ON THE RIVER · NEW ZEALAND RIVER CRUISES

Top 10 New Zealand River Cruises

10 river trips  ·  from $21 a head

Every trip has one free afternoon too few. These 10 new zealand river cruises earn the slot, priced and timed so you can decide in minutes and get back to packing.

Shotover River Extreme Jet Boat Ride in Queenstown - What the 25-minute ride feels like
New Zealand River Cruises, River Cruises, Tour Reviews

Shotover River Extreme Jet Boat Ride in Queenstown

1.Shotover River Extreme Jet Boat Ride in Queenstown

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,540 reviews · from $113Our pick

You’ll ride a high-speed jet boat through the Shotover River’s narrow canyons, skimming shallow water, charging past cliffs, and spinning through full 360-degree turns. Drivers such as Peter, Joe, Paul, and Matt are praised for their humor and control. The ride lasts about 25 minutes, with shuttle transport from central Queenstown, lifejackets, lockers, and optional photo purchases.

“My family loved this experience! They said it was a highlight of the trip. We chose the option to meet at the location and it was an easy drive. We booked the Queenstown onsen ahead of this tour and it was easy to pair together was they are quite close in location. The check in was easy and it was fun to watch the other boats while we were waiting. The boat ride was really fun and my kids had a blast. You do not get wet which is nice since the water is calm (unlike the jet boat in Sydney where we got really wet!) :) I'd definitely recommend…”

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Queenstown: Shotover River and Kawarau River Jet Boat Ride - The Shotover River makes the ride feel wild
New Zealand River Cruises, River Cruises, Tour Reviews

Queenstown: Shotover River and Kawarau River Jet Boat Ride

2.Queenstown: Shotover River and Kawarau River Jet Boat Ride

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 1,682 reviews · 1 hour · from $89

Join KJet at Queenstown’s Main Town Pier for a fast, splashy hour across Lake Wakatipu and up the Kawarau and Shotover rivers. Your English-speaking pilot handles the 360-degree spins and points out the scenery. The ride reaches 95 km/h, covers about 45 kilometres, and runs in all weather with heated handrails.

“Great location easy for visitors, guide was great and funny. Thrilling ride while getting to see magical scenery!!! Would recommend”

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Waikato River Jet Boat Ride from Taupo - Skilled Drivers Make the Difference
New Zealand River Cruises, River Cruises, Tour Reviews

Waikato River Jet Boat Ride from Taupo

3.Waikato River Jet Boat Ride from Taupo

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,441 reviews · from $89

Join Rapids Jet at Aratiatia Scenic Reserve for a 35-minute Waikato River ride. Your guide pilots an 11-seat boat through a narrow canyon, crystal-clear water, pressure waves, and the Nga Awa Purua rapids, with commentary on local wildlife, history, and film locations. You may get wet, and this trip does not go to Huka Falls.

“The friendly staff, great facilities and they're willingness to accommodate our small group was amazing.”

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Queenstown: Shotover River Extreme Jet Boat Experience - From Queenstown to the jet base in under 10 minutes
New Zealand River Cruises, River Cruises, Tour Reviews

Queenstown: Shotover River Extreme Jet Boat Experience

4.Queenstown: Shotover River Extreme Jet Boat Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 1,203 reviews · 25 - 90 minutes · from $107

Take a 25-minute Shotover Jet ride through narrow canyons less than 10 minutes from Queenstown. An expert English-speaking driver handles rapids, rocks, and 360-degree spins at up to 90kmh. Heated handrails help in winter, and a return shuttle is available. Guides such as Paul, Matt, Will, and Missy are known for mixing sharp boat skills with local stories.

“First time to try this, and it was absolutely worth the money! The driver was very professional and humorous, and he made our experience even more fun. I would definitely recommend this activity!”

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Dart River Jet Boat and Wilderness Experience - Glenorchy and the gateway to Mt Aspiring National Park
National Parks, New Zealand River Cruises, River Cruises, Tour Reviews

Dart River Jet Boat and Wilderness Experience

5.Dart River Jet Boat and Wilderness Experience

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 531 reviews · from $190

Travel from Queenstown to Glenorchy, then ride a jet boat through the braided Dart River in Mt Aspiring National Park. Expect high-speed turns, 360-degree spins, glacier-fed channels, and clear commentary on Māori culture, wildlife, and native plants. Guides such as Jordan, Pedro, Dean, and John are praised for safe, lively driving.

“Very precise planning and execution of the trip. Outstanding experience in one of the most beautiful areas on this planet. All drivers super friendly and professional.”

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From Queenstown: Dart River Canoe & Jet Boat Day Trip - The road from Queenstown to Glenorchy
1-Day Tours, Canoes & Kayaks, New Zealand River Cruises, River Cruises, Tour Reviews

From Queenstown: Dart River Canoe & Jet Boat Day Trip

6.From Queenstown: Dart River Canoe & Jet Boat Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 148 reviews · 390 - 510 minutes · from $256

Travel from Queenstown to Glenorchy, then ride a jet boat up the Dart River before paddling a Funyak downstream through calm water, rock pools, and chasms. Guides provide wetsuits, boots, fleeces, jackets, life jackets, and dry bags. A picnic lunch and Paradise Valley back-road tour round out this 6.5 to 8.5-hour outing.

“Amazing!!!! I totally recommended and qpuld do it again!”

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From Queenstown: Dart River Wilderness Jet Boat Experience - Reaching Glenorchy and getting ready for the river
National Parks, New Zealand River Cruises, River Cruises, Tour Reviews

From Queenstown: Dart River Wilderness Jet Boat Experience

7.From Queenstown: Dart River Wilderness Jet Boat Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 123 reviews · 2 - 4 hours · from $178

From Glenorchy, you’ll race, spin, and skim along the glacier-fed Dart River with an English-speaking driver-guide. Hear Māori legends, local history, and stories about the Greenstone trail while passing scenery used in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. Add the Queenstown transfer for a scenic 4-hour outing, or self-drive for the 2-hour jet boat trip.

“All at top Level and great experience. Dart River is so beautiful. But beware of the sun. Sunblocker grade 50 is minimum. 🤘”

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Cambridge: Waikato River 45-Minute Extreme Jet Boat Ride - What the 45-minute route includes
New Zealand River Cruises, River Cruises, Tour Reviews

Cambridge: Waikato River 45-Minute Extreme Jet Boat Ride

8.Cambridge: Waikato River 45-Minute Extreme Jet Boat Ride

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 29 reviews · from $86

Meet your English-speaking Camjet guide at the Dominion Avenue boat ramp, gear up in a spray suit and life jacket, then race along the Waikato River at up to 80 km/h. Expect 180 and 360-degree spins, rapids, waterfalls, Cambridge Gorge, Karapiro Dam, and useful stories about local wildlife and history.

“Aaron our guide was excellent very informative, had an excellent time.”

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Cambridge, Matamata, Waitomo: 1-Hour Ecological River Cruise - Starting at Camjet in Cambridge
1-Hour Experiences, New Zealand River Cruises, River Cruises, Tour Reviews

Cambridge, Matamata, Waitomo: 1-Hour Ecological River Cruise

9.Cambridge, Matamata, Waitomo: 1-Hour Ecological River Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 22 reviews · 1 hour · from $87

Join Camjet in Cambridge for a one-hour Waikato River cruise led by an English-speaking guide with environmental training. See Cambridge Gorge, forested river sections, waterfalls, and the Karapiro Hydro Power Station while watching for native birds and fish. Your driver adjusts the speed and any spins to suit the group.

“I hadn't told the children what to expect so I was a little concerned. I was most impressed with how the operator put the boat through a little of what to expect thereby gauging the passengers reaction. The children, and I, had a great time. Such fun!”

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Auckland: Scenic Boat Cruise to the Riverhead Tavern - Chelsea Sugar Refinery, Kauri Point, and the changing shoreline
New Zealand River Cruises, River Cruises, Tour Reviews

Auckland: Scenic Boat Cruise to the Riverhead Tavern

10.Auckland: Scenic Boat Cruise to the Riverhead Tavern

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 11 reviews · 5h 30m · from $21Best value

Set out from Westhaven Marina on an English-language cruise beneath Auckland Harbour Bridge and along the upper Waitematā Harbour. After 90 minutes, spend about 2.5 hours at historic Riverhead Tavern for lunch and drinks at your own cost, then return by boat. Expect scenic views, full commentary, and 55 steps at the tavern.

“most recommended little excursion for anyone visiting Auckland, great value and experience.”

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