Niagara Falls Attractions: Marineland, Helicopter Rides, Whirpool Jets.

As the helicopter lifts off from our Victoria Avenue location, the awe-inspiring views of the Niagara Region begin to appear below. We wouldn't want any picture-taking opportunity to be missed so cameras should be ready to go right from the start!

Beginning with the Sir Adam Beck Generating plant and the Niagara Botanical Garden, the tour follows the Niagara River from the Whirlpool area (look for the Spanish Aero Car crossing the gorge), over the Whirlpool Rapids and the Rainbow Bridge. The green grass and floral beauty of Queen Victoria Park stretches below as the helicopter passes by the American Falls and the Skylon Tower. Just when it looks as if you may reach the Minolta Tower, the helicopter begins to change direction as if following the curve of the Canadian Horseshoe Falls! Rainbows appear and disappear from all directions. The helicopter begins to level off and continue along the route back to base

Rates: $110 CAD or $95 USD

As the powerful Jet Boat speeds upriver, making their way into the breathtaking stonewalled canyon that is the Niagara Gorge. The anticipation builds as the boats splash into the whitewater of Devil's Hole Rapids. 

Trips departing from Niagara on the Lake are 1 hr in duration. Trips departing from Lewiston NY can expect 45 minutes on the water. Both departure points involve the same amount of time in the river and gorge. Simply due to proximity to the Gorge are the two departure locations different in duration.

Rates (USA): Adult $50,  Youth $42

Rates ( Canada): Adult $56,  Youth $47

Traveler review:

Whirlpool Jet Boats runs an operation that takes you in a 30+ foot metal jet boat with 1500HP engine setup (I think it's three 500HP engines)up through some of the most amazing, huge rapids you can imagine. Then you come back down through and this huge boat that can handle 40 passengers hits the water and it comes over the front as greenwater (i.e. a lot more dense than spray). They have 2 types of boats- open deck "Wet Jet" and covered "Jet Dome". We took the Wet Jet and were absolutely drenched. They provide you with a suit to keep your clothes dry, but you'll mess your hair up for sure! It was a fantastic experience and although I've rafted a lot, I've never been in such big water rapids. Around $50CD

Traveler review:

When our tour guide the first night told us there was a Jetboat Ride through the Niagara Whirlpool, we couldn't resist. One of the rather odd facts of the Niagara Falls region, is that the river forms a whirlpool basin a few miles down on the Canadian side. From the side leading from the falls to the whirlpool basin are "Class Six" rapids. The kind with currents and swells so unpredictable it is illegal to drive a boat through them. In the whirlpool basin itself and leading from the pool farther away from the falls are "Class Five" rapids. Not quite as violent but challenging regardless. When we purchased our tickets, they told us flat out that we would be getting soaked thoroughly on this trip. We were given a "pre trip" orientation by the Jet Boat crew informing us that the heavy raincoats, recycled army sweaters and life jackets provided were "strictly for show." They would do nothing to keep us dry/warm but should keep us "from freezing" during the return trip. They made it very clear, those in the front of the boat would be the recipients of 5 to 15 foot waves crashing into them at speeds of up to 30 miles per hour. "nose enemas" were common at that intimate distance with the water. Those with make-up and mascara on were advised, they'd look like Alice Cooper with their faces smeared accordingly by the end of this trip. Thrilled and excited, we stripped down to shorts and teeshirts and locked everything else in the trunk of our car. We were given cold, and squishily disgusting diving booties (disinfected after each trip in bleach) in lieu of shoes, to keep our feet warm, army issue sweaters, life jackets, and thick yellow raincoats with hoods. Again we were reminded as we boarded the jetboat that the area we were sitting in (which seated 40 people easily) would be 'flooded' several times throughout the course of our journey, and that the additional 'equipment' was strictly to keep us from freezing on the way back. They were quite encouraging (smile). They powered up the jet boat and had a sony videocam in hand to tape the trip. They roamed back and forth in the boat explaining blow by blow what would happen next. The guides were quick to point out the huge waves created by the rapids. They explained also how the boat would be 'dipping its nose' into those waves to introduce us to them personally. From the first eight foot wave that came crashing over the front of the boat into our faces to the 6th and 7th complete 360' turn we did in the boat at sixty miles per hour, there was rarely a dull moment. It goes without saying, we were soaked from head to toe within the first fifteen minutes of the ride. We would continue for another hour before the ride was over. By the time it was over, we were only slightly chilled thanks to the heavy gear provided. Once back at the boat dock, we peeled off the sweaters and got to review the trip on video tape which was duplicated for anyone wishing to take home a copy. Overall, it was awesome, and one of the highlights of our trip.

Traveler review:

Whirlpool Jet Boat is a fun jet boat ride that departs from both sides of the river. It takes you up past the power plants on the river about a mile below the falls. You go through class 5 rapids!!! We took it from the American side but the ride is longer from the Canadian side. The launch point is further down the river from the rapids.

Suspended in space you share their point of view. Far below the torrent of water abruptly changes direction, creating one of the world’s most frightening natural phenomena’s – The Niagara Whirlpool. Mesmerizing. Terrifying. And completely unforgettable!

Back