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  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

    Twoloosegoose
    March 22, 2022
  • tripadvisor stars 5 - Frequently Asked Questions  swimming in the river was the best part and cloe was the best instructor for our team. it was Amazing.....

    Harshil G
    February 1, 2022
  • tripadvisor stars 5 - Frequently Asked Questions  Loved the experience! First timer going down the falls. Instructors are awesome! Super helpful and polite. Highly recommend this place! Looking forward to visit again! (P.s shout out Cole ;))

    Ezra Ngakuru
    January 1, 2022
  • tripadvisor stars 5 - Frequently Asked Questions  loved the waterfall and also Hayley our instructor was the best!! supper nice and made the experience fun for us all :)))

    Alesha Nathan
    January 1, 2022
  • tripadvisor stars 5 - Frequently Asked Questions  So much fun. Guides were excellent. We felt safe while still experiencing the thrills of going over 2 waterfalls and in rapids. Beautiful setting and great pics. Definitely a must do

    Ewentwhere
    April 20, 2022
  • tripadvisor stars 5 - Frequently Asked Questions  Brilliant trip in the river and brilliant guide! Friendly and helpful staff. Our first rafting but the guide made us relax. It was an impressive adventure

    Traveller1256789
    April 18, 2021
  • tripadvisor stars 5 - Frequently Asked Questions  Professional team had a super fun time and felt safe and looked out for. Would highly recommend this company. Will be coming back for another ride.

    Annemaree R
    April 1, 2022
  • tripadvisor stars 5 - Frequently Asked Questions  Professional team had a super fun time and felt safe and looked out for. Would highly recommend this company. Will be coming back for another ride.

    annemareer2018
    April 2, 2022
  • tripadvisor stars 5 - Frequently Asked Questions  Amazing experience with Kaituna Cascades team. You guys are the best. Me and my friends came from Auckland to celebrate my birthday. Even if we came late, they welcomed us.... read more

    Departure32607724765
    May 28, 2021
  • 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
TA logo primary@1X - Frequently Asked Questions