Gold Coast Extreme Jet Boat Ride
- Duration55 minutes
- Daily
- Group
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Overview
This Gold Coast extreme jet boat ride is a 55-minute shared thrill ride on a purpose-built, twin-engine jet boat that departs from the jetty at 23 Ferny Avenue in the heart of Surfers Paradise. An experienced driver takes you along the Nerang River, through the residential canals and out onto the open Broadwater, mixing sightseeing of the luxury waterfront homes and the Main Beach shoreline with full-throttle sprints, 360-degree spins and sideways slides that soak everyone on board. Padded seats, a slim-line life jacket, a spray jacket on cooler days, sunscreen and lockers are included; there is no hotel pickup. It suits families with children aged 5 and over, couples and groups wanting the most exciting hour on the water in Gold Coast, Australia.
Highlights
- 55 minutes on a purpose-built 650-horsepower twin-engine jet boat
- Sprints of up to 80 kilometres per hour, 360-degree spins and sideways slides
- The only jet boat that departs from the centre of Surfers Paradise
- Sightseeing of the canal mansions and the Main Beach shoreline between the stunts
- Padded seats, slim-line life jacket, spray jacket on cold days and sunscreen included
- Lockers for your belongings and permission to use waterproof cameras on board
- Five departures a day from 09:30 to 15:00
- Suitable for children from 5 years and 100 cm tall travelling with an adult
Full Description
Ferny Avenue jetty, Surfers Paradise
The ride departs from a jetty at 23 Ferny Avenue, on the Nerang River side of Surfers Paradise, a few minutes' walk from Cavill Avenue and the light-rail stop. Ferny Avenue runs parallel to the beach one block inland, and the river behind it is where the city's boats are moored, so you are boarding from the quiet side of the suburb with the towers directly above. For anyone searching for a jet boat ride on the Gold Coast, this is the only departure point in the centre of Surfers Paradise, which saves a trip to the marinas further north.
Check in 15 minutes before your chosen time, store your belongings in the lockers, collect a life jacket and a spray jacket if it is cool, and listen to the driver's briefing. Then you step down into the boat, settle into the padded seats and hold on.
The Nerang River and the Surfers Paradise canals
The first part of the ride follows the Nerang River and the residential canals that spread behind Surfers Paradise, where the river was dredged into islands from the 1950s onwards. The driver slows here, both for the speed limits and because this is the sightseeing section: the large waterfront homes of Chevron Island, Isle of Capri and Paradise Waters line the banks with their private jetties and yachts. You get the same view as the leisurely river cruises, just much faster between stops.
The canals are also where the first tricks happen. Jet boats have no propeller, so the driver can spin the boat on its own length, slide it sideways and stop in a wall of spray without any risk to the hull. Expect to get wet from the first spin.
The Gold Coast Broadwater at full speed
Where the river opens into the Gold Coast Broadwater, the wide estuary between the mainland and the sand spit of Main Beach, the driver opens the throttle. The twin turbo-diesel engines produce 650 horsepower and push the boat to around 80 kilometres per hour across the flat water, with long sprints, sudden power stops and the signature 360-degree spins that throw a curtain of water over the whole boat. The Broadwater is sheltered from ocean swell, which is what makes a Gold Coast jet boat ride both fast and smooth.
Between manoeuvres you see the marinas, the Southport skyline and the parkland of The Spit from the water. This is the loudest, wettest and most photographed part of the hour, and the on-board camera captures it for the photos and video offered afterwards.
Main Beach and the shoreline from the water
The northern turn of the route brings you alongside the Main Beach shoreline on the Broadwater side, with the low apartments of Main Beach, the marine park and the parkland of The Spit on one side and the open channel towards the Seaway on the other. From the water you see the whole length of the Surfers Paradise skyline behind you, the same view that appears on the city's postcards, before the boat turns and sprints back south.
The ride then returns through the canals to Ferny Avenue, usually with a final series of spins near the jetty for the people watching from the bank. You step off the boat 55 minutes after leaving, wet, exhilarated and only a short walk from the beach, the mall and a change of clothes.
Itinerary
- Check-in at the jetty, 23 Ferny Avenue, Surfers Paradise (15 minutes before departure)Arrive before your chosen time, lock away your belongings, fit your life jacket and spray jacket and listen to the safety briefing.
- Nerang River and the canals (about 15 minutes)Board the jet boat and cruise past the canal mansions with the first spins and slides along the way.
- Broadwater sprints and spins (about 25 minutes)Full-speed runs, power stops and 360-degree spins on the open Broadwater with views of Southport and The Spit.
- Main Beach shoreline and return (about 15 minutes)Turn alongside Main Beach with the skyline ahead, then sprint back through the canals to the jetty.
- Back at Ferny Avenue (55 minutes after departure)Step off the boat, collect your belongings and view the photos and video of your ride, available to buy.
What's included
- 55-minute ride on a purpose-built twin-engine jet boat with padded seats
- Experienced jet boat driver
- Slim-line life jacket
- Spray jacket on colder days
- Sunscreen
- Lockers for personal belongings
Not included
- Photos and video of your ride (available to buy after the ride)
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Towel and change of clothes
Is this right for you?
Great for
- Families with children — a child price for ages 5–14
- Anyone who wants to see it from the water
- A short visit — about 1 hour
- Travellers who want a proven choice — rated 4.9/5 by past travellers
Think twice if
- You want a private tour — this one is shared with other travellers
- You get seasick easily
Not suitable for
- Children under 5 years
- People under 100 cm tall
- Pregnant women
- People with back, neck or heart conditions, or recent surgery
Meeting point
There is no hotel pickup. Make your own way to the jetty at 23 Ferny Avenue, on the Nerang River side of Surfers Paradise, a few minutes' walk from Cavill Avenue and the light-rail stop; paid parking is available in nearby streets. Please arrive 15 minutes before your chosen departure at 09:30, 10:45, 12:00, 13:45 or 15:00 for check-in and the safety briefing. The ride returns to the same jetty.
Important information
- You will get wet: wear clothes and shoes that can get soaked and bring a towel and a change of clothes
- A life jacket, a spray jacket on colder days, sunscreen and lockers are provided
- Sunglasses help keep wind and spray out of your eyes; use a strap or bring an inexpensive pair
- Waterproof cameras and phones in waterproof cases may be used on board; anything else goes in the locker
- Minimum age 5 years and minimum height 100 cm; children must be accompanied by an adult
- Not suitable for pregnant women or anyone with back, neck or heart conditions
- Photos and video of your ride are shown afterwards and can be bought separately
- The ride goes ahead in rain; only strong wind or storms cause a change of time
Good to know
Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers to what travellers ask us most, before they book.
Is this a shared or a private experience?
It is a shared ride. You sit with other passengers on the same jet boat, with one experienced driver for everyone on board.
How long does the jet boat ride take?
55 minutes on the water, plus about 15 minutes before departure for check-in and the safety briefing.
Is hotel pickup included?
No. The jetty at 23 Ferny Avenue is in the centre of Surfers Paradise, a short walk from most hotels and the light rail.
What is included?
The 55-minute ride on a purpose-built twin-engine jet boat with padded seats, an experienced driver, a slim-line life jacket, a spray jacket on cold days, sunscreen and a locker. Photos and video are not included.
Is the price per person or per group?
Per person, with adult and child rates. The booking panel on this page shows the current price.
Will I get wet?
Yes, very. The spins and slides send spray over the whole boat, so wear clothes that can get soaked and bring a towel and dry clothes for afterwards.
Is the ride suitable for children or for reduced mobility?
Children from 5 years and at least 100 cm tall can ride with an adult and usually love it. It is not suitable for pregnant women or for anyone with back, neck or heart conditions; boarding requires stepping down into the boat.
What should I bring?
A towel, a change of clothes, sunglasses with a strap and, if you want your own pictures, a waterproof camera or a phone in a waterproof case.
What is the best time of day for the jet boat ride?
Mornings are usually calmest and least crowded on the water; midday rides are warmest for drying off afterwards. All five departures follow the same route.
What happens in bad weather?
The ride runs in rain, since you get wet anyway. In strong wind or storms we move your booking to another time or day and let you know as early as possible.
How fast does the jet boat go?
Up to about 80 kilometres per hour on the open Broadwater, with slower sightseeing sections in the canals.
How do I book and confirm?
Choose your date, departure time and number of riders in the booking panel and send the request; our team confirms your booking on WhatsApp within minutes.
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