Rafting Packing List: What to Wear and What to Bring

So you’ve just booked your Kaituna rafting trip. Congratulations, the countdown is officially on! The Kaituna River in Rotorua is world-famous for its thrilling rapids, native rainforest, and unforgettable energy, and it’s completely normal to feel a mix of excitement and a few nerves in the lead-up, especially around one simple question: what do I actually need to bring?

For most first-time rafters, that question is the last hurdle outside of asking ‘is white water rafting safe?’ before the fun starts. The good news is you don’t need much. Whether you’re travelling from Auckland or already in Rotorua, this guide runs through our full rafting packing list: what to wear, the right rafting footwear, what our team provides for you on the day, and what’s best left at home.

Sort this out ahead of time, and you can focus on the thrill of the ride, not what you might have forgotten.

Quick Reference

What to Wear for Rafting

Rafting Outfit

What are the right white water rafting clothes? The good news is you don’t need anything fancy, just a few key layers that keep you comfortable in the water.

Bring your swimsuit or quick-dry shorts to wear under your wetsuit, plus quick-drying clothing, such as sportswear. Because a wetsuit is provided on the day (more on that below), your own clothing only needs to work as a light layer underneath it. If you have long hair, tie it back with a hair tie before you get on the water.

Rafting Footwear

Comfortable waterproof shoes give you a solid grip getting in and out of the raft and on wet rocks along the riverbank.

That said, you don’t need to buy dedicated water shoes before your trip. Kaituna Cascades supplies neoprene booties for every rafter, designed for grip and warmth on the river, so your own footwear is really a backup rather than a requirement.

What to Bring: The Rafting Essentials

Here’s the full rundown of what to bring rafting. Keep it simple, and you’ll have everything you need for the day:

• Swimwear or quick-dry shorts: To wear under your wetsuit for the day
• Towel: You’ll want this the moment you’re back on dry land
• Sunscreen: The water reflects sunlight, so it’s worth applying even on cloudy days
• Hair ties: To keep long hair tied back and out of the way
• Warm, dry clothes: To change into once you’re off the water and heading home
• GoPro with a chest harness: The best way to capture the ride if you want footage. Skip any digital camera that isn’t waterproof; it has no place on the raft

Travel light and let the team handle the rest. Gear, equipment, and safety checks are all taken care of, so all you need to focus on is the ride ahead.

What’s Provided for You?

You don’t need to buy or hire any specialist gear before your Kaituna rafting trip. Every rafter is kitted out with a full set of rafting essentials, maintained to a professional standard:

• Wetsuit: Keeps you warm in the cool river water, even on a fresh Rotorua morning
• Helmet: Secure head protection for the rapids and the drop over Tutea Falls
• Life jacket: Essential for buoyancy and safety throughout the trip
• Booties: Neoprene water shoes for grip and warmth underfoot
• Fleece top: Extra comfort on colder days, worn under your wetsuit
• Splash Jacket: To keep you and the layers dry during the winter months

Before you set off, your guide will fit your gear properly and show you how to use your paddle, so you feel comfortable and confident from the first stroke. Every piece of equipment is checked before each trip, so you can trust it’s ready for the rapids ahead.

As an Adventure Mark audited and Qualmark endorsed operator, we hold our gear and safety checks to the same rigorous standard on every single trip, so what you’re handed at the base has already passed a professional review before you ever touch the water.

This is why the rafting packing list above stays so short! Between your own light layers and everything supplied here, you’re fully equipped for one of New Zealand’s most iconic adventures.

What to Leave at Home

Just as important as what to bring is knowing what to leave behind:

• Cotton clothing: It gets extremely heavy when wet, stays wet, and won’t keep you comfortable, so stick to quick-dry fabrics instead
• Valuables and jewellery: There’s always a chance of losing these on the water, so it’s safest to leave them at home rather than risk it

Ready to Pack for Your Kaituna Adventure?

With the right rafting packing list in hand, preparing for your trip is simple. Between what you bring and what we provide, you’ll be fully kitted out before you even reach the water’s edge.

Get in touch if you still have questions about what to wear or bring, and our team is always happy to help before you book your session. It’s also worth having a read of our River Conditions page for a sense of what to expect on the day.

Book your white water rafting trip today!