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
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)
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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
1,354 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Can't wait to do it again
tesselliot,May 24, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Absolutely amazing experience on the mighty Kaituna! From start to finish, I loved every aspect. All the staff were friendly and really welcoming, like a big family. My guide Jake was knowledgeable and hilarious right from the start, I learnt lots about the river and it's history as well as the basics of rafting! Making sure I had fun while feeling safe and entertained. Would recommend this to anyone passing through or locals who have been thinking about it!!! I can't wait to do it again!
Highly recommended
cormacwb,May 23, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Really enjoyed my trip with Kaituna Cascades, very professional whilst still being able to have some fun! Malcom and Dan did an amazing job 🙏🏽🙏🏽 Big Vinaka Vaka Levu from Fiji 🤙🏽🤙🏽
Awsome
nigelw473,May 23, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Awesome. MALCOLM was such a personal guide that but the entire boat at ease. Lots of water time. It was a most memory making experience. Why did I wait 30 years to do it again.
Great experience
Wanderer27983296171,May 20, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Cole and the team were fantastic! Very kind and reassuring but also made the experience even more fun. 10/10 recommend
Best Birthday Eva
Inspire68524432463,May 18, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Best 58th birthday present eva!!!! Cole our guide and the whole staff amazing. Highly recommended a must do. Great value for money
Incredible Experience
isabellatK312QS,May 8, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Cole was a fantastic guide who made the entire experience truly memorable with his energy, enthusiasm, and great sense of humor. I highly recommend :)
10/10 experience! Wish I could do it again and again
auriellaw2026,May 8, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was the best part of my whole trip to NZ. Our guide was Dan and we couldn’t have asked for a better experience. He was so good at helping us calm down and relax but still be excited! He helped us practice many times so we felt prepared and gave very clear instructions. He also knew when to make jokes and make us laugh and it really was a 10/10 experience and I wish I could do it over and over. Dan and the entire staff on May 7th 2026 were so kind and attentive and I am so grateful for all of them for keeping us safe and happy.
10/10 would recommend!
Vacation58480858142,May 7, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Loved this trip! Our tour guide Dan was so much fun and made the tour so special! Loved it!
Fantastic, safe and just downright fun experience from start to finish!
Nomad60378303439,May 5, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Fantastic experience from start to finish. Jared kept the experience extremely fun while still always feeling very safe. This was one of the most fun experiences I've ever had and is an absolute must do if you're ever in the Rotorua area.
Absolutely incredible
Natalija T,May 5, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The guys are amazing and did such a great job explaining all the safety rules and answering all the questions. The experience itself was amazing and the views at the river are just incredible 😍 highly recommend these guys, this was the best experience in New Zealand so far, would definitely go again! Thank you guys from Ireland ♥️
From NZ$135.00
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