Kaituna River White Water Rafting from Rotorua

Overview

Available languages

English

3 hours

Mobile ticket

Kaituna River features grade 5 rapids plus the awesome 7 meter (23 feet) Tutea Falls, the worlds highest commercially rafted waterfall. Take the ultimate thrill ride on this Kaituna River white water rafting tour.

Additional Info

Public transportation options are available nearby

Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries

Not recommended for pregnant travelers

Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health

Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness

Minimum age is 13 years

Children must be accompanied by an adult

There is a recommended minimum weight of 40 kilograms (88 pounds) for this tour

Please bring swimwear, a towel and a sense of adventure!

Minimum numbers apply. There is a possibility of cancellation after confirmation if there is not enough passengers to meet requirements. In the event of this occurring, you will be offered an alternative or full refund

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

What‘s Included

Hotel pickup and drop-off

Professional guide

All necessary equipment

Food and drinks

Gratuities

Meeting and Pickup

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

What To Expect

River Rats Raft & Kayak

The trip runs through a stunning bush clad gorge and features 14 rapids, including the worlds highest commercially rafted waterfall. Your day will begin with a pickup from your hotel. From here you will be taken to the airport base where you will obtain your equipment and participate in a safety briefing as well as quick training. After this you'll proceed to Kaituna River.

3 hours • Admission Not Applicable

You can't get more thrills and action than on a grade 5 rapid. Fast and furious, you'll ride through foamy water over the seven meter drop waterfall! Most of the trip runs through a very narrow gorge with sheer rock walls clad in ferns and other native plants providing a truly stunning backdrop to this exciting tour. Although this trip provides full on action the pool drop nature of the river means it is not technically difficult so the trip is suitable for adventurous beginners. In fact around 70% of customers have never rafted before. Around 15 - 20 minutes of training is provided prior to the trip teaching all the required paddle commands and safety information. Situated in the Okere Falls Scenic Reserve the river is pool drop, meaning that every rapid is followed by calm water making it very forgiving for a grade 5 river. You'll be provided with: • Safety Helmets • Lifejackets • Wetsuits • Polar Fleece Tops (weather dependent) • Spray jackets (weather dependent) • Wetsuit Booties

50 minutes • Admission Not Applicable

Options

Kaituna River White Water Rafting from Rotorua

Pickup included

Apr 22nd 2025 to Oct 24th 2025

Various Hotels & Motels: Complimentary transfers from central Rotorua commercial accommodation
Pickup included

Reviews

4.94

390 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

376

You're in good hands here
Voyage61232731168,
Sep 29, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Best family fun ever ! A nervous mum became a happy and excited white water rafter- the guides are switched on, safety focused, and excellent at keeping everyone safe whilst showing you a good time- can't wait to go again.
Trust your guide, have a lovely time!
422yuukic,
Sep 28, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Great experience! I was picked up by one of the guides Justin, straight from my hotel (Aura Accommodation in Rotorua) which made it much easier as our group were only using public transport. Very short drive to the place, Justin is lovely to talk to and very professional and welcoming. He easily communicated what we were going to do and all the safety precautions (even with people not paying attention) he was very patient. Even going solo he made the experience (although nerve-wracking) feel safe and easier than what we thought, Justin gave us all plenty of time and attempts to be able to confidently navigate the water and always made it seem fun. We hade some bad weather predicted, but they contacted me as soon as they could to notify me of any changes, and were very helpful in making it so we could change the day, which turned out to be a lovely day to raft!
Don't miss this!
96maschak,
Jul 3, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Amazing adventure! Great guide and staff. We had a blast and felt totally safe. My daughter even had the guts (and gear) to swim down a rapid.
Family friendly Adrenalin rush. Wild experience! A must do with teens!
C M B,
Apr 24, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
What an Adrenalin rush. So much fun! River rats team of Cam (guide) Lenny (safety kayaker) and Justin (photographer) were fantastic. They were focussed on safety, but also kept it entertaining and helped push us slightly outside our comfort zone (in a good way). We did some basic skills before we got into the water and then jumped straight in. As a family of 5 (with 3 teens ranging from 13 to 17), it was a highlight of our holiday. The kids loved it and what a thrill to do something together as a family that got us out in the beautiful Kaituna river and working together. We did the Grade 3-5 rapids and the 7m waterfall at the end. Loved it. Do yourself a favour and add this to your ‘Adrenalin adventure holiday’ must do list in the North Island. Highly professional team, great experience and something we’ll talk about and reminisce for years to come.
A well run operation. ...
Angela R,
Apr 11, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
A well run operation. The experience provided beautiful scenery, exilerating rapids and waterfall drops and lots of fun.
River Rats are the Best
Odyssey676833,
Apr 10, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
This was absolutely awesome. I did it with my son & grandson, 65,43 & 15 years old so 3 generations. We had Neville as our guide and he was friendly and funny. Highly recommend River Rats Rafting.
AMAZING!!
Passport35781253539,
Mar 31, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Nice activity to do with a group of friends! The guide is very patient to guide us, and everything goes well. Definitely recommend to those coming to Rotorua.
White Water Thriller
jamesiW1388FC,
Mar 28, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Excellent experience & the people taking were amazing. We had Lenny & he was the man. Thoroughly recommend this to anyone coming to Rotorua.
Epic Rafting
Andy O,
Mar 8, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Excellent experience. All the staff (Cam, Jen, Sophie, Lenny and Pete) were fantastic and did their absolute upmost to help at all times. The rafting was unforgettable
River Rats rock!
Tracie2930,
Mar 6, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
This was one of the best whitewater experiences I’ve ever had. Simply the best river, exciting and beautiful. Peter, Cam and photographer Jen were all fun, funny and moreover skilled with guiding our raft to ensure we had the best time. They were steeped with local history and wove the knowledge in with the trip. I can’t say enough fabulous things about River Rats!