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.

Recommended maximum weight is 120kgs – 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.

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”

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

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  • tripadvisor stars 5 - Frequently Asked Questions  What an amazing experience we had today with the team at kaituna cascades. We are still buzzing from our grade 5 white water rafting experience. We took our teens... read more

    Reaperqueen21
    April 19, 2021
  • 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  We had such a great time on the river, stunning scenery and adventurous waterfalls, great guides ... thanks, very highly recommended!

    T9078NNhelenm
    June 18, 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  Great fun. Instructors were really nice and fun. River was fun and the instructors made it even better.

    Jamie G
    April 1, 2022
  • tripadvisor stars 5 - Frequently Asked Questions  Best experience ever! Awesome energetic crew and supervisors. Highly recommend even in the winter time!

    lilyp683
    May 14, 2021
  • tripadvisor stars 5 - Frequently Asked Questions  Had awesome time on the river for the first time. Hamish was down to earth guide who made sure we had a great experience. Thank you so much Hamish and... read more

    V4516ZFpb
    April 20, 2022
  • tripadvisor stars 5 - Frequently Asked Questions  Totally amazing experience! So worth it - pushed me out of my comfort zone but so worth it. Fantastic staff and guides. Definately would recommend this activity to everyone

    Gina C
    August 12, 2022
  • tripadvisor stars 5 - Frequently Asked Questions  Brilliant! We had heaps of fun. Guides were friendly and made us feel safe and comfortable. Highly recommended to all!

    Mahn
    January 1, 2022
  • tripadvisor stars 5 - Frequently Asked Questions  The whole thing was my favorite part. Pete was great and I had a really fun time working with my raft mates to get through the river. There was a... read more

    Lucena G
    February 1, 2022
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