Rotorua Rafting: Kaituna River Adventure with Cascading Waterfalls and Rainforest Views

Experience the thrill of white water rafting on the Kaituna River in Rotorua. Navigate through cascading waterfalls, swim in rapids, and soak in the rainforest views. Perfect for all skill levels.

Duration: 2 hours, 30 minutes
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Rotorua Rafting - Experience the best rafting section in New Zealand on this exciting 2-hour white water rafting excursion from Rotorua.
    After getting a full safety briefing, including safety procedures and some tips, hop on the raft and get ready for some adrenaline-flowing fun.
    Float down a deep canyon on the Kaituna River, which is lined with beautiful New Zealand native flora.
    Admire the subtropical scenery while flowing down the river, which starts off with some easy white water. Then continue on where the river builds in difficulty. Eventually, float right under a couple of majestic waterfalls.

Experience warm water, and amazing rapids with three waterfalls, including the highest commercially rafted waterfall in the world - the 23-foot (7-metre) Tutea Falls.
Then head down the river for more action-packed rafting.

After the tour, enjoy a hot shower and check out your faces on the big screen, as you enjoy seeing your professional photos.

What's Included
  • Professional guide
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Included Goods and Services Tax (GST)
  • All necessary equipment provided: wetsuit, booties, helmet, buoyancy aids, and cold weather apparel
What's Not Included
  • Swimwear and Towel
Additional Information

Embark on a thrilling one-hour adventure of white water rafting down the Kaituna River, kickstarting your journey from Rotorua. Your experience begins where untamed waters intersect with lush subtropical rainforests and deep cragged canyons. Navigate past breathtaking waterfalls, such as the magnificent Tutea Falls, and seize the chance to swim through some of the turbulent rapids. This adventure suits both first-timers and seasoned rafters.

  • Age limit: 10 years for half river trip, 13 years and over for full river trip (must fit safety equipment)
  • Grade 5 action
  • 1 hour is spent on the river, allow 2 hours for the trip.
  • During the summer months, the river can reach temperatures of 25degrees.
  • Transfers from Rotorua, must be prebooked 24 hrs prior at a cost of $15pp by calling 0800 772 384.
  • By accepting this Risk Disclosure, you at this moment acknowledge that in participating on a trip run by Rotorua Rafting, there are inherent dangers and risks and that while Rotorua Rafting will use a high degree of skill in ensuring the safety and welfare of participants, it will not be responsible for loss, injury or damage sustained by a participant or their dependents in circumstances where the exercise of reasonable care could not have avoided such an event. While the staff and management of Rotorua Rafting will take all practicable steps to identify and minimise potential dangers, I acknowledge that I must follow the guideโ€™s instructions and use the safety equipment when instructed. If I am responsible for a person under 18, I must ensure that the underage person follows the Guidesโ€™ instructions at all times. I release and indemnify Rotorua Rafting and its staff from any responsibility or consequences resulting from my failure to follow Rotorua Rafting instructions or the failure of any underage person accompanying me to follow the Guidesโ€™ instructions. Rotorua Rafting reserves the right to withdraw any person who, in their opinion, is likely to endanger themselves or others. This exclusion includes the overuse of alcohol and/or recreational drugs. I also recognise that Rotorua Rafting reserves the right to cancel, modify, or curtail any trip if my safety or that of any other person becomes a concern. I am aware that Rafting is an Adventure Activity with a degree of risk inherent to the grade of the river being rafted, and participation in a โ€œRotorua Rafting Tourโ€ may have extreme dangers and risks, some of which include: River Hazards - Rivers are dynamic environments with hidden risks in their natural state and have many obstacles and severe hazards that may not have been identified before, examined and identified Raft Flipping - which may frequently occur in certain rivers Weather - weather conditions may be extreme and change rapidly without warning. Vehicle - additional risks are posed by road travel. Conduct of the Guide - the behaviour of the Guide and the Guiding Staff and the conduct of other rafters. I willingly accept all the risks of rafting, including the risks described above and the possibility of personal injury, death, property damage or loss resulting from any reason. I acknowledge that the enjoyment and excitement of rafting are derived partly from rafting on grade 5 rivers. The inherent risks of rafting contribute to such joy and excitement. I accept that Rotorua Rafting is not responsible for any loss or damage to my property, disruption to travel plans, or mental injury. This exclusion is subject to any rights or remedies a customer has under Health and Safety at Work (Adventure Activities) Regulations 2017 or any other New Zealand law. By accepting this Risk Disclosure, I confirm that I am of the Age of Majority and that I have read and understood this Agreement and agree that this Agreement will be binding upon my heirs, next of kin, executors, administrators and successors. If under 18 years, the parent or legal guardian must accept this Risk Disclosure.
Location
761 State Highway 33
State Highway 33
Please drive into the Rotorua Rafting carpark and park. You are supposed to arrive 15 minutes before your departure time. i.e. 8:45am for a 9am departure
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
5.0
(1419 Ratings)
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Z2771nrmollyf
Sep 5, 2024
Radical River Rafting WOOOHOOO - Our tour guides Malcolm and Ethan made our rafting experience a 10 out of 10. They were both very friendly and adventurous and brought the energy in the group up. Our class five rapid rafting adventure could only be summed up in a few words: epic, once in a lifetime experience.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Perry8790
Aug 21, 2024
Amazing experince! - Absolutley fantastic experince!!! Whole team were very welcomming, and we felt good taken care of from the start. Our guide Jack was an excellent viking chief. Good guiding skills, payed attention to everyone in the group, and very knowledgeable about the river and especially the Mฤori-history linked with it. Faboulous at creating a team spirit. The waterfalls were craazy fun and we were given the option to do all sorts of fun stuff throughout the tour. Will highly recommend this place for a perfect rafting experince!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Martina_b
Aug 12, 2024
Bloody awesome - Whole experience was just awesome. Guides were just wonderful, friendly, funny, informative, helpful and just made the experience. Thanks to Jesper who made our experience. We will be back one day!
Review provided by Viator
Canuck_rawk
Aug 12, 2024
heaps of fun - well organized and professional crew. the rafting was a ton of fun and something we wonโ€™t forget. had a great time with my teen
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jonathan_b
Aug 9, 2024
Awesome - Great experience with awesome guides that made it fun and felt safe. Would do again. Nui was great as were the others. Accommodating to families.
Review provided by Viator
Irisx783
Jul 30, 2024
Wonderful first experience! - Unforgettable first experience for me with my 13yo son and husband :) We were there on 19th July , a rainy day in winter but it was unexpectedly warm and turned out to be a good idea to go rafting on rainy days. Our guide Jack was friendly and witty. He kept a watchful eye on the group on the river. As a first time rafter and poor swimmer, I was panic the first few minutes my foot stepped into the raft but I felt safe almost the entire time and enjoyed the beautiful Kaituna River which is hardly seen in my city. Love the explanation of the meaning of โ€œkaitunaโ€ and the stories behind the river also. I would highly recommend Rotorua Rafting to anyone looking for an exciting yet safe experience. Hope I could come back with my daughter who canโ€™t join this time and try the 7m tall waterfall.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
77gilesw
Jul 27, 2024
Team send it! ๐Ÿ˜‚ - This was a highlight of our weekend, heaps of fun and laughs, the crew knew what they we're doing and made our experience memorable, highly recommended โœŒ๐Ÿฝ
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Tourist48641310715
Jul 26, 2024
Beautiful experience must do, staff are amazing ๐Ÿคฉ - My family and I had so much fun ๐Ÿ˜Š loved the warm welcome and great vibes on arrival ๐Ÿ˜€ amazing experience and adventure โค๏ธ the staff were amazing and supportive through the whole journey. Thanks team
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Safari65127580297
Jul 23, 2024
A must for Rotorua! - Super bonding experience. Water this time of the year 'fresh' Great team at the facility with plenty of gear to all shapes, ages and sizes. Professional, fun and safe. Great event to bond the family together with memories engraved with adrenaline.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
749vasap
Jul 20, 2024
Amazing adventure - Loved it, amazing adventure would have gone for a second round if not for our next plan. Incredible team each person was so helpful and helped in each way possible. Will be back with the kids.must do activity!you will not regret๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿฝ๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿฝ
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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up to 15 guests
1 Adult
September 2024
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