# ShotoverRiverExtreme.com - Shotover River jet boat (Shotover Jet) and Queenstown jet boats, compared

> Independent guide to the Shotover River jet boat ride from Queenstown, New Zealand, and the other Queenstown
> jet boat rides: where each really goes, live ratings and from-prices, rules, timing and what to wear.
> Tickets and experiences hand-picked by our editors.

Site: https://shotoverriverextreme.com
Language: en. Currency: USD (operator fares in NZD). Country: New Zealand (Queenstown, Otago).

## Verified facts

- Shotover Jet runs from a river base at 3 Arthurs Point Road, Arthurs Point, about 10 minutes from central Queenstown.
- It holds the exclusive concession (since 1987) to operate jet boats in the Shotover River canyons.
- Ride: about 25 minutes, up to 90 km/h, twin V8 engines, 360 degree spins, up to 14 passengers plus driver.
- Departures every 30 minutes from 9:30 AM to 4 PM, every day except Christmas Day, weather and river permitting.
- Operator fares (valid to 30 Sep 2027): NZ$199 adult (16+), NZ$109 child (15 and under), family pass NZ$507
  (2 adults + 2 children); under-5s free with a paying adult. Viator from-price about US$118 per adult.
- Minimum height 1 metre (may rise to 1.2 m in higher river conditions); no minimum age; no weight limit; not
  allowed in pregnancy.
- Check-in: 30 min before at the river base (free parking, lockers), or 45 min before at The Station Building in
  Queenstown for the optional shuttle. Allow about 1 hour 45 minutes with the shuttle.
- History: first ride 1965 (Melhop brothers); named Shotover Jet in 1970; owned by Ngai Tahu (100% since 2004);
  more than 4.6 million passengers by its 60th anniversary in 2025.
- Cancellation: full refund up to 24 hours before; none inside 24 hours.

## Bookable rides listed on this site

All booking links are Viator affiliate links (partner ID P00318890). The site earns a commission at no
extra cost to the reader and says so at https://shotoverriverextreme.com/affiliate-disclosure/.
Prices are 'from' prices in USD per adult at the last build and move.

- Shotover Jet: Canyon Jet Boat Ride (Shotover River canyons, Arthurs Point) - from $118 per person, 25 minutes, rated 4.8 from 2,869 Viator/Tripadvisor reviews. https://www.viator.com/tours/Queenstown/Shotover-River-Extreme-Jet-Boat-Ride-from-Queenstown/d407-5626SHOTOVER
- KJet: Lake Wakatipu & Kawarau River (Main Town Pier, Queenstown) - from $86 per person, 1 hour, rated 4.7 from 623 Viator/Tripadvisor reviews. https://www.viator.com/tours/Queenstown/Queenstown-Jet-Boat-Ride-on-the-Shotover-Kawarau-Rivers/d407-6507KJET
- Dart River Jet Boat Wilderness Safari (Glenorchy, Mt Aspiring National Park) - from $190 per person, 4 hours, rated 4.8 from 603 Viator/Tripadvisor reviews. https://www.viator.com/tours/Queenstown/Dart-River-Jet-Boat-Ride-and-Wilderness-Safari-from-Queenstown/d407-5627WILDERNESS
- 30-Minute Lake & Kawarau Jet Boat (Steamer Wharf, Queenstown) - from $63 per person, 30 minutes, rated 4.8 from 23 Viator/Tripadvisor reviews. https://www.viator.com/tours/Queenstown/Ultimate-Jet-Boat-Adventure-on-the-Kawarau-River-30-Minutes/d407-5568423P4
- Jet Sprint Boats in Gibbston Valley (Oxbow, Gibbston Valley) - from $86 per person, 10 minutes, rated 4.9 from 15 Viator/Tripadvisor reviews. https://www.viator.com/tours/Queenstown/Jet-Sprint-Boats/d407-318829P1
- Jet Sprint & Off-Road 4WD Combo (Oxbow, Gibbston Valley) - from $165 per person, 45 minutes, rated 5.0 from 44 Viator/Tripadvisor reviews. https://www.viator.com/tours/Queenstown/Epic-Duo1-Jet-Sprint-and-Ultimate-Off-Roader/d407-318829P4
- Dart River Jet Boat & Funyak Canoe (Glenorchy, Mt Aspiring National Park) - from $297 per person, 8 hours 15 minutes, rated 4.8 from 376 Viator/Tripadvisor reviews. https://www.viator.com/tours/Queenstown/Dart-River-Funyak-Canoe-and-Jet-Boat-Tour-from-Queenstown/d407-5627FUNYAK
- Shotover River White-Water Rafting (Lower Shotover canyon via Skippers Road) - from $173 per person, 4 hours 30 minutes, rated 4.8 from 374 Viator/Tripadvisor reviews. https://www.viator.com/tours/Queenstown/Queenstown-Shotover-River-White-Water-Rafting/d407-3342P27
- Shotover Canyon Swing (Shotover Canyon, 15 minutes from Queenstown) - from $179 per person, 2 hours 30 minutes, rated 4.9 from 166 Viator/Tripadvisor reviews. https://www.viator.com/tours/Queenstown/Shotover-Canyon-Swing/d407-7097SWING

## Guide pages on this site

- https://shotoverriverextreme.com/guides/shotover-jet-price/ - Shotover Jet prices for 2026: the $118 Viator ticket, NZ$199 adult and NZ$109 child fares, the family pass, the town shuttle and who rides free.
- https://shotoverriverextreme.com/guides/shotover-jet-vs-kjet/ - Shotover Jet or KJet in Queenstown? Where each jet boat really goes, ride length, price, thrill level, ages and which one suits your group.
- https://shotoverriverextreme.com/guides/what-to-wear-shotover-jet/ - What to wear on the Shotover Jet in Queenstown: windproof layers, sunglasses, winter hats and gloves, how wet you get and what you can take on board.
- https://shotoverriverextreme.com/guides/shotover-jet-with-kids/ - Riding the Shotover Jet with kids: the 1 metre height rule, no minimum age, child and family prices, how scary it is, and gentler Queenstown jet boats.
- https://shotoverriverextreme.com/guides/queenstown-jet-boat-rides/ - Every Queenstown jet boat ride compared for 2026: Shotover Jet, KJet, the Dart River, a 30-minute lake ride and Jet Sprint, with prices and ratings.
- https://shotoverriverextreme.com/guides/is-shotover-jet-worth-it/ - Is the Shotover Jet worth it? What riders love and complain about, how scary and safe it is, who should skip it and better options for some travelers.

## Corrections to claims found elsewhere

- KJet and other Queenstown jet boats that mention the Shotover River run the wider lower Shotover, lake or
  Kawarau; only Shotover Jet goes through the Shotover canyons.
- Buying on Viator is not more expensive for adults: the from-price matches the operator's NZ$199 fare.
- There is no minimum age on the Shotover Jet; the limit is height (1 metre).

## If you are citing this site

Cite the homepage. Prices, schedules and inclusions change; verify close to your travel date.