Whirlpool Jet in Niagara Falls (New York)
We loved, loved, LOVED our ride on the Whirlpool Jet in Niagara Falls! We made the short trip over to Lewiston, New York. There are 3 Whirlpool Jet locations (2 in Ontario and 1 in Lewiston, NY) and we took the tour from the American side. It was exciting and a lot of fun!
We called ahead to see what tour/time could accommodate our group. We called once the day before (we had a few hours to kill after Maid of the Mist) and all of the remaining rides were booked. So…I recommend giving a day or a few hours notice and making a reservation.
We were having a go-with-the-flow vacation (and the weather didn’t always cooperate), but this is one of those experiences that needs a reservation.
You need to arrive about 45 before your departure time to read and sign the participation agreement and attend a mandatory safety orientation. Anyone under the age of 18 needs an adult to sign for them.
The Snazzy Outfits
We rode the Whirlpool Jet in the middle of June. All of us were given a blue plastic raincoat and a yellow and black raincoat (with a black hoodie) to wear. I felt like it was too many raincoats and we were so hot in those things. But, when we got down to the gorge and were drenched with the cold water, we were so glad we had on all of those layers.
The water is still freezing (ok, maybe not freezing, but very cold) and we were soaked. All of our feet and shoes were completely wet after the ride. We were glad we brought a change of clothes and an extra pair of shoes.
Here we are in the above photo. We are in the third row – ready to party!
Whirlpool Jet offers a choice of an open-air boat or a closed dome boat. We chose the open-air boat because we felt like getting wet would be part of the fun and it would make the experience more exciting.
This tour lasts about 45 minutes to an hour. The ride starts out with a nice leisurely ride down the Niagara River. As we enjoyed our views of the American and Canadian sides of the river, our guide explained the history of the area.
Niagara Gorge & Devil’s Hole
All of the water from the Great Lakes comes together here at the Niagara River (and actually constitutes 1/5 of the world’s freshwater!). The powerful waters from Niagara Falls have carved out this gorge that extends about 7 miles. As the water continues to be carried to the gorge, it created these powerful rapids where we rode the Whirlpool Jet.
Devil’s Hole was our favorite part of our ride. The rapids here at Devil’s Hole are rated Class 5 rapids. It was so exciting to crash into these waves. We even surfed one of the waves at one point which was really cool to feel the rush and power of these rapids. These waves are 15′-20′ with speeds up to 20 mph!
The Whirlpool Jet boats have a triple turbo diesel water jet system. They are very powerful and easily navigate their way through the rapids.
Things you’ll need to bring:
Whirlpool Jet provides raincoats and life jackets, but you might want to bring these items:
- A change of clothes
- Change of underwear
- A change of shoes
- Flip flops or swim shoes
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses (I was happy to have these as we cruised out to Devil’s Gorge. As we approached the rapids, we were told that we could place our glasses/sunglasses in a pouch in front of us so we didn’t lose them during the more exciting part of the ride).
Lockers and changing rooms are provided! They also have swimwear and swim shoes available for purchase.
If you want to take photos or videos, you might want to take the closed-dome boat. I didn’t bring my camera or my phone and I’m glad I didn’t because they would have been soaked. And, I don’t think I would have gotten any worthwhile photos/videos if I put the camera in a plastic bag.
The company does take photos and videos before and during the ride so you can purchase these after your ride.
The Silo
Just a short walk away from the Whirlpool Jet is The Silo. You may have seen this show on Man V. Food on The Travel Channel. It’s a nice, casual place to grab some food after the boat ride.
In the photo above, you can see The Haystack sandwich (Ribeye with melted Mozzarella cheese on a hoagie roll, piled high with hash browns). This is the sandwich featured on Man V. Food when Adam Richmond was the host. See the video HERE.
Overall, the Whirlpool Jet in Niagara Falls was a fun, exhilarating experience and the food at the Silo was great! Both of these made for a fun day!
See more fun things to do in Niagara Falls HERE.
Locations & Websites:
The Whirlpool Jet (New York, USA) // 115 South Water Street, Lewiston, NY 14092 // 1.888.438.4444
The Silo // 115 North Water Street, Lewiston, NY 14092 // 716.754.9680
Watch our ride on the Whirlpool Jet in this video:
Have you been on the Whirlpool Jet at Niagara Falls? What was your favorite part?
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About The Author
KristyB
Wife. Mom. Graphic Designer. Photographer. Professional Nap Taker. Part-time Traveler (with kids in tow, of course!)
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This sounds like quite an experience! I know a lot of people who would love this! Niagara Falls is a great destination to visit.
How do you think an 8 and a 6 year old would do on this ride? My 8 year old gets nervous but loves playing in waves and water. They meet the height and weight requirements… just wondered how the tour is presented… like does the guide say things like… “here we go into the dangerous class 5 rapids” or we have to watch out… don’t want to get stuck in a whirlpool” my kid would freak out then!
It is exciting and intense, but we were never scared! I think it depends on the child. If they can handle roller coasters, water rides, or fair rides, then they can probably handle it. Your group will be prepared for everything that is going to happen. The entire ride is thoroughly planned and choreographed so you know what to expect. The boat stops and explains what’s going on (and some history and facts about the area and the rapids) and then they let you know that you are going to “ride” a wave. There is always a break between each exciting part. The boat & driver are in total control and you never feel scared. My son was 8 and he loved it. We didn’t find it scary at all and laughed the whole time. Just know that you will get SOAKED even in all that rain gear – but that is also the fun part!
Totally digging this! I am envious! I want to try it too! Man, the adventure, the view. Hopefully I can do this too one day.
I know you like adventure (from reading your blog), and I know you would love this!
Looks so fun! The open boat seems so fun I never knew you can ride a jet boat at the Niagara Falls. I have been to Niagara Falls many times before but never been on a jet boat, I sure will mark your post for the future reference.
My adrenaline junkie husband discovered this and we were so glad that he did – we loved it!
We rode this in August while we were up there. I was nervous at first when my boys wanted to do this. But I had a GREAT time! They don’t give you the raincoats or ponchos anymore. So be prepared to get DRENCHED! If you are a little nervous, I recommend sitting in the back I was in the last row. I didn’t move nearly as much as the front rows, still had a great time and still got DRENCHED! LOL
The Whirlpool jet reminds me of a similar experience that I had at Gold Coast. The speed and the bumping over the rapids – in my case waves, was just so awesome. With your pictures, I can so see that you had a blast. I definitely am up for one more of these at the Niagara.
OOOoooh, Gold Coast sounds like a blast! I’ll have to check it out!
Omg, such an exciting adventure! I am usually scared of water and would never negotiate a grade V rapid, but I think whirlpool jet is worth a try. I have heard so much of Devil’s hole. I am sure it will be a mind blowing experience. Thanks for sharing the useful information about the place and activity.
It wasn’t scary at all, Amrita. I think you would enjoy it!
Looks like you guys had an amazing adventure! The experience at the Devil’s Hole could be the highlight, I would be totally a screaming like crazy and laughing at the same time, but definitely not frightening.
You would love it, Blair! We were laughing the whole time!
Wow riding a whirlpool jet at Niagara Falls in New York looks like a wild experience! Such a great thing to do with the whole family. I agree getting wet is totally part of the experience, to be honest it looks like the rain jackets didn’t even help much, great to bring a change of clothes along and let them take the photos. After that, you’d definitely need some hearty food to warm up.
You’re right, Susanna! The rain coats didn’t help much – we got soaked. But, we loved every minute of it!
I always thought whirlpools are scary. But seeing the fun you all had I need to rethink. The touring company has catered to all needs for this tour and that is such a comfort feeling. I too would choose a open boat for the tour.
Yeah, we were so glad that we chose the open-aired boat! I think you would really enjoy this – it isn’t scary at all.
Looks like a lot of fun! I would have went with the open-air boat too, more of an experience! It’s nice the company provides rain jackets and has changing rooms & lockers available. I never knew you could ride the rapids in a jet boat at Niagara Falls, I really want to do this now 🙂
You would love it, Elizabeth! It’s a great experience, and getting wet made it even more fun.
This is very really helpful information for visiting Whirlpool Jet. Keep up all the hard work. Thank you so much for the great tips!
Thank you, Martina! I’m glad you found this helpful!
Wow! That’s one heck of an experience. I can understand how hot it would have been initially under all those raincoats but then, yeah, the water is indeed super cold.
Is there a minimum age to go on this ride? Here in Europe, even most experiences like these, even Kayaking requires 6 yrs of age. How’s it there?
The sandwich definitely looks yummy yumm.. Perfect way to wrap the day after such an experience.
They let my 9 year old son ride, but he had to sit in the middle of the boat, between 2 adults. I don’t think really small children are allowed.