"Very good experience and must try list. Carl is very knowledgeable guide and makes it safe and fun experience as well. Whole team - friendly, knowledgeable and professional"
Gold Coast · Surfers Paradise · Main Beach · The Broadwater
Gold Coast Jet Boat Rides: 30 Minutes, 55 Minutes or With a Helicopter
A jet boat spins, slides and drifts across the Broadwater behind Surfers Paradise. The rides run from 30 to 55 minutes, and you will get wet.
From
US$63
per person
Free cancellation
- 4.9 / 5 436+ Reviews
- 14 Experience Types All Gold Coast Activities
- Free Cancellation
The Experience
What the Jet Boat Extreme Ride Includes
The ride photo and video are shown as you step off and sold separately.
Highlights
- A 55-minute ride on the Broadwater from Surfers Paradise
- Past the waterfront mansions of the canals
- Life jacket, spray jacket on cold days and sunscreen included
- Lockers for your belongings
- Waterproof phones and cameras allowed on board
What's Included
- A comfortable slim line life jacket
- Spray jackets are provided on those colder days which will help with any wind chill
- Sunscreen
- Lockers for any personal belongings
How a Gold Coast Jet Boat Ride Works
From the briefing to the photo stand.
Check In and Store Your Things
Arrive before your slot for the briefing and life jacket. Jet Boat Extreme has lockers; Paradise Jet Boating and Arro Jet allow no bags or phones on board.
Dress to Get Wet
Wear clothes and shoes you don't mind soaking, and bring a towel or a change if you have plans after. Spray jackets are handed out on cold days.
Hold On for the Spins
The skipper runs 360-degree spins, slides and drifts across the Broadwater between faster runs past the canals.
See the Photos
Each operator shows the ride's photos and video as you step off; they are extra, not part of the ticket.
Photo Gallery
The Broadwater at Speed
Spins, spray and the Surfers Paradise skyline.
Book Your Experience
Check Availability & Prices
Select your preferred date and time. Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
Jet Boat Extreme vs. Arro Jet vs. Paradise Jet Boating
Three Gold Coast jet boat rides side by side. Prices as of October 2026.
| Feature | MOST REVIEWED Jet Boat Extreme, 55 Minutes | Arro Jet High-Speed Adventure | Paradise Jet Boating, 50 Minutes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | From US$63/per person | From US$34 | From US$46 |
| Rating | 4.9/5 (436 reviews) | 4.8/5 (216 reviews) | 4.7/5 (83 reviews) |
| Length | 55 minutes | 30 or 45 minutes | 50 minutes |
| Departs | Surfers Paradise | Main Beach, next to Sea World | 58 Cavill Avenue, Surfers Paradise |
| Phones On Board | Waterproof phones allowed; lockers | Not allowed | Not allowed |
| Youngest Rider | 5 years, 100 cm | 120 cm recommended | 4 years, no height limit |
| Extras | Photo and video for sale | Free parking; ThrillCam video for sale | Photo and video for sale |
| Free Cancellation | Up to 24 hours ahead | Up to 24 hours ahead | Up to 24 hours ahead |
| Best For | The full ride | A short, cheap blast | Young children |
| Check Availability | View Arro Jet | View Paradise Jet Boating |
Other Gold Coast Jet Boat Rides
A short, cheap ride from Main Beach, a 50-minute ride from Cavill Avenue, and a combo that ends with a helicopter flight.
The Gold Coast Jet Boat Guide
Gold Coast Jet Boat Rides: Which Ride, How Long
Five rides compared on length, departure point and age limits, plus the jet boat and helicopter combo.
The Gold Coast jet boat ride to book is Jet Boat Extreme’s 55-minute ride from Surfers Paradise: almost an hour of spins and slides on the Broadwater, from US$62 a person as of October 2026, rated 4.9 from 436 reviews. If you want the thrill without the hour, Arro Jet’s 30-minute ride from Main Beach starts from US$34. Dates and cancellation terms are on each listing.
What a jet boat ride is
A jet boat is driven by water jets instead of a propeller, which lets the skipper spin it on the spot and slide it sideways at speed. On the Gold Coast the rides run on the Broadwater, the sheltered lagoon behind Surfers Paradise and Main Beach, with runs past the waterfront houses of the canals. You will be splashed: every operator hands out spray jackets in the colder months and asks you to dress to get wet.
The jet boat rides compared
| Ride (operator) | From | Rating (reviews) | Length | Departs | Youngest rider |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 55-Minute Extreme Jet Boat Ride (Jet Boat Extreme) | US$62 | 4.9 (436) | 55 minutes | Surfers Paradise | 5, at least 100 cm |
| Ultimate High-Speed Jet Boat Adventure (Arro Jet) | US$34 | 4.8 (216) | 30 or 45 minutes | Main Beach, next to Sea World | At least 120 cm |
| 50-Minute Jet Boat Ride (Paradise Jet Boating) | US$46 | 4.7 (83) | 50 minutes | 58 Cavill Avenue, Surfers Paradise | 4, no height limit |
| Jet Boat Ride and Scenic Helicopter Tour (Jet Boat Extreme) | US$147 | 4.7 (142) | 55-minute ride + 10-minute flight | Surfers Paradise; flight ends at Marina Mirage | 4 |
| Jet Boat Ride & Sea World Entry (Arro Jet) | US$111 | 4.4 (5) | The ride plus a Sea World day | Main Beach | At least 120 cm |
Prices, ratings and review counts as of October 2026; operators change prices, so treat them as the shape of the market, not a quote. Paradise Jet Boating’s from price is a discount on a US$55 list price.
Which ride suits you
Pick by time and age:
The full ride
Jet Boat Extreme, 55 Minutes
The longest ride with lockers on site and waterproof phones allowed.
Check dates →Short and cheap
Arro Jet
30 or 45 minutes with no slow zones, free parking at Main Beach.
See this ride →With young children
Paradise Jet Boating
50 minutes from Cavill Avenue, from age 4 with no height limit.
See this ride →Jet Boat Extreme suits most people: the longest ride, past the canal mansions, and lockers for your things. Children must be at least 5 and 100 cm tall.
Arro Jet goes straight into the high-speed part with no go-slow zones and offers a 30-minute Classic or 45-minute Signature ride. Riders sign a waiver, and children must be able to hold the handle while seated; the minimum recommended height is 120 cm. No cameras, bags or phones on board.
Paradise Jet Boating takes children from 4 with no height rule and covers 30 km of waterways, with a freestyle zone for the spins. Allow about 65 minutes in all with check-in, and arrive 15 minutes early at 58 Cavill Avenue.
The jet boat and helicopter combo
There is no standalone Gold Coast scenic helicopter flight on this site. The closest is Jet Boat Extreme’s combo: the 55-minute ride followed by a 10-minute helicopter flight, about 30 minutes in all with check-in and the safety briefing, from US$147 as of October 2026. The flight ends at the Marina Mirage heliport, about a 5-minute drive from where the jet boat leaves, and you make your own way back. Groups may be split across flights by weight. See the jet boat and helicopter tour.
Who should not ride
Every ride on this page excludes pregnant riders. Arro Jet and Paradise Jet Boating also exclude anyone with back problems, and Arro Jet anyone with heart problems; Paradise Jet Boating asks that riders be in suitable health for a ride that bumps and spins. For a calmer way to see the Broadwater, a sunset river cruise costs from US$23; for more speed under your own control, see Gold Coast jet ski tours.
Guest Reviews
What Recent Guests Say
4.9/5
from 436 verified reviews
"Ed was fantastic, he was expert at navigating the boat & we all ended up happy and drenched!"
"very good, lead was informative and fun made Alex experience really enjoyable."
"It was fun and Toby was a really great guide! enjoyed the ride a lot and also got to know Gold Coast more after the ride. Would recommend."
"It was amazing, it blew my expectations out of the water"
"Jetstream was an absolutely amazing experience. From the moment we arrived everything felt very professional, organised and safe. The staff were fantastic and made the whole experience exciting from the start. The ride itself was incredible. Somehow 55 minutes felt like about 10 because it was such a thrill the entire time. There was never a dull moment and I spent most of the ride laughing while also questioning my life choices during the spins and turns. The photos and videos afterwards were also way better than expected. They were high quality, perfectly timed and honestly hilarious to watch back. Definitely worth getting. For the price it felt like great value for money. The whole experience was run so professionally and delivered way more excitement than we expected. Highly recommend Jetstream if you're looking for something fun, thrilling and memorable."
"Jake you’re the best, Drifting and 360 spins were unreal. Best experience I’d have to say, from start to finish couldn’t wipe the smile off of our faces. The little one loved it and wants to come back,Will definitely be coming back for sure, when back in Queensland, money well spent. Thanks"
"Toby was amazing, really good fun, the jet boat experience was fantastic, we all loved it, it’s definitely worth doing I can’t recommend it enough."
Read all 436 verified reviews
See All ReviewsPick a Date, See the Price
Most activities on this site cancel free up to 24 hours ahead (checked October 2026). Some hinterland tours need two days' notice, and the Dreamworld and SkyPoint tickets cannot be refunded, so read the terms before you pay. Starting from US$63 per person.
Check AvailabilityFAQ: Jet Boat Rides on the Gold Coast
Prices, length, age limits and the helicopter combo, as of October 2026.
From US$34 for Arro Jet's 30-minute ride to US$62 for Jet Boat Extreme's 55-minute ride, as of October 2026. Paradise Jet Boating's 50-minute ride costs from US$46, and the jet boat and helicopter combo from US$147. Photos and video are extra on every ride; the 55-minute ride is the most reviewed.
Between 30 and 55 minutes on the water, plus check-in and the briefing. Arro Jet sells 30 and 45-minute rides, Paradise Jet Boating 50 minutes (allow about 65 in all) and Jet Boat Extreme 55 minutes. The Paradise Jet Boating ride asks you to arrive 15 minutes early.
Yes: the spins and slides throw spray over the boat. Wear clothes and shoes you don't mind soaking, and bring a towel or a change of clothes if you have plans after. Spray jackets are handed out on colder days on the Jet Boat Extreme ride.
From 4 with Paradise Jet Boating, which sets no height limit; from 5 and 100 cm with Jet Boat Extreme. Arro Jet recommends a minimum height of 120 cm, since children must be able to hold the handle while seated, and an adult signs the waiver for under-18s. For the youngest riders, book the Paradise Jet Boating ride.
Only on Jet Boat Extreme, which allows waterproof phones and cameras and has lockers. Arro Jet and Paradise Jet Boating allow no phones, cameras or bags on board. If you want your own footage, book the Jet Boat Extreme ride.
On this site, as a combo: Jet Boat Extreme's 55-minute jet boat ride with a 10-minute helicopter flight, from US$147 as of October 2026. The flight ends at the Marina Mirage heliport, about a 5-minute drive from the jet boat departure point, and you make your own way back. See the jet boat and helicopter tour.
From the Broadwater: Jet Boat Extreme and Paradise Jet Boating from Surfers Paradise, Arro Jet from Main Beach next to Sea World. Paradise Jet Boating checks in at 58 Cavill Avenue, and Arro Jet offers free parking. The Arro Jet ride also sells a version bundled with Sea World entry.
Pregnant riders, on every ride on this page. Arro Jet and Paradise Jet Boating also exclude riders with back problems, and Arro Jet riders with heart problems or recent surgery. For a calmer view of the Broadwater, see the sunset and dinner cruises.
Still have questions? Email us at info@goldcoastactivities.com