This island nation has stunning coastlines, beautiful lakes, and sparkling rivers that make New Zealand a paradise to those who love water activities. It is no surprise that jet boat rides were invented in New Zealand. Whatever your age, there is a suitable water adventure for you. Dive in the ocean, go powering through fast waters, or glide over the water and enjoy the scenery.

Jet Boat Rides

Jet boats have no external propellers. The source of their motion come from forcing water out at very speeds into the water behind the boat, allow the it to travel over very shallow waters. In fact, this was why the New Zealand farmer William Hamilton invented the jet boat – so he could travel quickly over the shallow waters of the Canterbury rivers. Jet boat rides are group activities that suit people of all ages; riders are buckled into the boat in rows and rapid acceleration takes them over narrow or broad landscapes, and shallow or deep waters. Boat cruises are also available if you want to explore the countless harbours, gulfs, and beaches at a slow pace, as is jet skiing, and water skiing.

Rafting

From paddling over a gentle current to the challenging rush of white water rafting, there are many opportunities for different rafting experiences in New Zealand, no matter how you like your adventure. The glaciers in New Zealand’s tall mountains flow down into the sea through a large network of quick rivers across lush forests and underground caves. From Grade 1 to Grade 5 waters, you can experience different rafting speeds for an adrenaline-filled trip or a peaceful drift through the water. Rafting is a great way to appreciate the beautiful landscapes of New Zealand. You can take short rafting trips or days-long journeys.

Parasailing

Parasailing, unlike paragliding, is open to beginners. You wear an open parachute as a fast boat pulls you high over the water, and you do not have to be strapped to an instructor. You can even choose to parasail with a friend or two on the same parachute. After you are launched into the air from a platform, you can admire the surrounding views from heights of up to 800 to 1200 feet, though many people choose to parasail at a lower height. At the end of your session, you can choose to be dropped into the water. Parasailing is available throughout New Zealand and is an excellent way to do something different on the water. Other activities to try are kitesurfing and windsurfing, which involve you riding right on the water.

Sailing

There are a quite a few locales along New Zealand’s coastline that are great for sailing. Its plentiful harbours and inshore cruising water terrain afford visitors many opportunities to weave between islets and cross into bays. For those enthusiastic about sailing, charted yachts with a ready skipper and crew are available. The Bay of Islands, Hauraki Gulf, and Marlborough Sounds are all popular and picturesque places for sailing.

Photo: luxurychartergroup.com

Surfing

Being an island nation, there are excellent surfing opportunities all around the country. Visitors are never far from a great wave. Surf Highway 45 around the Taranaki coast, Raglan, Piha, Muriwai, Waipu, Mount Maunganui, and Gisborne are all fantastic North Island sites for surfing, while in the South Island there is Kaikoura and Dunedin.