Kaituna White-Water Rafting Adventure: Conquer 14 Rapids and World’s Highest Rafted Waterfall
4.9
604 Ratings
Rotorua
Conquer 14 rapids and experience the thrill of rafting down the world's highest commercially rafted waterfall. Join us on a 2-hour white-water adventure on the Kaituna River in New Zealand's native forest.
Duration: 2 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • 780 State Highway 33 - After pickup from any hotel in central Rotorua at your selected departure time, set off for a wild ride on the Kaituna River. Hop into your transport vehicle to the picturesque rafting base in the Kahikitea Forest, where river guides provide a full safety briefing. Once you’ve slipped into special clothing to keep you warm, grab your paddle, helmet, and life vest for the exciting journey ahead on the white water.\n\nYou’ll paddle over more than a dozen rapids, including the impressive Tutea Falls, a cascade that boasts a 22-foot drop with adrenaline overload. Pass through a steep canyon lined by subtropical native forest while you learn to navigate the thrilling white water.\n\nWhen you’re safely back on shore, you’re delivered back to the base where you can ‘chill out’ for a bit and view souvenir photos snapped by a professional photographer (available to purchase). Change into dry clothes and relax while transferred to your starting point.
What's Included
  • Guidance by a professional Kiwi guide.
  • Experience 100% Pure NZ Kaituna Rafting on a 2-hour round trip.
  • Complimentary hotel or motel transfer included.
  • Capture your adventure with a professional photographer.
What's Not Included
  • Food and drinks
  • Souvenir photos (available to purchase)
Additional Information

Navigate 14 rapids with cascades varying from 3 to 22 feet (1 to 7 meters), including the highest commercially rafted waterfall in the world. Traverse through deep, forested canyons and New Zealand’s indigenous woodland, perfectly suited for both seasoned rafters and beginners. Expert river guides deliver a comprehensive safety orientation along with top-notch clothing and gear for this 2-hour exhilarating journey on the Kaituna River.

  • Subject to favorable weather conditions. If canceled due to poor weather, you will be given the option of an alternative date or full refund.
Location
1135 Te Ngae Road
Te Ngae Road
Please arrive at our raft base for check in
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.9
(604 Ratings)
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Hannahhb7442ts
May 31, 2024
Awesome experience - Such a good morning, the whole crew were fun, super nice and obviously loved what they did. Rafting was exhilarating and you always felt in good hands. Jack (Captain Jack) our rafting guide was epic, knowledgable and made sure everyone had a good time! I’d recommend this to everyone in Rotorua! It was a privilege to raft down the Kaituna with such significant Māori heritage and a beautiful river too! :)
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Tonyd5213vx
May 23, 2024
Simply Incredible Experience - Did the Rafting Adventure with Kaitiaki today on the Kaituna River. The largest commercially rafted waterfall in the world. The whole team were incredible but a special mention to Captain Jack, our guide. Professional, cool, super friendly and incredibly knowledgeable. I would recommend this experience and this team to anyone looking for one of NZ who wants to experience the trip of a lifetime… Thanks Kaitiaki
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Josephine
May 18, 2024
A must do! Caruzo, Ben and Jack were amazing! - Caruzo, Ben and Jack were awesome and we had the best time rafting with them!!! Would 100% do again and these three really made it special and fun for us. They definitely took the job seriously and ensured we were safe but also made it fun with jokes, stories and history about the river and its surroundings. Loved it and would highly recommend to anyone!
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681chloen
May 9, 2024
Unique, Once in a lifetime experiences! - I have been all around the world and this company is one of the best tour companies I have been with! Even before the tour, they were quick, responsive, and accommodating to my questions and request about drop off. In addition, a portion of their proceeds goes towards nature conservation! All the employees I have met are passionate about adventure and nature. You can't beat that! I went on both the Mt. Tarawera volcanic crater tour and whitewater rafting tour in the same day. My guides on the mountain were Tiakiawa and Rangiora. It was special since they were both Māori, guiding us through their sacred mountain. Only this tour company has permission to run this tour because they obtain approval from the tribes who own the land. The guides ensured our safety and really wanted us to have a great time.Rangiora is also a Mitai Maori performer and cares about sharing his culture. The volcano was amazing and has beautiful colors. I recommend going on a sunny day so the views won't be blocked my clouds/fog. Once in a lifetime experience nonetheless! An hour after drop off, Tiakiawa picked me up again for the whitewater rafting. In addition to being my ride for both tours, my guide in the mountain, Tiakiawa was also my photographer for white water rafting! She also told me she had 2 mountain tours the next day! This girl is amazing and needs a raise! Her photographs were amazing and far exceeded expectations. I highly recommend asking for her to take your photos (see whitewater pics). White water rafting was great. Nick was our guide and he knows fun tricks on the boat and great photo ops. He really cares about safety-he keeps hitting my and a few others' helmets on our heads with a paddle because we would forget some steps/directions. It's for safety issues and because I was also paddling the wrong way but hitting people Nick! Other than that great guide and I would ask for him if you want an extra good time in the water. I highly recommend this company and all their tours! I would definitely go with them again!
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Alisonhy3560to
May 9, 2024
Fantastic experience - The staff were friendly, helpful and knowledgeable. They looked after everyone on the raft. It was exciting and safe. Highly recommended.
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Passport22404857367
May 6, 2024
A real adrenalin rush and lots of laughs - Jess on reception was playing AC/DC when we arrived, good start. Ben our kiwi safety guide and Nick our US raft captain were great and the rafting itself was brilliant, lots of good falls and rapids that seemed to come thick and fast. The highlight is the 7m drop, we were up front in the raft and got completely dunked which was great fun. Nice balance of a genuine adrenalin rush without ever feeling unsafe. And don't forget to look around at the scenery, the gorge is gorgeous. One small thought for the Kaitiaki guys, we would have loved a nice hot cup of tea at the end while we laughed at our photos.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Balazsp_12
Apr 25, 2024
So much fun - So much fun. I'd do it again, even twice in a day. Great instructors. Good safety but very fun. You can't really have a bad time.
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458chrisd
Apr 25, 2024
Fun and Exciting for all skill levels - This trip was a blast! The team that took us out were all great, very skilled, and very focused on safety. I had been rafting once before, over 10 years ago, and no one else in my boat aside from the guides had any experience. Despite that, even those in the boat who were the most outwardly nervous about the trip ended up walking away emboldened and happy. Though the river is exciting, with a good number of rapids and waterfalls, it never felt like something we couldn't handle. I totally recommend checking these guys out!
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Ellenbw3776um
Apr 11, 2024
10/10 - Went on a rafting trip with y’all and had an absolute blast. By far the best rafting experience I have ever had. Captain Jack was a great guide, heaps of fun. The rest of the crew were great vibes too especially Jesse. Really amplified the experience that all of the crew was in the spirit for a good time :)
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Sightsee30311303171
May 24, 2024
The worst experience till today - We did rafting for more than 6 times in newzealand this was the first time with kaitaiki & I think it will be the last time our guide ( jack ) was osm but the other guys NICK was the worst if you get any wounds while rafting don't expect a single thing from Them. Some of the guys are really Rude ...I'll post a video soon on my YouTube chanel for the whole incident.ill make sure they will take some strict action against the guys which I have mentioned ..nothing to do with the team there are some staff member who need to get proper training .....
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