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Kaituna Cascades - The Original Grade 5 Kaituna White Water Rafting Company

5.0
1963
Join the Original Kaituna Rafting Company for an unbeatable Grade 5 white-water experience on one of New Zealand's most exciting and beautiful rivers!

Join the Original Kaituna Rafting Company for an unbeatable Grade 5 white-water experience on one of New Zealand's most exciting and beautiful rivers!

Highlights

  • Tackle the Mighty Kaituna River and attempt the world famous 7 metre Tutea Falls!
  • Enjoy a 50 minute action packed ride down 14 epic rapids.
  • Stunning scenery through a tight and twisting warm water jungle canyon.
  • Experienced and safety assured guide.

Experience the thrills and spills of the Mighty Kaituna River as we take on the world famous 7 meter Tutea Falls, the highest commercially rafted waterfall.

Together with your expert guide, your team will enjoy a 50 minute action packed ride down 14 epic rapids in a tight and twisting warm water jungle canyon.

This is a white water enthusiasts dream and is a must do for adrenaline junkies and 1st timers rafters alike!

No prior experience is necessary as you will be given full and comprehensive training but basic swimming skills is recommended

All you need is a reasonable level of fitness, a sense of fun and adventure, swimwear and a towel.

Adult $135.00 (13 years +)
Group Deal PP $115.00 (Group Deal Per Person with 6 or more aged 13+)
Child $80.00 (Ages 10 -12 - Joins post waterfalls)

What's included

  • The best guides on the river, custom built rafts, helmets, lifejackets, paddles, wetsuits, fleece tops, wetsuit booties and splash jackets.

Duration

  • Allow approximately 2 hours for the whole experience

Location

  • Must meet us @ 18 Okere Falls Road, Okere Falls, Rotorua.
  • Big red & yellow building located right beside the Kaituna river

Restrictions

  • Minimum age: 13
  • Please Note: All you need to participate is a reasonable level of fitness.

    Maximum weight limit is 120kgs

    • Must be comfortable in the water
    • Must befit and healthy
    • Not suitable for people with heart problems
    • Not suitable for pregnant women
    • Being able to swim is mandatory



Bad Weather Refunds

  • If your experience is cancelled by the operator (because of the bad weather, safety concerns, unscheduled maintenance etc) you will be entitled to a full refund.

Notes

  • Check-in: You MUST arrive at the Kaituna Cascades Rafting base 15 minutes before your booking time to CHECK IN.


    IMPORTANT: This exciting rafting activity is rated Grade 5 so it is strictly limited to anyone up to 120 kgs. If you are over the weight limit you will not be able to participate. This activity is not suitable for those who are older and not agile, neither is it suitable for those not comfortable in the water.Being able to swim is mandatory.



    Daily Departure Times: 9:00am, 11:45am, 2:30pm and 4:30pm (summer only).


    We also rent towels for $5

    GoPro Chest harness rental $5

    And you can buy Glasser straps to keep for $5

    Digital Photos of your tour $50


    Please Note:

    Your safety is our No.1 priority at Kaituna Cascades. If for any reason we feel safety is compromised we reserve the right to cancel any trip or person.

    Any river trip carries a degree of risk - participants must be aware that while safety is paramount Kaituna Cascades cannot 100% guarantee your safety.

    Cancellations within 24 hours and "no shows" are non-refundable. A 30% cancellation/administration fee applies to any booking cancelled prior.


Available Bookings from 20 Jan to 2 Feb 2026

Change Dates

All prices are shown in NZD ($)

Tue 20 Jan
Wed 21 Jan
Thu 22 Jan
Fri 23 Jan
Sat 24 Jan
Sun 25 Jan
Mon 26 Jan
Tue 27 Jan
Wed 28 Jan
Thu 29 Jan
Fri 30 Jan
Sat 31 Jan
Sun 1 Feb
Mon 2 Feb

Bookings close in 7 hours...

  • Adult$90.00

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Bookings close in 10 hours...

  • Adult$105.00

  • Adult$105.00

  • Adult$90.00

  • Adult$115.00

  • Adult$115.00

  • Adult$135.00

  • Adult$115.00

  • Adult$135.00

  • Adult$115.00

  • Adult$90.00

  • Adult$115.00

  • Adult$115.00

  • Adult$115.00

  • Adult$115.00

  • Adult$105.00

  • Adult$100.00

  • Adult$105.00

  • Adult$115.00

  • Adult$115.00

  • Adult$115.00

  • Adult$115.00

  • Adult$115.00

  • Adult$115.00

  • Adult$115.00

  • Adult$115.00

  • Adult$115.00

  • Adult$115.00

  • Adult$115.00

  • Adult$135.00

  • Adult$135.00

  • Adult$135.00

  • Adult$135.00

  • Adult$135.00

  • Adult$135.00

  • Adult$135.00

  • Adult$135.00

Authenticated Reviews & PhotosAll of our reviews are from people who have booked and paid for this activity thru Bookme

Authenticated Reviews & PhotosAll of our reviews are from people who have booked and paid for this activity thru Bookme

5.0

1963 reviews

Showing all 1963 authenticated Bookme reviews

Malin Kuhr from New Zealand wrote on 19 January 2026

Loved it!

This was the best rafting experience I have ever had! The 7m waterfall is an absolute highlight but there are so many different sections in the river so it never gets boring! The crew is super fun and professional too! 10/10

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From Kaituna Cascades - The Original Grade 5 Kaituna White Water Rafting Company

Thank you for your awesome review Malin!

Karon Hughes from Australia wrote on 19 January 2026

Awesome trip with highly experienced guides

What an amazing trip! We were two adults and two 13 year old girls who absolutely loved every minute of this tour. Great, friendly, professional and super experienced staff - amazing photographer who took awesome photos of our group - more than any other tour operator in NZ! Couldn’t recommend these guys highly enough :)

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Antonia Bradley from United Kingdom wrote on 18 January 2026

Worth every cent - what a ride!!

We loved this so much we want to do it again! The guys were great fun but made us feel safe and guided us through the rapids. The big one felt huge it was really exciting and despite getting thrown out we survived and loved it!! Do it you won’t regret it!!

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From Kaituna Cascades - The Original Grade 5 Kaituna White Water Rafting Company

Legends!

T Tran from New Zealand wrote on 18 January 2026

10 out of 10

What a fun experience with the family. Awesome scenery, fun filled ride, great raft instructor (Cobba) and excellent communications from the admin on the day. Would definitely do this again! Highly recommmended!!!

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From Kaituna Cascades - The Original Grade 5 Kaituna White Water Rafting Company

Cheers team, thank you for your kind review!!

Laurissa Miles from United Kingdom wrote on 17 January 2026

Awesome experience

We loved our time with the guys at Kaituna Cascades. Olly, our guide was awesome and gave us the fullest experience while out on the water. 100% recommended it.

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From Kaituna Cascades - The Original Grade 5 Kaituna White Water Rafting Company

Hell yeah - good times

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Qualmark Certification

This award identifies a business with a high level of professionalism, a keen awareness of the impact it has on the environment and a commitment to a customer centric approach.

This award is evidence of a sophisticated tourism business that consistently exceeds visitor expectations. Their proactive leadership and management ensure the business's focus on continuously improving their economic, social and environmental performance to create genuine, constantly evolving and sustainable tourism experiences.

This award recognises the best sustainable tourism businesses in New Zealand. It denotes exceptional customer experiences at the heart of everything the company does. This business is leading the way in making the New Zealand tourism industry a world class sustainable visitor destination.

When you see the Qualmark logo, your activity of choice is endorsed by New Zealand Tourism's official quality assurance organisation and backed by leaders in the industry. It's your trusted guide to iconic activities and experiences that are awarded for their exceptionally high level of quality, safety and sustainability.

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