Since 2019, we’ve been proud to be recognised every year as a Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice winner. That means for six years running, people from all over the world have rated Rotorua Rafting as one of the best experiences in the world — and we don’t take that lightly.
This year, the momentum continues:
We’re stoked. We’re grateful. And we’re just as keen to get back on the water tomorrow as the day we won our first award.
The River That Makes It Possible
The Kaituna River is at the heart of everything we do. She’s home to Tutea Falls — at 7 metres, the highest commercially rafted waterfall in the world — plus 14 epic rapids, lush native bush and steep gorges, not to mention one of the warmest rivers you can raft in NZ year round.
It’s a place where adventure and natural beauty meet, and sharing it with our guests is still the best part of our job.
The Crew Behind the Paddles
We’re a small team, but we’ve spent years learning every drop, eddy, and hidden spot on this river. Our guides are local, experienced, and genuinely love what they do. Safety is always the first priority — but making sure you have an unforgettable day runs a close second.
From the nervous smiles before the first rapid to the cheers after Tutea Falls, it’s the people in the raft — guests and guides alike — that make each run special.
Why These Awards Matter
Tripadvisor’s Best of the Best recognises the top 1% of experiences worldwide, based purely on guest reviews. Viator’s Top Experiences is built from bookings, ratings, and feedback over the past year.
It’s not marketing teams or paid features deciding the winners — it’s people who have actually been here, paddled with us, and shared their experience. Since 2019, you’ve kept us on that list, and that means more to us than anything.
Our Promise to You
Awards are great, but they’re not the finish line. We’ll keep refining every part of what we do — from training our guides, to upgrading gear, to making sure our trips stay safe, welcoming, and unforgettable.
Every group that comes through our doors gets the same commitment: this will be a day you’ll remember.
Thinking About Joining Us?
If you’ve been down the Kaituna with us before, you know what it’s like to feel that quiet pause before the drop, then the rush as the raft bursts through the whitewater below. If you haven’t — make 2025 the year you do it.
Whether you’re travelling solo, in a group, or looking for something completely different to add to your trip, we’ve got a seat in the raft for you.
From All of Us
To everyone who’s paddled with us since 2019 — thank you. You’ve helped us grow, kept us motivated, and reminded us why we love what we do. Here’s to more big drops, more good laughs, and more days on the river.
See you on the water.
– The Rotorua Rafting Crew
