Frequently Asked Questions

On our Grade 5 rafting trips you must be 13+ years or older – There is also a half river Grade 3 option available for 10 – 12 year old’s at $80pp.

There is no maximum age however you must be fit, healthy, active and flexible with no major health issues.

This is NOT SUITABLE FOR PREGNANT WOMEN.

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. There is no minimum weight limit

People must be fit and healthy.

Rafting in the rain is the best wet weather activity ever – Your gonna get wet anyways!

The Kaituna River drains the two big lakes in the area, Rotorua and Rotoiti & is dam controlled at the source. This means the flows are regulated and man controlled so even after hard rain the river will normally still be the same flow (the lakes just fill up a bit…).

In the event of a flood – we will contact everyone and 100% refunds are given.

See you here singing in the rain

You just need to bring your swimwear, shorts, and a towel. We will provide you with the rest of the gear which will include wetsuits, fleece tops, wetsuit booties, and splash jackets depending on the weather conditions. Our life jackets, helmets, and paddles are the best you can buy and are are provided to everyone.

We also rent/sell the following

We also rent towels for $5
GoPro strap rental – $5
And you can buy Glasser straps to keep for $5 also
Digital Photo’s of your tour – $40

No experience on your part is necessary as full and comprehensive training will be given. You will need to have a reasonable level of fitness, and a sense of adventure.

Ideally you will know how to swim, but it’s not necessary. Our life jackets are also to the highest industry standard.

A professional photographer will be taking photos along the way, and photos are available by the raft full for an additional charge. We are GoPro friendly, if you have one feel free to bring it along. Please bring a chest mount or alternatively we have a limited few chest mounts at our base to rent out.

Kaituna Cascades is located right next to the Okere Falls scenic reserve and the Okere Falls walking track. Stretch your legs and watch the rafts tumble over the falls. You can walk with our photographer to the two viewing platforms before walking back to our base. The walk will take you around 30 minutes.

Kaituna Cascades designs and hand builds custom rafts specifically for running the big waterfalls on the Kaituna. All our rafts are self bailers with three thwarts and, exclusively to us, we had handles built into the floor to help us keep you safely in the raft.

Yes, we have many different types of bookings for each tour ranging from bookings for 1 person to group bookings. You will be in a raft with up to 6 others and have plenty of opportunity to make new friends.

We are taking all precautionary safety measures to give you a safe (and amazing) trip down our iconic Kaituna River, Wairoa & Rangitaiki Rivers. However River Rafting is an adventure activity with a degree of risk which increases with the grade of rapids. Rafts can capsize, and people may fall out of the raft in fast flowing & violent water, people may be injured.

The Kaituna & Wairoa River’s are class 5 rivers and both have waterfalls and hard rapids.
Grade 5 = Very difficult rapids, High-powerful-irregular waves, difficult to negotiate, the extreme for commercial operations. This said – The Kaituna river is an amazing river & is normally good for most fit and healthy people”

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.

PARTICIPANTS SHOULD BE AWARE THAT KAITUNA CASCADES CANNOT GUARANTEE YOUR SAFETY.

Layer 2@1X 1 - Frequently Asked Questions
  • tripadvisor stars 5 - Frequently Asked Questions  So much fun! Guides Blue, Rob and Pete were very knowledgable and always put our safety first, but made sure we had heaps of fun rafting too. Such an adrenaline... read more

    shermocilla
    June 1, 2021
  • tripadvisor stars 5 - Frequently Asked Questions  Cole and the team were really great. 3rd time doing it. Will be back for more. The instructor made the experience one to remember!

    86sachinthaa
    March 20, 2022
  • tripadvisor stars 5 - Frequently Asked Questions  Great fun. Instructors were really nice and fun. River was fun and the instructors made it even better.

    Z857NXjamieg
    April 3, 2022
  • tripadvisor stars 5 - Frequently Asked Questions  Best experience!
    Absolute pros. From customer service on the phone to on the river.
    Taun and Blue had complete control and knew the perfect spot to take and stop the... read more

    Samuel M
    September 2, 2022
  • tripadvisor stars 5 - Frequently Asked Questions  Thanks to the crew for an awesome day. Much appreciated. Definitely recommend best activity I have done in Rotorua so far!!

    Jack McBeath
    January 1, 1970
  • tripadvisor stars 5 - Frequently Asked Questions  An amazing afternoon with Ben at the helm. The staff were all amazing, friendly and very professional with many laughs. An absolute fun and challenging couple of hours. Would also... read more

    Lorraine and Lance
    March 1, 2022
  • tripadvisor stars 5 - Frequently Asked Questions  Cole was a really good guide, talked us through everything and had a good laugh. The water was nice, not cold at all. They provide wetsuits, footwear, helmets, life jackets... read more

    Phoenix F
    January 1, 1970
  • tripadvisor stars 5 - Frequently Asked Questions  Was an awesome experience! Felt super safe and comfortable and will most definitely be doing it again!

    Whereisjess
    July 13, 2021
  • tripadvisor stars 5 - Frequently Asked Questions  Friendly and expert guides combined with amazing natural beauty of the river and the excitement of the rapids/falls made this an incredible Trip. Special thanks to our guide Owen who... read more

    Cormac McCullough
    March 1, 2022
  • tripadvisor stars 5 - Frequently Asked Questions  Outstanding, a must-do when in the Rotorua area. This was my 3rd trip with Kaituna Cascades and I'll no doubt do it again. Gorge rafting at its best with expert... read more

    parker813
    June 15, 2022
TA logo primary@1X - Frequently Asked Questions