Lakeland Wānaka
Jet boat rides, self-drive boat hire and jet skis leaving from the Wānaka lakefront.
Lakeland runs a one hour jet boat trip that takes in Lake Wānaka before dropping into the Clutha River. The same operator hires out self-drive boats, jet skis, aqua bikes, kayaks and paddleboards from the lakefront. Everything is weather dependent and booking ahead is required. The season runs across the warmer months, with a winter closure.
Highlights
- One hour jet boat run from the lake into the Clutha River
- Self-drive boat hire for a few hours on the lake
- Jet skis and aqua bikes off the lakefront
- All departures a short trip from town
Good to know
- Location
- Wānaka lakefront and the Clutha River
- Start point
- Lake Wānaka lakefront; kayak and paddleboard hire from Roys Bay
- Duration
- Jet boat ride 60 minutes; boat hire 1, 2 or 4 hours
- Season
- Summer hours October to February 9am to 6pm daily, winter hours March to September 10am to 5pm daily, closed May to August
- Cost
- See venue for current pricing
- Family-friendly
- Yes
All activities require advance booking, with a 15 minute early check-in recommended. Weather dependent.
Visiting from Sundale
Lakeland runs from the Wānaka lakefront, a short drive from the park gate. The jet boat trip is an hour on the lake and into the Clutha River, and self-drive boats go out for one, two or four hours. Everything needs booking in advance, and the operator suggests checking in fifteen minutes early.
It is all weather dependent, so watch the forecast and keep a second plan for the day. Bring a warm layer even in summer, because the wind chill on a fast boat is real, and put sunscreen on before you go. There is nothing between you and the sun out on the water.
Summer hours run October to February, 9am to 6pm daily, with 10am to 5pm in the shoulder months and a closure from May to August. Afterwards the seasonal swimming pool is a gentler end to the day, or head the ten minutes into town for a meal.
Stay nearby
Questions
Do I have to book ahead?
Yes. All activities require advance booking, and the operator recommends checking in fifteen minutes before your departure time.
What happens if the weather turns?
Everything here is weather dependent. Talk to the operator about shifting your time or your day, and keep a spare afternoon in the plan if you can.
When is it open?
Summer hours are 9am to 6pm daily from October to February, and 10am to 5pm daily in the shoulder months. It closes from May to August.
Sources
- Jet boat 60 minutes from /adult; jet ski 60 minutes from ; kayak/SUP hire 1-3 hours from /hour at Roys Bay; boat hire 1, 2 or 4 hours from /hour; aqua bike 25 minutes from ; seasonal hours and May to August closure; advance booking required — source
Nearby
More things to do.
Skydive Wānaka
Tandem skydiving from up to 15,000 feet over the lakes and the Southern Alps.
About 25 seconds freefall at 9,000ft, 45 seconds at 12,000ft, 60 seconds at 15,000ft
Southern Alps Air
Fixed-wing scenic flights from Wānaka over Mount Aspiring, the glaciers and Milford Sound.
Mount Aspiring and glaciers 1 hour; Milford Sound flight with landing and glaciers 2.5 hours; Milford Sound fly cruise fly with glaciers 4 hours
Wānaka River Journeys
A half day jet boat run up the Matukituki River paired with a guided walk in native forest.
Half day, allow 4 hours
Your Wānaka basecamp
Make Sundale your base.
Cabins, studios, motels and soft-grass camping, five minutes from the water and close to everything above.