Daily departures for Niagara River rides to begin Friday
Whirlpool Jet Boat Tours is launching its 26th season on the Niagara River.
After investing in major improvements at its three passenger locations over the winter, Whirlpool Jet Boat Tours is ready to kick off another season of adrenaline-fueled jet boat rides. Departures are set to begin on the U.S. side of the river in Lewiston on Friday, May 11. Boats will begin from Niagara-on- the-Lake on Saturday, June 23.
"We've put a lot of thought and effort into making the passenger experience we offer even better," Whirlpool Jet Boat Tours President John Kinney said. "We can't wait to get back out on the water for another great season. There's nowhere else in the world you can experience this kind of adventure on such an amazing river."
WJBT recently completed a full renovation of its Lewiston location. Guests will find a new sunset deck and a snack bar for casual dining in the jet boat room. Later this season, WJBT expects to add to its fleet and launch a new hybrid design jet boat that includes indoor seating for passengers who want to stay dry, as well as outdoor seats for those who want to soak up the experience.
Across the river, WJBT had used its Niagara-on-the-Lake dock as its main departure point for the past 25 years. Now, it will use Queenston as its primary dock, because the location provides more bus and car parking, more on-site amenities for jet boat passengers and the public, and access via the popular Niagara Falls WEGO bus service and a free shuttle for the short drive from the Floral Clock in Niagara Falls.
WJBT's Whirlpool location now has a fleet of eight 50-passenger jet boats. Passengers can choose between two types of trips: wet or dry. Guests in open-topped jet boats are guaranteed to return to the dock soaking wet, doused with gallons of water, while their boat pilot powers them through the rapids at high speed and expertly spins them through the chop in a complete 360-degree turn.
Passengers in the covered jet dome get the same thrill ride, minus the splash, and return as dry as they were at the outset. Along the way, tour leaders on the boats also give passengers highlights about the river's geology and fascinating history.
A completely renovated New Orleans-style paddle wheeler boat — the Niagara Belle — will be permanently parked at the Queenston dock, serving as a passenger center. The three-deck boat is equipped with a snack bar for quick, casual meals, plus indoor seating and outdoor seating on the top-level sun deck. Jet boat passengers and those who just want to enjoy the scenery without heading out on the water are welcome aboard the Belle.
The upgrades are the latest in a long line of investments WJBT has made over the past 26 years to help adventure lovers experience the power of the Niagara River. The company officially opened its doors in 1992 with a single boat, taking passengers for thrilling whitewater rides from the mouth of the Niagara River in Niagara-on-the-Lake, through the Class 5 Devil's Hole Rapids and to just below the powerful Niagara Falls whirlpool.
In addition to individual bookings, WJBT offers special rates for corporate groups, family groups and Niagara residents. More information about tour packages, rates and reservations can be found at
www.whirlpooljet.com.
