Everything You Need to Know About Shotover River Jet Boating in Queenstown

Shotover River: Home of the world's most thrilling jet boat ride

The Shotover River is where narrow canyons, crystal-clear water, and speed collide to create what's widely considered the most exhilarating jet boat experience in New Zealand. We're talking about canyons so tight you could practically high-five the rock walls. The Shotover earned its reputation during the 1860s gold rush when miners would risk everything to extract fortune from its gravelly bed. Whether you opt for the iconic Shotover Jet experience, combine it with the calmer Kawarau River for contrast, or venture into the legendary Skippers Canyon, you're in for something special.

Shotover River jet boating: At a glance

Jet boat speeding on Kawarau River with passengers, surrounded by scenic cliffs and trees.
  • Duration: 25 minutes to 1 hour (depending on experience)
  • Jet boat time: 25-60 minutes of canyon-carving action
  • Suitable for: Ages: 3+ (varies by operator)
  • Includes: Safety gear, expert commentary, guaranteed adrenaline rush
  • Price from: NZ$149
  • Departure times: Multiple daily departures
  • Meeting point: Various locations including Arthur's Point and central Queenstown
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Why choose a Shotover River jet boating experience?

Shotover Jet navigating through narrow canyon waters.
Tourists enjoying a thrilling ride on the Shotover Jet through white water rapids.
Tourists enjoying Skippers Canyon Jet Boat ride on turquoise river.
Shotover Jet navigating through narrow canyon in New Zealand.
Jet boat speeding on Kawarau River with passengers, surrounded by scenic cliffs and trees.
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Queenstown's narrowest canyons

In some sections, there’s barely a meter of clearance on either side of the boat. Your skipper will thread through these rocky corridors at full speed, and you’ll swear you can reach out and touch the canyon walls.

Shotover's original jet boat adventure

Chosen for its dramatic canyons and turquoise waters, the Shotover has become a world-famous benchmark for controlled chaos: half a century of refining the perfect adrenaline rush.

For different thrill levels

There’s no one-size-fits-all on the Shotover. Choose the classic Shotover Jet ride, the double-whammy with Kawarau, or a road trip through Skippers Canyon road. Plus, kids as young as 3 years old can ride, and guides tailor speed and maneuvers to the group. It’s the rare adrenaline activity that’s both family-friendly and unforgettable.

360° spins

When your skipper pulls a 360° in a corridor barely wider than the boat, the world becomes a blur of turquoise water, blue sky, and golden rock.

Scenery that seals the deal

Glacier-fed turquoise water. Canyon walls that glow gold in the sun. Even if you’re too busy holding on to take photos, operators capture the action with photo and video packages worth grabbing. You’ll be too exhilarated to film yourself.

What to expect on your Shotover River jet boating experience?

Step 1: Choose your Shotover adventure
  • Shotover Jet: 25 minutes of pure canyon speed, departing from Arthur’s Point (10 min from Queenstown).
  • KJet: 60-minute combo of Shotover + Kawarau Rivers.
  • Skippers Canyon Jet: 4WD heritage drive + 25-minute jet ride.
    Each option offers its own rhythm; pick your intensity and time commitment.
Step 2: Check in, gear up & meet your skipper

Arrive early, check in, and get your safety briefing: hold on, stay seated, secure belongings. You’ll be fitted with a life vest and spray jacket. Your driver is part stunt pilot, part comedian, and part local storyteller. They know every curve of this river, and exactly how close they can get to the canyon walls (closer than you think).

Step 3: Build speed and enter the canyons

Ease away from the dock, cruise through open water, and feel the acceleration build. The calm before the glorious storm. Here’s where the thrill peaks. The river narrows, the canyon towers rise, and the boat glides over just centimeters of water. You’ll feel the roar, the spray, and pure focus from your skipper as the walls blur past.

Step 4: Signature Maneuvers

Up to six 360° spins, high-speed runs, and near-miss passes that’ll leave you drenched and grinning. Controlled chaos perfected.

Step 5: History and geology on the go

Between spins, learn about the gold-rush heritage, hidden mining relics, and the ancient geology that sculpted the Shotover canyons.

Step 6: Kawarau extension (KJet only)

Switch rivers for a change of mood: from tight, adrenaline-packed canyons to the open turquoise expanse of the Kawarau.

Step 7: Skippers Canyon add-on

For the full Skippers Canyon combo: traverse the infamous cliff-edge road, see gold-mining ruins, and then jet boat through untouched wilderness. It’s part scenic tour, part heart-racing ride.

Step 8: Return to base

Glide back to shore, dripping and exhilarated. Expect high-fives, laughter, and one universal thought: let’s do that again.

Meet your Shotover River jet boat operators

Shotover Jet with tourists in lifejackets navigating narrow canyon in New Zealand.

Shotover Jet: The original legend

25 minutes of pure canyon-speed action in the tightest sections of the Shotover.

Departures: Arthur’s Point, 10 minutes from Queenstown.

Highlights:

  • Up to six signature 360° spins
  • World-famous narrow-canyon route
  • Free hotel transfers & on-site photo packages

Best for: Travelers chasing the iconic Queenstown jet boat experience; intense, authentic, unforgettable.

Getting there
Jet boat speeding through Kawarau and Shotover Rivers in Queenstown, New Zealand.

KJet: Two rivers, one great ride

A 60-minute adventure on both Shotover and Kawarau Rivers.

Departures: Queenstown Bay jetty.

Highlights:

  • Longer ride time + double scenery
  • Family-friendly; thrill level tailored
  • Great for first-timers wanting “more river for their money”

Best for: Visitors who want variety and value. You get two rivers, one ticket. Plus, an experience that everyone will love.

Plan your visit
Skippers Canyon Jet bus on a scenic mountain road with guests, New Zealand.

Skippers Canyon Jet: Heritage meets adrenaline

A 3-hour guided 4WD tour with a 25-minute jet boat ride.

Departures: Central Queenstown pick-up.

Highlights:

  • Historic Skippers Road drive (“world’s most dangerous road”)
  • Remote gold-rush sites + spectacular views
  • Exclusive Upper Shotover access

Best For: Travelers wanting thrills plus storytelling for the perfect scenic-adventure hybrid.

Best time to visit

Plan your Shotover River jet boating experience

Whitewater rafting on Shotover River, Queenstown, with participants paddling.
  • Summer (December-February): Peak season brings warm weather and the best conditions. The water's still glacier-fed cold, but sunshine makes it refreshing. Expect crowds and book well ahead.
  • Autumn (March-May): The sweet spot. Crowds diminish, weather remains pleasant, and the canyon walls catch that gorgeous golden-hour light for longer periods.
  • Winter (June-August): Dress in layers, accept that you might get cold, and embrace the dramatic scenery that comes with winter. Fewer tourists mean more personalized experiences.
  • Spring (September-November): Snowmelt keeps water levels high, the landscape is waking up, and weather is warming without summer's heat.

Weather tip: The Shotover canyons provide some shelter from wind, making conditions more consistent than exposed rivers. Tours run in light rain, but extreme weather can cause cancellations.

Woman driving a car at night in a city with blurred lights in the background.
  • From central Queenstown: Shotover Jet's base at Arthur's Point is just 10 minutes north of Queenstown. Easy drive, well signposted, with free parking. Or take advantage of their complimentary hotel transfers.
  • From Queenstown Airport: About 15-20 minutes depending on which operator you're using. Perfect for squeezing in on arrival or departure day if your flight times work out.
  • Driving yourself: Straightforward routes with excellent signage. All departure points have free parking available.
  • Skippers Canyon: Most rental car insurance specifically excludes Skippers Road. Book the guided option and let the professionals handle it, their driving is part of the entertainment.
Packing clothes for Niagara Falls Whirlpool Jet Boat Tours, including hat and camera.
  • Clothes you can get wet: Quick-dry fabrics are your friend. Some people wear swimwear underneath in summer. Bring a warm layer and a towel for after the ride.
  • Closed-toe shoes: Essential. They need to stay on your feet and provide grip when the boat's moving. Sandals and flip-flops won't cut it.
  • Secure sunglasses: The UV in New Zealand is intense, and water reflects it back at you. Sunglasses with a strap (or leave them in the locker) are your best bet.
  • Waterproof camera: If you must document the experience. Action cameras with wrist straps work best. Your smartphone will not appreciate the glacier water or the 360° spins.
  • Sunscreen: Reapply before you board. You'll be out on the water with minimal shade.
  • Avoid: Valuables you can't secure, loose items, expectations of perfect hair, or rigid control over your personal dryness levels.
Note with 'Know The Rules' on laptop keyboard, related to Fort Saint Andre tour.
  • Age Requirements: Generally 3+ for Shotover Jet, though height and weight restrictions occasionally apply. KJet typically requires passengers to be 5+.
  • Pregnancy: Not recommended for any jet boat experience due to the high-speed maneuvers and sudden movements.
  • Medical conditions: If you have back, neck, heart conditions, or recent surgeries, consult with the operator before booking. The boats involve sudden stops, starts, and spins that can aggravate certain conditions.
  • Height/weight limits: Occasionally enforced for safety reasons. If you're concerned, check before booking.
  • Swimming: You don't need to know how to swim. Everyone wears life jackets, and guides are trained in water rescue.
  • Behavior: Follow guide instructions, secure your belongings, don't stand up during the ride, and keep hands and arms inside the boat.
Family in life jackets enjoying a boat tour on Kawarau and Shotover Rivers.
  • Mobility: The boats themselves can accommodate guests with moderate mobility challenges, though you'll need to navigate in and out (assistance is available). The narrow canyon environment and speed make it unsuitable for guests with severe mobility limitations.
  • Wheelchairs: Difficult but not impossible. Contact operators directly to discuss specific needs and what assistance they can provide.
  • Hearing/vision impairment: No problem. The experience is highly visual and tactile. Guides are excellent at adapting commentary, and honestly, the thrills speak for themselves.
  • Fitness requirements: Minimal fitness needed; you're sitting and holding on, not paddling or hiking. However, you do need core strength to brace yourself during spins and maneuvers.

Frequently asked questions about Shotover River jet boat tours

What's the difference between Shotover Jet and KJet?

Shotover Jet is the name of the original operator that's been running jet boats in the Shotover canyons since 1970. Their 25-minute ride focuses exclusively on the most dramatic canyon sections. KJet is a different operator that combines both the Shotover and Kawarau Rivers into a 60-minute experience, giving you two distinct river personalities in one ride. Both are brilliant: Shotover Jet for pure canyon intensity, KJet for variety and more time on the water.

How much does Shotover Jet cost?

Shotover Jet prices start from approximately $155 NZD for adults (with discounts for children). KJet's 60-minute combo experience costs more but includes twice the water time. Skippers Canyon Jet includes the 4WD journey plus jet boating. Prices vary by season and any running promotions. Pro tip: booking online in advance often gets you better rates than walk-ups.

Will I get absolutely soaked?

Let's put it this way: you'll definitely get wet. How wet depends on your seating position, the river conditions, and how many 360° spins your skipper decides to unleash. Front seats = more spray. During spins, everyone gets drenched. In summer, it's glorious. In winter, layer up accordingly. If you're trying to stay perfectly dry, you've chosen the wrong activity.

Is it safe for young children?

Yes! Shotover Jet accepts kids from age 3 (some operators from age 5). The boats are stable, everyone wears life jackets, and skippers are experienced at gauging the group and adjusting accordingly. That said, it IS thrilling; high speeds, sudden spins, and close encounters with canyon walls. Know your child's comfort level with intense experiences. If they loved the roller coaster, they'll probably love this. If they cried at the carousel, maybe wait a few years.

Can I take photos during the ride?

You can try, but should you? During the 360° spins and high-speed canyon runs, you'll be gripping the handrail for dear life. Waterproof action cameras with wrist straps are your best bet if you must capture it yourself. Honestly, most operators offer photo packages shot by professionals who know exactly when the best moments happen. Those photos will be significantly better than your blurry, water-spattered attempts.

How narrow are the canyons, really?

Genuinely narrow. In some sections, there's barely a meter of clearance on each side. When you're moving at speed, it feels even tighter. Your skipper knows exactly how much space they have (they do this multiple times daily), but that doesn't stop it from being properly thrilling. If you're claustrophobic, good news: you're moving too fast to dwell on it.

Do I need to book in advance?

During peak season (December-February), absolutely yes. Shotover Jet is one of Queenstown's most popular activities and can book out days ahead. Shoulder season gives you more flexibility, but preferred time slots (mid-morning and late afternoon especially) still fill up. Skippers Canyon has limited daily departures, so advance booking is essential. Why risk disappointment? Book ahead and lock in your preferred time.

Can I combine this with other Queenstown activities?

Absolutely! Many people pair jet boating with bungy jumping (the Kawarau Bridge bungy site is nearby), white water rafting, or the Shotover Canyon Swing. It's easy to build an epic adventure day. Just maybe space them out slightly rather than doing three intense activities back-to-back. Your adrenal glands will thank you.

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