Jet boat vs speed boat: what's different about Queenstown's rides?

Why do jet boats make 360-degree spins?

A jet boat built for rivers can turn very fast because the driver points a strong stream of water wherever the boat needs to go. The 360-degree spin is a planned move by a trained driver, and every Queenstown operator works it into the ride.

Will you get wet? Usually a little, mostly from spray during the spins. How much depends on the boat, the weather, the river and where you sit. Wear a waterproof outer layer and follow the crew’s advice on bags and cameras; our guide to whether you get wet jet boating covers each ride.

Is a spin the same as a theme-park ride? No. You are on moving water, and you also feel the acceleration, the bends and, on the Shotover, the canyon walls close by. If you are sensitive to motion or have a medical concern, ask the operator before you book, because the rides are not all equally intense.

Are jet boats faster than normal speedboats?

Not necessarily. The way a boat is driven does not set its top speed; engine power, hull shape, load and conditions all matter. Queenstown’s jet boats are about fast turns and getting into river water a propeller boat could not reach, as much as about top speed.

KJet quotes speeds of up to 95 km/h on its signature ride, and the Shotover Jet up to 90 km/h in the canyons. Both are top speeds, and the boats do not hold them for the whole ride. Sources: KJet and the Shotover Jet FAQ.

Which Queenstown jet boat tour should you choose?

Pick by the ride you want; whether to call it a jet boat or a speedboat does not change anything.

Inclusions and times change, and some listings bundle transport, rafting or other activities, so read the listing for your date.

For the most dramatic canyon setting: Shotover Jet

The Shotover Jet runs the narrow Shotover canyons near Arthurs Point, and the operator says it is the only jet boat permitted to operate in those canyons. The ride lasts about 25 minutes, so it suits you if you want close canyon walls and hard driving more than a long time on the water.

• Best for: thrill-seekers, the best-known ride in Queenstown, a tight schedule.
• Check: you need to get to Arthurs Point, about 10 minutes’ drive from town, or add the operator’s transfer; age and height rules apply.
• More: our Shotover Jet guide and the official ride FAQ. On Viator the same ride is the Shotover Jet Canyon Ride, from $118 and rated 4.8 from 2,907 reviews.

For a longer ride from town: KJet

KJet runs a 60-minute circuit of Lake Wakatipu, the Kawarau River and the Shotover River from the Main Town Pier in central Queenstown, and also boards at its marina in Frankton for a shorter ride. KJet quotes up to 95 km/h, 360° spins and about 45 km of travel on the signature ride.

• Best for: an easy start in town, three waterways, families whose children meet the rules.
• Check: the route stays on the wide lower Shotover and does not enter the narrow canyons the Shotover Jet drives.
• More: our KJet Queenstown guide and the official KJet experience.

For a lakefront departure and flexible duration: Thunder Jet

Thunder Jet is the other lakefront ride for people staying in central Queenstown. It runs 30 and 60 minutes on the lake and the Kawarau from Steamer Wharf, at NZ$119 and NZ$159 per adult at the operator, plus a 45-minute Rise & Ride from Frankton Marina at 9am for NZ$99. Compare the exact ticket, because the cheapest fare is the early Frankton ride.

• Best for: a shorter ride, or a tighter budget, from the town centre.
• Check: whether a low fare is for the 9am Frankton ride or for a ride from Steamer Wharf.
• More: our Thunder Jet Queenstown guide, and Lake Wakatipu jet boat tours for both lakefront rides side by side.

For scenery rather than pure intensity: Dart River

The Dart River trip takes you to a very different landscape: braided channels, beech forest and the peaks of Mt Aspiring National Park near Glenorchy. It suits you if you want sightseeing and a fast boat in one day more than the tightest turns near town. Count the drive to Glenorchy and the whole outing, not only the time on the boat.

• Best for: a scenic day trip with more time to spare.
• Check: it starts in Glenorchy, about 45 minutes’ drive from Queenstown, unless you book the transport.
• More: our Dart River jet boat guide and the Skippers Canyon jet boat guide.

Jet boat vs rafting in Queenstown: which is better?

People who compare jet boats with speedboats often weigh up white-water rafting too:

• Jet boating: a professional driver runs the boat, and you sit, hold on and follow the safety briefing. The ride is about speed, turns and scenery.
• Rafting: you paddle with a guide through rapids, so you work with the river directly.

If your group includes non-paddlers or you are short of time, a jet boat is the simpler choice. If you want to paddle as a team through rapids, book rafting. You can do both in one trip: the Kawarau River Rafting and Jet Boat Ride is from $186 on GetYourGuide, rated 4.8 from 148 reviews, with a minimum age of 13. Read the inclusions before you buy, and see our jet boat and rafting guide.

For the choice between rivers, see Best River Jet Boat Tours in Queenstown.

Are Queenstown jet boat rides safe?

The operators give a safety briefing, supply life jackets and use trained drivers. Jet boating is still a fast outdoor activity and is not risk-free. Whether a ride suits you depends on the river on the day, the operator’s rules and your own health and mobility.

Before booking:

1. Check the age and height rules. They differ by operator; a Shotover Jet rule does not apply to KJet.
2. Check pregnancy and medical restrictions. Ask the operator about back, neck, heart or other conditions before you buy a non-refundable ticket.
3. Read the weather and cancellation policy. River levels can change or cancel a ride even on a sunny day.
4. Follow the boarding instructions. Wear the life jacket you are given, done up properly, and stow loose items.
5. Allow travel and check-in time. A shuttle stop in town is not where the boat leaves from.

KJet has no height limit, but every passenger must fit one of its life jackets, and children aged 2 to 4 ride free with one adult each. The Shotover Jet publishes its own age, height and river-condition rules. Check them for each person before you pay: KJet FAQ and Shotover Jet FAQ. Our Queenstown jet boat age limit guide lists every ride’s rules.

What to wear on a Queenstown jet boat ride

Dress for wind chill and spray, even when it is warm on land. Bring layers for the forecast and tuck in or zip up anything loose. The operators supply life jackets, and some add spray jackets.

Wear comfortable closed shoes, leave loose valuables behind and check the camera rules before you bring an expensive phone or camera. In winter the open water feels very cold.

Read our what to wear jet boating in Queenstown guide and our guide to Queenstown jet boating in winter.

How much does jet boating cost in Queenstown?

The price depends on the operator, the ride length, the river and any transport included; top speed has nothing to do with it. At the operators, KJet is NZ$159 per adult for its hour, and Thunder Jet is NZ$119 for 30 minutes. Online, the cheapest are the Thunder Jet 30-minute ride from $56 and the KJet hour from $84 on GetYourGuide, while the Shotover Jet is from $113 and the Dart River Wilderness Jet from $181. Fares change by date, age and where you buy, so check the final total, including transfers and cancellation terms, before you pay.

For every ride’s price side by side, see the cheapest Queenstown jet boat.

Where to book:

• The operators: KJet, Shotover Jet and Thunder Jet.
• Viator: the Shotover Jet and KJet listings; pick the named operator and departure.
• GetYourGuide: the Shotover Jet, KJet and Thunder Jet listings; compare the ride length and what is included.

Which jet boat should you book? Quick decision guide

Book the Shotover Jet if you want the famous canyon ride and a short slot. Book KJet if you want more time on the water, three waterways and an easy start in town. Look at Thunder Jet if you want a shorter, cheaper ride from the lakefront. Book the Dart River trip if alpine scenery and a longer day matter more to you.

If you are choosing between the two best-known rides, see Shotover Jet vs KJet, and our departure points guide shows where each one leaves from.

Frequently asked questions

Is a jet boat the same as a speed boat?

A jet boat can be a speedboat, but not every speedboat is jet-driven. “Jet” names the water-jet drive; “speedboat” covers any fast motorboat.

Why don’t Queenstown river jet boats have exposed propellers?

The water-jet pump sits inside the hull, so nothing hangs below the boat to strike the riverbed. That lets boats built for rivers run shallow, shifting channels. Rocks, debris and changes in the water still carry risk.

Can jet boats go through very shallow water?

River jet boats can run very shallow water in the right conditions: KJet says less than 5 cm in places and Shotover Jet as shallow as 10 cm. The safe depth depends on the boat, its speed, the driver and the river on the day.

Do all Queenstown jet boat tours do 360-degree spins?

The main rides, including KJet, Thunder Jet and the Shotover Jet, all include 360-degree spins when conditions allow. Check the listing for the exact ride you book.

Which is faster, KJet or Shotover Jet?

KJet quotes up to 95 km/h and the Shotover Jet up to 90 km/h. The route and the ride length matter more than that small gap: KJet covers three waterways in about an hour, while the Shotover Jet spends about 25 minutes in the narrow canyons.

Is a Queenstown jet boat ride suitable for children?

Many families jet boat in Queenstown, but the minimum age, height, life-jacket fit and adult supervision rules differ by operator. KJet has no height limit but every child must fit a life jacket; Thunder Jet takes children from age 2 who weigh over 13 kg. Check the operator’s rules before you book.

Can you drive the jet boat yourself?

No, not on the standard Queenstown rides: a professional driver runs every boat. Buying a jet boat ride does not let you steer. Only a ride sold as self-drive does that, with its own licence and supervision rules.

Are jet boat rides better than lake cruises?

They do different jobs. A jet boat gives you speed, spins and the rivers; a lake cruise is a gentler way to see the scenery. Book the one that matches the day you want.

Useful next reads: Best River Jet Boat Tours in Queenstown, KJet Queenstown: prices, route and booking, Shotover Jet vs KJet, Queenstown jet boat departure points, the cheapest Queenstown jet boat and Lake Wakatipu jet boat tours.