Jetboats are fast-moving boats with the ability to do 360-degree spins, slides and power-break stops.
They work by pulling water from underneath the vessel into a pump inside the boat before expelling water through the back to propel the craft.
Originally designed to operate in fast-flowing and shallow rivers to avoid traditional propellers hitting rocks, jetboats are mostly now being used for adventure tourism zipping passengers by famous landmarks, which makes it a great thrill-seeking alternative to a traditional sightseeing cruise. A selection of companies operate in Sydney harbour, so all you need to do is pick your favourite.
Sydney Harbour Jetboat rides explained:
Most of Sydney’s jetboat rides explore Sydney Harbour, passing major landmarks like the Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House, Luna Park, the eastern suburbs’ shoreline and Clark Island.
Some jetboat experiences out to the headlands, where Sydney Harbour meets the Tasman Sea, and where the water is generally a lot more choppy. Select jetboating experiences leave Sydney Harbour to explore the coastline.
See our comparison table below to choose the best option for you.
Book Jetboating:
Compare Jetboating Prices:
| Company & experience name | RRP Price Adult/Child/Family | Duration | What will you see: | Average rating* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OzJetboating/Downunder Jetboating | $79/$45/$209 | 30 minutes | Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House, Luna Park, shoreline of the Eastern Suburbs, Shark Island and Clark Island | 4.6 stars |
| Thunder Jetboating | $75/$45/$190 | 30 minutes | Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House, Luna Park, Rose Bay, Watsons Bay and Taronga Zoo | 4.5 stars |
| Thunder Jetboating Extreme Adrenalin | $89/$65/$275 | 45 minutes | Sydney Harbour and out to the Sydney headlands (where the harbour joins the Tasman Sea | 4.5 stars |
| Harbour Jet | $80/$50/$260 | 30 minutes | Sydney Opera House, Luna Park, Eastern Suburbs and towards Sydney Heads | 4.5 stars |
| Ocean Extreme: Offshore Blast | $75 | 35 minutes | Sydney Harbour, Watson’s Bay, Shark Island, Clarke Island, the Sydney Heads | 4.8 stars |
| Ocean Extreme: Bondi Bash | $85 | 60 minutes | Sydney Harbour, Sydney Heads, travel south along the coastline 5km to Bondi Beach | 4.8 stars |
| Ocean Extreme: Palm Beach pursuit | $255 | 3 hours | Sydney Harbour, Barrenjoey Headland and into Pittwater, Palm Beach (pass all of the Northern Beaches) | 4.8 stars |
*Combined average rating is the average of TripAdvisor and Google ratings.
Can I hire the whole boat?
Yes, all of the Sydney jetboating options offer corporate packages, family deals and special events where you can hire the entire boat for your party.
Jetboating daily deals:
Companies like Groupon and Scoopon often have deals for Jetboating with up to 60% off the RRP price. To use a group-buying deal, you’ll purchase the voucher online and then either book online or phone (the voucher will give you exact instructions) to secure your preferred date and departure time. You’ll then bring your printed voucher along to your experience. Have a look here to see if any are available for your preferred dates.
What is Jetboating like in Sydney Harbour?
Watch this Sydney jetboating video to get an idea of the experience.
Image: Courtesy of Thunder Jetboat
