Kaituna Cascades: Ultimate White Water Rafting on Grade 5 Wairoa River near Tauranga

Experience the ultimate white water rafting adventure on the Grade 5 Wairoa River near Tauranga. Take on thrilling rapids, waterfalls, and a cliff jump with Kaituna Cascades!

Duration: 5 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • 1376 State Highway 29 - • Duration: 1.5 - 2 hours on Class 5 White Water
    • Availability: 26 Sundays per year during the summer
    • Times: One trip daily at 9:30 am
    • Transport: Self-drive is recommended, or free transport from Rotorua is available. Pickup from your accommodation in Rotorua is at 8:30 am, with a return by 2 pm.
    • What to bring: A…
What's Included
  • Wetsuits
  • Booties
  • Fleece Tops
  • Splash Jackets
What's Not Included
  • Photos
Additional Information

Engage in a thrilling rafting journey on the powerful Wairoa River, an experience that promises to be memorable! The Grade 5 Wairoa River near Tauranga is famous for its superb white water activities in New Zealand.
Kaituna Cascades takes you through the entire span of the river, including the lower three rapids and the waterfall!
Brace yourself as you…

Location
1376 State Highway 29
State Highway 29
Contact us directly if a local Rotorua pick up is required. Local pickups in Rotorua are at 8.30am . WE DO NOT DO PICK UPS FROM THE PORT OR FOR THE CRUISE SHIPS IN TAURANGA The meeting point for the Wairoa River in google maps is 1376 State Highway 29. Meet at 9:30am.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
5.0
(406 Ratings)
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Stay13807800813
Oct 9, 2025
Cool, Calm, and Absolutely Hilarious Rafting with Bal - From start to finish this trip was an absolute highlight of our time in Rotorua. Bal was our guide and he nailed the balance of being calm, reassuring, and totally in control while also keeping the whole group laughing the entire way. Even at the big drops we felt safe, and his relaxed vibe made it easy to just enjoy the ride. The whole Kaituna Cascades team were welcoming and professional, and the river itself is stunning
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jessevr1258zc
Oct 6, 2025
Best Rafting on the Kaituna - Had a blast on this tour! Our guide Josh was very experienced and ensured our safety while also ensuring everyone had a good time. Would highly recommend this to anyone looking for a couple hours of action packed fun!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Wanderer63450943507
Sep 6, 2025
Rafting - Awesome, such a good experience. Did it during winter wasn’t cold with all the layers they give you. Josh was a great tour guide!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Departure59129006004
Aug 13, 2025
Amazing - We went with Whakatāne high school, and had the best time ever will recommend 1000 times and will definitely make my parents to take me again, we had Josh as a guide and was the best made our experience so fun, all the staff was amazing, really helpful and super funny, best time ever!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
659anirudhd
Jun 19, 2025
Kaituna Cascade water rafting - Amazing trip and wonderful host Pete and his team- Blue and Eden. Eden was such a great guide and always cool ! The trip needs some level of agility I guess but it's a worth journey!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Matthewbq1322rz
Jun 16, 2025
Thrilling experience! - What an amazing trip! Jasper and the whole crew were so knowledgeable and enthusiastic. They were definitely pros and were always there to make the trip as fun as could be.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Onair44457734861
Jun 11, 2025
Best Rafting Trip Ever! - We are from Miami, but we have rafted all over the world, from the Colorado River down the Grand Canyon to the rapids of the Zambezi in Zimbabwe, South Africa, and countless other rafting adventures in North and South America. But nothing tops this experience. The river was amazing, the white water second to none. Josh, our guide, was professional but witty; a master at how to keep us clam and laughing while navigating rapids that never let us forget who was really in control of our destiny. Call it controlled chaos. If you can swim, you can do this run. Just be prepared to get wet. And have the adventure of a life time. This is a world trip class that we traveled clear across the world to experience, and would do it again and again. Mike and Chris.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
L5324zwnatalieb
Jun 10, 2025
BEST THING EVER! DAN IS AWESOME - This was such an amazing experience. Dan was great and so helpful. Such a thrill but always felt safe with the help of the instructors. Equipment and instructors were amazing. Highly recommended
Review provided by Tripadvisor
U6226dxsofiaf
Jun 7, 2025
Must do experience - So much fun!!! A must do activity in New Zealand. Our guide Jasper was amazing, he made us feel really safe and gave us a really exciting trip. Definitely recommend! Everyone was super friendly and helpful. The river is so beautiful and this is the best way to see it up close!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
697jeetw
May 24, 2025
Life time experience - Very great experience Josh was amazing. All the rafting experience was the best and it was our first time but your crew made it so safe and great. Highly recommend.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
From $109
up to 15 guests
1 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).