White Water Rafting - Kaituna Cascades, The Originals
Overview
Available languages
2 hours
Mobile ticket
Kaituna Cascades was the original company to explore and start rafting the Kaituna River, and is still locally owned and operated by two current raft guides - so you know you'll be in great hands!!
No where in the world can you raft down such a beautiful river that drops into a vertical walled canyon filled with raftable waterfalls and countless playful rapids. The water is deep and warm (most of the year) and is usually a highlight of peoples visit to NZ. All of our guides are handpicked, highly skilled professionals that come from an extreme whitewater background in Kayaking and Rafting. We will give you the safest and most entertaining trip on the river!
This is also most definitely the best value for money rafting in NZ too.
Our aim is have FUN, So come join us for this EPIC once in a lifetime experience.
Cheers & see you on the river - Pete & Blue
Additional Info
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Availability is all year round - Warm water in the summer and cooler in the winter (more gear provided)
MUST be under 120 kgs
Not recommended for non swimmers
NO expectant mothers
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Join us for the most unique and beautiful whitewater rafting experience in New Zealand! The famous Kaituna River is a rafters dream – a 50 minute action packed ride down 11 epic rapids, 3 wild waterfalls – One of which is the highest rafted waterfall in the world at 7 meters. All of this in a deep, usually warm water jungle canyon! All this with our legendary guides & you’ve got yourself the perfect day out! This is an exciting GRADE 5 RAFTING EXPERIENCE. We have a weight limit of 120 kgs and minimum age of 13yrs old - up to 65 years of age Our sweet Rafting Base in Okere Falls is in an awesome sunny location, surrounded by a scenic reserve and backs onto the shores of the Kaituna. We are the closest and most accessible company to the river. The native scenic reserve has a beautiful walking trail which you can view many rapids of the Kaituna River & there is even an amazing café around the corner. This makes for a great half day trip out to this stunning region of Rotorua. Also please note – This is an exciting GRADE 5 RAFTING EXPERIENCE and is NOT SUITED FOR OLDER OR BIGGER PEOPLE, or people that aren’t comfortable in the water. We have a weight limit of 120 kgs.
What‘s Included
Local, professional & highly trained guides
Custom built rafts, wetsuits, helmets, lifejackets, paddles, fleece tops, wetsuit booties, and splash jackets
Digital photos (Available to purchase)
Glasses Strap $5
Rent a Towel $5
Go Pro Harness Hire $5
Other Souvenirs (T-shirt etc)
Options
Rotorua White Water Rafting on the Kaituna River
Option 1: Ever wanted to Raft a 7m waterfall? Join the original Kaituna Rafting Company for an unbeatable grade 5 white-water experience on one of New Zealand's most exciting and beautiful rivers!
Reviews
1,324 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Most Amazing experience
Alisonmaryjane,Mar 20, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Ticked off a bucket list experience with the most exciting thing I’ve done in years. I was very apprehensive and nervous but our guide, Jasper put us all at ease with his witty explanations of what would happen. We were kitted out really well and briefed on all the safety aspects. Jasper explained about the trees and surrounding area very well. Shooting over the highest waterfall was amazing even if we did take ages to surface but were told we’d had the best experience. We also got to swim over a waterfall. Thoroughly recommended this company and experience whatever your age
Super fun! Really enjoyed...
Stephen X,Mar 19, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Super fun! Really enjoyed it and it was a thrill. Great safety briefing and funny guides. Would go again!
Best experience ever!!!
D7577SGjessiek,Mar 15, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had most fantastic time white water rafting at Kaituna Cascades, definitely one of the best experiences we’ve had here in NZ! Such a bucket list activity that we simply can’t recommend enough for thrill seekers or anybody just looking for a fun time. The rapids and waterfall drops were exhilarating and the location is so beautiful, you also get the opportunity to swim in the river and down the rapids which was an awesome experience and the 7 meter waterfall drop was incredible, such an amazing thing to be able to say you’ve done. Our guide Ollie was brilliant and had us laughing all throughout the trip, we definitely felt in good hands and didn’t want the trip to end. We would do this experience again in a heartbeat and can’t think of a better place than the Kaituna River or a better team than the Kaituna Cascades Crew to do it with, 100% recommend! Also the photos at the end are a hilarious bonus and definitely worth purchasing, we’ve had barrels of laughs looking through them. Thank you Kaituna Cascades for such an unforgettable experience!
I had never been white water rafting before and was sooo nervous. The instructors were fantastic and made me feel safe.
S5525KCandyk,Mar 15, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We went as a work team and had an amazing time the experience was fantastic. What a fun and thrilling adventure.
Hands down the best
Dougalbear,Mar 15, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The most amazing experience. Took my 13 year old son and they looked after the both of us. Hands down one of the best things I’ve done in NZ. Big shout to Jared who made it look all so easy.
Amazing experience rafting and great staff!
charwells97,Mar 12, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The team at Kaituna Cascades were incredible!! Best experience of our entire trip to New Zealand so far. Our guide Josh was amazing and great at keeping us safe as well as cracking a lot of jokes and being super relaxed and friendly. The whole team were really friendly and fun! Would definitely recommend to anyone and everyone, it'll be an experience you'll never forget!!
Great Adventure
mariusbB5333MY,Mar 12, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Only positive Energy. Would love to do it again
Best experience
Mobile63483456153,Mar 12, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Had an amazing experience! I had never been white water rafting before so I was a bit nervous but our guide Josh was very experienced and knowledgeable and made us feel very confident and safe. He was also very funny and kept everyone’s spirits up throughout and going over the big waterfall! My fiancé also had a previous bad experience white water rafting but this experience has completely changed her perspective. Would definitely recommend this experience and company! Thank you also to Bal our safety kayaker and also Ollie the photographer.
Fantastic experience
sofiabJ9152VD,Mar 12, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had the most fantastic experience going white water rafting with Josh! The rafting was amazing and Josh was a great guide giving us the most memorable and fun tour on our NZ vacation 🤩
WOWSA - A must do!
Kim K,Mar 11, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00WOW! Just WOW. This was an amazing experience. Pablo, our guide, did a great job of instructing, communicating, and keeping us safe throughout. Like everyone else says, exhilarating and definitely bucket list worthy. A shout out to all staff here as each was friendly and they worked super well together as a team.
From NZ$135.00
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