Dart River Canoe And Jet Boat Experience From Queenstown

What a fun little adventure with dart boating and kayaking! Winds were extremely strong that day so it was an extra thrill going down the waters at fast speeds! The dart drive was very thorough and ensured everyone was comfortable and enjoying the ride. The guides for kayaking were also amazing and accommodating, we had Anna with our kayaking group guide and she was very informative throughout the trip and overall an excellent guide 10/10 would recommend. Amazing views and experience overall

Fantastic day of fun and out doors. Dart River adventures are a top notch outfit, extremely well ran with great equipment and instruction. Everything from transportation to Glenorchy from Queenstown and return was punctual and well organized. I would highly recommend this day of jet boating and Funyaks, a truly memorable experience of our time in NZ. Thank you and your team so much for!

Excellent day with Dart Adventures on jet boat/ funyaks experience. Very professional set up with good equipment to keep you snug and warm and clear safety briefing. We really enjoyed both aspects of day but funyaks was the highlight! Big shout out to James our guide who was excellent in his instructions and making us feel confident as we tackled the river with a few challenges along the way. We were able to get into the chasm which was beautiful too. Picnic lunch was plentiful and picturesque. It was definitely a highlight of our NZ trip and would thoroughly recommend x thank you forthe wonderful memories we will treasure x

Absolutely amazing day! Incredible guides/drivers and staff. This was the highlight of Queenstown trip for us with many beautiful memories made. Thank you thank you:) Ps: lunch was spectacular,abundant and delicious Highly recommended

Amazing day, just wow! Perfect combination of action & adventure, and enjoying the stunning nature. Big thanks to the great team for making this trip the best day of our holidays!

A fabulous day out - from the scenic drive to Glenorchy to the fun jet boating to the kayaking down the gorgeous Dart River. The biggest highlight was seeing the pristine Routeburn Chasmcand swimming in the crystal clear waters

This tour was a brilliant way to see some truly beautiful countryside. The bus trip from Glenorchy to Queenstown was a pleasant and scenic way to start the day, and then when we arrived the staff at the Glenorchy base were really helpful in getting us kitted out in wetsuits, boots and safety gear before we hopped on to the jet boat for a thrilling ride up the river which would have been a great day out just on its own. Switching across to the funyaks these were really enjoyable albeit sometimes being a little bit more work to keep on track, but our guides were very helpful with advice and encouragement for our journey back down the river and it was a lot of fun. Paddling through the gorge was definitely the highlight - it was stunningly beautiful and looked exactly like the photos. Would thoroughly recommend the experience, though next time would be more proactive with insect repellent to keep the sandflies away. Finally, particular thanks go to the staff both for their kindness towards the kids and for reuniting me with my phone after it fell out on the bus back to Queenstown.

The team were amazing and we had a lot of fun. The boat ride was so much fun and the views during the canoeing were breathtaking.

The experience on Dart River was a lot of fun! Enjoying this beautiful are by boat and kayak was so amazing. The guides were fun and kept us safe the entire time. Learned a lot as well. Great trip!!

Awesome! Well organised. Very safe and professional staff yet relaxed. Great adventure.

What an incredible day! The Dart River Canoe and Jet Boat Experience was everything we hoped for and so much more. From the moment we arrived, the whole operation had all the hallmarks of a first-class crew who genuinely love what they do and go above and beyond to make the day unforgettable. A huge shout-out to our jet boat pilot, Nicki, whose skill, confidence, and professionalism made every high-speed turn and river run an absolute thrill. Chris and Anna were exceptional guides—friendly, knowledgeable, passionate, and full of great stories that brought this spectacular wilderness to life. The combination of peaceful canoeing through crystal-clear waters and the adrenaline rush of the jet boat was the perfect adventure. Surrounded by towering mountains, ancient forests, and breathtaking scenery, every moment felt like stepping into another world. The crew struck the perfect balance between fun, safety, and adventure, making us feel completely looked after while delivering an experience we'll never forget. If you're visiting Queenstown, don't miss this adventure. It's the perfect mix of excitement, stunning scenery, and outstanding people. An unforgettable experience with an exceptional team—highly recommended!

Yes, we thoroughly enjoyed our trip last Saturday 18th July. Our guides, Alex and Anna were great and also Josh our jetboat driver did some awesome 360's. The highlight was paddling into the Rockburn Chasm. Oh, and the lunch was very good and the bus drive in and out was good too. Thanks Toby.

Brilliant time. Loved the funyaks and the guides were really helpful. Would definitely recommend this adventure

A perfect autumn day with nothing but sunshine. Well organized, beautiful scenery, and a tasty lunch. The rockburn was absolutely stunning. Well done jet boat driver Andy, guides Anna, Ross and Matt. Don't fear being cold as the wetsuits and fleece will keep you warm.

This is a huge day but so worth it . Starts in Queenstown and they bus you out to Glenorchy. They kit you up in some warm / wet suit clothing. It was absolutely freezing today but with the right gear you get by. Jet boat and driver was great but I really enjoyed the funyaks . Tour guides were all fantastic.

We had such an unforgettable day doing the Dart River Funyak as a family, and the stunning sunny weather made it even more special. From start to finish, everything was incredibly well organised. The jet boat ride up the Dart River was thrilling and a perfect way to kick things off—our teenagers absolutely loved it. Once we switched to the Funyaks, the pace slowed down in the best way possible. Floating down the crystal-clear river surrounded by breathtaking scenery. Our guides - Anna and Alex - were friendly and knowledgeable. The sunny weather really brought everything to life—the water sparkled, the mountains looked incredible, and it was just perfect conditions for a family adventure. Highly recommend this to anyone visiting the area—definitely a highlight of our trip!

When the weather was looking bad they gave us the option of refund or reschedule. The guide and boat operator Nikki was engaging knowledgeable. We felt comfortable and safe at all times. The stories along the way were good as it wasn't just a ride - we learnt about greenstone and saw lord of the ring locations. The view was friggin amazing! The moddy clouds to the snow capped peaks turned it on for us!

Fantastic experience - guides were top notch, even in bad weather they made sure we got the best out of the trip, and offered refunds/rebooking if people didn’t want to face the weather. Highly recommend.

My partner and I had such a wonderful experience on the jet boat and funyak adventure! The scenery was so peaceful and our guides made us feel very safe while also providing such a fun time floating down the river. Our favorite part was going through the chasm and taking a dip in the glacial water! The lunch was also even more than we even expected, with a full spread for sandwiches, desserts and hot drinks. Would highly recommend to anyone in the Queenstown area as this was our favorite tour we did!

You will get wet, but you will have the best fun, the staff are amazing and very professional. Gave us the best experience

One of yhr most unique exoeriences I have had over many years of traveling world wide

Wonderful experience - well looked after - only need swimming costume, sun cream, glasses - would advise taking a hat and insect repellent! Jet boat great fun, but really enjoyed funyak and taking time to enjoy amazing scenery. Great team and good lunch stop - lunch all provided. Would definitely recommend.

We had an awesome time on this trip. It was expensive at over $500 each, but it was a full day of fun with the jet boat then the fun yaks. Lunch included was nice also. The highlight was the chasm. Thanks guys, great guides, great trip!

Fun well organised day!! Rained most of the day but we were very happy we did this!! So well organised & great work from all the staff! More challenging for the staff in wet weather but it was all appreciated. Magnificent country!

Jet boat ride lunch and funyak back down Dart River all done expertly very professional and friendly staff Thoroughly recommend a fun day

Amazing, fun, fantastic tour guides, would highly recommend, a must do experience !!!

We struggled at the start but our guide was so cool and calm joined us to her canoe and we had the best experience, it was great value for money great lunch and great scenery

I would highly recommend this tour. It was fun with just the right amount of adventure to make it exciting. The scenery was beautiful and pristine. The funyak into the chasm was an absolute highligĥt. The tour company took great care with everyone's safety.

We had a great time. The tour operators were all very knowledgeable and friendly. Only issue was the bugs. Definitely need to bring bug spray.

I am not an adrenaline junkie, I hate fast rides at theme parks. I once bailed from a canoe in the Menai straits in Wales Uk as it was too difficult. I am not usually brave enough to cold water swim. Today Dart River Adventures let me live the moment and have a fabulous time. I loved the exhilarating jet boat ride and couldn’t wait for the 360’ turns. The canoeing was easy and well directed through the trickier sections. I was even persuaded to swim in the pool at the Rockburn chasm !! Thankyou to all the extremely professional, well trained enthusiastic and considerate staff at Dart River Adventures. An awesome day!!

We had an amazing time on the Funyak tour with Lenox as our kayak guide. The jet boat ride was exhilarating with beautiful views and the kayak tour also had exceptional views that we would not Have seen from the road. Lunch was well balanced with amazing fruit and dessert choices. They provide all Clothing necessary You just wear a swimsuit or underwear under your wet suit. They even give you a fleece shirt and a waterproof jacket. Amazing adventure!

It was spectacular beyond words. This experience was worth every penny. Thanks so much. Wow factor 10/10. Loved the staff 👍👍

Stellar day out. Extremely well organised. Excellent gear and clothing supplied which kept me warm. Delicious lunch and very skilled staff. Thank you to our guides Zeta and John. Absolutely recommend.

The jet boats are amazing! The scenery along the river is wonderful. Our driver Andy was great at giving us a fantastic ride. You must do this activity of the weather permits.

Great experience- beautiful scenery and fantastic guides. Couldn’t have asked for a better day. The lunch was lovely. Highly recommend!

Super friendly staff. I dropped my phone within the boat through a narrow hole and they went back to base to retrieve it for me. The jet boat ride was within awesome scenery and the funyak back was stunningly beautiful… the gorge was so so magnificent… I have dreamt about this day since Nov 22. I’m going back this Dec 26… doing this again!!!!! Was just the right amount of adventure for a 60+ old bird…

I feel like jet boating + "funyaks" on the Dart River is a bit off the beaten track from the typical Queenstown adventures and is an absolute gem of a day trip. Starting the day with the breathtaking drive to Glenorchy got everything off to a great start. Check-in was a breeze and after getting sorted with wetsuits and lifejackets, we were whisked off in a short shuttle to meet our jet boat captain and then we were off on a fabulous trip up the Dart River. Quite different than going through canyons, we went up through the braided river and it was a super unique and beautiful experience. About an hour later, we were dropped off to meet our "funyak" guides and then paddled down river in 2-man inflatable kayaks. So scenic and fun. What really made the trip even more incredible was our lunch stop where we kayaked into a gorgeous chasm. It was just enough adrenaline for my partner who is not a daredevil, mixed with adventure and beautiful nature, I'd recommend this to anyone visiting the Queenstown/Glenorchy area. LOVED it! Thanks to John, our wonderful kayak guide. Sorry I can't remember our jet boat guides name, but he was terrific too.

We did the jet boat and funyak trip. It’s an all-day deal, but it was totally worth it. We were picked up in Queenstown and taken in a super nice bus to Glenorchy. There was got into all the gear they provided, which was everything you needed: wet suit, booties, fleece layer, waterproof layer, life jacket and dry bag. You change into their stuff and leave yours in a secure location. You then jet up the river which is really fun with the amazing mountain backdrop. Once at the drop point on the Dart River, you go down the river in groups of 2 or 3 per inflatable canoe (funyak). The river is totally tame, so it’s fun to paddle. There are lots of guides with you as well. We had Georgia as our guide, and she was amazing! The best part of the day was at lunch when you take a side trip up a small chasm that a side river flows through. I’m not sure it is always amazing like it was today as the water was so amazingly blue, but it was soooo cool! Overall, a really well run company with very capable and caring staff! We had a great day!

The only downside was high winds and blowing dust. The crew compensated to make the trip safe and enjoyable. They are well organized and highly capable

What an awesome day! From checking in at Queenstown to the informative bus ride about local Māori and historical elements of our journey. To a friendly welcome in Glenorchy we had a fantastic day. Family friendly, made sure we were kitted up well. Jet boat was fantastic, just the right amount of adrenaline and speed before being dropped off at the Funyaks meeting our guide Kez! (Legend) and taking a trip down the Dart! The scenery is unparalleled. The knowledge of the guides and expertise made us feel very well looked after and safe. The only thing that I would recommend (and this was all me) make sure you take your insect repellant (or use theirs), it was provided by the company, but I didn’t use it, and boy did I pay the price the sandfly’s were out and about and I coped multiple bites on both hands while making lunch at the gorgeous lunch spot, The chasm was truly “Lord of the Rings” stuff! Peaceful and like nothing I’ve ever experienced before. The trip back to the bus and drive back to Glenorchy then Queenstown was relaxing and pleasant. Highly recommend this experience, just remember the repellant!

A great experience with a combination of three things to enjoy - jet boating up the river, kayaking down the river and busing through incredible Paradise, known as a Lord of the Rings location. Great lunch provided riverside, near the chasm that you also canoe into. So good!

The jet boat was 10/10. It was thrilling but also felt safe. The funyaks were hard work. Not as easy or as relaxing as I expected. At a few points we had to drag the funyaks over rocks for approximately 10 meters. It was a full body workout, and coordinating with my funyak partner on rowing and steering was tricky too. Lunch was good but biting flies were everywhere, so I recommend you wear or bring insect repellent. The a/c on the 30 minute bus ride at the end from the river to the end point was malfunctioning (or the driver set it to hot inadvertently) and people were miserable inside the bus. It felt like hot yoga, and one person had to lie down on the ground at the end point due to possible heat stroke as a result. I would do the jet boats again in a heartbeat. I won’t do the funyaks again.

It was absolutely brilliant. Everything ran so smoothly. The jet boat was so exciting. The kayaks were so much fun. Lunch was great the staff were second to none. 10/10. Couldn’t fault it.

This would have to be one of the highlights of our family holiday that we will remember for a lifetime. The Dart River team was very organised and safety was the key element. They gave us a full brief before we ventured out onto the river. Once on the jet boat we were off and took us to the meeting point of where we would start our kayaking. No words no pictures can explain how beautiful the river is and to be able to canoe down stream and take in the spectacular views , we will remember forever. They team put on a wonderful spread for lunch.Big shout out to John our tour guide he was exceptionally informative and gave clear instructions when required. I recommend this activity to anyone who is visiting Queenstown. This is a must see snd do. We will certainly be back someday.

Worth every cent, a definite bucket list item!! Fun and knowledgeable guides, shout out to Rob, Wolfgang & Jordan for their local knowledge, rafting and jet boat experience. Incredible views, awesome fun, and a delicious lunch to top it all off. Would go again in a heartbeat, great work crew!!

This is a genuine bucket list event. The combination of thrilling jet boating up the Dart river 30 kms, then kayaking more like canoeing down, coupled with some of the most spectacular landscapes makes for a brilliant day. The tour is run expertly by fun experienced guides. You need to wear your bathers and the rest of the gear is provided along with perfectly adequate changing rooms and locked storage for unnecessary items, and dry bags for necessities (camera, sunscreen). We traveled as a family of four and all members absolutely loved it. I would most definitely do this again given the opportunity.

The full day Funyaks was going to be the highlight of our week in Queenstown and it didn’t disappoint!! The guides were super friendly and efficient at their jobs. The jet boat was thrilling yet informative. And then the kayak, long lunch and swim in the water holes all spectacular and with a backdrop you just can’t pay enough $$$ for !! Highlight of the day - of course was cruising through the chasm. Best day with teenagers.

A most awe-inspiring adventure. A must-do whilst in Queenstown. This is the only tour company that takes you into the Dart River - an area that is surrounded by natural beauty. The mountains were dusted by snow at their peaks, giving a magic look with every head turn. Our guide, Michelle, was so friendly, kind, and provided us with opportunities to do something a little more adventurous (of which we were hungry for) - she allowed us to jump off a rock into the fresh water (both my 10yr & 14yr did this and had big smiles afterwards). She allowed us to try standing up on the Funyaks too. All the other crew were full of energy and were so welcoming. I thank the company for allowing my 10yr old to participate (with their inclusive age allowances). There are limited activities for this age group. This was an easy activity for him to partake in, and we thank the company for all the rewards and memories we will take away from this adventure. All the equipment was fantastic and made us comfortable - my son loved the cosy Macpac fleece that was provided. The wetsuits kept us so warm, even when jumping into the water. The food was delicious, with the most amazing scenery during lunch. Loved learning about the local area through the historical commentary, and great to know that this company is a local tour operator.

Had a fantastic day out on the jet boat and funyak discovering all around the Dart River. The guides John, Rob and the rest were awesome, professional and knowledgeable. Highly recommend this, it was out of my comfort zone and I am so glad I done it.