About Waiatoto River Safari
Why choose us
To get the most out of visiting the Haast UNESCO World Heritage Area you need a knowledgeable guide.
When you choose a Waiatoto River Safari, our highly trained guides not only know how to handle a jet boat, they also have in-depth knowledge of the local flora, fauna, and history.
They are passionate Kiwis who love where they live and enjoy showcasing its natural beauty. Their friendly personalities add to the experience and they will ensure you enjoy every minute of your river tour.
Meet the team
Owners Ruth and Wayne met thanks to their passion for flying planes—they were both commercial pilots flying fixed-wing aircraft in Wanaka.
For 14 years, Ruth and Wayne owned a scenic flight and flight training company in Wanaka. They specialised in mountain flying training, flying over rugged Mount Aspiring National Park and the Haast UNESCO World Heritage area, and passing on survival skills to pilots.
They often gazed down at the magnificent West Coast landscape they were flying over and in 2007, a chance meeting led them into the world of backcountry jet boating.
Ruth
Ruth is a local who grew up on a high country sheep station two valleys over from the Waiatoto River Valley, where the only form of transport was plane, helicopter or boat.
Handling these machines from a very young age led her to a commercial flying career where she specialised in teaching people how to fly for many years.
Now she’s swapped the skies for the water and loves nothing more than spending time out on the river sharing her passion for and knowledge of the local area with visitors from near and far.
She’s been hosting jet boat tours on the Waiatoto River for seven years.
Wayne
Originally from the North Island, Wayne grew up on a farm near the sea and learnt to fly at a very young age. He had his own plane by the age of 18 and flew commercially for many years.
Wayne discovered that people from all over the world were attracted to our stunning country and was keen to find a way to showcase our remote landscape. His first taste of the unique Waiatoto River came with film work for ‘Bear’ Grylls, which left him passionate about offering visitors an immersive, ‘off the beaten path’ experience.
Wayne has been jet boating on the Waiatoto River commercially for 14 years.
Kim
Kim is a local farmer and friend who assists with our river tours from time to time. He knows Haast and the Waiatoto River like the back of his hand.
You’re in safe hands with Kim as he’s been using jet boats to access his farm in the upper reaches of the Waiatoto Valley for more than 25 years. He loves a good yarn and is always keen to share his local knowledge with visitors from around the world. He’s also passionate about sustainability to preserve the stunning environment in which we live.
Aru
The youngest member of our team is Aru, Ruth and Wayne’s daughter. She arrived on the scene in 2015 and has been going on jet boats since she was 6 weeks old. She loves boating and the natural lifestyle this area provides. Aru is our next jet boat driver in training, but until she’s old enough to take the wheel, she’ll be there greeting guests at check-in with a smile.
Aru is often joined by check-in assistant, Tiger Jessie, the family cat who offers complimentary pats.
Things To Do In Haast
Frequently Asked Questions
Sustainability
Safety Plan
Guest Reviews
“We had an amazing time with our tour leader Ruth!! She is a passionate conservationist and a true blue New Zealander! Loved her ability to make all of us comfortable and safe! Her commitment to her business is commendable and we would recommend it to anyone passing through or staying in the Haast area! What an amazing experience!”
— Jan, Australia. February 2023.