Kaituna River Rafting: 7-Meter Waterfall Drop

★★★★★★★★★★ 4.98 (1,375 reviews) 99% rated it 5 stars

Free cancellationTravelers' pick

1/14

Duration2h

GroupUp to 36

LanguagesEN · KO +2

Mobile ticketAccepted

The river that started it all — fifty minutes, three waterfalls, one unforgettable drop

You paddle down 11 rapids and three waterfalls on the Kaituna River, including a 7-meter drop that's the highest rafted waterfall in the world. The guides are the owners themselves — Pete and Blue — both handpicked professionals from extreme whitewater backgrounds. All gear, wetsuits, and safety equipment are included. The whole experience takes 50 minutes on the water, with the base at Okere Falls near Tauranga. You need to be under 120kg, a comfortable swimmer, and reasonably fit.

Step-by-step itinerary

Whitewater rafting on Kaituna River

Arrive at Rafting Base in Okere Falls
Receive safety briefing from guides
Begin 50-minute rafting trip
Navigate 11 rapids and 3 waterfalls
Experience highest rafted waterfall (7m)
Enjoy scenic jungle canyon views
Return to base and relax

The Experience

"Come join us for this epic once in a lifetime experience. Cheers & see you on the river." That's Pete and Blue, the two current raft guides who own Kaituna Cascades and have been running the Kaituna River since they started the whole thing here. They're not the kind of operators who hand you off to a rotation of staff — they're in the boat with you, and that matters when you're about to drop 7 meters down the world's highest rafted waterfall. The Kaituna River near Tauranga is a 50-minute ride down 11 rapids and three waterfalls in a deep, usually warm canyon that feels like nowhere else on the North Island.

The guides here all come from extreme whitewater backgrounds — kayaking, rafting, the kind of people who know how to read water and keep you safe while you're actually having the time of your life. You get a custom-built raft, full wetsuits, helmets, lifejackets, fleece tops, and booties, so you're covered whether it's summer warmth or winter chill. The base is at Okere Falls, surrounded by a scenic reserve with walking trails where you can scout the rapids before you go, and there's a café nearby if you want to ease into the day. It's the closest and most accessible rafting operation to the river, which means less faffing around and more time on the water.

This is Grade 5 whitewater, which means it's serious — you need to be under 120 kilograms, at least 13 years old, comfortable in the water, and fit enough to handle it. It's not a float. It's a proper push, and the guides will tell you upfront what you're signing up for. But that's also why people remember it. The river drops into a vertical-walled canyon, the water is deep, and the whole thing happens in one concentrated burst of action. Most travelers who come to New Zealand end up saying this was the highlight.

What’s included

Your day includes pickup at the Okere Falls base, a full wetsuit, helmet, lifejacket, paddle, fleece top, booties, and splash jacket.
You'll be guided by one of the owner-operators or their handpicked team, all trained in extreme whitewater.
The 50-minute rafting experience covers 11 rapids and three waterfalls, with all safety equipment and instruction included.
The scenic reserve around the base has walking trails if you want to scout the river before you go, and a café is nearby for before or after.

Good to know

Moderate physical levelStroller friendlyPets welcomeNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Kaituna Cascades

Is this one for you?Right for fit swimmers aged 13–65 who want serious Grade 5 whitewater and don't mind the intensity — the 50 minutes are non-stop action, which is exactly what makes the three waterfalls and the 7-meter drop possible in one trip. Not suitable if you're over 120kg, uncomfortable in water, or have spinal or cardiovascular concerns.