars, rocks, mountain views, and Hamilton Spins. Guides such as Matt, Sarah, Max, and Amber add local stories and help you feel secure in the small boat.

“Matt gave lots of info about the river and area which was very interesting. enjoyed whizzing around the river and did lots of spins. we were out for quite a while. definitely recommend”

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5.Siberia Experience:Fly-Hike-Jetboat:Wilderness Adventure:Wanaka

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 26 reviews · from $353 a head

Fly about 25 minutes from Makarora over alpine valleys, land beside the remote Siberia River, and hike independently through native bush toward the Wilkin River. A jet boat then carries you back to Makarora. Plan on four to five hours, good fitness, suitable weather, and your own lunch.

“It is by far the best experience i ever had. The guys were very nice, tell you loots of information about the region and the scenery. And the experience is just amazing. Dont doubt yourself and book a Siberian experience. You won’t regret it.”

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