Wilkin River Jets
Wilkin River Jets
4.5
Helicopter ToursSightseeing ToursSpeed Boats Tours
8:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 5:30 PM
About
Helicopter-walk-Jet boat. Adventure and discovery still beckon amidst the ancient river valleys and snow capped glacial mountains of the Makarora Region. One of the gateways to the World Heritage listed Mt Aspiring National Park, a 45 min drive from Wanaka and a one hour drive from Haast. Wilkin River Jets along with Backcountry Helicopters are specialists in delivering wilderness experiences. Luxury Helicopter Tours / glacier scenic flights, exhilaterating shallow water jet boating, and the world renowned Siberia Wilderness Adventure- heli-walk jetboat combo are among a few of our favourite listings. Est since 1968 - Legends!
Makarora, New Zealand

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4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles155 reviews
Excellent
125
Very good
16
Average
4
Poor
1
Terrible
9

Neville T
Wellington, New Zealand5 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2020 • Friends
We used Wilkin River Jets and the helicopter option for some of our party of 9 going into the Upper Wilkin for 4 days last week. All the arrangements worked perfectly and we appreciated the jet boat pick up being on time in very wet conditions. Great service and very professional team. Thanks Harvey and Patsy.
Written 14 March 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.

Rebecca M
8 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2020 • Friends
I worked for these guys and have nothing but praise for this amazing company, they gave me most of my best memories in NZ. I did the Siberia Wilderness Extended trip and it far exceeded all expectations, it was the perfect way to experience some beautiful raw and untouched scenery with a dose of adrenaline thrown in. All of the staff are really genuine and funny people and add to the authentic kiwi experience. Some of the other touristy activities I did such as Milford and the glow worms were really very impressive but I personally don't like the crowds of other tourists, Makarora is a hidden gem without being too busy with others. When in the Siberia valley you will feel like the only person there which makes it so peaceful. The jetboat is equally as thrilling as the helicopters, the pilots and boat drivers are all extremely skilled. The only bad thing you may have to endure is the pilot's jokes!
Written 4 June 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.

Janelle Fletcher
Wanaka, New Zealand46 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2020
Unexpected things I absolutely loved on this picture perfect day were the icebergs on the lake which we saw from our heli (even though it was nigh on summer), the couple of cheeky keas we see flying around showing off their colours as we walked through the Mt Aspiring bush (so remote!), and the fish that were up close and personal while we were on the jet boat coming back to Makarora.

Variety of transport means and scenery far exceeded what I imagined and I loved that we did this in 4 hours. Thanks team. Totally recommendable.
Written 18 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.

64pinga
Christchurch, New Zealand5 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2022 • Couples
As Queenstown locals we drove more than an hour to Makarora only to learn that vaccination passports were required - which meant we were turned away. This was despite no mention of this requirement on their website, and also no mention of passports on their emailed list I received the previous day of ‘what to bring’. When you can fly nationally on Jetstar without a vaccine pass, customers should not be expected to assume one is required to get into a helicopter. Yet another example of Wilkin River Jets’ piss poor service was I had emailed the previous afternoon asking them to confirm their exact address, but didn’t receive a response until 16 minutes prior to our check in time (like I’d be scanning my emails while driving….). Not good enough. And let’s not go there about how these numpties emailed me just now, asking me to review a trip that we were UNABLE TO TAKE because of their appalling communications. In theory I should be asking for compensation for our time that they literally wasted.
Written 7 January 2022
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 These are very difficult times to navigate adhering to Covid-19 rules and regulations being put in place and then changed almost month to month week to week. As a small business that is tourism and transport related this vaccination question is odd and honestly we all feel uncomfortable asking what your personal health choice is. Under the Covid-19 protection framework Orange Alert we are mandated that clients and staff over 12 years and over have to be double vaccinated. This is a very public and universal mandate that covers a wide range of businesses. It shouldn't have been a surprise to you that there was a possibility of being turned away. Your behavior in the office was very disappointing... abusive, called us names, pacing around ranting and raving it was awful to deal with. Not to mention the fake vaccine pass you pulled out at the end of it. We wish you all the best for your summer ahead Kind Regards Danyel - "the moron wearing a mask." as you so nicely named me that served you.
Written 18 January 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Karenza H
Wanaka, New Zealand61 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2022 • Family
We travelled with Wilkin River jets at the beginning and end of our tramp over Easter. Alec was our driver for both trips and was knowledgeable and informative about the area we were travelling in. It is extremely good value and I would highly recommend you using this local company for your transport arrangements in this area. Thanks Wilkin river jets for making our trip fun.
Written 27 April 2022
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.

Mark Christie
3 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2021
The Wilkin River Siberia experience trip must be one of the very best 1 day outdoor experiences in NZ - if not the best. We were blessed with great weather but the whole trip from the friendly team through to the breath taking helicopter flight and the excellent high country glade and forest walk to the exhilarating jet boat trip back to base were top notch.
The scenery from the helicopter was spectacular with our cameras clicking away. likewise during the walk we had loads of time to take in the views, wonder at the beauty, do some trout spotting and takes lots more photos. During the excellent jet boat ride holding on was the priority as we shot down the Wilkin river and back up the Makaroa. A great way to finish a fantastic trip. Thoroughly recommended trip and great value for dollars spent.
Written 1 February 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.

JohnboyMosgiel
Cromwell, New Zealand52 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2022
Fav part of the trip was the 30min helicopter flight up the Wilkin River valley, then traverse along the mountain tops, over Lake Crucible and descent to the Siberia Hut landing spot. Great commentary along the way, though you'll likely not hear it being distracted by the great scenery on the flight.
We stopped to check out Siberia Hut, then took the leisurely walk to the jet boat pickup point.
Everything is well signposted on the route.
The walk down the valley through beach forest was good too. Remember to stop often and look back the way you came or youll not see the great views on offer.
Highly recommended.
Written 18 January 2022
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.

CrunchWhakatane
54 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2022
What a wonderful day out! The team were so friendly, professional and the jet boat ride was thrilling, skimming across the shingle beds of the river. The scenery is majestic and awesome. This is such a stunning part of New Zealand and a chance to glimpse our wonderful wild back country. Some in our group followed with a helicopter flight over the area and came back buzzing with the whole experience. Just do it!
Written 27 April 2022
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.

Cameron D
9 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2022 • Family
Have wanted to walk the Siberia Track for ages - the usual experience involves a helicopter flight in, three hour hike and then jet boat out. Because the jet boats don’t run in winter, we were accommodated by getting a helicopter back out again instead of jet boating. We ended up going a day earlier than planned due to a better weather window, which meant Chris from Wanaka Helicopters helped out for this trip. We had a party of seven, three adults and fours kids aged 12 - 16, which meant two seperate helicopter trips, both in and out. Kudos to Danyel from Wilkins River Jets for pulling all the logistics together and making this a day to remember. Stunning trip, lifelong memories created. Just brilliant.
Written 8 July 2022
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.

Tui G
Auckland, New Zealand29 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2020
Had a great jet boat trip on the Makarora/Wilkin Rivers with Hayden, majestic scenery into Mt Aspiring National Park. Would definitely recommend if you are travelling between Haast & Central Otago or as a day trip from Wānaka as we did. Hayden is very knowledgeable of the area and the thrilling jet boat trip over inches of water in places up into the high river valley. And no we didn't get wet...! Would definitely return, highly recommended.
Written 29 December 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.

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