Speedy boats navigate the gorge's rapids, a great addition to a Niagara Falls itinerary
Whirlpool Jet Boat Tours clients can find themselves getting up close and personal with some of the very water that has plunged over Niagara Falls.
The company, in business since 1992, provides tours on swift, powerful boats of the Niagara Gorge, with company president John Kinney saying the Niagara River excursions may give clients with a watery experience indeed.
“Whirlpool Jet Boat Tours offers the only fully-guided tour on the lower Niagara River, giving passengers the opportunity to experience the beauty and history of Niagara Whirlpool and Devil’s Hole Rapids firsthand,” Kinney says. “Our highly trained Captains and White Water River Guides ensure guests feel safe during the experience, allowing them to fully enjoy the ride. During our tour, guests that are hungry for a thrill-seeking adventure will feel the power of the Niagara River while the waves douse them again and again.”
Kinney notes that a lot of guests under-estimate just how drenched they will get.
“We say it’s like jumping into a pool! Our guests will tell you that they return to the dock without a dry spot on them and that the tour is an absolute blast. We definitely consider our tours Niagara’s Ultimate Adventure. We offer the perfect balance of fun, adrenaline and safety, as well as incredible views of the Niagara Gorge. Our boats are custom built to tackle the Class 5 rapids, bridging the gap between safety and adventure with their 31,000 pounds of thrust and 1,500 horsepower triple-turbo diesel engines. Guests will experience firsthand the sheer power of some of the biggest white water in North America, and there is no other tour out there that can offer an experience like being doused with Class Five waves. Guests will experience spins, splashes and the beauty of the Niagara Whirlpool during the fully-guided 45 minute tour.”
Tours travel six miles up from company docks in either Queenston, Ontario, and Lewiston New York, to the Niagara Whirlpool, with the actual waterfall about three miles farther up river.
“Though we don’t see the Falls from our tours, all of the water that rushes over the Falls comes down through the river and creates the Class Five rapids that we spend time splashing through,” Kinney reports. “So, while guests don’t see it firsthand, they can feel the sheer power of the raging waters as it washes over our boats.
“All of our tours follow the exact same route – a 45-minute fully guided adventure deep into the Niagara Gorge. Guests will experience the awe-inspiring scenery of the gorge, feel the adrenaline rush of the Class V rapids at Devil’s Hole, and witness the raw power of the Niagara Whirlpool up close. No matter when or where you depart, the tour experience is identical!”
Meanwhile, Whirlpool Jet Boat Tours says it offers two distinct experiences.
The Wet Jet Experience features open-topped boats “designed to plunge you right into the heart of the rapids and drench you in the process. Every single seat gets soaked, and during peak splashes, you may find yourself knee-deep in water inside the boat. Whirlpool Jet Boat Tours provides gear like ponchos and footwear, but trust us, bring a full change of clothes.”
Freedom Jet Experience offers a little more flexibility, with the partially enclosed vessel featuring a “fully enclosed glass cabin, allowing guests to take in panoramic views of the Niagara Gorge and experience the excitement of the rapids without the splash. For adventure lovers, two front-row ‘power rows’ offer the same full-splash experience as the Wet Jet.”
Each 45-minute guided tour reaches speeds of up to 80 km/h, showcases stunning views of the Niagara Gorge and tackles the world-famous Devil’s Hole Rapids, offering a front-row seat to one of North America’s most powerful stretches of whitewater.
“Both experiences showcase the raw power and beauty of the Niagara River,” says Kinney. “The biggest difference is how close guests want to get to the water. Whether you leave soaked or dry, you’re still getting an unforgettable ride through one of North America’s most spectacular natural landscapes.”
The company season typically runs from April to October, weather depending.
For more information, visit whirlpooljet.com.
