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
1,202 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
The man, the myth, the legend, Jarred
W5639SVabbyj,
Nov 18, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00An amazing experience! All the instructors were super friendly, such good guys. Jarred was our instructor and couldn’t recommend it enough!
Dan's the man!
Navigate65826694807,
Nov 18, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Had a wicked experience with kaituna cascades team the rain added to atmosphere and the water levels were high! Massive shout out to our tour guide Dan the man he definitely has earned his beers at the end of the month!
Unforgettable White Water Rafting with Kaituna Cascades!
byronq454,
Nov 18, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Had an absolutely incredible time with Kaituna Cascades. From the moment we arrived, the team made everything feel easy, safe, and fun. The whole experience was full of laughs, adrenaline, and those epic moments you’ll be talking about for ages. Huge shoutout to Baltsazar, our guide, he was awesome! Super friendly, calm, and clearly knew exactly what he was doing. He made sure everyone felt comfortable, hyped us up before the big drops, and kept the vibe light while still keeping us safe. Couldn’t have asked for a better guide. The river itself was stunning, the waterfalls were unreal, and the whole crew just nailed it from start to finish. Highly recommend this to anyone visiting Rotorua or looking for an adventure. Would 100% do it again!
Amazing trip!
Luke A,
Nov 17, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had such an awesome time on the river, one us super excited and the other a bag of nerves and very inexperienced, Malcom did a great job looking after both sides and we had an absolute blast, thanks guys!
Exhilarating experience!
vrsge,
Nov 17, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Writing this as a returnee going with friends as their first. The rafting was exhilarating even on my second try. I feel like experience is a bit better this time with Bal as our guide, make sure we have fun all through out the river (check out the attached pic). The fall drop sure is a must try. Didn't feel any danger at all so don't be afraid if that whats keeping you on going :)
So good and so much fun
2093ameliar,
Nov 16, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00It was amazing, we had so much fun. Cole was amazing, by far one of the best and funny guides I had for an activity. Definitely a must do experience.
Love it
Cristina Z,
Nov 16, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Scared from the start, it’s end up loving this activity, definitely coming back, highly recommended to those who wanted to have a water activity.
A fantastic addition to our trip! Would recommend it to anyone!!
Kaitlemon,
Nov 14, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00A local recommended this white water rafting experience to us while we were travelling to Rotorua and I'm so glad we did it! Our rafting guide, Josh, was excellent - really funny and light hearted but still fully covered the safety aspects of the trip so we all felt safe. We were nervous at first at the idea of a grade 5 rapids adventure, but it was so fun and we would absolutely do it again! The rapids themselves were awesome and the scenery around the river and the falls was beautiful too. 5 out of 5 stars!!
fun and exciting experience
Melinda W,
Nov 10, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Superb benevolent team jasper is full of humor but at the same time frames very well The experience was great the beautiful setting we recommend it!
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!
From NZ$135.00
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