Jet Boating in New Zealand: The Fastest Way to Question Your Life Choices
Welcome to New Zealand, land of jaw-dropping landscapes, adventure sports, and people who think “What if we made a boat go really fast in a dangerously narrow canyon?” was a good idea. Spoiler alert: It was.
If you’re planning a group trip and want an activity that will:
- Get your heart racing
- Make you scream (in a fun way)
- Give you an excuse to hold onto your boss for dear life
…then jet boating is exactly what you’re looking for.
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Wait, What’s Jet Boating?
Think of it as a rollercoaster on water, except there are no tracks, no brakes, and your driver seems way too calm about all of it. Jet boats don’t need deep water, which means they can tear through shallow rivers, narrow canyons, and places that look like they should be completely off-limits to high-speed vehicles.
Invented in New Zealand (because of course it was), jet boats were originally meant for farmers to navigate shallow rivers. But at some point, someone thought, "Hey, what if we did this, but way faster and with more screaming tourists?" And here we are.
Where Can You Do It?
If you are in Queenstown, consider yourself lucky, as you have already arrived in the adventure capital of the world, so you are basically set. Shotover Jets are the best that jet boating has to offer – racing down the Shotover River canyons at gut wrenching speeds that will leave you questioning your recent meal’s decisions.
Other top spots include:
- Huka Falls Jet (Taupō) – Because nothing says “relaxing group outing” like getting flung towards a giant, roaring waterfall.
- Dart River Jet (Glenorchy) – A scenic, high-speed ride through Middle-earth, where you can pretend you’re escaping orcs instead of just your 9-to-5.
What to Expect (Besides Regretting Sitting in the Front Row)
- Speeds up to 85 km/h (53 mph) – This might not sound like much, but trust us, it feels like warp speed when you’re dodging canyon walls by mere centimeters.
- 360-degree spins – Otherwise known as “that moment you re-evaluate every decision that led you here.”
- A light splash… or a full-on soaking – It depends on the wind, the turns, and whether or not the driver has a sense of humor. (Spoiler: They do.)
- Ridiculously gorgeous scenery – If you can manage to pry your hands off the seat long enough to look around, you’ll be rewarded with epic views of rivers, cliffs, and mountains.
Why Jet Boating is Perfect for Groups
Because nothing bonds a group faster than shared near-death experiences (kidding… mostly). No matter if you’re a team of 20 in the corporate world, an incentive group, or just a pack of adventure junkies, jet boating is the sort of activity that transforms these colleagues into friends or friends into that one person who’s known to be the loudest in the group.
Also:
✔ No skill required – You just have to sit there, hold on, and try not to embarrass yourself too much.
✔ It’s over quickly – In case your idea of fun is not feeling your stomach try to relocate itself.
✔ It’s hilarious – For everyone except the person who insists they “never get scared” and then spends the whole ride screaming in a pitch only dogs can hear.
What to Bring (Besides Your Dignity)
- A waterproof jacket – Unless you like the idea of looking like a drowned rat in all your photos.
- Sunglasses with a strap – Because rivers love stealing them.
- A strong grip – There are no seatbelts. Your only job is to hold on for dear life.
- A camera for after – You’ll want evidence that you survived.
Why You Need to Book This (Right Now)
New Zealand is the birthplace of jet boating, and doing this anywhere else would be like ordering sushi in a gas station—it’s just not the same.
If you want an unforgettable, high-speed, laugh-until-you-cry experience that will have your group talking for years, then get in touch with our expert DMC partners. We’ll handle the logistics—you just focus on holding on and not screaming too loudly in your boss’s ear.
So… who’s ready to go full throttle in one of the most stunning places on Earth?
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