We are closed! 

The image shows a red Shotover Jet boat navigating through a narrow passage between rocky cliffs on a turquoise river, with passengers enjoying the thrilling and close encounter with the rugged landscape

THE SPECTACULAR SHOTOVER CANYONS. ONLY WE CAN TAKE YOU THERE!

World famous as the world’s most exciting jet boat ride, Shotover Jet has thrilled over 4 million people since it began in 1965, and now it’s your turn!

A unique combination of beauty and power, it’s an experience like no other, blending pristine natural landscape with wall to wall canyon action from the moment you leave the jetty to the  finale of your breath-taking ride.

Book Now

Our high-performance boats are made for speed with twin V8 engines, travelling at up to 90 km/hour. As the narrow canyon walls tower over you, your expert driver puts the state-of-the-art jet boat through it’s paces, riding the rapids and performing thrilling, gravity defying stunts within a hair’s breadth of the awe-inspiring cliff faces. Hold on tight for plenty of full, 360° spins!

Shotover Jet operates on an exclusive area of the Shotover River and is the only company permitted to operate within its spectacular canyons, carved out over the ages by a vast volume of fast flowing water. The very grandeur of this spectacular environment, less than 10 minutes’ drive from Queenstown, adds to the excitement and exclusivity of the Shotover Jet experience 

This is where our ancestors come from. This awa (river) is part of who we are.

We are Ngāi Tahu, the Māori people of this land and the proud owners of Shotover Jet. Our connection to Kimiākau (the Shotover River) goes back centuries. Before the arrival of Europeans, our Ngāi Tahu tipuna (ancestors) would use this network of awa(rivers) to gather food, plants and pounamu (greenstone).

As the home of our ancestors, no one knows this area like we do. Let us welcome you our way, share our history and stories and take you on an adventure you’ll never forget!

 An aerial view of a red jet boat speeding through a narrow, turquoise river that winds between steep canyon walls. The surrounding landscape is vibrant with autumn foliage, showcasing a mix of green,

The original jet boat ride

Shotover Jet was one of Queenstown’s first adventure activities, and over the years is one of the experiences that has helped to put New Zealand on the global tourism map. Combining the classic New Zealand invention of the Jet Boat with the Kiwi culture of adventure, Shotover Jet has become part of the fabric of what is quintessential 'New Zealand' and has taken jet boating from its humble beginnings to become one of New Zealand’s most iconic ‘must do’ visitor activities.