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Waikato Speed & jet boat tours

Our most recommended Waikato Speed & jet boat tours

Hukafalls: 30-Minute Jet Boat Experience

1. Hukafalls: 30-Minute Jet Boat Experience

Your thrilling adventure will take you along the beautiful Waikato river environment, lined with native bush, sheer rock cliff faces, and natural hot springs. Enjoy the best water-level view of Huka Falls from the unique vantage point on the jet boat. The manoeuvrability of the Hukafalls jet boat is legendary. Be in awe at the speed and precision in which you torpedo gracefully down the river to play in the tail of the mighty whitewater of the Huka Falls. Pass by clouds of steam rising where a hot stream joins the river. See the Huka Prawn Park, the Wairakei Geo-Thermal Power Station, and the Aratiatia Dam. Zoom past sheer rock cliffs with just centimeters to spare, exhilarated and secure in the knowledge that your driver is an expert.

Whitianga: Cathedral Cove, Small Caves & Snorkel Boat Trip

2. Whitianga: Cathedral Cove, Small Caves & Snorkel Boat Trip

Discover the scenic Cathedral Cove and smaller caves on this boat trip from Whitianga. Experience the thrill of small, hard-to-get-to caves and discover magnificent offshore views. See New Zealand's 2nd largest sea cave, and get up close to aquatic life in the marine reserve. Leaving Whitianga Wharf, stop to view Shakespeare's Cliff, and pass the stunning Lonely before exploring inside Cooks Beach Blowhole and gazing out through the top. Be amazed at the panoramic scenery at Cathedral Cove. Head south, getting close along the coastline in and out of bays, caves, and blowholes. Take in the mesmerizing volcanic landscape of towering pinnacles and rock sculptures. Marvel at the size of New Zealand's 2nd largest sea cave "Orua" before visiting offshore islands with more caves. Have the option to snorkel and witness sea life in the marine reserve before heading back to Whitianga.

Cambridge: Waikato River 45-Minute Extreme Jet Boat Ride

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

Take a hair-raising ride on the Waikato River, and reach speeds of up to 80 kilometers (50 miles) per hour. Enjoy fast and furious slides, make 360-degree spins, and stop at historic and sightseeing locations. Meet and greet your local, professional guide at the boat ramp meeting point. Complete a small amount of paperwork, and fit yourself up with a spray suit to keep you dry, as well as a life jacket to keep you safe. After receiving a safety briefing from your guide, hear the roar of your high horsepower V8 jet boat as it comes into life once fed with air, fuel, and fire. Head off on the first leg of your tour, and feel your adrenaline pumping. Enter into a 360-degree spin before coming to a stop at historic locations. Listen to your guide's commentary about the places you visit and learn about the fish, birds, and wildlife in the area. Sites you will see include the Cambridge Gorge and Karapiro Dam, as well as rapids and waterfalls. Then, hang on extra tight for the speedy return leg back to the boat ramp.

From Whitianga: Cathedral Cove Marine Reserve Cruise & Swim

4. From Whitianga: Cathedral Cove Marine Reserve Cruise & Swim

Relax & enjoy Shakespeare’s Cliff, Lonely Bay & Cathedral Cove on an open boat with unrestricted stunning views. Experience the thrill of going inside Cooks Blowhole, Whale Cave and our very own “Hole in the Rock”. Regularly going to the places seen in online videos & pictures, venture inside caves others cannot take you! View fish in the Marine Reserve. Learn the history of the area and be amazed by the volcanic formations throughout the Bay. You won’t be disappointed with Coromandel’s fantastic coastline as we go down to the Orua Sea Cave where you will be taken inside the cave and hear the amazing acoustics as we play music.

Waikato River: 1-Hour Ecological River Cruise

5. Waikato River: 1-Hour Ecological River Cruise

Experience an ecological river cruise on a speedboat that is tailored to the wishes of the customers on board, this includes the speed, and the number of slides and spins if any. The experienced driver will give you a detailed history of the area and Karapiro Dam and power station. Admire the native birds and wildlife which make the area home. Your guide has a diploma in environmental management and an in-depth knowledge of the local flora and fauna. Encounter numerous fish species and birds species such as Fantail, Kingfisher, Tui, Harrier Hawk, NZ Falcon, Heron, Shag, Mallard Duck and more. See large waterfalls from the towering cliffs above. Experience some of the narrowest sections of the Waikato River with the forest canopy above. Visit the base of the Karapiro Hydro Power station with full commentary provided. Then, cruise back to beautiful Cambridge.

Taupo: Waikato River Jetboating Adventure

6. Taupo: Waikato River Jetboating Adventure

Discover the rush of jetboating over Waikato river's whitewater rapids on this tour in Waikato. Stay dry on your trip with the included spray jackets and glasses. Keep your hands warm with heated handrails as you gaze out at locations from famous films like 'The Hobbit.' Check-in at the activity provider's office and get set up with your lifejacket and your optional spray jackets and glasses. Hop aboard the boat and embark on an exhilarating adventure on the scenic Waikato river.  Feel the rush as the boat twists, turns, and jumps at speeds of up to 90 kilometers per hour. Ride through the Waikato River's biggest commercially operated Rapids. Stop at some famous filming locations, such as where the 'barrel scene' was filmed for 'The Hobbit.' Immerse yourself in nature and get off-the-beaten track as you keep an eye out for local wildlife. Take in sights like the bubbling geothermal water at the river’s edge. 

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What people are saying about Waikato

Overall rating

5.0 / 5

based on 2 reviews

Driver was of good sense of humour and really gave us the thrills we had booked for, but disappointed that there was no availability of video from the boat contrary to what we were told earlier.

Long lines in the hot sun

We waited almost two hours in the hot sun to enter the palace. Then, there was only one device at security so we waited again. The palace needs to find a better system for entering the museum.

The reception and the guide were absolutely amazing and made my experience that much better! They were fun, full of life and just made you want to go hard .

Beautiful scenery, funny and informative guide and exciting boat ride.

The guide was amazing and gave us a fun and informative experience.