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
1,216 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
An adventure to remember
VenJyo,
Dec 2, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This definitely is an adventure that you cannot miss while you are in Rotorua. With Cascades around, you need not worry about anything. Excellent bunch of super fun people with lovely attitude and fun loving. Had a great time with Josh who was our lead for the activity. Thanks mate.
maximum stoke
Z985NKleew,
Dec 2, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00If you're on the edge, rip this, you will absolutely not regret it. Especially if you get the man himself, Josh, as your guide. Couple of absolute rippers running the show over there. 10/10 would do again.
December rafting
Dan K,
Dec 2, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Awesome adventure, has the best time and felt completely safe with Jasper. Would highly recommend this activity to anyone even if your not into rafting
Best adventure in NZ
Sunshine04535648604,
Dec 2, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a truly amazing trip. Dan, our guide, was a bloody legend. He managed to get our group nice and safely despite my friends being useless at paddling. Jokes aside, we really enjoyed it!
One of the best ways to spend a morning when visiting the area. 11/10 for fun!!
Mark G,
Dec 2, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This is just the most fun. We got the full experience, the flip at the waterfall and it was just perfect. Bal was our guide for this and he was so good in briefing everyone at the start and navigating us down the river. Plenty of photo ops during the adventure, as well as the chance to jump in and swim as well as swim down a rapid towards the end. It’s run by a really energetic team that look after you so well. The level of equipment is great as well, with wetsuits and fleece wear so you’re warm through the entire adventure as well.
Great experience
642joelt,
Dec 2, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Had an amazing time - Jared was a great guide who helped us have a fun and safe time. We capsized going over the falls, but we were all prepared for what to do because of Jared's instructions and it didn't feel unsafe at any point - it was actually quite exciting!
A great company and a seven meter waterfall.
Brian M,
Nov 30, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Kaituna Cascades is a great outfit and Dan was an excellent guide. The river and the falls were beautiful. Definitely a must do if you’re in Rotorua.
Fun Whitewater Rafting
michps412,
Nov 28, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had an amazing time on the Kaituna River trip! Josh was an excellent guide and had actually been our guide on the White Salmon River in WA two years ago (great trip if you’re ever in that area of the US). Highly recommend Kaituna Cascades & Josh!
Excellent rafting outfitter!
mcn122,
Nov 28, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Amazing, epic time on the Kaituna River! I’ve done white water rafting before but this was by far the most exciting—class 5 rapids and 3 waterfalls, one of which is 7 meters (21ft). Awesome team of guides—so professional but super fun. They work as a team and even have a safety kayak trailing the rafts as an extra precautionary measure. Our guide Malcom continuously checked in w my fiancé as he was recovering from a torn pec surgery. Malcom was confident, calm, and efficient. He knew exactly where to put the raft every time. Thanks for the awesome time!
Great experience
Wanderer09792140680,
Nov 27, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I was nervous at first but Malcolm made me feel safe and it was really good fun and Malcolm did a great job guiding us down the river.
From NZ$135.00
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