Frequently asked questions
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Everything You Want to Know Before You Go
Rafting the Kaituna River is one of Aotearoa’s most iconic experiences - home to the world’s highest commercially rafted waterfall, warm water, and native bush-lined gorges that feels a world away from everything. But before you jump in a raft with us, it’s totally normal to have a few questions. We’ve pulled together the most common things people ask us - from “what should I bring?” to “do I need to be able to swim?” and “what if I fall out?” (Short answer: we’ve got you.)
If you can't find the answer you're looking for on this page, Get In Touch with us, our friendly team behind the scenes are here to help!
While not usual, it can happen. In the case that the river is not suitable for rafting and we need to cancel the trip, we will try to reschedule or offer a full refund.
You can check out our full cancellation policy here.
It Happens! That’s why we prepare you thoroughly before we hit the water. You’ll get a full safety briefing, and your guide will run through exactly what to do if you end up out of the raft.
Every trip is led by fully qualified river guides trained in swiftwater rescue, and we’ve got safety kayakers on the river too — their job is to keep an eye on you and assist if needed.
Most people who fall out end up laughing about it… once they’re back in the boat 😉
Yes — no experience is required. Our guides are highly trained and will talk you through everything. You’ll be briefed before and during the trip, and safety is always our top priority.
Yes, we are GoPro friendly. It must be securely mounted (like with a helmet or chest strap). Loose devices are not allowed for safety reasons — and to avoid watching your gear disappear down the river forever.
You sure can. We partner with other local legends to create the best Combo Packages in town!
We offer combo deals for both Rotorua Ziplines (our sister company) and Rotoiti Water Shuttles (Water Taxi Service to the Rotoiti Hot Pools)— perfect for adventure-packed days or weekend getaways.
Check out our Combos and Packages Page or email us and we’ll help build your dream day out.
Yes—we offer great discounts for groups of 6+. Managed departures, and optional extras like catering/BBQ is also available, Contact Us to sort that out. Ideal for schools, work groups and chritmas functions, family adventures, and stag/hen dos.
Our trips include a karakia (Māori blessing) before Tutea Falls, plus storytelling about the river’s role in Ngāti Pikiao history. Guests often say it transforms the ride into something deeper and more memorable.
If you have serious medical issues or are pregnant, rafting may not be suitable. Please review our risk disclosure page or contact us for personal advice.
Allow around 2 hours total—with about one hour on the river plus check-in, gear briefing, and a post-raft photo viewing!
We operate in most weather conditions. Rafting is the best rainy-day activity ever; you’re going to get wet anyway!
The Kaituna is flow-regulated, so water levels stay relatively consistent. Trips are cancelled only if conditions become unsafe or water levels are too high, with options for rescheduling or refunds. You can check out Departure Times, Open Hours and River Conditions Here.
Guests aged 13+ can experience the full Grade 5 section, including Tutea Falls. Those aged 10–12 can raft the lower Grade 3 section—from below the waterfall—for a safe and fun introduction to whitewater. We’ll walk you to a special spot below the waterfall, where you can hop into the action.
There’s no set maximum age for rafting with us—in fact, our oldest rafter was 86! However, we do require that rafters meet the expected level of physical fitness and be free from any serious medical conditions. If you’re uncertain about rafting with a specific medical condition, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
The Kaituna River is not only thrilling and unbelievably fun, but it’s also one of the safest rivers in New Zealand for rafting. However, like all adventure sports, rafting does come with some inherent risks. We operate under Adventure Activity Regulations and are AdventureMark-certified. Our team is highly trained to minimise and manage risks, prioritising safety at every step to make sure you have an amazing and safe experience on the water. You can read through our risk disclosure before coming rafting.
Not at all! Many of our guests have never rafted. Your guide will give a full safety briefing, gear training, and paddling instruction before you start, so you’re ready from the get-go!
No need to worry, we’re lucky to have the Okere Falls Store right next door! After your adventure, their beer garden is the perfect spot to relax and enjoy a refreshing drink!
We’re located at 761 State Highway 33 in Ōkere Falls—about 20 minutes from central Rotorua. We do offer a pickup/drop off service for $15 per person, but most rafters find it more convenient to drive directly to our base and utilise our safe and free parking!
We set our maximum weight at 130 kg for safety reasons. It’s not just about numbers—a proper fit into our safety gear is essential. Our wetsuits range from XXS to XXXXL.
An average level of fitness is preferred for your comfort, however, you don’t need to be an athlete! As long as you're in good health and comfortable with light-moderate activity, you’ll be ready to enjoy the experience. If you have any specific concerns, feel free to reach out!
Yes! Our professional photographers are out capturing your best moments in a wetsuit from all the prime vantage points. A digital photo package (about 60–80 images) is available for $40 per raft.
To save disappointment, we do recommend pre-booking, especially over our peak rafting season (Dec- March). However, we do our best to cater for walk-ins and last-minute reservations!
Nope! We take many non-swimmers rafting who thoroughly enjoy their experience on the river. Every rafter is equipped with a personal flotation device (PFD), a crucial piece of gear specifically designed to help keep you afloat if you end up in the water. During check-in and after the safety briefing, we make sure non-swimmers fully understand the risks and feel comfortable with the possibility of being in the water. Rest assured, though, help is always close by with our guides and safety on the river.
We are lucky to have the Kaituna River as one of the warmest rivers in the country. In the summer, the river is around 24°C (75°F), and in the winter it is around 12°C (54°F). With our thick wetsuits, you are sure to stay nice and toasty on the river!
Each raft seats 6–7 people depending on river conditions. We run regular departures throughout the day so we can handle groups of around 300 rafters daily!
Just swimwear and a towel!
No swimwear? No problem! Your underwear will do just fine under the wetsuit. We’ll provide you with a wetsuit, a neoprene jacket for those chilly winter days, boots for your feet, and all the essential safety gear to prepare you for an epic journey down the awa!
Absolutely! Rafting is a social experience, and we often seat solo guests with other groups. It’s a great way to meet fellow adventurers!
ANYTIME!
We run trips daily, year-round, rain or shine. Summer rafting is all-time-no wetsuits needed in the warm waters of the Kaituna and Winter rafting is surprisingly atmospheric- cooler temps, fewer crowds, and enhanced service.
Yes, we have communal lockers that are locked for the duration of your rafting trip.
