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
1,253 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Epic!
T4419TLmichaels,,Jan 12, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Epic experience, highly recommend going if you are staying near by! Our rafting guide, Bal, was the man. He put in the extra effort to make it the white water rafting experience of a lifetime. Price was reasonable at about 60 USD per person for about an hour of fun. Definitely make this a priority visit on your next stay in NZ!
Amazing
Katrina P,,Jan 12, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Absolutely epic experience on the Kaituna River! 🌊 The rapids were fun and the 7-meter Tutea Falls drop was unreal — equal parts terrifying and exhilarating. The guides were top-notch a special shoutout to Jarrod . Super knowledgeable, fun, and made safety feel rock solid the whole way through. Even if you’re a first-timer, they explain everything, and the whole trip is well organised from start to finish. You get wet, you scream a lot, and you come out buzzing with adrenaline. Hands down one of the best things to do in Rotorua. Would 100% do it again.
Nz Must do
Excursion38967407713,,Jan 10, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had so much fun! Went with the whole family Our guide was Pablo, it was great to have a spanish speaking guide as mum was a bit scared, and it helped to know what was going on at all times. We all felt very safe and had the time of our lives! Wish there was a locals pass.. :)
Must-do when you're in Rotorua!
marianC6719MX,,Jan 9, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00My husband and I went white water rafting for the first time and had so much fun. We felt very safe and really appreciated the thorough safety briefing beforehand. Jarrod was fantastic and made it an amazing experience for us. Such a beautiful spot as well — a must-do when you’re in Rotorua!
Exhilarating bucket-filling life experience
evif2021,,Jan 9, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Kaituna Cascades Rafting provides an exhilarating bucket-filling life experience appropriate for all skill levels. Their safety protocols and practices are of a high standard, and the guides' sense of fun and adventure is contagious. Our guide Jarred was especially engaging and created a team camaraderie throughout the hour long trip down the rapids. We were all a little nervous about rafting the 7m waterfall and the possibility of capsizing, but he made us all feel at ease, gave us appropriate training and was honest in his answers to all our questions. Each rapid was more exciting than the previous one and we were exultant when we successfully rafted the waterfall without capsizing! The location is easily accessible and is scenic from both in and out of the water with numerous walking trails along the river. The memorabilia photos are good quality and capture the experience, particularly the 7m waterfall - a highlight of the journey. We would love to go back and recommend this trip for all adventurous souls.
Kaituna River
markfairfield1,,Jan 9, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Excellent trip. Our guide Jasper made it interesting, humorous and fun the whole way down the river. I would thoroughly recommend it for those that like a laugh and good amount of excitement.
Amazing experience, great...
Ciera C,,Jan 8, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Amazing experience, great guides. Very professional operation. We had so much fun and plan to return in the future!
Great fun!
reginan2025,,Jan 5, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great fun for (almost) all ages and fitness levels. Our guide was fantastic and made everyone feel adventurous and safe at the same time. You want to do it all over again right after your trip. I highly recommend this tour.
Great fun!
mariannetT2455AX,,Jan 5, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Amazing, super fun!!! Felt very safe with Pablo as our guide. We were 7 boats in our group - one boat tipped once but no one got hurt.
A must do on the North Island
939brentont,,Jan 5, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00My wife and I loved the experience so much and will do it again if we get the chance. Cobber was our guide and kept the energy up and made it even more exciting, while making us laugh and keeping us feeling safe and secure. We got to experience all the extras along the way that we didn’t anticipate, which made an amazing ride even better. This experience is a must if you’re visiting the North Island and we recommend Kaituna Cascades for their well run and put together tour.
From NZ$135.00
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