White Water Rafting - Kaituna Cascades, The Originals
Recommended by 100% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Tauranga, New Zealand
- 2 hours (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
Go white-water rafting on the Kaituna River for a thrilling outing from Rotorua. Your guide leads you on an action-packed ride down 11 rapids and Tutea Falls, the world’s highest commercially rafted waterfall at 23 feet (7 meters). This rafting trip takes place in a gorgeous jungle canyon and is suitable for active people, with no prior rafting experience required.
- Guides provide a safe and fun rafting experience
- Includes use of all necessary gear
- Choose from morning or afternoon departures to suit your schedule
- Make your own way to he starting point at Okere Falls
What's Included
- Custom built rafts, wetsuits, helmets, lifejackets, paddles, fleece tops, wetsuit booties, and splash jackets
- Local, professional & highly trained guides
- Digital photos (Available to purchase)
- Glasses Strap $5
- Rent a Towel $5
- Go Pro Harness Hire $5
- Other Souvenirs (T-shirt etc)
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- 18 Okere Falls Road, Okere Falls 3074, New Zealand
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.What To Expect
1
Kaituna Cascades
2
Okere Falls
3
Kaituna River
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not recommended for travelers with back problems
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Service animals allowed
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- Availability is all year round - Warm water in the summer and cooler in the winter (more gear provided)
- MUST be under 120 kgs
- Not recommended for non swimmers
- NO expectant mothers
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 36 travelers
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
Brad_M
This was the most amazing excursion. The guides were very experienced but fun! If you love adventure this is the trip for you
Reviews
5.0
based on 1,331 reviews
Stephen_X, Mar 2026
Super fun! Really enjoyed it and it was a thrill. Great safety briefing and funny guides. Would go again!
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you for the epic review team!
Kim_K, Mar 2026
WOW! Just WOW. This was an amazing experience. Pablo, our guide, did a great job of instructing, communicating, and keeping us safe throughout. Like everyone else says, exhilarating and definitely bucket list worthy. A shout out to all staff here as each was friendly and they worked super well together as a team.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Good times with Pablo for sure :)
Cheers for the review
Chrissy_M, Feb 2026
It’s wet and wild - wetsuits are supplied and we didn’t get cold - the instructions and training are amazing - incredible fun and action
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Love the title of your review Chrissy !! Thanks for coming out rafting with us on the kaituna river.
martin_s, Feb 2026
AWESOME!!! Had the greatest time with friends and our guide (Malcolm) was the best! The rapids were fast and furiuos, we had the greatest time!
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Thanks for the awesome review review Martin
Timothy_k, Feb 2026
This is a great 5 star trip and the guides are very well trained, our guide Malcolm was very professional and very helpful getting us back in the boat.
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Cheers for the 5 star review ! :)
Kevin_S, Feb 2026
Great tour. Fun, exciting, and a little scary. Very much worth it. The crew takes care of everything. Ollie is a great guide.
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Hell yeah ! Cheers for the review :)
Brent_H, Feb 2026
It is one of the most exhilarating experiences our group has ever done. After it was done our whole group was on a total adrenaline high.
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Cheers for the mint review Brent !
Brad_M, Feb 2026
This was the most amazing excursion. The guides were very experienced but fun! If you love adventure this is the trip for you
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Cheers team thank you for the epic review!
Jennifer_H, Feb 2026
We had the most amazing time at Kaituna Cascades for White Water Rafting. I was nervous I was going to be cold, but they outfitted us with Wet Suits, and Fleece Tops, along with Booties for shoes and a safe life jacket and helmet. The guides gave us a good run down of what was going to happen, safety measures, how to handle the rapids and more. Along with all the details - lots of jokes and keeping it fun. The actual experience was amazing - it was my first time white water rafting and to experience the Grade 5 Rapid, was exhilarating! I would more than recommend this excursion to anyone. Our leader was Jasper was engaging and very instructive, top notch!
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Cheers team, thank you for the epic review, we are so happy you enjoyed your trip out on the river with us!
Sariah_H, Feb 2026
We had the most amazing experience! The guides were very informative, helped everyone understand the plan and just made for one exciting and amazing adventure!
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Thank you for your awesome review!!
Hope_F, Jan 2026
Very well organized. Always had fun and felt safe. I would highly recommend to anyone! The guides made the whole experience.
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Legend - Cheers for the review
Deanna_B, Jan 2026
Flynn was our guide and he did a great job. Gave just enough instruction to keep everybody safe and having a good time!
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Yeah ya ! Good times :)
Ciera_C, Jan 2026
Amazing experience, great guides. Very professional operation. We had so much fun and plan to return in the future!
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Awesome - great to hear :)
Cheers for the mint review
nkgator, Jan 2026
This experience was great. While it was not an intense rapid experience it was waterfalls in a raft experience- or sometimes out of the raft! My life was in Flynn’s expert hamds and I survived! The team at Kaituna Rafting were experienced, accommodating, and fun!
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Haha sweet review & nice work on getting the waterfalls done :)
Georgia_R, Dec 2025
The greatest fun, knowledgeable instructors and all round great day. Everyone was talking about this for days afterwards
Response from Host, Dec 2025
Cheers for the epic review guys!!
Tammy_G, Dec 2025
Our family, including our three teenage boys had the best time! Malcolm was very funny and professional always ensuring our safety. The boys are still talking about how much fun they had. Thanks Malcolm…and Viator. The booking system and communication was excellent. Highly recommend.
Response from Host, Dec 2025
Mal the man!! Cheers for the epic review team!!
Russell_T, Dec 2025
The most amazing bucket list experience of my life with breathtaking scenery and heart stopping action I would recommend it as something to not miss out on
Response from Host, Dec 2025
Legend ! Cheers for the mint review :)
Demiana_S, Oct 2025
This is the most fun tour I have had! It was so enjoyable and the guides were knowledgeable and helpful with their instructions. Recommend it and would do it again!
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Thank you for your review team!
Kirk_P, Apr 2025
Our FAVORITE excursion on our New Zealand Cruise. Malcom - our guide - AMAZING. Two in our group were VERY nervous because of the falls. However, did an amazing job on the safety briefing - with humor - that helped them relax. The scenery is breathtaking and the river beautiful. Anyone of any skill level CAN do this. There are six to a raft (plus guide) and they do a great job training and getting you ready for the "drop." My buddy and I were in the front and got "popped" out as the raft came up out of the wash below the falls. EXHILERATING!! Seriously, so fun. All on our boat - including those nervous about the trip - were on a high the rest of our trip. DO THIS. reasonably priced souveniers and photos (which you must get - some hilarious ones!) at the end. Enjoy (and ask for Malcolm!)
Response from Host, Apr 2025
Absolute epic reveiw :)
Stoked you loved the river and Mal's easy ways - He makes it soo much better.
Cheers for the review !
Kevin_W, Mar 2025
This activity was EVERYTHING you’d imagine.
It was beautiful in the valley, the trees and the river.
It was fun getting in the water for a swim at the beginning of the journey down the river.
It was exciting going down the small waterfalls.
The 7m waterfall was scary, exhilarating and over so fast.
The pictures of the experience are fantastic.
Definitely worth buying them.
We were in a raft of 2 couples - aged 61, 65, 65 and 68. We all loved it.
Age is not a reason not to do this adventure if you are considering it.
Response from Host, Mar 2025
Thank you so much for your fabulous review! we are glad you enjoyed your trip, we love to hear these. Hope to see you out here again! Cheers, Eden and the cascades crew
Troy_S, Mar 2025
Wonderful and fun experience! We had a great time and would recommend this rafting experience to everyone who likes big rapids. The crew were knowledgeable and kind.
Response from Host, Mar 2025
Cheers team, thank you for the review, we hope to see you out here again!
Kimberley_S, Mar 2025
What an amazing experience! I was quite frightened about doing this but you are given lots of instruction and the guides are excellent. They tell you everything you need to know to be safe. There are also safety kayaks to help if needed. Even though we were in the front and fell out on the ‘big one’, I really enjoyed it. Once in a lifetime experience on our trip to NZ.
Response from Host, Mar 2025
Haha - oh yeah, It's always fun and falling out at the waterfall makes it a bit more spicy and fun!
Cheers for the review :)
Marissa_B, Jan 2025
Staff were so fun & entertaining. We felt very safe the whole time. Best experience - a must do when in NZ!
Response from Host, Jan 2025
Cheers for the five stars guys!!
Reza_O, Dec 2024
Very interesting and fun, not really suitable for faint of hearts, one of the waterfalls is the highest you can do commercially in the world.
Response from Host, Dec 2024
Cheers for the 5 STARS
Harel_T, Dec 2024
Fantastic gorge. Beau
Fantastic gorge. Beautiful surrounding. Professional operators. Excellent experience. Very well organized.
Response from Host, Dec 2024
Legend :)
Eden_S, Dec 2024
Had an amazing time on the river, Cole was a fantastic guide and everyone was super friendly. 10/10.
Response from Host, Dec 2024
Coles a cool cat to be on the river with !
Cheers for the review :)
Carolyn_A, Nov 2024
The 7 meter drop!!! Wow! This is definitely a once in a lifetime experience. The crew was fantastic and truly in sync when it comes to direction and protection. They really make sure you know what to do in any situation. Our guide was awesome. Really made it entertaining and informative. You will laugh. You will scream. You will sigh from the beauty and you will never forget it
Response from Host, Nov 2024
Thanks for choosing us & leaving the Awesome review Carolyn
Steven_B, Nov 2024
A 21 foot drop waterfall!
And the crew was amazing.
Malcolm was our guide and took us right to the best spots!
Response from Host, Nov 2024
Cheers Steven, thank you for the epic review!
Sacha_S, Sep 2024
Awesome rafting experience in an amazing setting. Our guides were organised and professional but obviously really enjoy what they do which translates into a memorable experience.
Response from Host, Sep 2024
Nice one! Thank you for the review
Douglas_D, Jun 2024
This is one of the best things we did on our 6 week vacation to Australia and New Zealand! The 23 foot waterfall drop is incredible and the rest of the class 5 river is also amazing. The staff are very friendly, knowledgeable and helpful. The pictures from this trip were also amazing, well worth the additional money.
Response from Host, Jun 2024
Thank you for the review. Winter rafting's the best..
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