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A solid jet boat ride on the Waikato River, and the thing that sets it apart from the other jet boat options around NZ is the rapids. Using code RANKERS knocks 10% off, which helps given a few reviewers flagged the price as slightly steep, photos included.
Most people come off the boat grinning. The drivers clearly know the river well and share decent info along the way. What people consistently mention is the moment the boat catches air over the Nga Awa Purua Rapids. That's the bit that lifts this above your standard flat-water jet boat spin.
One honest note: the route covers the same stretch of rapids a few times before heading back, so it's not a long meandering river journey. It's 35 minutes of repeat thrills rather than exploration. That suits most people just fine, but worth knowing going in. Also, the ride timing is tied to water releases from the Aratiatia Dam every three hours, which is actually a pretty cool thing to watch in itself. If the combo with rafting is on the cards, a few people reckon that makes for a cracking full day on the river.
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Details
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Organisation |
Rapids JetCommercial organisation |
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Location |
North Island ▷ Taupo Region ▷ Taupo |
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Business Times |
Open 364 days a year (closed on Christmas Day). Boats operate between 9am and 4pm. Office hours are 9am-5pm. On busier days, departures can be every hour, on the hour. |
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Promo Code 10% Off |
Save 10% with Rapids Jet using promo code RANKERS through our online booking link. |
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Directions To Coordinates |
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Coordinates |
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Reviews
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Thoroughly worth the $85.
Lucy -
Great time!
Angela Stringer -
Very well organised.
GemmaC -
Very cool experience.
Chance McGuire -
A simply fantastic jet boat ride.
Russ C
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great experience with a very proffetional team.
great view. big fun. They charge alot for some pics (we didnt buy).
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We went on a jet boat ride on the Waikato River.
Fun, thrilling and informative. Absolutely stunning views of the river! A little expensive though and minus points for not being allowed to take your own pictures.
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Had two jet boat trips while in NZ recently, this was the best.
Friendly and professional staff, Gary our skipper made my daughter feel at ease before setting off (was slightly nervous!)she laughed and screamed all the way round. The drenching at the end made her day! Thanks again, would definitely return.
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What a ride!!
Been on Shotover Jet which was cool, but this one was jetting up and down the rapids. So much fun we did it twice:)
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Awsome fun, the driver was obviously very experienced with the boat almost completely airborne at one point.
Using the white water is a great point of difference over some of the other jet boat rides I've been on.
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It's a well run operation.
The driver was professional and had a lot of good information. We have been on a lot of Jet Boat rides and this would have to be one of the better ones. The difference being going over the rapids and launching up into the air a bit while doing so was a lot of fun. Our kids loved it. We recommend the photo disk at the end. Thanks guys!
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Rapid Jets were friendly, professional and very approachable.
They showed fantastic knowledge of the area and are very skilled drivers. Loved going over the rapids and through the river. Getting wet was awesome and so much fun! I can't wait to do it again. Love the photos at the end. We did the combo deal with Rafting New Zealand and had the best day with both experiences.
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Good experience, however slighly disappointed due to the fact that they only go over the one moderate rapid several times before returning.
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Good instructions, great fun.
Loads of water running because the sluice gates on the dam open all day.
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Real fun activity with friendly staff and good driver who shared interesting info about the river etc.
Didn't really get any until we were on the boat, but there were no surprises.
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Excellent staff service for this River Jet boating experience.
I felt that parts of the trip were slightly repetitive and that the photos were overpriced, even though they were good photos. Would still recommend the experience!
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It was fun but we thought there would be more 'bumps' and splashes.
Mostly we were just sailing up to 50kmph. Not really an adrenaline kick.
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great experience with a very proffetional team.
great view. big fun. They charge alot for some pics (we didnt buy).
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We went on a jet boat ride on the Waikato River.
Fun, thrilling and informative. Absolutely stunning views of the river! A little expensive though and minus points for not being allowed to take your own pictures.
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It was fun but we thought there would be more 'bumps' and splashes.
Mostly we were just sailing up to 50kmph. Not really an adrenaline kick.
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Rapid Jets were friendly, professional and very approachable.
They showed fantastic knowledge of the area and are very skilled drivers. Loved going over the rapids and through the river. Getting wet was awesome and so much fun! I can't wait to do it again. Love the photos at the end. We did the combo deal with Rafting New Zealand and had the best day with both experiences.
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Real fun activity with friendly staff and good driver who shared interesting info about the river etc.
Didn't really get any until we were on the boat, but there were no surprises.
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Good instructions, great fun.
Loads of water running because the sluice gates on the dam open all day.
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It's a well run operation.
The driver was professional and had a lot of good information. We have been on a lot of Jet Boat rides and this would have to be one of the better ones. The difference being going over the rapids and launching up into the air a bit while doing so was a lot of fun. Our kids loved it. We recommend the photo disk at the end. Thanks guys!
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Awsome fun, the driver was obviously very experienced with the boat almost completely airborne at one point.
Using the white water is a great point of difference over some of the other jet boat rides I've been on.
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Good experience, however slighly disappointed due to the fact that they only go over the one moderate rapid several times before returning.
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Excellent staff service for this River Jet boating experience.
I felt that parts of the trip were slightly repetitive and that the photos were overpriced, even though they were good photos. Would still recommend the experience!
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What a ride!!
Been on Shotover Jet which was cool, but this one was jetting up and down the rapids. So much fun we did it twice:)
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Had two jet boat trips while in NZ recently, this was the best.
Friendly and professional staff, Gary our skipper made my daughter feel at ease before setting off (was slightly nervous!)she laughed and screamed all the way round. The drenching at the end made her day! Thanks again, would definitely return.
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This was absolutely fantastic.
We loved blasting back & forth around the rapids & tight little bends, including speeding through the narrowest part of the Waikato river. We both had a sore jaw from laughing so hard for the whole trip. Captain Rusty did a fantastic job & obviously knows the river, nailing every bend & gap in the boulders. Also a big thanks to Sam. She looked after us very well as it was our last day in the region. She also took lots of great photos.
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Very cool experience.
It was interesting how this place works. The rides are completely dependent on the release of the water every three hours from the Aratiatia Dam. It was crazy parking in front of boulders and watching the water rise. I couldn't believe the rapids we were taking the boat through... we were getting airborne... the pics didn't lie. The pilot was very competent and made us feel at ease. Get the picture cd... well worth it. NIce job guys... thanks a bunch.
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I have just returned to Australia on my last day in NZ I went with a friend on the Rapid Jets, I found the initial intro excellent, the fitting of coats and lifejackets and then to the boat I felt completely
at ease with the driver of the boat we had a fabulous time and I would recommend this to anyone.
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