Waiatoto River Safari
5
Waiatoto River Safari
By Waiatoto River Safari
What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
About
Lowest price guaranteeReserve now & pay laterFree cancellation
Ages 0-99, max of 15 per group
Duration: 2h
Start time: Check availability
Mobile ticket
Live guide: English
More
- Warm jacket and boots if required
- Life-jacket
- Post card souvenirs
- Coffee and/or Tea
- Snacks
What's not included- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Start:
- 1975 Haast-Jackson Bay Road, Jackson Bay 7886, New ZealandImportant: Check in is 30 minutes before departure. Last house on left of Hannahs Clearing village, look for signs and park on main road.
End:- 2704A Haast-Jackson Bay Road, Jackson Bay 7886, New ZealandFinish point is same as departure point at the carpark at Waiatoto River.
- Wheelchair accessible
- Pushchair accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Infants must sit on laps
- Transportation is wheelchair accessible
If you have questions about accessibility, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 7917P1- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Wear sensible clothes and closed-toed footwear
- A minimum of 2 people per booking is required
- Sandflies are present on the West Coast of NZ so protection is insect repellant and covering up. Insect spray is avalaible free of charge
- Check in is 30 minutes prior to departure. The boat does leave on time.
- Most travellers can participate
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s cancelled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
- This experience requires a minimum number of travellers. If it’s cancelled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travellers
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.
- If you have questions about this tour or need help making your booking, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 7917P1
From
$279.00
per adult
Select date and travellers
Similar experiences
Itinerary
- 1975 Haast-Jackson Bay Road, Jackson Bay 7886, New ZealandImportant: Check in is 30 minutes before departure. Last house on left of Hannahs Clearing village, look for signs and park on main road.
- 1Discover one of Kiwi’s favourite tours on the West Coast NZ, taking a jet boat up a remote back country river into UNESCO South West New Zealand World Heritage Area. Nature, heritage and scenic tour for all ages.
- 2704A Haast-Jackson Bay Road, Jackson Bay 7886, New ZealandFinish point is same as departure point at the carpark at Waiatoto River.
About the operator
Don’t take it from us – here’s what people have to say about this operator:
- Christine80460 contributionsPut it on your bucketlistGreat experience. After seeing the rivers and creaks only from the driving. It is awesome to follow the river upstream. The boat is comfortable and you get warm gear (I would recommend to wear warm clothing). It did rain a bit, but no problem. The boat has a "glass"-roof. You stay dry. Wyne gave a lot of information and it was interesting talking to him. Really worth the money.Written 13 February 2024
- NWarner710 contributionsFantastic river adventureFantastic! Despite the light rain we had a fun trip up the river. Very informative host, delicious scones and white bait tasters. Only downside was the smoke fumes from the engines coming in towards those sitting in the back seats. Choose a seat up front.Written 31 December 2021
- hughrlees0 contributionsWaitoto River SafariHighly recommended. Excellent trip to the head waters of the Waitoto River in Jackson’s bay near Haast. Our guide was very knowledgeable & the trip is an excellent mix of geography & ecology.Written 23 February 2021
- Reynard10 contributionsA great trip.We were two couples travelling in the Haast area looking for something on the river. We came across this trip and are so glad we did. Ruth, our driver and guide made it all worth while. There was a good deal of excitement with the jet boat ride while travelling up and later down the river without it being just for show. Her knowledge of the area and her ability to relate this to those on board was excellent. A chance to get off the boat well up stream and walk-in the bush added to the experience. A coffee and a scone on the edge of the river was a great touch. This is such a beautiful part of the country and we were so privileged to have a local share her knowledge and experience with us. Would highly recommend this trip and will do so to all our friends as they travel this way. Thanks Ruth, and your young daughter who assisted with the guiding today. 🦊Written 21 February 2021
- Franzson0 contributionsGreat tour!Had read about this in Lonely P. and thought we give it a try. Really enjoyed the trip. Booked it just in the morning. Glad we got two seats, cause the boat ( 10 seats ) was ful, when it started. The trip at 4 pm was already booked out...As a photographer i would recommend you book the trip at 4 pm in advance, as the light at midday isn't the best.Written 9 February 2019
- maxminshull0 contributionsSummer Cloudy TripGreat trip with Wayne. Very cool area of the country. I constantly pressed him with questions and he had all the answers!Written 8 January 2019
- Marcus B0 contributionsThanks for a great tripMost peoplw are familiar with jwt boats as thrill rides, with 360 degree spins etc. Butbas Wayne explains their original purpose was for gaining quick access to the water, and traversing with speed into quite inaccessible places, and in shallow water. This safari uses the jetboat for this. You get to travel up the waiatoro river and visit areas only people in this jetboat get to go. Its goes right into the mountains and then all the way back to the ocean, all the while wayne is informative and interesting. The information about the kiwi reserve prompted us to visit the kiwi sanctuary in franz josef. I consider this jet boat a must do on the west coast. Its high overall rating is testiment to this.Written 6 November 2018
- tjbbackdoc0 contributionsWhat a blast!I was skeptical about a boat ride up a river because I am an experienced boat owner myself. I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. The scenic views and speed at which we ran up stream in shallow but extremely clear water was impressive. There is a short walk and a snack break which added a nice touch towards the end. I would say don’t miss this one if you are going to be traveling the west coast of New Zealand!Written 1 October 2018
- HollyFan0 contributionsVery exciting tripBooked this as a surprise for my husbands birthday and it was lots of fun and very informative. Very cold but Wayne made sure that we were well protected from Weather and danger! Well worth the moneyWritten 19 July 2018
- kiwi_sez0 contributionsUnforgettable nature experience which is educational too!An incredible experience where you can experience both the alps and the ocean in one excursion. The jet boat cruise takes you to a wild and remote area of NZ experienced by only a few, nature lovers prepare to get your mind blown. In addition, the knowledge shared along the way by your local friendly guide makes this tour an educational and unforgettable activity suitable for anyone travelling the West Coast, NZ. A much more personal service than most other tour operators.Written 8 May 2018
- Elaine M0 contributionsRiver SafariHow lucky were we, the only 2 on the trip due to it being late season. Weather was a bit wet but what can you expect in a rain forest, but visibility was good. Wayne was very informative and scenery amazing. A real journey not a gimmick with 360’s and stuff. Money well spent. We visited the office the day before, booking and check was a breeze with Ruth meaning we could go straight to the river on the day. Thanks for a great experience.Written 16 March 2018
- Lauren L0 contributionsNice cruise but hugely overpricedMy husband and I spent a couple of days in Haast and decided to do the Waiatoto River Safari after reading the excellent reviews in both Trip Adviser and in the Lonely Planet guide. The tour itself was nice - just under two hours in a jet boat up the river to the mountains and back out to the Tasman Sea. Our guide, Ruth, was informative and friendly. Unfortunately for us, the weather was terrible (as it often seems to be on the West Coast) so our views were limited and we spent the majority of the tour shielding from the weather. Whilst we enjoyed the tour well enough, I have to say that $199 per person is outrageously expensive. When you compare other activities you could find for that price (for instance, a half day guided kayaking, or an 8 hour Doubtful Sound boat trip), the River Safari seems hugely expensive for what you get. I would also advise anyone going to try and find one of the rare good weather days, and bring lots of insect repellent (or layers!) for the sandflies!Written 13 March 2018
- Luxgb0 contributionsWoohoo - a tour without the masses!We had an absolutely fantastic afternoon with Wayne and Ruth. What a privilege to be able to travel into this World Heritage area with small numbers. Mother nature sent the rain - but that added to the scenery - mist on the water and all those waterfalls. Great commentary on the area by Wayne. A highlight of our NZ trip and highly recommended.Written 23 January 2018
- Phil-Lenna W0 contributionsHighlight of the south islandThis was possibly one of our most memorable activities on the South Island. Ruth was the consummate guide and jet boat pilot. The trip was a blast but was also educational. Being a passenger on the jet boat was a lot of fun. Absolutely breathtaking scenery as we made our way up the river gorge. Strongly recommended! You won't regret one moment.Written 19 January 2018
- Arandee0 contributionsHighlight tourWe travelled the South Island with our adult children and included the 10am journey up the river with Wayne. This was the highlight of a fairly busy tour. What a trip, it really gets into the backblocks of our beautiful country where south Westland and Fiordland take most of the awards. Wayne is ever informative and shows what a wonderful invention the Hamilton jet boat is. This was a truly memorable and impressive journey and well worth considering if you are in Haast for the day.Written 2 January 2018
These reviews are the subjective opinions of Tripadvisor members and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
We perform checks on reviews.
Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews
Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
Learn more about our review moderation.
5.0
116 reviews
Excellent
108
Very good
7
Average
0
Poor
0
Terrible
1
Jacky
2 contributions
Jan 2024 • Couples
We came away from this jet boat safari with a lot of local knowledge about Westland ecology, geology, plants and weather patterns. Wayne and Ruth are extremely good at sharing their passions for this spectacular unique area of our beautiful country. Loved the apricot scones and the whitebait samples and the tour was just the right length. Don’t be afraid to go on the tour if it’s raining as this is how you really experience the West Coast in its wild beauty and the boat has a glass roof if needed and there are warm jackets available too. It’s worth the trip to Jackson Bay to experience the Waiatoto.
Written 2 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
What a delightful and accurate review. We really appreciate you taking the time to write your thoughts. All the best, Ruth & Wayne.
Written 19 March 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
LakesideChick
Adelaide, South Australia122 contributions
First up, I’m not a boat person, I don’t like speed much and my type of boat cruise is something very sedate on a lake.
So, today I was brave and we went on a jet boat tour!
I would definitely recommend this tour. The guide / driver was super experienced and sensible and I felt very safe. There were no spins / 360s etc. Most of the river was pretty calm, though there were a few rapids at one point and some boulders that I saw at fairly close range.
The scenery was magical from start to finish. Such a beautiful and isolated part of the world!
We went for a walk in the rainforest halfway through and had a cuppa and a homemade scone 🙂 which was lovely!
It was a great few hours and I’d recommend it!
For lunch we went to the nearby Craypot which was delicious!
So, today I was brave and we went on a jet boat tour!
I would definitely recommend this tour. The guide / driver was super experienced and sensible and I felt very safe. There were no spins / 360s etc. Most of the river was pretty calm, though there were a few rapids at one point and some boulders that I saw at fairly close range.
The scenery was magical from start to finish. Such a beautiful and isolated part of the world!
We went for a walk in the rainforest halfway through and had a cuppa and a homemade scone 🙂 which was lovely!
It was a great few hours and I’d recommend it!
For lunch we went to the nearby Craypot which was delicious!
Written 4 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lovely to hear that you were brave enough to try us out. You describe the tour well. We say the jet boat is just the mode of transport, it is a comfortable and easy way to access the back country and what an amazing area it is! All the best, Ruth & Wayne.
Written 31 January 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Costa Katsoulis
1 contribution
Nov 2020
A trip to this part of the country is not complete without seeing the diversity of the Waiatoto river and mountains in this World Heritage Park, it is a very inspiring experience and should be part of your bucket list if you have managed to travel to Haast. My wife and I were the only people on the trip that day, and were treated as VIP's by our guide and owner Ruth, although this is a common theme amongst reviewers.
The views are amazing and the knowledge of the area and the way Ruth explains brings it all to life in a genuine way. Learnt a lot about kiwi conservation, the seismic plate that cuts through the river, showed and explained the fish species in the river, and whitebaiting.
It started to rain heavy as the boat departed, but we kept dry under the boat roof, so don't be put off by the weather. The trip was not a thrill seekers ride in a Hamilton jet boat, it was a safe comfortable way to explore the river with a bit of fun on the side. Well worth the price.
The views are amazing and the knowledge of the area and the way Ruth explains brings it all to life in a genuine way. Learnt a lot about kiwi conservation, the seismic plate that cuts through the river, showed and explained the fish species in the river, and whitebaiting.
It started to rain heavy as the boat departed, but we kept dry under the boat roof, so don't be put off by the weather. The trip was not a thrill seekers ride in a Hamilton jet boat, it was a safe comfortable way to explore the river with a bit of fun on the side. Well worth the price.
Written 4 November 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi NZCovidTravel, I love your name here and thank you for travelling our beautiful country to support owner operator business's such as ours. We are proud to be 'not a thrill seekers ride' and heartened that you realised the rain was part of the experience.
We appreciate you felt this was value for money as we put much effort into our tours because every guest deserves the very best from us and what we can show case of our incredible area. We love this place and would like to educate New Zealanders to visit and stay in Haast as there is so much to do here. Great to meet you both and thanks for spending time with us. All the best Ruth & Wayne.
Written 8 November 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Kilcoy Queen
Christchurch, New Zealand26 contributions
May 2021 • Friends
Well, this had everything to make a river Safari top class. Kim was our tour guide/ driver and Ruth took care of the payment etc. we were a group of 4 along with another group of 4 and the river didn’t let us down. We travelled up to the gorge and back down stream to the ocean bar. Kim stopped along the way to allow us to witness a mob of beef cattle, complete with steam rising from their bodies, being droved through the bush and across the Waiatoto River. What a bonus. The backdrop of native bush and snow capped mountains, a beautiful river and the cattle was like something out of a movie. We also stopped along the way for a bush experience along with a hit cuppa. Congratulations to Ruth and her team for putting together something I would definitely recommend to anyone looking for a River Safari in South Westland. Thank you
Written 2 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you 48frost for such an interesting review. Kim being the local farmer sure knows how to time things when it comes to spotting his cattle in live action within the valley. I am thrilled you enjoyed the tour and that it lived up to expectations. All the best, Ruth.
Written 22 June 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
FP101
Hokitika, New Zealand58 contributions
Apr 2021
We were a family of three and enjoyed the safari so much. The trip up was really informative and we learnt lots about the local area, loved seeing the kiwi sanctuary and mountains... and the speedy trip down was so much fun!!! It was great getting off the boat and exploring the bush and beach, and yummy white bait finished the trip perfectly. Ngā mihi nui Ruth and Aru!
Written 3 May 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much for the lovely review. I am so pleased you had a great time and that our incredible nature gave you some good memories. Enjoy the rest of your holiday. Ata Marie, Ruth.
Written 4 May 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Meander787318
Rangiora, New Zealand25 contributions
This was a really informative trip up river. We stopped at a kiwi reserve & heard of the locals efforts to ensure this area is protected then went on to see the clear marking of the alpine fault. Our driver was knowledgeable and experienced.
Written 4 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Great to hear from you and very happy you enjoyed our magical area. The Alpine fault is a very interesting and rare site and it was a pleasure to take you out. Kind regards, Ruth & Wayne.
Written 31 January 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
brians1195
Phnom Penh170 contributions
Sept 2023 • Couples
On yet another return visit the experience is as fabulous as ever. Wayne and Ruth run an excellent tourist experience in an area that is one of NZ's most remote. A trip up river then back down to the Tasman Sea is three hours of spectacular scenery, NZ at it's best. Do not miss this.
Written 21 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you Brian, as the highest achiever of the return visits to our river tour, that is very high praise indeed. Best, Ruth, Wayne and Aru.
Written 14 November 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
KevBen
Christchurch, New Zealand10 contributions
Mar 2023 • Couples
Fantastic scenery and we had a great time. Ruth did everything, launched the boat, fitted the life-jackets, gave a very informative commentary had a lovely morning tea and got us safely back. No spinning high-speed 360's and exactly as advertised. We even had a sample of whitebait. Morning tea from the thermos with a scone while sitting in a quiet back-water out of the wind made the morning. Boat was easy to access and disembark. . Wear warm clothes although swandri's are provided if required. Good value for money
Written 3 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Great praise and accurate description! I am glad you enjoyed the tour, I enjoy it too as every tour is different. The river changes every day and I feel it is a privilege to be apart of this very remote part of the world. Kind regards, Ruth.
Written 14 November 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
simontrant
Winchester, UK79 contributions
We were very fortunate as there were only three of us plus our expert driver and naturalist, Wayne, in the boat. The trip up the river to the impassable rapids was exhilarating, especially through the rapids, and then downstream almost to the sea even better and demonstrated the helmsman’s skill and excellent knowledge of the river which is tested, of course, by its rise and fall. The trip up was punctuated by two stops, one about nature and in particular the Kiwi and the second more geological. Last of all at the top we had a fascinating bush walk which demonstrated Wayne’s knowledge of the environment and the use of the land.
A really excellent trip and a high point of our three weeks in New Zealand.
One tip - remember to stop at the office at the end of Hannah’s clearing before proceeding to the river
A really excellent trip and a high point of our three weeks in New Zealand.
One tip - remember to stop at the office at the end of Hannah’s clearing before proceeding to the river
Written 16 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for spending some of your holiday with us and describing the experience so well. Also great tip - it is important to check in before proceeding to the river to fill out name details for our form. It is also a good way for me to tell you how to prepare for the tour and for payment to be made if it has not been done online. Check in is 30 minutes before departure to ensure everyone has time to check in and then catch the boat. Glad we were a high point of your New Zealand holiday! Kind regards, Ruth & Wayne.
Written 29 February 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Paula S
New Zealand1 contribution
May 2021
The whole experience was fantastic. Wayne obviously knows the beautiful river like the back of his hand. The boat trip itself was wonderful - fascinating, and so scenic, and after an exhilarating boat ride, we arrived at the most gorgeous and remote place along the river. We learned a lot along the way. We enjoyed an interesting rainforest walk. Wayne made us a hot coffee and we ate some lovely fresh scones in that pristine and peaceful place. The trip back down the river was great fun, and we loved the contrasting quiet place with its reflections and birdsong where we learned even more about the river and its fauna and flora.
We loved this whole experience, easily the best jet boat excursion we have ever been on. Don't miss it if you are down in South Westland - it's worth the trip to go there.
We loved this whole experience, easily the best jet boat excursion we have ever been on. Don't miss it if you are down in South Westland - it's worth the trip to go there.
Written 13 May 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wow! Thank you for your high praise. We do enjoy South Westland and love taking people out to really experience the true pristine beauty of the place. Pleased the wood fired scones came up to expectations. Best regards, Ruth & Wayne.
Written 22 June 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Hello - sorry for the late reply but absolutely no motion sickness,
Written 27 May 2019
Showing results 1-1 of 1
Buy it with
*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.