Rangitaiki River White Water Rafting from Rotorua
Overview
Available languages
6 hours
Mobile ticket
Experience the thrill of white water rafting on the Rangitaiki River. Rapids are mostly grade 3 with one grade 4 rapid. The trip consists of fun bouncy rapids running through a beautiful river valley featuring stunning views of native and plantation forest.
Additional Info
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 10 years
Children must be accompanied by an adult
Please bring swim wear and a towel
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
Lunch
Gratuities
Food and drinks, unless specified
Meeting and Pickup
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
What To Expect
Murupara
The rapids require good team work from you but 15 - 20 minutes of training is given before the trip teaching all the required paddle and safety commands and practice is undertaken on flat water before launching into the rapids. The trip is suitable for anyone who is physically active. There is around 15 minutes of flat water at about the mid point on the trip allowing time to relax, enjoy the scenery, chat with your guide and fellow rafters and even have a swim if you wish. You will spend around 1hr 45 minutes on the water, all up you need to allow 3 1/ 2 to 4 hours or around 5 1/2 - 6 hours including Rotorua Transfers. You'll be provided with: • Safety Helmets • Lifejackets • Wetsuits • Polar Fleece Tops (weather dependent) • Spray jackets (weather dependent) • Wetsuit Booties • Food and Drink • Hot Shower
Mt. Tarawera
If we pick you up in Rotorua we pass Mt Tarawera on the way out and will talk about the history of the Tarawera Eruption in 1886
Options
Rangitaiki River White Water Rafting from Rotorua
Pickup included
Reviews
96 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Amazing few hours
114gavino,
Apr 28, 2025
- Tripadvisor
5.00We had a group of 14 family members ranging in age from 10 to 60. This trip had enough excitement and amazing views to cater well for this wide range. Guides were extremely informative, and their personalities really made the trip. Recomend this on the to do list.
Great fun - highly recommend
emzlt,
Apr 14, 2025
- Tripadvisor
5.00We had a great trip with River Rats down the Rangataiki River. Our guides Pete, Jen and Nev were fantastic - handled the technical rafting incredibly well, were very knowledgeable about the surroundings and were super friendly. They connected well with our kids (11 and 13) and we loved that they matched our energy. We highly recommend them for any water based adventures and hope to come back to tackle to grade 5 tour in a few years when we’re all old enough!
This was fun river to go...
Sharon G,
Feb 14, 2025
- Viator
5.00This was fun river to go rafting down. There are lots of rocks and shallow areas, so you do a lot of getting everyone to one side of boat. There really isn’t much chance you will fall out, so a good river for those new to rafting, but all the moving to get unstuck from rocks makes it still fun for those who have done a fair amount of rafting. Our guide Jesse was great.
Great fun and well worth it
J1506GRgregd,
Feb 8, 2025
- Tripadvisor
5.00Great experience, wish I had more time to do the other rivers they other aswell. The team are great and very professional. Would do it again🙂
Amazing
Jamofam,
Jan 26, 2025
- Tripadvisor
5.00Amazing. Family were nervous being the first time Zac the guide gave the family confidence and felt safe in his care. We will be back maybe on the wairoa Amazing time
Fun friendly and beautiful
richardn892,
Jan 13, 2025
- Tripadvisor
5.00It was an awesome experience the whole team from River Rats was super friendly and welcoming. Our guide was the best ever. Just a super fun experience, the love for their job just was apparent which made the experience so much more enjoyable. The river was a good experience and the scenery was beautiful and peaceful.
Excellent Introduction to White Water Rafting
katherineoK2545IN,
Jan 11, 2025
- Tripadvisor
5.00This was a great introduction to white water rafting for our family group of six (two teenagers and four adults aged 50 to 63). There was plenty of excitement on the grade 3 and 4 rapids, enough to be a fun challenge for a bunch of newbies but nothing we couldn't handle with the help of our excellent guide, Pete. We also had some beautiful stretches of calm river where we could chill out and admire the beautiful New Zealand scenery as we floated by. Our guide, Pete, was very knowledgeable and experienced, and got us all working well as a team. Justin and Jen in the "safety" raft were excellent too and we felt that we were in very good hands. It was the perfect introduction for our mixed age group of beginners, especially as a couple of our members were slightly nervous - exciting and thrilling without ever feeling dangerous or out of control. Having had such a positive experience, we were all very keen to do it again and we would definitely go for a Grade 5 trip for the second time round now that we know the team and what to expect. So, if you've never white water rafted before and/or you are slightly nervous about it, this is the perfect place to start, and Pete, Jen and Justin will look after you really well. One final word - the sandwiches provided at the end were absolutely delicious!
Excellent and Exciting Rafting Trip
G6122DCdavidm,
Jan 4, 2025
- Tripadvisor
5.00Peter our skilled guide was excellent, he explained really well what we needed to do to be safe. The grade 3-4 had plenty of excitement without being too scary for 1st timers. The river was beautiful and clear. We all enjoyed it immensely. Would do it again and recommend doing it with this fantastic River Rats team, Justin, Peter and Jen.
Highly recommend for those with young kids. Your family will be in safe hands!
Karenlovestravelllll,
Dec 21, 2024
- Tripadvisor
5.00Our guides Nev, Zac and Jen were really nice and explained in detail about the river, the portions with rapids etc. A huge tree fell in the raft’s path and Nev and Zac had to hand saw the tree branches to let the rafts get through. So much professionalism and we had a great time!
Staff rafting
stevemF1950YK,
Nov 23, 2024
- Tripadvisor
5.00Great day out. Grand crew, very helpful and fun. Water a bit low but still good time on the rapids. Saw a heap of blue duck and staff very informative.
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Operated by River Rats Raft Kayak