Moab: 2-Hour New Zealand style Adventure Jet Boat Tour

Hold on, the Colorado River gets lively here. Moab Jett’s two-hour ride combines New Zealand-style spins and sliding turns with broad views of Utah’s red cliffs, narrow canyons, and desert wildlife. I like that the boat reaches shallow water that larger river craft cannot, and I like that the captain adds local geology and history instead of treating the ride as nonstop noise.

The main drawback is simple: you will probably get soaked. The splash jacket helps, but you still need quick-dry clothes and suitable footwear. I also see one practical concern for anyone seated at the back: engine noise can make the guide’s commentary hard to hear.

The key points at a glance

• A real thrill ride on the Colorado River: Expect the Hamilton spin, sliding turns, sharp maneuvers, and plenty of spray.
• Small boats reach shallow water: Moab Jett uses smaller boats for a more intimate ride and access to areas bigger craft may skip.
• Red-rock scenery comes with the speed: You get views of towering cliffs, hidden canyons, and desert formations between the high-energy sections.
• Captains add useful local context: Guides such as Jessie, Jeremy, Dave, Ho, and Jay have been praised for their humor, local information, and boat-handling skills.
• Families can join from age four: Children ages five to eleven have reportedly had a great time, though parents should prepare them to get wet.
• Plan around the splash: Check in 30 minutes early, bring quick-dry clothing, and secure prescription or expensive sunglasses with a retainer.

Leaving downtown Moab for the river

Moab Jett’s office is at 50 West 400 North, just off Main Street. Use the Comfort Suites as your landmark, turn onto 400 North, and look for the first business on the right, across from the Broken Oar Restaurant.

This central meeting point is handy if you are staying in town or already walking along Main Street. Still, do not cut it close. Check-in is required 30 minutes before departure, and tour times can change. The company also needs at least five people for a trip to depart, so keeping a little flexibility in your schedule is sensible.

The pre-ride stage matters more than it may sound. You will receive a Coast Guard approved life jacket and a splash jacket, then head toward the boat. One person noted that more help during the suiting-up step would have been useful, so pay attention to how the gear fits and ask if anything feels loose or confusing.

The operator provides water, lemonade, and iced tea. You also get a ziplock bag for a wallet or small camera, but I would still bring only what you need. A river ride is not the place for a loose phone, a large purse, or anything you cannot afford to get damp.

The first stretch: red cliffs and river views

The ride begins with the Colorado River doing what it does best, cutting through a dramatic corridor of red rock. The scenery includes tall cliffs, side canyons, desert formations, and possible wildlife sightings. The setting gives the tour more substance than a simple amusement ride.

I like the contrast here. One minute you are looking up at quiet stone walls shaped by geology, and the next you are bracing for a fast turn. The captain explains some of the area’s geology, history, and wildlife as the boat moves, so you get a short lesson without losing the sense of motion.

The exact route can change with water conditions. That means you should not expect every departure to follow precisely the same line through the river. It also explains why the smaller boat is useful. Shallow sections may allow Moab Jett to take alternate routes and get closer to parts of the river that larger boats cannot use.

Bring sunglasses, but secure them. Prescription or expensive sunglasses must have an eyeglass retainer, which the office sells if needed. Hats are not recommended because the wind can carry them away. This is one of those small details that can save you from watching a favorite item disappear into the Colorado.

When the calm river turns into a thrill ride

The signature part of the trip is the New Zealand-style jet boat handling. The boat can make a Hamilton spin, sliding turns, and other quick maneuvers that send water over the sides. The result is closer to a controlled water stunt ride than a quiet sightseeing cruise.

You do not need to operate anything. The captain handles the boat while you hold on, watch the river, and accept that staying dry is not a realistic goal. Several riders specifically enjoyed the speed, while others focused on the fun of the splashes and spins. The experience works best if you are happy with both parts.

The boat’s shallow-water ability adds to the appeal. A larger craft might offer a broader, slower view, but Moab Jett’s smaller boats create a closer, more active ride. You feel more involved in every turn, and the captain can make the river itself part of the entertainment.

The tradeoff is comfort. A fast jet boat is noisy, wet, and active. If you mainly want quiet photography or a long talk about regional geology, this is not the ideal river trip. The engine can make commentary difficult to hear, particularly from the back, even when the captain tries to speak up.

The captains make a real difference

The strongest praise goes to the people running the boat. Dave has been singled out for being fun, personable, and good at explaining the area. Ho has been praised for his local information and precise boat handling. Jessie has received high marks for being funny, observant, informative, and attentive to everyone aboard.

Jeremy has also been praised both as a guide and captain, while Jay helped make one spring trip especially enjoyable. These details matter because a jet boat ride depends heavily on the person at the controls. You want someone who can create excitement without making the group feel ignored or unsafe.

The tour includes information about geology, local history, and wildlife. You should not expect a lengthy academic talk, since the boat’s engine and movement limit how much you can hear. Think of it as useful context placed between the fast sections.

If you care most about the educational side, try to listen carefully during the quieter stretches and consider asking questions when the boat slows. Sitting near the front may also help, although a specific seating arrangement is not provided in the tour details.

A wet ride in every season

Summer is an obvious time to book this activity. The spray can help take the edge off Moab’s heat, and the river offers a welcome change from walking among sunlit rocks. One family described the boat as a good way to stay cool while still seeing the river and cliffs.

Do not assume that warm air means warm conditions on the boat. In spring and fall, wear layers made from synthetic material. Add a warm fleece or sweatshirt, since wind and spray can make the ride feel cooler than downtown Moab.

Your basic packing list should include:

• Quick-dry clothing
• Sandals or water shoes
• Sunscreen
• A camera in a secure waterproof setup
• Water
• Weather-appropriate layers
• Sunglasses with a retainer

The supplied splash jacket is useful, but it is not a promise that your clothes will stay dry. Parents should tell children ahead of time that getting soaked is part of the activity, not a problem with the equipment.

Is the tour good for families?

The minimum age is four, which opens the ride to families with young children. Children between five and eleven have reportedly enjoyed the spins, scenery, and spray. The company describes the tour as suitable for families, adventure seekers, and anyone wanting something different in Moab.

That said, age is only part of the question. Your child should be comfortable with a loud boat, sudden turns, fast movement, and water hitting the boat. A child who dislikes getting wet or being secured in a life jacket may not enjoy it, even if they meet the minimum age.

The listed maximum weight is 300 pounds, or 136 kilograms. Children under four cannot ride. Smoking and alcoholic drinks are not allowed in the vehicle.

I would choose this for a family that wants one active break from hiking and sightseeing. It is less suitable for a group hoping for a calm, dry, slow-moving river outing.

What the $122 price buys you

At $122 per person, this is not a cheap add-on, especially for a family. The value depends on what you want from your two hours.

You are paying for more than transport on the water. The price includes the jet boat ride, the Hamilton spin and sliding turns, a captain who provides information about the region, possible wildlife viewing, life jacket and splash jacket, drinks, and access to a smaller boat built for shallow water.

Compared with a self-guided walk, the price is high. Compared with arranging your own river equipment, it also saves you from paddling, steering, and managing the route. The attraction is the combination of scenery and boat control. You get a thrill ride, but you also get a moving view of the Colorado River corridor.

The value is strongest if you want a compact activity that fits into a busy Moab schedule. Two hours is long enough to feel like a real outing but short enough to leave time for another plan that day. I would be less enthusiastic about the price if your main goal is silent scenery, because engine noise and splash action are central to the experience.

The listed rating is 5 out of 5 from 49 ratings, with one detailed account giving four stars because the back seat made the commentary difficult to hear. That is a useful reminder that the ride can be excellent while still having a minor comfort issue.

A practical plan for your two hours

Your experience will vary with water conditions, but the basic flow is easy to understand:

1. Arrive early in downtown Moab: Check in 30 minutes before departure and allow time to find the office near Main Street.
2. Put on river gear: You will receive a life jacket and splash jacket. Secure your valuables in the provided ziplock bag.
3. Set out along the Colorado River: The first sections give you views of cliffs, canyons, rock formations, and possible wildlife.
4. Listen for the local story: The captain shares information about the area’s geology, history, and wildlife during suitable parts of the ride.
5. Move into the action: Expect the Hamilton spin, sliding turns, quick maneuvers, and heavy spray.
6. Return after roughly two hours: The exact route may change with the river, and the captain may use alternate sections if conditions require it.

The ride is not built around a series of shore stops. Its appeal comes from the changing view from the boat and the way the captain mixes scenic stretches with sudden bursts of speed.

How to get better photos and protect your gear

A camera can be worth bringing, but treat it as a risk. The boat is designed to splash you, and the provided ziplock bag is mainly for simple protection. A waterproof phone case or action camera setup would be safer, though the supplied information does not promise a dedicated photo system.

One review noted that the company takes pictures, but details about where or how those pictures are delivered are not provided. I would ask the office before departure if photographs are important to you.

Skip the large camera bag, loose hat, and expensive sunglasses without a retainer. Wear clothes you can comfortably get wet in, and use sunscreen even when the boat’s speed creates a breeze.

Booking details worth knowing

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying immediately, which helps if your Moab schedule depends on weather or other outdoor plans.

Tour times can change, and trips need at least five people to depart. Water conditions may also cause the boat to use a different route. English is the listed tour language.

Before booking, check the departure time, confirm that your group meets the age and weight rules, and leave room in your day for a possible schedule adjustment. The company’s downtown location makes this easier than a remote meeting point, but early arrival is still important.

Should you book Moab Jett?

Book this tour if you want a fast, wet, highly active look at the Colorado River and you like the idea of red-rock scenery broken up by spins and spray. It is a strong pick for families with children aged four and up, couples wanting something beyond a standard sightseeing ride, and anyone who prefers a guided activity that does not require paddling.

Think twice if you want a quiet river journey, detailed commentary from start to finish, or a dry afternoon. The back of the boat may be a poor choice for hearing the guide, and the ride can be chilly in spring or fall without proper layers.

For most people who accept those limits, the $122 price buys a distinctive Moab experience. You get the river, the cliffs, the local story, and the thrill of a jet boat in one compact outing. Just wear quick-dry clothes, secure your glasses, arrive early, and prepare to laugh when the first big splash arrives.

FAQ

How long is the Moab Jett adventure jet boat tour?

The tour lasts two hours.

How much does the tour cost?

The listed price is $122 per person.

Where does the tour meet?

The meeting point is at 50 West 400 North in downtown Moab, just off Main Street. It is across from the Broken Oar Restaurant and near the Comfort Suites.

How early should I arrive?

Check in 30 minutes before departure.

What is the minimum age?

Children must be at least four years old to participate.

Is there a maximum weight?

Yes. The listed maximum is 300 pounds, or 136 kilograms.

Will I get wet?

Yes. The ride is designed to be splashy, so you should expect to get wet and wear quick-dry clothing.

What does the tour provide?

The tour provides a two-hour jet boat ride, a Coast Guard approved life jacket, a splash jacket, a ziplock bag for a wallet or camera, water, lemonade, and iced tea.

What should I bring?

Bring sandals or water shoes, sunscreen, a camera if desired, quick-dry clothing, weather-appropriate layers, and sunglasses with a retainer if they are expensive or prescription.

Can I cancel the booking?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option is also available.