Desperate for things to do on a rainy day? At Kaituna Cascades, we know the feeling! Fortunately, we know exactly what heals those rainy day blues – white water rafting throughout Rotorua and beyond. If you’re eager to fill these days with blood-pumping excitement, we have outlined all the top rafting destinations in New Zealand that are perfect for rainy conditions in this article.

Read on for more.

1. Kaituna River, Rotorua

The beautiful Kaituna River in Rotorua is renowned for an exhilarating rafting experience, which is amplified in rainy conditions. The river features the world’s highest commercially rafted waterfall, Tutea Falls, and offers rafters the chance to navigate very intense and fast-moving rapids! The abundance of the surrounding Kaituna Forest is also particularly striking in the rain, and makes a picturesque image for any rafter braving bad weather.

However, the Kaituna River can be prone to flooding. Depending on the severity of the rain, we at Kaituna Cascades might suggest another river to try – the Rangitaiki River, which offers an equally impressive rafting experience!

2. Rangitaiki River, Bay of Plenty

The Rangitaiki River, located in the Bay of Plenty, is one of New Zealand’s most loved rafting destinations. After the Kaituna River floods in the rain, the Rangitaiki River becomes particularly exciting – because of the increased water flow, low, rocky and bouncy rapids become an exciting Grade 4 ! With the right instruction, beginners and experienced rafters alike can enjoy the Rangitaiki in the rain. Particular highlights that we enjoy are Fantail Falls, Geoff’s Joy and Tautika; rapids that make you hold on tight and truly engage! Rest assured, there’s no adventure like the Rangitaiki River.

3. Wairoa

The Wairoa River, also situated in the Bay of Plenty, is one of New Zealand’s rafting destinations renowned for its intense and technical rapids. Thrill-seekers flock to the Wairoa River in the rain, searching for a challenging experience that excites and amazes in equal measure. Rainy conditions enhance the river’s already powerful flow, making Grade 3 to 5 rapids more dynamic and intense. Undertaking an expedition to the Wairoa in the rain means that you must be comfortable in deep water and, of course, familiar with steep drops! “Mother’s Nightmare” is particularly famous for its Grade 4 rock garden, followed by an extreme 2-metre waterfall! But, if you know you’re up to the task, a Kaituna Cascades expedition awaits.

We must note that the Wairoa River is typically dam-released, so rafting is usually available only on specific release dates. This may or may not coincide with wet weather.

Don’t struggle for things to do on a rainy day when we at Kaituna Cascades provide amazing white water rafting expeditions across the Kaituna, Wairoa and Rangitaiki River. We provide our rafters with expert instruction, equipment and support throughout their expedition – as long as we deem the weather conditions suitable. For more information about our white water rafting experiences, please contact us.