Shotover River jet boat

Jet Boating, as it is also called, is different. Only New Zealanders can create this. In an ultra-fast boat you will sail through a narrow gorge, along steep rocks and make sharp turns and even turn around with a firm hold on. 

At first the captain is friendly, but before you know it, you’re racing across very shallow water, barely missing rocks, trees and gravelly banks. And he heads straight for them, just to freak you out.

This is a full-on adrenaline rush. In between fast 360-turns the boat stops now and then for some information. You don’t really get a lot of time to have a good look around, though the area is gorgeous. The Shotover River is a beautiful river. And the captains are specially trained to manoeuvre these New-Zealand-designed jetboats, the Shotover Jet.

You can sit in the front like I did, you have a wonderful view of the river and the captain. So that you can (somewhat) anticipate his antics.

But if you're in the back you can't anticipate. Which is really thrilling. You get a lot more G-forces on you if the boat turns fast. If you want to, be sure to sit in the back.

If you dare you can also sit on the side of the water. You will really see the rocks flash past you. This is not for people who are easily scared, because close means really close on this tour.

You don't have time to take a good look around you, even though the surroundings are more than beautiful. The backdrop is the beautiful Shotover River. The drivers are extra trained to be able to drive the purpose-built boats well.

The starting point for these crazy tours is just outside the adrenaline capital Queenstown.

More information: www.shotoverjet.com