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Whirlpool Jet Boat Tours
Categories: Hotels & Travel Tours Active Life Boating Tours, Boating [Edit]
115 South Water StreetLewiston, NY 14092
(716) 754-8452
- Hours:
Mon-Sun 10 am - 5 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
10 reviews for Whirlpool Jet Boat Tours
10 reviews in English
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Review from Jeff F.
Chesterfield, MI
10/12/2011
After reading reading reviews online and talking to a good friend of mine who is from Buffalo, my fiancée and I decided to give the jet boats a shot. And talk about exciting! Without a doubt, this has to be the most fun thing my fiancée and I did in Niagara Falls.
We checked in plenty early and got the inside scoop from the employees where the best place to sit is. They said the first two rows get hit the most by water, but if you can get in the front row all the way to the right then that's where you want to be. Our guide and our captain were both great and they made the trip a lot of fun!
The boats are designed almost like a scoop, so when the bow goes down it shoots the water up and onto everyone inside. I wasn't expecting it the first time, and my mouth was open when the wave washed over us. Lesson learned, I didn't do that again! We were absolutely drenched by the time the ride was over, but it felt good in the mid-June heat. They provide changing areas as well so we could get out of our wet clothes before driving back to our hotel. (They also offer a completely enclosed boat for those who do not want to get wet.)
It's a little pricey, sure, but totally worth it. Any time I go back to Niagara Falls I will be sure to ride the jet boats again! -
Review from GRACE A.
San Diego, CA
9/8/2011
This is - hands down - in my top three most exciting and exhilarating experiences of my life! We checked in at the Whirlpool Aero Car location about 45 min. ahead of our tour time and spent the time taking pics/looking at cool Canadian souvenirs. They shuttled us over to the dock, where we were instructed on what to wear, where we could change, etc. Overall, a VERY easy and quick process.
I'm not gonna lie - when we sat in the boat, I was kinda freaking out. BUT, our guide, Laura, was AWESOME. Very clear with how the whole process works, and very importantly, she was crystal clear with safety instructions. She was the ultimate guide and talked us thru the entire tour - including highlighting some cool nearby sites. The ride itself was INSANELY fun. Everyone on the boat was laughing and smiling and giving thumbs ups to the Capt! We had people from 10 yrs old up to 65+ and everyone looked like they had a blast.
A few tips: like everyone else says, bring a change of clothes (and bring a towel). Everything was drenched - and we're talking soaking wet! Also - they provide lockers, so bring a snack and/or water for after. We didn't eat before (for fear of throwing up) and we were starving after. -
Review from Wang Treecy E.
Dracut, MA
8/20/2011
This might be a spoiler!!
Fun Fun FUN! Is this the same as the one on the Niagara side ? Well when we first arrived at the building, we had to take the bus elsewhere and they drove for a good 15 minutes into a weird area.
When we first got off they told us to wear the life jackets. The life jackets were so icky, wet and smelly but whatever. I am just in it for the ride! They told us to take off our shoes and wear their weird non slip shoes. There slip shoes were just worn, and they dipped it inside this big bin that supposedly kills the fungus (I think).
We got on the ride and there are two people in charge of the boat, 1. The driver, 2. The person explaining everything that is happening.
So we were on the ride, #2 told us to snug our little behinds on the seat, and our feet on the floor. The first thing they did was a 360 turn (AWESSOMEEEEE). We got a little wet from it. They explained how the boat is made and what makes it capable of doing these crazy tricks. These little kids were crying so much in the back (poor kids) saying NO MOREEEE. All the adults wanted more though. Luckily I didn't bring my mom, I think she would have cried with them. My dad loved it though! He laughed non stop!
A couple more turns, oh and we get to see America on one side, and Canada on the other side, so basically we're sandwiched between the countries. Then the most exciting part comes!! These gigantic waves that are deep looking monsters that are ready to swallow you. We drove into it and that's when we got completely wet and fully hydrated! This happens for a few times, and we get to experience other ones too! There was a huge one but they said it was illegal to go because it's 20 ft deep, and they will fine thousands of dollars. Well yes this is the trip of the jet boat!
This was such a fun and exhilarating experience!! Can't wait to go again the next time I visit! -
Review from Jesse A.
North East, MD
8/25/2010
We went to the NY launch. It was a thrill for sure but they stop short of the level 6 rapids in the Whirlpool. You will hit Devil's Hole level 5 several times. It's pretty expensive but better to not do the Aero Car and put the money towards this. It's a rush and fun! I will say the other review where it was mentioned a flood of water up your nose etc... is spot on! So he shouldn't have complained because they have a covered version to prevent this. When you ride the open version you will get 100% soaked for sure.
Staff of the boats:
I don't understand why you fail to use waterproof gear. Not so much to keep us dry but the partially dry suits wreak of dampness. That goes for the preserver too. If it were my Gig I would give throw away plastics like the Maid Of The Mist does and invest in waterproof preservers.Listed in: Interesting Places
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Review from Ethan S.
Scarsdale, NY
10/18/2011
The manager was very rude and unhelpful. When your on vacation that's the last thing you want to experience, especially since I was not able to experience the rapids of Niagara the one time I'm there.
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Review from Jonathan V.
Stamford, CT
10/18/2011
I did not go on the ride so this is a review on the customer service. We arrived 10 minutes before the ride would start at 1pm. We asked the guy at the front desk if we could get some tickets. Without even looking up from the computer, he just shook his head and said "no." So we asked why and he said that the safety briefing started 5 minutes ago. The next ride was at 3pm so we wouldn't be able to make it. We went outside to the safety briefing and the guide said ikt would be alright if we cameand to tell the guys inside that it was. So we went back inside and the manager was there. He said that we couldn't go for safety reasons. Altogether, the staff (except for the tour guide) were very rude. I feel we missed out on a great experience because of them.
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Review from Renante C.
3/25/2010
This is definitely one of the best experiences I've ever had. If you're thinking about going on "Maid of the Mist", just skip it and go on this. It'll be the best $50 you've ever spent.
Basically this Jetboat goes over class 6 rapids and you basically get drenched in water. If you're afraid of water, then you probably shouldn't go on it. I tried videotaping the experience, but I wasn't able to since I had to hold on.
This is one of those things I think everyone should experience at least once in their life. 5 stars for fun and experience factor. Plus the people running it are really nice and are pretty fun to talk to. -
Review from Radec K.
8/25/2010
Nothing like destroying the shoreline with these boats. Huge wakes And no care for other boats let alone the shore fishermen. Nothing like a beautiful day along the river, birds chirping and the sound of diesel engine roaring up and down the river.
No more shoreline. -
Review from J K.
West Covina, CA
6/30/2011
Not worth it. The ride was short. The 360 turns look cool but when you're inside the boat, it feels nothing more than the boat turning. I thought we were going to go over white water rapids. We did, but we kept going over the same one, Devil's Hole, 4 times. The first trip over Devil's Hole got us all wet, and was awesome, but the 3 other times, the water splashed mostly only on the side of the boat, so it didn't get us "soaked" as they claimed; it was very mild. Also, we went up next to the Whirlpool, but you can't really "see" the whirlpool since you're at the same level. You can only see the whirlpool pattern from some place high. Overall, Cave of the Winds was a lot more enjoyable and much cheaper. Water rafting is much funner.
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Review from Christa A.
Portland, OR
9/28/2009 4 photos
Everyone visiting the Niagara area and Niagara Falls cannot miss out on this opportunity. Jet Boating the rapids is one of the most exhilarating experiences I can think of that one may possibly have in their entire lifetime. Last summer was my first time going and I didn't know what to expect at all and then this summer rolled around and there wasn't even a hesitation from me when my dad asked if I wanted to do it again. Always book your appointments for the 10 am run, you get a lil discount and it isn't crowded at all so you can take advantage of sitting in the power rows. The power rows (the first 4 rows of the boat) are the rows where the rapids show no mercy and you are drenched from head to toe. This is a must activity if you really dig outdoors, fresh air, a great scenery and are a little bit of a thrill seeker. More than 5 stars from me for the whole trip down the rapids and from the staff that works the tours.
Listed in: Jetsettin'
