Grade 5 White Water Rafting on the Wairoa River
Highlights & inclusions
1. Select date
August 2026
2. Select participants
What you can expect
Embark on an adrenaline pumping rafting adventure down the Grade 5 Wairoa River with the expert guides at Kaituna Cascades. Set off from Rotorua or meet at the river base in Tauranga before taking on thrilling rapids and waterfalls, including ‘Humpty Dumpty’, ‘The Rollercoaster’ and ‘Mothers Nightmare’. With 1.5 - 2 hours of action, a white water rafting trip on the Wairoa River is an unforgettable experience.
The Wairoa River is considered one of the best locations for white water rafting in New Zealand. Controlled through dam releases, this epic rafting trip from Tauranga is available for only 26 days over the summer period, so don’t miss out!
At the river base in Tauranga, the professional and fun team at Kaituna Cascades provide a full safety briefing and some pre-raft entertainment as you don your safety gear and find a seat in the custom built rafts. After a warm up on the ‘Humpty Dumpty’ rapids, your group will soon be working together seamlessly to navigate exciting obstacles along the Wairoa River, led by your amazing Kaituna Cascades guide. Paddle through a technical grade 4 rock garden at ‘Mothers Nightmare’, take on waterfalls up to 3 metres and experience the definition of thrills and spills on a whitewater staircase called ‘The Rollercoaster’. For those adrenaline seekers among you, there is even an option to take on 2 cliff jumps on this incredible Wairoa Rafting trip from Tauranga.
Location
What you need to know
- 1.5 - 2 hours of rafting
- Expert rafting guides
- Custom built rafts
- Safety equipment - wetsuit, booties, helmet, life jackets, paddles, warm fleece tops & splash jackets
- Optional return transfers from Rotorua
- Allow 4 hours
- 9:30am
- Pick up from central Rotorua or meet at the Wairoa River, 1378 highway 29, just outside Tauranga
- Operates 26 days in summer (Oct-May)
- The Wairoa River base is located 15 minutes from Tauranga, or 50 minutes self drive from Rotorua
- Return transport from Rotorua leaves at 8:30am
- If self driving to Wairoa River, meet at the river base at 9:30am
- Please bring your swimwear & a towel
- This tour only runs for 26 days per year due to dam releases
- GoPros are permitted on the river provided you are wearing a chest harness
- Minimum age 13yrs+
- Maximum weight 120kg
- Basic swimming skills and a reasonable fitness required
- This tour is not suitable for pregnant women
- Minimum of 4 passengers required for tour to go ahead
- Photos available for purchase after your trip
- Change your booking up to 48 hours before the start time of your experience
- Changes are not permitted within 48 hours of your experience
- Late arrivals or no shows may result in you forfeiting your experience
