Frequently Asked Questions

Conditions - Age & weight limits (Max & min)

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

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

What to bring ?

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

Do I need experience?

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.

Do I need to know how to swim to go White Water Rafting?

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

How do we capture our adventure?

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.

Just watching?

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.

How are our rafts designed?

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.

I am travelling solo can I join others on a trip?

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.

How safe is this experience? - Health & Safety

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  Awesome day out with all the guides playing a part. Sam Pete and rob all fantastic. Will definitely be back! Can’t recommend highly enouhj

    Nik swain
    August 13, 2021

  • tripadvisor stars 5 - Frequently Asked Questions  Great fun..!! Start to finish, it was an amazing experience. Hamish (hope i spelled it right or atleast close enough) was so fun not only ensured our safety but also... read more

    Vibhay
    January 1, 1970

  • tripadvisor stars 5 - Frequently Asked Questions  Unbelievable experience rafting the 7m waterfall this morning! Even more fun when the boat flipped!! Highly recommend! Great fun and great instructors!! Shout out to Pete From the Irish girls

    907alysonm
    July 9, 2022

  • tripadvisor stars 5 - Frequently Asked Questions  Absolutely fantastic experience with funny, friendly guys. A must do! We are 68 & 70 yo & they really looked after us. Thanks & we'll see you again.

    Beedee51
    February 1, 2022

  • tripadvisor stars 5 - Frequently Asked Questions  Such an amazing crew at Kaituna Cascades, high quality equipment and very professional and personable guides. They provide everything you need, you only need to bring a towel!
    I... read more

    malurthebest
    May 20, 2022

  • tripadvisor stars 5 - Frequently Asked Questions  I had the most amazing time with these guys, from welcome to exit. Eoin was such a great coach and explained everything to keep us safe (+1 for the beautiful... read more

    Tyson1991
    July 23, 2021

  • tripadvisor stars 5 - Frequently Asked Questions  Had boys trip and this was our first stop. Went down the river with Blu, he was awesome and gave us a great experience. Would definitely recommend going with Kaituna... read more

    jasony520
    January 1, 2022

  • tripadvisor stars 5 - Frequently Asked Questions  Had a great time doing this. 2nd time on the River, but first for my Partner who isn't the biggest fan of deep moving water etc. But she had a... read more

    NZPommy
    April 10, 2022

  • tripadvisor stars 5 - Frequently Asked Questions  Great day - right from arrival the guys were organised, hard case and felt super safe after not rafting for 20 odd years. Family loved it - great balance of... read more

    craigpF2248NA
    April 19, 2021

  • tripadvisor stars 5 - Frequently Asked Questions  Amazing time on the water, Blue our Guide was amazing and full of local history, Highly recommend to everyone

    Jesse
    February 1, 2022
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