The 7 Queenstown Boat Tours That Earn Their Price

1.Walter Peak Gourmet BBQ & Lake Whakatipu Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 2,713 reviews · 3h 30m · from $95Our pick

Take a 45-minute cruise from Queenstown to Walter Peak on the TSS Earnslaw steamship or Spirit of Queenstown. Enjoy a generous BBQ buffet, farm dog and sheep demonstrations, lakeside gardens, and a return cruise across Lake Whakatipu. Allow 3.5 hours, with warm clothing and comfortable shoes.

“What a wonderful surprise! the farm is absolutely gorgeous. We chose the evening BBQ and it was fantastic! so much food.. The staff were accommodating to everyone's needs. The restaurant space was gorgeous, the gardens were beautiful and the show was informative - Mia was the star of the show!”

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2.Milford Sound Coach & Cruise Full-Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 2,592 reviews · from $144

Spend about 12 hours traveling from Queenstown to Milford Sound with local guides, scenic stops, lunch, and a cruise past waterfalls, rainforest, seals, dolphins, and penguins. Guides such as Brendan and Brian are known for lively commentary, while three viewing decks give you room to chase the best views.

“So so so so good, the tourguide is eloquent and funny”

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3.Shotover River Extreme Jet Boat Ride in Queenstown

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,540 reviews · from $113Top rated

Hold on as an expert driver races through the Shotover River’s narrow canyons, skims shallow rapids, and performs full 360-degree spins. The 25-minute ride includes safety gear, commentary, and access to a shuttle from central Queenstown. Drivers such as Peter, Joe, Paul, and Matt have earned strong praise for skill and humor.

“It is fun and involves turns and some splashes. No need to over pack. At some stops, okay to take out cell phone for photos”

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4.Small Group, Award Winning Milford Sound Day Experience & Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,416 reviews · from $235

Travel from Queenstown to Milford Sound in a premium Mercedes van with up to 15 people, stopping at Lake Te Anau, Eglinton Valley, Mirror Lakes, and the Homer Tunnel. A 1-hour-45-minute nature cruise, picnic lunch, hot drinks, WiFi, and local guides such as Chelsea, James, and Katy are included.

“Mesmerizing trip . A must do if you are in this part of the country. Our driver was so informative and experienced . He drove us thru the winding route with no issues. Worth the money though a long day.”

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5.Shotover River and Kawarau River Jet Boat Ride

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

Join KJet at Queenstown’s Main Town Pier for a fast, one-hour ride across Lake Wakatipu and up the Kawarau and Shotover rivers. Expect speeds up to 95 km/h, repeated 360-degree spins, heated handrails, mountain views, and a good chance of getting wet.

“Easy location, excellent customer service by phone and in person. The guide was very friendly and considerate. It was absolutely awesome!!! You are bound to get wet especially if you are sitting in a corner so be prepared. We loved it though.”

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6.Shotover River Extreme Jet Boat Experience

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

Ride with Shotover Jet through the narrow Shotover Canyons, less than 10 minutes from Queenstown. Your English-speaking driver handles rapids, rock walls, and fast 360-degree spins. The 25-minute ride includes safety gear and commentary, with an optional shuttle from town.

“This was just a great experience, very thrilling and felt like a long time on the boat. Our jet boat driver Will was very expert and gave us good insights into the boat and the history of the river. Thank you for a great experience!”

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7.Skippers Canyon Jet Boat Ride

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 699 reviews · 3 hours · from $118

Travel from Queenstown with guides such as Cal, Dan, or Willy along the cliff-hugging Skippers Road, then ride a jet boat through the upper Shotover River. Expect 30 minutes of high-speed turns, canyon walls, photo stops, and a memorable backcountry adventure for $118.

“We had a blast! Prepare to be driven down the canyon on the very edge of the mountainside! What a thrill just riding to the River! The jet boat was great. Dan was our guide and he was funny and knowledgable about the history of the area and our boat driver was awesome too. Def worth the money!”

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