Jet Boating in Buller Gorge, New Zealand: My First Jet Boat Experience
22nd February 2026 - New Experience Number 9.
So when we crossed the longest swing bridge in New Zealand and saw that they had space on their jet boat experience on the same day, we decided to give it a go, and claim another of my 52 new things in the year.
First impressions
We heard the boat before we saw it.
The roar of the engine bounced off the sides of the rocky gorge, fading into an echoing growl.
And as it emerged into view, it looked a little less shiny compared to the other jet boat experiences we had seen. Faded red paint and shark-like features decorated the outside of our floating vessel, making the whole thing look even more menacing. But did this mean the experience would be less slick than the more polished ones we’d seen elsewhere?
From the moment Mark, our guide, greeted us, we knew we were in for a brilliant ride. You know when someone clearly loves what they do, they know the job inside out so that they can have fun with it, they’re passionate about sharing an amazing experience, and they want to show you the power of a jet boat whilst keeping you safe? We were in good hands.
I couldn’t wait to get going.
Climbing aboard - jet boating in Buller Gorge
Ok, so I was excited, but I was also nervous. How fast would this thing go? How wet were we going to get? What would the 360-degree spins be like? Could we get flung out? But the first thing I was apprehensive about was actually getting into the boat.
The boat wasn’t full, there were just seven of us on this trip, and Mark allocated our seats to distribute the weight. Once we were kitted out with our life jackets we climbed aboard.
The little wooden jetty felt like it was bobbing about in the water in one direction, and the boat seemed to be bobbing about in another, but I gripped on to the handrail and hauled myself in. I’d made it. Not particularly gracefully, but I took my position at the front next to Mark with two ladies to my right.
The seats were cushioned and made of a wipe-down material, which I took as a sign that we were very likely to get very wet.
And then we were off
With the slickest of safety briefings (basically hold on, and if he’s going to do a 360-degree spin hold on extra tight when he gives the signal), we were off.
Giving us a quick taster of what it was like, he gave us the option to get out if we didn’t like it!
From an almost standing start, that boat racked up some serious speed in no time at all, and it felt as though we flew under the swing bridge we had previously walked over. ‘What on earth am I doing?!’ briefly raced through my mind!
With that first spin we were all in hysterics. Mark gave us the sign, and for us sitting in the front it meant holding onto the bar crossing over the arm of the people on either side of you. This was teamwork.
Not knowing what to expect, I clung on so tightly that my knuckles practically went see-through and as Mark locked the wheel I braced myself for an involuntary slide into my neighbour. Planting my trainers onto the floor and trying to push all my body weight into my feet to steady myself, I managed not to squish my fellow passenger too much, as the boat whipped us completely around.
Laughing as the spin stopped and we came full circle, there were huge grins on everyone’s faces. Oh my days that was so much fun!
It was like a handbrake turn on a river. I wondered if this is what it feels like for water going down a plug hole.
And, it was brilliant.
Then things got serious - jet boating in Buller Gorge
Nobody had been put off by our first little taster, so Mark took that as a sign to go for it. His eyes lit up as though it was his birthday. A slightly mischievous look. We were in for a thrill.
The beautiful blue water, the pink, sandy coloured rocks and the green forests on top went by in a colourful blur.
He navigated the little boat like it was a formula one car; racing scarily close to the rocky gorge walls and pulling away when it felt as though there was no time left before we hit it, bouncing into fast moving rapids that bumped us about and splashed us with cool water, and of course, making the signal for us to hold on, and slamming us into a spin.
It was sooooooo much fun. Adrenaline was soaring, hearts were racing, and for a moment I think we were all on the verge of turning hysterical – in a good way.
I hadn’t anticipated that my eyeballs would get a deep clean
Foolishly I had left my sunglasses in my bag on the shore. As soon as Mark released the throttle the wind rushed into my face.
Whilst my hair was getting a most excellent and unexpected blow dry, my eyes desperately screwed up in an attempt to minimise the wind and still be able to see what was happening.
When he gave us a brief moment of respite from the onslaught of speed, my eyes were streaming like a waterfall. With a quick wipe, we were off again. Although I was squinting from the outset this time.
The power and the beauty - jet boating in Buller Gorge
The experience wasn’t just about breakneck speeds and the power of a jet boat. It was also an opportunity to discover the history and nature of the Buller River.
Giving our pulses a moment to return to a relatively calmer rate every now and then, Mark paused to tell us about the gorge, and give us an opportunity to capture some photos.
He told us about everything from the elusive deer sometimes spotted on the land, to the wildlife in the water, to the changing shape of the scenery through the seasons.
And it turned out that gold mining hadn’t just happened here in the past, as he told us of current mining in the area. I had no idea it was still a thing!
With the boat having quite a shallow hull, he was able to take us along some quieter little inlets, which were simply stunning as we floated on such clear water surrounded by nature.
And after reversing out, the mischievous grin was back and we were whipping along the water again at a scarily fast pace. But the smiles weren’t because the wind forced our faces into that position, we were all genuinely loving the exhilaration.
Back on dry land
Stepping out of the boat and onto the little wobbly wooden jetty was less intimidating than earlier. I’d been sprayed and splashed and soaked during our time on the water, so I wasn’t in the slightest bit bothered about falling in now.
That had been an absolute blast. I lifted my lifejacket over my head with that wonderful feeling of being weathered. Windswept, wet and thrown about, that had completely exceeded any expectations.
From the terrifying speeds at close proximity to the rocks, to the inescapable splashes and sprays, to the sheer gorgeousness of the river, it was such a phenomenal tour and I’m really glad we took the opportunity to do it.
And I loved the fact that this felt a little rough around the edges, and to me, that’s what elevated it to an awesome experience.
The faded paint on the boat, which I’d initially wondered about, was simply a sign it was well used. It wasn’t the shiny, polished experience I’d imagined when I’d first heard about jet boating.
People make an experience
What initially felt like a laid-back approach to safety was actually the confidence of someone who knew exactly what he was doing and trusted us to follow his instructions.
There was one moment he was about to thrust us into a spin but he held off because a passenger hadn’t put their camera away like he’d told them to.
He had that perfect balance of seeming to be a complete wild card, but taking his responsibility to us incredibly seriously.
Trying something new is rarely about one thing
I thought I was signing up for speed. I didn’t realise I was also signing up for a completely different way of seeing a beautiful New Zealand river – or for a guide who appeared to be part adrenaline junkie, part naturalist and part safety officer.
You can think you know what you’re signing up for, but you don’t really know what the experience will give you until you’re in it.
Forty minutes later, I climbed back onto dry land windswept, soaked, slightly battered and with a huge grin on my face.
I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way.
Want To Try It Yourself?
If you fancy giving jet boating in Buller Gorge a go for yourself, you can find the experience I did at Buller Gorge Swingbridge Adventure and Heritage Park on New Zealand’s South Island.
If you’re travelling around Queenstown, Shotover Jet is another option, taking you through the Shotover Canyon.
Cost Of Experience
- We paid NZ$125 per person in February 2026, which worked out at around £53 each at the time.
- Children under 14 paid NZ$75, which was around £32.
- The experience lasted for around forty minutes.
- Prices may vary, particularly with exchange rate fluctuations, so it’s worth checking the current price before booking.
Recommendations
- Pack light. You can’t take bags onto the boat. Phones are allowed if they can fit securely into a pocket, so leave anything you don’t need on dry land.
- Book ahead if you can. You may find spaces available on the day, but if you’ve travelled all that way, I’d book in advance to make sure you get a place.
- Follow your guide’s instructions. This is fast and furious and, like any adventure activity, could potentially be dangerous. Listen to your guide and do what you’re told — particularly when you’re about to be thrown into a 360-degree spin!
- Wear sunscreen. Even if it’s overcast or cloudy, UV can still be strong in New Zealand. You’re also spending a lot of time out on the water, so cover up and reapply as needed.
- Expect to get wet. You’re going to get splashed, sprayed and possibly soaked, so wear clothes and shoes you’re happy getting wet in. There’s no point arriving in your finest New Zealand outfit.
- Don’t forget your sunglasses. Learn from my mistake! The combination of speed and wind means you’ll be squinting otherwise. Your eyes will thank you.
