Wilkin River Jets
Wilkin River Jets
4.5
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
Full view
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!
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(55 reviews)
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4.5
151 reviews
Excellent
122
Very good
15
Average
4
Poor
1
Terrible
9
Sara
Christchurch, New Zealand14 contributions
Oct 2023 • Family
We wanted to visit blue pools but found out that the bridges were closed.
I contacted Wilkin River Jets and asked if they could get us as close to the pools as possible and we would walk there. We got help and walked to the pools and back from the drop off place and got picked up again from the same place.
The walk took 1h45min one way with 2 kids (12yo). The track was not demanding as the weather was good and the track was not wet.
We got to see the pools, enjoyed the views and had a nice lunch by the river in the sunshine. Lovely day!
I contacted Wilkin River Jets and asked if they could get us as close to the pools as possible and we would walk there. We got help and walked to the pools and back from the drop off place and got picked up again from the same place.
The walk took 1h45min one way with 2 kids (12yo). The track was not demanding as the weather was good and the track was not wet.
We got to see the pools, enjoyed the views and had a nice lunch by the river in the sunshine. Lovely day!
Written 22 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.
Carolyn B
London, UK10 contributions
Mar 2023
Absolutely fabulous trip - thank you. From the first conversation with Amy, to Henry the pilot and Jamie the jet boat driver, everyone was super friendly and helpful. They even managed to provide one day of spectacular weather when the days either side were poor. Thank you for humouring my fear of flying - there was nothing to worry about!
Written 6 March 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.
Cameron D
3 contributions
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.
CrunchWhakatane
59 contributions
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.
Karenza H
Wanaka, New Zealand63 contributions
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.
JohnboyMosgiel
Cromwell, New Zealand53 contributions
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.
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.
64pinga
Christchurch, New Zealand5 contributions
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.
Frankguth
Blenheim, New Zealand67 contributions
Oct 2021 • Couples
The flight was beyond expectation, amazing scenery, unhurried and well worth the price. We had a blast on the tops. I have flown in helicopters many many times - this was one of the best. Forget the price & DO IT. Thanks Blair & team.
Written 16 October 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.
Kenneth B
Auckland Central, New Zealand87 contributions
Jun 2021 • Family
Thought we would use a calm, mild winters day to jetboat the Wilkin. Such a beautiful part of the world and an amazing way to see it. Danyel was great helping sort it out, Alex was superb in charge of the boat, with plenty of insights and spins!
Written 7 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.
Katrina
1 contribution
Apr 2021 • Couples
Amazing day out in the back country.
A great time spent with family in our beautiful motu. Such a privilege to be able to be there.
Thank you team for the Siberia Wilderness Adventure and for sharing your passions. A day that will hold many memories for us all
A great time spent with family in our beautiful motu. Such a privilege to be able to be there.
Thank you team for the Siberia Wilderness Adventure and for sharing your passions. A day that will hold many memories for us all
Written 8 April 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.
fantastisch mooie tocht spectaculair
Nico V
4 contributions
Mooie recht, super boot maar fantastische capriolen.
My kids are 4 and 8. Can they do the fast jet boat?
Thanks!
Rosalind S
London, UK34 contributions
I'm not sure what the rules in terms of minimum age for jet boats. I think it may be a problem under 12 years, but suggest you check with the company. We were all adults.
799kg49
Marana, AZ
We are interested in booking a Jumboland wilderness adventure. Can you help me with this? It is for two people ( my husband & me). What is the cost? And would tomorrow be open for this?
Thank you
Karen Green