RAFTING · NEW ZEALAND RAFTING TOURS

Rafting in New Zealand: the 15 Best Rivers

28 trips  ·  from $74 a head

The Kaituna drops over a seven-metre waterfall and the Shotover runs through a canyon you reach by jet boat. The 15 below are priced, graded and clear about which trips have a minimum age you cannot argue with.

Rotorua Rafting: Kaituna River White Water Rafting & Free Sauna - What the half-day outing is really like
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Rotorua Rafting: Kaituna River White Water Rafting & Free Sauna

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

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

Raft the Kaituna River through a subtropical canyon with an experienced guide such as George, Luca, Tor, or Riley. No experience is needed, and wetsuits, helmets, booties, paddles, and safety gear are supplied. Expect about an hour on the river, three waterfalls, Grade 5 action, and a free sauna afterward.

“It is an intense but very fun experience. The pictures are true to life. We are in our 60’s and not very fit and we did fine.”

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Waitomo Caves: Labyrinth Black Water Rafting Experience - Getting ready at the Black Water Rafting base
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Waitomo Caves: Labyrinth Black Water Rafting Experience

2.Waitomo Caves: Labyrinth Black Water Rafting Experience

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

You’ll scramble through Ruakuri Cave, jump small waterfalls, float an underground river, and watch glowworms glitter overhead. Trained guides such as Evie, Liv, Cole, and Stacey vary by departure. Wetsuits, boots, helmets, showers, and snacks are included.

“Though we had a cold and rainy day it did not take away at all from the experience. Our guides were amazing and we enjoyed every bit of it”

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Rafting Rotorua: Kaituna River White Water Experience - Arrival at the Kahikatea forest base
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Rafting Rotorua: Kaituna River White Water Experience

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 rafting trip through native forest and steep canyons. Expert guides such as Aoife, Jack, Kyle, and Reiya lead first-timers through 14 rapids and three waterfalls, including 7-metre Tutea Falls. Hotel pickup, gear, and safety training are included.

“Overall amazing. Got picked up from accommodation, great safety and very fun guides. Great time!”

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White Water Rafting - Kaituna Cascades, The Originals - Getting suited up for Grade 5 water
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White Water Rafting – Kaituna Cascades, The Originals

4.White Water Rafting – Kaituna Cascades, The Originals

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

You’ll raft 11 rapids and three waterfalls on the Kaituna River, including 7-meter Tutea Falls, the world’s highest commercially rafted waterfall. Guides such as Malcolm, Flynn, and Hamish lead the action. The Grade 5 trip suits fit, confident participants aged 13 to 65 and under 120 kilograms.

“Our FAVORITE excursion on our New Zealand Cruise. Malcom - our guide - AMAZING. Two in our group were VERY nervous because of the falls. However, did an amazing job on the safety briefing - with humor - that helped them relax. TRead more”

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Rafting Rotorua Kaituna White Water Rafting | Kaitiaki Adventures - The Kaituna River delivers quick action
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Rafting Rotorua Kaituna White Water Rafting | Kaitiaki Adventures

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 and volcanic gorge. You’ll tackle more than 14 rapids and the 7-metre Tutea Falls with Māori and local guides such as Jack, Hudson, Ben, and Reiya. Gear, safety briefing, and central Rotorua transfers are included.

“The Rapids are awesome! The scenery is amazing! The water fall drop is outstanding! The guides are so much fun to be around! Highly recommended!”

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Rotorua Rafting: Kaituna River Rafting Experience-Free Sauna - Arriving at the Rotorua Rafting base
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Rotorua Rafting: Kaituna River Rafting Experience-Free Sauna

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

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

Drive 20 minutes from Rotorua to raft the Kaituna River with guides such as Jack, Lucas, Peach, and George. Expect 14 rapids, three waterfalls, swimming, jumping, and the world’s highest commercially rafted waterfall, followed by a free wood-fired sauna.

“Wow! That’s an experience my boys will never forget! Thank you for creating such a fun, safe and unforgettable experience. Voted best part of our trip across the world by my family! Highly recommended.”

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Kaituna River White Water Rafting from Rotorua - From Rotorua hotel to the River Rats base
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Kaituna River White Water Rafting from Rotorua

7.Kaituna River White Water Rafting from Rotorua

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 388 reviews · from $84

Join River Rats for a three-hour Kaituna River rafting trip from Rotorua. After a 15 to 20-minute safety lesson, you’ll paddle through a fern-lined gorge, tackle 14 rapids, and raft over 7-meter Tutea Falls with guides such as Zack, Dave, Amy, or Neville.

“The most amazing experience! Would recommend to anyone physically able!! me and the boyf want to go again now!”

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Black Water Rafting Experience Waitomo Caves Tour - Black Labyrinth or Black Abyss?
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Black Water Rafting Experience Waitomo Caves Tour

8.Black Water Rafting Experience Waitomo Caves Tour

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

You’ll enter Ruakuri Cave in a wetsuit, boots, helmet, and inner tube, then wade, crawl, jump, and float beneath glowworms. Choose the three-hour Black Labyrinth from age 12, or the five-hour Black Abyss from age 16, with abseiling and ziplining added. Guides such as Liv, Leo, Sammy, and Lachie are praised for calm, friendly support.

“The best experience ever! Wow, it was unbelievable! Thank you guys, will remember this one for a long time!”

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Family Adventures Rafting and Sightseeing Trip in Queenstown - The Skippers Canyon drive is half the adventure
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Family Adventures Rafting and Sightseeing Trip in Queenstown

9.Family Adventures Rafting and Sightseeing Trip in Queenstown

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

From Marmolada Cafe, you’ll ride into Skippers Canyon, hear about Central Otago’s gold-mining past, gear up, and raft class I and II rapids on the Shotover River. Guides such as Georgia, Josh, Mark, and Holly keep the day safe and lively. Kids from age three can join, and water confidence is not required.

“Mark is equal parts professional and hilarious. Mark and Georgie were calm and confident, allowing our family to fully enjoy our experience knowing everything was taken care of efficiently and with a smile. The ability to entertain and inforRead more”

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Kaituna River and Tutea Falls Whitewater Rafting - From Okere Falls Road to the river
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Kaituna River and Tutea Falls Whitewater Rafting

10.Kaituna River and Tutea Falls Whitewater Rafting

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

Join Kaituna Cascades Rafting 20 minutes from Rotorua for a two-hour trip through 14 rapids and the 7-meter Tutea Falls. No experience is needed. Guides such as Malcolm, Bal, Josh, and Alex provide safety training, warm gear, and plenty of encouragement.

“We had an outstanding experience with our guide Cole (the OG!). He was patient and professional with my family of 4, three of which had never rafted before. Good emphasis on safety. It’s an amazing course of rapids in a short span of water. Would recommend for anyone who’s interested in an exhilarating experience.”

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Queenstown Shotover River White Water Rafting - Learning the rhythm before the bigger rapids
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Queenstown Shotover River White Water Rafting

11.Queenstown Shotover River White Water Rafting

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

Trade Queenstown for a half-day run through Shotover Canyon. You will ride Skippers Canyon Road, practise with a guide such as Morgan, Jess, or Benji, then tackle grade 3 to 5 rapids and the 170-metre Oxenbridge Tunnel. Gear, transport, photos, and hot showers are included.

“Tuition and safety were brilliant. Chat and banter excellent. Experience great. Good half day out including the scary drive out there. Would recommend.”

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Queenstown: Shotover River Whitewater Rafting Adventure - Getting fitted out at the rafting base
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Queenstown: Shotover River Whitewater Rafting Adventure

12.Shotover River Whitewater Rafting Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 234 reviews · from $175

Travel through Skippers Canyon by coach, suit up with guides such as Jess, Morgan, or Benji, then raft 16 kilometers of the Shotover River. Expect calm stretches, grade 3 to 5 rapids, the dark Oxenbridge Tunnel, Cascade Rapid, hot showers, and digital photos afterward.

“Such an enjoyable trip! Our guide, Jess, was friendly and informative. Would recommend :)”

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Shore Excursion: Scenic Rafting from Napier - From Napier port to the Mohaka River
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Shore Excursion: Scenic Rafting from Napier

13.Shore Excursion: Scenic Rafting from Napier

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

Raft Fish NZ takes you from Napier to the Mohaka River for a two-hour float through native bush and canyon scenery. Guides such as Deon, Mike, Dallas, Jen, and Lottie lead easy class II rapids, with gear, local stories, photos, and a homemade lunch included.

“We had a great time. Deon was a fabulous host. The rapids were very manageable for beginners. Well worth the trip.”

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The Hobbit Barrel Run Rafting Tour on the Pelorus River - Getting ready for the water
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The Hobbit Barrel Run Rafting Tour on the Pelorus River

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

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

Raft the Pelorus River, known for scenes from The Desolation of Smaug, with a professional guide and supplied safety gear. The 3 to 4 hour outing includes return transport from Havelock, river time, film stops, local milling and mining stories, and access to showers and a hair dryer if you swim.

“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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Queenstown Kawarau River Rafting and Jet Boat - What the Kawarau Gorge adds to the trip
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Queenstown Kawarau River Rafting and Jet Boat

15.Queenstown Kawarau River Rafting and Jet Boat

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 158 reviews · from $197

Start in Queenstown with a fast jet-boat ride through the Kawarau River, then paddle grade 2 to 3 rapids in a raft. You can swim and try an optional rock jump before tackling the 400-meter Dog Leg rapid. Guides such as Gabe, Guy, Mark, and Danny are known for keeping the trip safe and fun.

“This experience was super fun and a good mix of thrills and adventure for all the family. Zane our rafting guide was brilliant and he made sure we not only had a laugh and fun but also that we were safe at all times.”

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New in New Zealand Rafting Tours

★ 5.0Tongariro Thrills: Grade 3 Whitewater Rafting Adventure36 reviews
★ 4.8Rotorua Sledging: Kaituna White Water River Board ExperienceFrom $8636 reviews
★ 4.9Kaituna River Rafting Grade 5From $8136 reviews
★ 5.0The Awesome Scenic Rafting Adventure – Full Day Rafting on the Rangitikei RiverFrom $14538 reviews
★ 4.9Tongariro River: Grade 3 Whitewater RaftingFrom $11237 reviews
★ 5.0Packraft WanakaFrom $27254 reviews
★ 5.0Queenstown Kawarau River Whitewater RaftingFrom $14857 reviews

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