Shotover Jet Prices and Tickets: What the Ride Costs and How to Book
Shotover Jet costs NZ$199 for adults, NZ$109 for children and NZ$507 for a family of four. What the ticket includes, where to book and the cancellation rules.
An adult ticket for the Shotover Jet costs NZ$199 for about 25 minutes on the water. It isn’t the cheapest activity in Queenstown, but the fare buys the one jet boat ride that runs through the narrow Shotover Canyons.
You pay nothing extra for the 360-degree spins, the canyon run or the speeds of up to 90 km/h; they are all part of the standard ride. Families save NZ$109 with the official family pass, the return shuttle from Queenstown is free, and parking at the river base is free if you drive.
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Compare more than the headline price before you book. A cheaper-looking ticket may be in a different currency, come with different cancellation terms or leave out the transport you expected.
Shotover Jet ticket prices at a glance
| Ticket | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Adult (16+) | NZ$199 | Standard ticket |
| Child (5–15) | NZ$109 | Height rule applies |
| Family (2 adults + 2 children aged 5–15) | NZ$507 | Saves NZ$109 on four single tickets |
| Child under 5 | Free | Must meet the height rule; select the ticket when you book |
These are the operator’s published fares in New Zealand dollars, valid for travel up to 30 September 2027. On GetYourGuide the same ride lists from $113 and holds 4.9/5 from more than 1,700 reviews.
| Ticket detail | What you get |
|---|---|
| Ride duration | About 25 minutes |
| Experience | Shotover Canyons ride with 360° spins |
| Top advertised speed | 90 km/h |
| Life jacket | Included |
| Safety briefing | Included |
| Queenstown shuttle | Free return shuttle; reserve a seat |
| Self-drive parking | Free at the river base |
| Lockers | Free shared lockers at the Beach Reception Unit |
| Ride photos and video | Captured whenever possible while the operator updates its packages |
| Booking in advance | Strongly recommended |
The operator lists these fares through September 2027, so you can use them as a fixed benchmark when you compare booking platforms.
Is NZ$199 worth paying for Shotover Jet?
For a couple the ride costs NZ$398, and a family of four pays NZ$507 even with the family pass. That is a lot for something that lasts under half an hour.
The 25 minutes are spent in a dramatic stretch of the Shotover River, where the canyon narrows into winding passages between steep rock walls, and Shotover Jet holds exclusive commercial rights to run jet boats there. Other Queenstown jet boats offer longer rides on different rivers, often with more minutes on the water per dollar. None of them can run this route.
Book Shotover Jet if the narrow canyons are your priority. If you mainly want a fun jet boat ride, compare KJet ($84, 4.7/5 from more than 2,000 reviews), Skippers Canyon Jet ($118, 4.9/5 from nearly 800 reviews) and the Dart River Wilderness Jet ($181) in our guide to the best jet boat tours in Queenstown before you decide.
What is included in a standard Shotover Jet ticket?
Every standard ticket gives you the whole canyon ride.
Included in the price
- About 25 minutes on the Shotover River.
- High-speed travel through the Shotover Canyons.
- The 360-degree spins, when conditions allow.
- A professional jet boat driver.
- A safety briefing before departure.
- A life jacket, which you must wear.
- Use of the river base facilities.
Available without additional charge
The return shuttle from Queenstown is free, but you reserve a seat on a set departure; it is not a hotel pickup. Our guide on how to get to Shotover Jet has the pickup point and timings.
Parking at the river base is free if you drive.
Shared lockers at the Beach Reception Unit are free for belongings you cannot take on board. Leave valuables at your accommodation if you can.
What is not included?
Budget separately for food, other activities and anything you buy on the day.
The operator is updating its photo and video packages. It says ride media is captured whenever possible, but availability varies while the new system is tested. If photos of your ride matter, ask at check-in, or see our Shotover Jet photos and viewpoints guide for filming it yourself.
The operator does not supply spray jackets, so bring your own waterproof layer; our what to wear guide covers the rest.
Shotover Jet family pass: how much can you save?
The family pass is the one straightforward way to cut the published cost. It covers two adults and two children aged 5–15 for NZ$507.
| Booking | Standard tickets | Family pass | Saving |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 adults + 2 children | NZ$616 | NZ$507 | NZ$109 |
That is about 17.7% less than four single tickets, or NZ$126.75 per person. The pass covers two adult and two child places; the four seats are not interchangeable.
What about families with three children?
The family pass covers two adults and two children. For three children aged 5–15, the simple sum is:
- Family pass: NZ$507
- Extra child: NZ$109
- Total: NZ$616
Check that the extra child can be added to the same departure before you pay.
What if one child is under five?
Children under five ride free if they meet the height rule, but they still need a ticket. Select the infant ticket when you book; it cannot be added at check-in.
The family pass is not always the cheapest choice. Two adults, one child aged eight and an eligible four-year-old cost NZ$507 on two adult tickets and one child ticket, which matches the family pass. A different mix of ages can change which tickets make sense.
Minimum height rules
Children must be at least 1 metre tall, and the minimum rises to 1.2 metres in higher river conditions. Height matters more than age when the crew decides whether a child can ride. If your child is close to the limit, check the rule on the day; a ticket does not guarantee a seat. Our guide to jet boat rides for families covers ages and heights across Queenstown’s operators.
Where should you book Shotover Jet tickets?
You have three sensible routes: book directly, use a major booking platform, or buy a combination package. The canyon ride is the same whichever you choose. The differences are the checkout currency, customer support, cancellation terms and bundled activities.
1. Book directly with Shotover Jet
Booking direct suits simple bookings, families using the family pass, and anyone who wants the operator to arrange the shuttle. The published adult price is NZ$199.
You can choose the shuttle as you book, and if your plans change you deal with the operator rather than an intermediary. Shotover Jet says its published fares are the same across authorised booking channels, so booking direct buys convenience; it does not buy a discount.
2. Book through GetYourGuide
The Shotover Jet listing on GetYourGuide ($113, 4.9/5 from more than 1,700 reviews) suits you if you are booking several Queenstown activities in one account, with familiar payment and customer service.
Before you pay, confirm:
- The operator is Shotover Jet, not another jet boat company.
- The listing includes the 25-minute canyon ride.
- You have the right meeting point or transport option.
- The price shows in the currency you plan to pay in.
- The cancellation deadline works for you.
A platform does not automatically make the ticket cheaper.
3. Book through Viator
Viator is another option if you are comparing availability and third-party terms. Whether it suits you depends on your currency, how you want to pay and whether you are combining the jet boat with other activities.
On any third-party ticket you can still use the free shuttle, subject to space, but not every reseller lets you reserve transport at checkout. Contact Shotover Jet to reserve your seat.
Direct booking vs GetYourGuide vs Viator
| Consideration | Shotover Jet direct | GetYourGuide | Viator |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canyon ride | Same operator | Same if correct listing | Same if correct listing |
| Published adult benchmark | NZ$199 | Compare live total | Compare live total |
| Family discount | Official family pass | Check listing | Check listing |
| Shuttle | Choose when booking | Reserve with the operator | Reserve with the operator |
| Cancellations | Operator terms | Platform’s listing terms | Platform’s listing terms |
| Customer service | Direct with operator | Through platform | Through platform |
| Best reason to choose | Simple arrangements | Booking convenience | Booking convenience |
Before you choose, compare the final amount you will pay and its conditions; the advertised starting price can differ from it. Base fares match across authorised sellers, but currency conversion, promotions and card fees can change what reaches your statement.
How to book Shotover Jet: step by step
- Choose your date. Book early in your Queenstown stay so you have a spare day if river conditions cancel your ride.
- Decide whether you need the shuttle, because that narrows which departures work for you.
- Check availability. Popular departures can fill, especially in the peak season.
- Pick the right ticket. Check adult, child, family and infant prices before you pay.
- Check the restrictions. Confirm your children’s heights and any medical or access needs.
- Read the cancellation terms, especially the 24-hour deadline.
- Book and save your confirmation. Check it shows the right date and time.
- Arrive for check-in, not departure. Self-drivers check in 30 minutes before the ride; shuttle passengers 45 minutes before.
Can you book Shotover Jet on the same day?
Same-day booking can work if seats are left, but don’t rely on it for a ride you have planned your trip around. If your time in Queenstown is short, book ahead.
Departures run from 9:30 am to 4:00 pm, seven days a week, year-round except 25 December. Use the live booking calendar for the exact times with seats on your date.
Shotover Jet cancellation policy
Cancellations within 24 hours of departure are non-refundable on direct bookings. Tickets bought through GetYourGuide, Viator or another platform follow that platform’s terms, so check the listing before you pay.
If the operator cancels for river conditions, you are offered a refund or a new time; a third-party ticket is refunded through the platform you booked with.
Shotover Jet discounts and combo tickets
The family pass is the only discount on the operator’s published price list. Beyond it, the savings come from combination tickets, which pair the Shotover canyon ride with another activity such as the Canyon Swing, a Milford Sound day or a 4WD safari. A combo only saves you money if you were going to book the second activity anyway.
We compare the current combos, what each one includes and which actually cost less than booking separately in our guide to Queenstown jet boat deals and combo tickets.
Shotover Jet price FAQ
How much is Shotover Jet for an adult?
NZ$199 for an adult (16+) at the operator’s published fare, valid for travel up to 30 September 2027.
How much is the Shotover Jet family pass?
NZ$507 for two adults and two children aged 5 to 15, which is NZ$109 less than four single tickets.
Do children under 5 ride Shotover Jet free?
Yes, if they are at least 1 metre tall (1.2 metres in higher river conditions). Select the infant ticket when you book, because it cannot be added at check-in.
Is the Shotover Jet shuttle included?
Yes. The return shuttle from Queenstown is free, but you reserve a seat. On a third-party ticket, contact Shotover Jet to reserve one.
Can I cancel my Shotover Jet booking?
Direct bookings cancelled within 24 hours of departure are non-refundable. Third-party bookings follow the platform’s terms.
Is Shotover Jet cheaper on GetYourGuide?
Not by default. Shotover Jet says its fares are the same across authorised channels, so compare the final total in your currency, the cancellation terms and the shuttle arrangements.
For everything else about the ride, from the canyon to the spins, start with our complete Shotover Jet guide.
Ride the Shotover Canyons
Twenty-five minutes between rock walls, at speeds the river was never meant to allow. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before you go.
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