14 Whitewater Rafting Tours in New Zealand Worth Booking

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

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

Kaituna River rafting to Tutea Falls plus a free sauna from Rotorua. Grade 5 rapids, gear included, about 2.5 hours.

“Me and my partner (who can't swim) decided to to take the plunge (pun intended) and it was something we will never forget! We couldn't wipe the smiles of our faces. The guides were fun, experienced and true rafting professionals. We never once felt uneasy and were felt safe in their hands. A MUST DO!”

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2.Waitomo Caves: Labyrinth Black Water Rafting Experience

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

Original Waitomo black water rafting in Ruakuri Cave. Jump underground waterfalls, float tubes past glowworms, warm shower and snacks.

“It was so much fun! I highly recommend this! Way better than a boring boat ride.”

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3.Rafting Rotorua: Kaituna River White Water Experience

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

Thrilling Kaituna River rafting near Rotorua with 14 rapids and world-famous Tutea Falls, plus Māori culture and convenient door-to-door transport.

“This was the most fun rafting I’ve ever had!! My guides were so awesome (Nixie and Ben) and it was such a good time and very thrilling. Felt very safe during the entire ride. Highly recommend this experience if near Rotorua!”

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4.White Water Rafting – Kaituna Cascades, The Originals

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

Grade 5 Kaituna River rafting from Okere Falls with gear included, 11 rapids, and a 7 m waterfall drop in a warm jungle canyon.

“This activity was EVERYTHING you’d imagine. It was beautiful in the valley, the trees and the river. It was fun getting in the water for a swim at the beginning of the journey down the river. It was exciting going down the small waterfalls. The Read more”

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5.Rafting Rotorua Kaituna White Water Rafting | Kaitiaki Adventures

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

Kaituna white-water rafting from Rotorua with pickup, wetsuits, 14 rapids and Tutea Falls, plus pro photos from Kaitiaki Adventures.

“A thrill a minute. The guides make something that could be very dangerous almost completely safe. The big waterfall is white knuckle and the highlight of the experience. There are a few different companies but I would recommend Kaitiaki.”

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

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

Raft the Kaituna River with easy guidance, 14 rapids, 3 waterfalls, then warm up in a free wood-fired sauna. Rotorua, NZ.

“loved it!! was super fun and felt really safe, our guide jack was especially funny and welcoming :) thanks guys!”

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7.Black Water Rafting Experience Waitomo Caves Tour

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

Blackwater rafting in Waitomo Caves. Float Ruakuri glowworms in cold water, then choose Black Labyrinth or the thrill-heavy Black Abyss.

“Great experience. I was nervous as I can get a little claustrophobic, but Liv , our guide, walked me through everything in advance and helped ensure I wasn’t hanging out in the tightest places while in the caves. Liv was amazing as a guide, can’t recommend her enough.”

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8.Family Adventures Rafting and Sightseeing Trip in Queenstown

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

Family rafting on the Shotover River near Queenstown, with Skippers Canyon gold-mining stories, snacks, and kid-friendly rapids for age 3+.

“A great adventurous dirt road trip to our spot where we launched from. The river was lower then expected but offered many opportunities to swim and jump and to sometimes just float slowly downstream with the raft. Amazing and great fun especially for the kids. My 11 year old son gave this trip 6 out of 5😁”

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9.Kaituna River and Tutea Falls Whitewater Rafting

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

Grade 5 rafting on the Kaituna River near Rotorua, with 14 rapids and a 7-meter drop at Tutea Falls.

“Superb, exilerating experience! Crew were great, confident and made us feel looked after. 10/10, do it I dare you!”

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10.Queenstown Shotover River White Water Rafting

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

Private Shotover River white-water rafting from Queenstown with return transport, full gear, hot showers, and photos included.

“Pro experience start to finish. Get you on and get it going. Driver had us smiling the whole time. Really a fun experience.”

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11.Shore Excursion: Scenic Rafting from Napier

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

Scenic rafting from Napier on easy Grade II rapids with a guide-led history talk, optional swims, pickup, and a homemade lunch.

“Rafting was very fun. The guide, Deon, was very entertaining. We floated for 2 hours and were treated to a lovely lunch at his home by his wife. I especially liked they provided us with all the equipment we needed.”

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

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

Paddle the Pelorus River on a Hobbit barrel run from Havelock, with Smaug filming stops, local heritage talk, and return transport.

“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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13.Queenstown Kawarau River Rafting and Jet Boat

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

Combine Kawarau River rafting and a Queenstown jet boat, with wetsuits, hot showers, and up to grade 3 rapids for about 4.5 hours.

“Went with some friends on Easter break and it was a great time! Only downside was one of our friends’ boyfriend was over the weight limit when we checked in at the store for our shuttle, however there were people who met us on site who looked likely to have been over the limit as well which was upsetting. However, Jess was a lot of fun and the pictures Will took turned out great! The wetsuits kept us surprisingly warm and overall it was good.”

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14.Kawarau River Rafting and Jet Boat Ride

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 145 reviews · 4h 30m · from $190

Queenstown Kawarau River rafting plus a high-speed jet boat with 360 spins, swimming, and optional cliff jumps for first-timers.

“You only get half a jet boat ride if you link it with the rafting. Also, tell people of the option to drive direct to the rafting base rather than catching the shuttle.”

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