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‘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)
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.
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
1,194 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Don't let nerves stop you from doing it!!
891laurelj,
Nov 5, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00If you are debating doing this, DO IT!!! I was nervous about the 7m waterfall but it was so fun and now I can say I did it!! 100% would do it again. The guides were really experienced (shout-out Josh) and kept everyone safe and vibes high! Definitely recommend Kaituna Cascades!
Epic time on the water
macgregorh2025,
Oct 29, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ We went white water rafting with Kole as our coach/guide, and the whole experience was epic! He was super helpful and made us feel completely at ease — especially since my partner was a bit nervous at first. Kole talked us through everything and made sure we had an awesome time from start to finish. All the staff were top-notch, friendly, and professional. 10/10 recommend this place — and big shoutout to our man Kole, absolute legend! Up the Wahs! 💪🚣♂️
Loved it!
521ruthg,
Oct 27, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We all has an incredible time! Loved every second!! Really would recommend to anyone visiting the north island! Unfortunately I forget the name of our instructor (he had a black tooth) but he was incredible! Such a lovely guy and really made the experience unforgettable!
Awesome Crew, Incredible Experience
Pioneer20502705257,
Oct 25, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Awesome crew, chatted with Ollie and Jasper, great instructors and hosts, Dan was our raft leader and he was great fun and good energy, felt safe and well guided, absolute heck of a time, had lots of fun and stretched some comfort zones / conquered some personal fears, was an incredible experience, would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a bit of a thrill.
Family adventure day - teenager and parents.
Naomi M,
Oct 23, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Fantastic. Nothing to be afraid of. We had some newbies in our party who had never been rafting before. Instructions were clear and simple. Gear felt safe and was much appreciated in the super cold weather. Kept you nice and warm. Col, our guide, was fun, helpful, and knowledgable. We all felt really safe. Our son went for a little ride over a rapid outside of the boat. He was completely fine. They have extra staff on kayaks nearby so they can get to you if you do fall out. You are completely safe. Don’t stress. Great fun. Lots of laughs. Don’t forget to buy the photo package - was $50 and completely worth it.
Absolutely a must do activity!
Jody M,
Oct 22, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Amazing! Such a thrill and I felt so comfortable with our guiding team whilst being out of my comfort zone! Brilliant instruction, support and guidance for a most exhilarating and unique experience. So well organised with the most friendly staff… our team leader, Malcolm, was in kiwi terms - fully sick bro! A genuine legend as were the rest of the crew! 100% recommend this activity and this company! Thanks you guys!!!
KAITUNA cascades - white water rafting
S7646YMtiffanyo,
Oct 21, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00All staff were super friendly and inviting. We had Dan as our guide, he was a great and made the whole experience fun and exciting. Definitely worth the visit!
Chasing waterfalls
Excursion64124004044,
Oct 21, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Had a amazing trip with Kaituna Cascades, so fun and had heeps of laughs, my guide Jasper did an amazing job at keeping me safe while I keeped him safe distance lol, hes so knowledgeable and what a spectacular guide. It's so cool that such a beautiful and knarly place is so accessible with this great team steering the boat.
Family fun adventures
antoinettew501,
Oct 19, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had the best time doing this trip. We were a family of 4. Kids ages 14 and 15. Our guide was Elvis. Everything was explained very well. Instructions were clear. The guides make it a lot of fun with great banter between the other rafts. The gear you are given to wear keeps you really warm. We never felt cold even though the water was cold. Highly recommend this trip if you are looking for fun adventure with your teenage children.
Super Fun
Demiana S,
Oct 15, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00This is the most fun tour I have had! It was so enjoyable and the guides were knowledgeable and helpful with their instructions. Recommend it and would do it again!
From NZ$135.00
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Operated by Kaituna Cascades