Kaituna River Rafting

Kaituna River Rafting

  • The Best Rafting In New Zealand!
  • Grade 5 White Water Rafting
  • Rotorua, New Zealand

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Join us for an unforgettable journey down the Kaituna River—home to the world’s highest rafted waterfall.

What is White Water Rafting?

White water rafting is an exciting adventure where groups paddle through fast-moving rapids in an inflatable raft. Waves and currents create sudden drops that add to the thrill. Each rapid presents a challenge that keeps the experience unpredictable.

Beginners can enjoy rafting with the guidance of skilled instructors. More experienced rafters can take on stronger rapids that require teamwork and quick reflexes. Every trip feels different, making each ride a unique experience.

Rafting takes place in stunning natural settings. Towering cliffs and lush forests line the riverbanks. Waterfalls add to the breathtaking scenery. Kaituna River offers one of the best rafting experiences, featuring Tutea Falls, the highest commercially rafted waterfall in the world. Every moment on the water combines adventure and natural beauty, creating an unforgettable journey.

3 Kaituna River Tutea falls rafting
Map of Kaituna

Why Choose Kaituna River?

Kaituna River offers an unforgettable rafting experience, blending thrilling rapids with breathtaking scenery. Flowing through a deep jungle canyon, the river is surrounded by lush native forests, creating a remote and untouched atmosphere. Crystal-clear waters twist and turn through steep gorges, offering a ride packed with excitement and natural beauty.

Grade 5 Rapids

For those seeking a heart-pounding adventure, Kaituna River delivers with its grade 5 rapids. Powerful currents and steep drops create an intense challenge for rafters who crave excitement. Expert guides ensure a safe yet exhilarating journey through these wild waters.

Tutea Falls

Tutea Falls stands at an incredible seven metres, making it the highest commercially rafted waterfall in the world. Plunging over the edge of a raft is a moment of pure adrenaline, followed by the rush of emerging victorious at the bottom. It’s the ultimate bucket list experience for adventure lovers.

Perfect for Families & Groups

Kaituna River isn’t just for extreme adventurers. Options are available for all skill levels, from first-time rafters to seasoned paddlers. Families, groups, and corporate teams can enjoy a fun and rewarding day on the water. The combination of high-energy rapids and scenic calm sections makes it a perfect balance of thrill and relaxation.

A Journey Through Nature

Located just outside Rotorua, the Kaituna River provides a true escape into nature while being easily accessible. The stunning rainforest surroundings, diverse wildlife, and refreshing waters create an experience that goes beyond just rafting.

The Rafting Experience

Prepare for an action-packed trip down the Kaituna River. From arrival to the final splash, every moment is filled with excitement, teamwork, and breathtaking scenery.

Arrival and Check-In 

Arrive 30 minutes before departure at our riverside base at Okere Falls. Meet expert guides, check-in, and take in the scenic surroundings before gearing up.

Safety Briefing and Gear Up

Our experienced guides provide a safety briefing and paddling instructions. You will be equipped with a wetsuit, helmet, life jacket, splash jacket, and secure footwear for comfort and safety.

Practice on Calm Water

Before tackling the rapids, practice paddling techniques in a calm section of the river. Guides will demonstrate commands and teamwork skills to prepare you for the adventure.

Ride the Rapids

Navigate 14 thrilling rapids through the lush jungle canyon of Kaituna River. Work together to steer through fast-moving water and feel the excitement of each rapid.

Conquer Tutea Falls

Take on Tutea Falls, a seven-metre waterfall and the world’s highest commercially rafted drop. Experience the heart-pounding thrill of this incredible descent.

Celebration and Memories

Return to base and relive the excitement with professional action photos. Share stories with fellow rafters and celebrate an adventure you will never forget.

Your Next Adventure Starts Here

Feel the rush of Kaituna River as you take on thrilling rapids and stunning natural landscapes. Book your rafting trip today and create lasting memories on the water!

Check in Time

Daily at 9am, 11:45am and 2.30pm. (We also offer a 4:30pm tour in the summer months - self drive only!)

Duration

A 50 minute action packed ride down 14 epic rapids and the worlds highest rafted waterfall. Allow 2hours in total.

Availability

All year! - Warm water in the summer and cooler in the winter (more gear provided).

Location

18 Okere Falls Road, Okere Falls 3074, Rotorua, New Zealand. Our base is located on the banks of the Kaituna River and there are no long bus rides or waiting around in wet suits! Arrive early and take a stroll down the beautiful Okere Falls Scenic Reserve walking track. With multiple viewing platforms of the river, and its many waterfalls, it’s the perfect pre-rafting activity!

Conditions

Grade 5 rafting trip, Age 13 - 65 years - Grade 3 option available for 10 - 12 year olds "Youth" option. NOT SUITABLE FOR PREGNANT WOMEN or THOSE WITH HEART CONDITIONS. MAXIMUN WEIGHT is 120kgs - must be fit and healthy.

We Provide

The most entertaining & fun guides to be on the river with (and safest.), custom built rafts, wet suits, helmets, life jackets, paddles, warm fleece tops, wet suit booties and splash jackets. There is also heaps of free off street parking - a volleyball net, loads of picnic tables and chill areas - with access to the river !

Price Includes

Includes shuttle to and from Rotorua - Bookings essential.

What to bring

Swimwear, Shorts & a sense of adventure! We are GoPro friendly so feel free to bring yours along with a chest harness attachment. 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

Minimum Numbers

No Minimum

Gallery

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Best experience ever! Awesome energetic crew and supervisors. Highly recommend even in the winter time!
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Best experience ever! Awesome energetic crew and supervisors. Highly recommend even in the winter time!
Read More
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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”

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

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  • star rating  It was a sunny but cold winter day when me and a mate decided to do the whitewater rafting on the Kaituna River. I had done the Grade 3-4 Rangitaiki... read more

    Discover38050536516
    June 25, 2021

  • star rating  Heaps of fun! Went with my 15 year old son. Contemplated going back for the afternoon booking but will wait for other family to join us next time. Always... read more

    Amber J
    January 1, 1970

  • star rating  Great fun. Instructors were really nice and fun. River was fun and the instructors made it even better.

    Z857NXjamieg
    April 3, 2022

  • star rating  As soon as we showed up the staff were super friendly and chilled. The Changing rooms and equipment are really clean.
    We had a quick tutorial of what to do... read more

    Rutw77
    July 11, 2022

  • star rating  A fantastic activity ! The guys working at Kaituna Cascades are super friendly and made the trip so worthwhile! Would highly recommend this to everyone to do, the gear is... read more

    GrandTour580098
    April 18, 2021

  • star rating  Blue is an awesome guide, great experience! Highly recommended x this was my first rapid rafting trip. Loved it!

    WillieDevine1
    July 9, 2022

  • star rating  An exciting white water rafting experience in a beautiful native forest setting near Rotorua. Rob was a fun great guide.

    Chillybin
    January 1, 1970

  • star rating  What an amazing experience. Great staff, very skilled and knowledgeable. Enjoyed and Will book again in a few months. Cannot recommend enough.

    jayhale1969
    February 1, 2022

  • star rating  It was amazing experience. I think the name is Cole , master of our boat. He help us to get an amazing experience of River Rafting . ... read more

    Ashish Gupta
    February 1, 2022

  • star rating  Great day out! Lots of fun and adrenaline pumping. Great for groups of friends. Instructors were friendly and good fun. :)

    Mary_Gstar
    April 28, 2022
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