Rotorua White Water Rafting & Lake Kayaking Trips
Rafting & KayakingTrips In Rotorua
Rotorua White Water Rafting and Lake Kayaking Trips
River Rats has provided exceptional excursions over 35 years with white Water Rafting and Lake Kayaking alternatives appropriate for families and adrenaline addicts.
River Rats Raft and Kayak are one of the most reputable and professional rafting companies in New Zealand. They have over 35 years of expertise in giving memorable trips to customers. They take pleasure in their safety-first ethos and meticulousness.
Rafting on Kaituna (Grade 5) Wairoa (Grade 5) Wild (dates available upon request), Rangitaiki (Grade 4) Awesome with a 7-metre waterfall, Wairoa (Grade 4) Wild (dates available upon request), Rangita (Grade 3-4) Rangitaiki is exciting, enjoyable, and scenically stunning (Grade 2) scenic and family-friendly
On the lower Kaituna River, sledding excursions are available.
White Water Rafting and Lake Kayaking alternatives are appropriate for families and adrenaline addicts.
Rental Freedom kayaking or guided outings where you can paddle to a remote beach swim in hot water that can only be reached by boat or Kayak, or try to locate the hidden glow worm cave.
Rangitaiki Grade 2 Scenic Trip
Price: Adults $169 per person – Child $120 pp
Departs: 11:30 am
Duration: 4 Hours approx.
The Rangitaiki Grade 2 scenic tour is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for the entire family (ages five and up) and those that wish to spend time on the water to appreciate the spectacular scenery.
The expedition starts at the base of Aniwhenua Falls in the lower Rangitaiki River. There are some enjoyable rapids, but they are rolling wave trains with little impediments to dodge, so you get the excitement without the technical challenge — it’s the best of all worlds! Spend one and a half hours paddling past flowing waterfalls, beautiful native vegetation, and through an impressive rock gorge.
You must allow approximately four hours from the start time at the Murupara Motor Camp (five to five and a half hours, including Rotorua transfers), allowing time to get all of your gear on,
The trip includes transfer from the Motor camp to the river and back, safety training, approximately one and a half hours of river time, and lunch in a picnic style is included in the trip.
You don’t need rafting experience for this one, but you do need to be able to get down the rock step formations to start the journey.
Enjoy an epic river adventure with your family.
Rangtaiki River Grade 3 to 4
Price: Adults $169 per person – Child $149 pp
Departs: 11:30 am
Duration: 4 Hours approx.
The Rangitaiki Grade 3-4 experience is the next level of expedition, combining the beauty of 100 percent pure New Zealand native bush and plantation forest with the rushing rapids and foamy white waters of ‘Geoff’s Joy,’ a torrent and the primary Grade 4 rapid on the river. This is the most difficult section of the Rangitaiki River.
We will be meeting at our headquarters in the Murupara Motorcamp, which is located at 963 State Highway 38 in Murupara and is about 45 minutes away from Rotorua. We are able to organise a shuttle to pick you up from your central Rotorua accommodation if it is more convenient for you.
All excursions are dependent on meeting the required number of participants, as well as weather and water levels.
All physically active people over the age of 13 are welcome to participate in Grade 3-4 rafting on the Rangitaiki River (we can take as young as 10 years old, but conditions apply).
Spectacular scenery with whitewater thrills!
Kaituna River - Grade 5
Price: Adults $129 per person
Departs: 10:00 am & 2:00 pm
Duration: 3 Hours approx.
The River Rats Kaituna Waterfall Experience takes you through Rotorua’s best rafting location, Okere. This 2.0 to 2.5-hour adventure includes gear, training, and 50 minutes on the water.
Enjoy tumbling down three waterfalls, canoeing through 14 rapids, and paddling through tranquil waterways to recoup and reflect.
The Kaituna Waterfall Experience is for nature enthusiasts, first-timers (13+), and thrill-seekers. Soak up the tranquil peace of the Kaituna River’s thick native flora to experience 100% Pure New Zealand. You’ll love the North Island’s milder waters as you ride the rapids with your guide.
The area is rich in Maori history, and you’ll learn about the caverns where women and children were hidden and later used as Chief Tutea’s burial site – hence the waterfall’s name.
Rotorua’s Tutea Falls is the world’s highest commercially rafted waterfall at 7 metres. Before the huge drop, you can practise in rapids and two lesser waterfalls.
One boat in 20 flips at the foot of the enormous waterfall, but all the bigger rapids are followed by calm water, so there’s time to right the boat and get everyone back in.
Our skilled guides have been riding these rapids for years and still adore it.
Wairoa, Tauranga - Grade 5
Price: Adults $169 per person – Child $149 pp
Departs: 11:30 am
Duration: allow 4 Hours approx.
Tauranga’s whitewater: Experience the exhilaration of one of the most exciting whitewater rafting adventures in New Zealand on the Wairoa River, located in the middle of the North Island in New Zealand. A favourite among the people in Auckland, and is known worldwide for its worth as a rafting destination due to its proximity to the city.
This incredible rafting trip takes place in a breathtaking gorge surrounded by rocks and trees. It features top-tier white water action thanks to the combination of turbulent rapids and exhilarating drops.
This trip, which is the most challenging of those we provide, is not appropriate for anyone unable to swim.
The Wairoa rafting trip is conveniently located just off State Highway 29 between Matamata and Tauranga, making it an excellent option for a group excursion.
This rafting excursion takes place on a hydro-controlled river, and participants have only 26 days out of the year to complete it.
The Wairoa Grade 5 is appropriate for all physically active people at least 13 years old.
Sledging on the Katuna River
Price: Adults $129 per person
Departs: 10:30 am & 2:00 pm Winter
Duration: 2.5 Hours approx.
Please Bring:
Customers need a swimsuit & towel, everything else is provided
Get your adrenaline fix on Rotorua’s renowned Kaituna River with a “one with nature” adventure. Sledgers are in charge of their own purpose-built sled, which is controlled by flippers on their feet.
Enjoy the scenery, culture, and history of this famous river with the assistance of our knowledgeable, friendly guides. Sledding is the most physically demanding excursion we offer. Participants must be physically healthy and powerful swimmers.
Observing the river at eye level while lying on a board and kicking with flippers is difficult for the faint of heart and represents a significant personal challenge.
Before entering the river, the journey begins with a 10-minute trek dragging your sledge underneath the Kaituna waterfall.
As an indication of the required degree of fitness, participants should be able to sprint 100 metres and recover reasonably rapidly.
From November 1 to April 30, sledding is offered, subject to availability, water levels, and minimum numbers.
The minimum age is 15.
Kayaking - Guided Hot Pools
Price: Adults $159 per person
Departs: 9:00 am summer & 10:00 am Winter
Duration: 4 to 4.5 Hours approx.
Join us on a guided kayak trip to the magnificent Manupirua Springs Hot Pools. Paddle across gorgeous Lake Rotoiti to reach this incredible location that is only accessible by boat.
There are a variety of hot spring-fed pools of varied temperatures located just on the lake’s edge. Take a relaxing dip in the pools or dive into the lake.
Typical paddling times are approximately one hour each way.
In the summer (beginning of Labor Day weekend to the end of Easter weekend), excursions begin at 9:00 a.m. and in the winter at 10:00 a.m.
Children may be allowed to ride in the front of a double kayak provided they are accompanied by a competent adult. With small children, the adult must be able to paddle a double kayak without the child’s assistance, and the child must be patient enough to sit at the front of the kayak. In general, 5 years of age is a decent rule of thumb, but feel free to discuss this with us if you have any questions.
Free transportation is offered from central Rotorua hotels roughly 30 minutes prior to departure, or you can meet us 15 minutes beforehand at our base. You can specify your pick-up information at checkout.
Kayaking - Evening Guided Hot Pools
Price: Adults $169 per person – Child $149 pp
Departs: 3:30 pm
Duration: 6 to 6.5 Hours approx.
Duration
Exact duration and start time will vary based on sunset, but as a general rule, you should allot between 6 and 6 and a half hours (7hrs including central Rotorua transfers)
About
Join us on a guided kayak expedition to the magnificent Manupirua Springs Hot Pools. Paddle across gorgeous Lake Rotoiti to reach this incredible location that is only accessible by boat.
There are a variety of hot spring-fed pools of varied temperatures located just on the lake’s edge. Soak as your guide prepares an appetising New Zealand barbeque supper. After dinner, paddle across the lake at dusk and explore the glow worm tunnels. Typical paddling times are approximately one hour each way.
Children may be allowed to ride in the front of a double kayak provided they are accompanied by a competent adult. With small children, the adult must be able to paddle a double kayak without the child’s assistance, and the child must be patient enough to sit at the front of the kayak. In general, 5 years of age is a decent rule of thumb.
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