The 12 Best White Water Rafting Trips in New Zealand

1.Rotorua Rafting: Kaituna River White Water Rafting & Free Sauna

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,952 reviews · from $83Our pick

Raft the Kaituna River near Rotorua on a guided Grade 5 trip through native forest and three waterfalls, including the 7-meter Tutea Falls. No experience is needed. Wetsuit, booties, helmet, paddle, and buoyancy aid are supplied, and a hot sauna waits afterward. Guides such as George, Riley, Elise, Luca, and Tor are praised for clear instruction and lively river leadership.

“Amazing experience! Check-in smooth. Nervous first time rafter here, and WOW what a ride. Guides were great and gave good instruction. There wasn’t a time that I felt unsafe. Great way to celebrate my birthday.”

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2.Waitomo Caves: Labyrinth Black Water Rafting Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 1,673 reviews · 3 hours · from $115

You’ll scramble through Ruakuri Cave, leap over small waterfalls, float through dark limestone passages, and watch glowworms shine above the underground river. Trained guides such as Evie, Liv, Cole, Molly, and G lead small groups of up to 12. Allow three hours, bring swimwear and a towel, and expect cold water, slippery rocks, and no cameras.

“Unreal experience! Would do it many times over. Oscar was an epic guide and we hade a wonderful time - can highly recommend this experience!”

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3.Rafting Rotorua: Kaituna River White Water Experience

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 1,274 reviews · 2h 30m · from $83

Join Kaitiaki Adventures for a 150-minute Kaituna River trip from Rotorua. Learn river skills from Kiwi guides such as Aoife, Jack, Kyle, and Reiya, then tackle 14 rapids and three waterfalls, including 7-metre Tutea Falls. Transport, wetsuits, helmets, life jackets, booties, and splash jackets are included.

“best rafting I've ever done, felt safe but also could have a lot of fun. going down the last fall without a raft was great fun.”

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4.White Water Rafting – Kaituna Cascades, The Originals

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,274 reviews · from $83

Raft the Kaituna River near Rotorua with a professional guide, tackling 11 rapids and three waterfalls, including the 7-meter Tutea Falls. The roughly 50-minute river run takes place in a jungle canyon and needs no previous rafting experience, but you must be 13 to 65 years old, under 120 kilograms, and comfortable in the water.

“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.”

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5.Rafting Rotorua Kaituna White Water Rafting | Kaitiaki Adventures

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 759 reviews · from $83

Join Kaitiaki Adventures for a guided Kaituna River run through native forest, steep volcanic gorges, 14-plus rapids, and the 7-metre Tutea Falls. Your 2-hour river trip includes wetsuit, helmet, booties, life vest, safety briefing, local Māori guides, professional photos for purchase, and central Rotorua pickup.

“Well run very friendly and professional with laid back people. Would do it again. Enjoyed respect for that Maori.”

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6.Rotorua Rafting: Kaituna River Rafting Experience-Free Sauna

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 401 reviews · 2 hours · from $74Best value

Drive 20 minutes from central Rotorua to tackle 14 rapids and three waterfalls on the Kaituna River. Your guide, such as Lucas, Jack, Peach, or George, teaches every stroke and keeps the group together. Expect swimming, smaller waterfall drops, and the famous 7-meter plunge, followed by a free wood-fired sauna.

“Fantastic experience, felt very safe at all times and enjoyed the whole trip. Highly recommend”

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7.Black Water Rafting Experience Waitomo Caves Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 362 reviews · from $119

Enter Ruakuri Cave with guides such as Lachie, Ricco, Liv, Leo, and Sammy. Choose the three-hour Black Labyrinth for jumps, tunnels, and glowworm viewing, or the five-hour Black Abyss for abseiling, ziplining, and longer cave exploration. Gear, hot showers, snacks, and soup are included.

“Went on the tour with Lydia and Leo. Both were awesome. This is a really unique experience doing the tour (not the one on the boat) they do a great job guiding you and telling you what to expect. I’m super glad we booked this tour. It gets a little cold, so just expect that but the tour provides wetsuits.”

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8.Family Adventures Rafting and Sightseeing Trip in Queenstown

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 339 reviews · from $185

Join Family Adventures for a five-hour trip from Queenstown into Skippers Canyon. Guides such as Georgia, Josh, Mark, Holly, and Luke lead families through easy Shotover River rapids, river swims, floating, and optional rock jumps. The journey includes transport, equipment, snacks, and time to hear about Central Otago’s gold-mining past.

“First time we have done this, and we both thoroughly enjoyed it. Simon and the crew made for an enjoyable experience. Spay yourself with insect repellent as there are quite a few sandflies around”

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9.Kaituna River and Tutea Falls Whitewater Rafting

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 324 reviews · 2 hours · from $80

Join friendly guides such as Malcolm, Josh, or Alex for a two-hour Kaituna River trip near Rotorua. You will learn basic rafting skills, tackle 14 Grade 5 rapids, and drop over 7-meter Tutea Falls. Wetsuits and safety gear are supplied, and no previous experience is needed.

“This was the most amazing experience!! I would highly recommend it to anyone wanting to have an epic time on the water. Malcolm was an awesome guide.”

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10.Queenstown Shotover River White Water Rafting

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 309 reviews · from $154

Take a half-day private rafting trip from Queenstown into Skippers Canyon. You’ll ride a scenic 4WD route, practise with your guide, tackle grade 3 to 5 rapids, and paddle through the 170-metre Oxenbridge Tunnel. Wetsuits, safety gear, transport, digital photos, and hot showers are included.

“Beautiful scenery, from the drive in to the river & rafting. what an adrenaline rush we all had so much Fun.”

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11.Shore Excursion: Scenic Rafting from Napier

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 179 reviews · from $139

Raft the Mohaka River from Napier on a five-and-a-half-hour family-friendly trip with easy grade II rapids, native bush, birdsong, local Maori history, equipment, pickup, photos, and a homemade lunch. Deon, Jo, and guides such as Mike, Jen, Dallas, and Lottie keep the day relaxed, safe, and fun.

“Deon, his wife and guide all did great in preparing, equipping and feeding everyone on this adventure. The water level was below average for the time if year (end of February), but very enjoyable and informative.”

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12.The Hobbit Barrel Run Rafting Tour on the Pelorus River

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 167 reviews · from $133

Set out from Bluemoon Lodge in Havelock for a guided rafting trip on the Pelorus River. You’ll wear supplied safety gear, paddle past filming sites from *The Desolation of Smaug*, and hear about local milling and mining. Guides such as Jade add a friendly touch, with showers and a hair dryer available afterward.

“We had a great time kayaking! Jade was a wonderful guide. There is a shower and hair dryer available if you decide to swim. I would definitely recommend!”

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