River Rats Raft & Kayak image

River Rats Raft & Kayak

Tourist attraction Canoe and kayak rental service Canoe and kayak tour agency Rafting Raft trip outfitter

One of the Top rated Tourist attractions in Rotorua


Address

837 Te Ngae Road, Ōwhata, Rotorua 3074, New Zealand

Website

www.riverrats.co.nz

Contact

+64 800 333 900

Rating on Google Maps

4.90 (202 reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Wednesday: 8 am to 9:30 pm
  • Thursday: 8 am to 9:30 pm
  • Friday: 8 am to 9:30 pm
  • Saturday: 8 am to 9:30 pm
  • Sunday: 8 am to 9:30 pm
  • Monday: 8 am to 9:30 pm
  • Tuesday: 8 am to 9:30 pm

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: trip (21) River (17) experience (15) river (15) great (13) Justin (12) recommend (12) rafting (10) water (10) amazing (9)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 5/5 Ben S. 1 year ago on Google
    Experience here was better than expected. Started out well before we'd even arrived as we called up a couple of times at unsociable hours to leave a message with questions for someone to get back to us, and to my surprise someone answered the phone (at 10pm!). We did the daytime kayak across the lake to the hot pools. Our guide Justin was friendly and knowledgeable and all the gear we needed was provided on site. He told us all about the history of the local area as part of the tour too, which was nice. I had anticipated that going in winter would be cold (it was 6 degrees out), but actually found it quite warm after I start paddling hard and ended up with just a single layer on for the return trip. The hot pools were nice and he also showed us inside a cave with glow worms on the way back. Overall, very enjoyable and I'd do it again.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Daisy S. 3 years ago on Google
    AMAZING! We rafted the Kaituna River on the weekend as a team building event for work and it was such a success. We are already planning a return trip! Justin and Ant were great guides and made us feel relaxed rather than too nervous! Beautiful scenery, loads of fun and a great buzz. Highly recommend these guys. And amazing photos, this one sums it up perfectly!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Allie S. 5 months ago on Google
    This is a really unique experience! The scenery along the river is vibrant green and has an almost tropical look to it (even when rafting in the colder months). The beauty of the area is awesome. In addition to that, I would describe this river as different than others I've rafted before - it has lots of water, and very few rocks. Splashy fun! It's also a fairly quick trip. I can tell that the owner/guides are passionate about what they do, and enjoy sharing the experience with others. I was nervous about being cold, as we went in September. When first getting soaked the water felt cold. But then the wetsuit did it's job and I was comfortable after only a few minutes. This was a very memorable part of our New Zealand trip. And I'm so glad I did it. If this looks like fun, go for it!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 lucy s. 1 year ago on Google
    Had a great time rafting with my best friend at rangitaiki with Justin he was knowledgeable about the area and funny. The gear we wore were comfortable and warm. Would definitely do another rafting trip again in the future
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 lacy d. 1 year ago on Google
    Amazing service. Justin kept in contact in regard to the river levels, to see if our 11 & 12 year old could raft. We were lucky the river levels had dropped. Great service with pick up from hotel. Very knowledgeable guide Nick. He kept us entertained and it was dead set the number 1 highlight of our trip to NZ. Thank you x Would recommend 100%.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Tori C. 1 year ago on Google
    Absolutely amazing! Our guide Dave was so great, felt really safe the whoel time! Has a blast!

  • 5/5 Bam B. 6 months ago on Google
    What a rush! First time doing anything like this and we had a blast. Felt comfortable the second we arrived. Friendly/passionate staff who made all the lead up, fun. Once we hit the water we were looked after very well. Our guide was top notch and the white water was worth it all. I will be returning with others for sure. If you are worried about the water being a bit cold at the mo, I wouldn't worry about it. You have too much fun to be thinking about that. Thanks team.

  • 5/5 Yvonne W. 6 months ago on Google
    Absolutely loved the experience and the two guys who took Nev and Antz. Both got us out of an unexpected bit of trouble with a tree blocking the stream. Felt completely safe and event was under their professional control. Thanks for accommodating us after another trip was cancelled. Appreciate you making out daughters birthday family experience she will remember. Yvonne, Neil, Jemma and Kevan. PS that sandwich was to die for

  • 5/5 Kevan R. 6 months ago on Google
    Did the Rangitaiki River Grade Four trip with a group of four on the 6th of September 2023. Trip was excellent! Guides, Nev and Ants were professional, personable and made my group feel very comfortable. It was clear both guides were experts in their fields. During the trip we encountered a large tree blocking the river causing us to walk overland for a brief period. Despite some genuine danger/hazard due to the tree we felt safe and reassured by Nev and Ants. We booked the night before (Due to the Kaituna River being closed) which presented no issues what so ever. My father in law mentioned it was one of the best activities he has ever done. At the end we were each given a full to the brim sandwich from the local cafe which tasted wonderful. Overall, experience was 10/10, would HIGHLY recommend. Thanks River Rats for the experience!

  • 5/5 Alžbeta Kuča K. 3 months ago on Google New
    Amazing experience! These guys are a well- oiled machine - I was bit stressed as this was my 1st time white water rafting but they explained everything very well. I had a lot of fun!!! Definitely recommend.

  • 5/5 Catherine J. 5 months ago on Google
    We had an absolutely brilliant trip with River Rats on the Rangitaiki River. It was my first experience white water rafting and I am completely hooked now. The guys know this river like the back of their hand and I felt like we couldn't have been in safer hands. 100% recommend them and will definitely be adding another trip (hopefully the grade 5!) with them on my itinerary next time I come to New Zealand!

  • 5/5 Amanda E. 5 months ago on Google
    We rafted the Kaituna River and Tutea Falls with Nev and Justin. We ended up rafting a day earlier than planned as the water levels on our original date were not ideal. They accommodated our small group and we were so glad for the opportunity. Safety is a top priority and we felt we were in really good hands. We had a really great trip and will continue to book with River Rats in the future.

  • 5/5 vemula sri sai V. 11 months ago on Google
    Booked the Kaituna River rafting and Nev and his team really took care of us really well. They made the experience very worth it! Definitely highly recommended

  • 5/5 Zohar G. 1 year ago on Google
    We booked with the River Rats as part of a bundle deal with the Rotorua Canopy Tours, which meant we had no expectations, but after the Zipline tour was so amazing, we knew we could trust both companies to be excellent! And so it was! We did the rafting and even though we were 5 worried customers the staff took great care of everyone. The guide was authoritative but also funny! There was an extra staff member on a kayak that also made sure we were safe and a photographer that took amazing funny pictures of everyone (the price for all the pictures was 49 NZD).

  • 5/5 Kierra L. 11 months ago on Google
    I had such an amazing experience on Kaituna. I was a bit nervous going in but Nick was such a great guide and his jokes really helped. We booked this super last minute but luckily there were still spots the day of because this was one of my favorite tours my whole trip. The fall was scary but we all held on and it was very fun.

  • 5/5 Taryn R. 1 year ago on Google
    Was an amazing experience, so much fun and the guides were great and made it such a fun time. Definitely recommend it and recommend these guys.

  • 5/5 Todd A. 1 year ago on Google
    Originally booked rafting for one day and kayaking for the next day, but unbeknownst to us the river was going to be flooded the next day. They contacted us to rearrange our booking and we were able to do both activities that same day - even when we were the only ones rafting. Justin and his crew were super personable, and it was a fantastic adventure throughout the whole day. Didn't get a sunset on the lake due to the weather, but that detracted nothing from the overall experience. And Justin's local knowledge and stories were great to listen to. Definitely intend on coming back here again next visit to Rotorua!!

  • 5/5 Janice C. 1 year ago on Google
    Superb experience from start to finish! Though time on the river was only about 45 minutes, the guides kept us engaged and entertained throughout, sharing snippets of Māori culture and history about the land, flora and fauna. We did the Grade 5 Kaituna River route with them and it was so much fun. You get to go down a 7m waterfall, the highest commercially rafted waterfall in the world! They made us feel sufficiently prepped and reassured, while keeping everyone psyched. They also have a few tricks up their sleeves to keep it interesting leading up to that 7m drop and even after. River Rats also has a roving photographer who captures some great action shots — it cost us an additional NZD49 to get them, which is a bit on the pricey side but still reasonable given the effort, skill and coordination required. Memories for a lifetime! Would highly recommend anyone coming to Rotorua to raft with River Rats.

  • 5/5 Mike A. 3 years ago on Google
    What an amazing experience. I have previously rafted this river with another company and River Rats were definitely the best. They had a photographer follow us along the river giving us some truly epic instagram content! If you have not rafted this river put it on your list now!

  • 5/5 Dan M. 3 years ago on Google
    My wife little boy and I did a session on the Rangitikei river with Justin and it was fantastic. Justin made the trip fun engaging and safe which has my little guy ready for another session. Stopped in at some beautiful spots down the river that you would just never get to see otherwise, jumped in the water and floated down a few rapids, even the little guy who's 7!. If you are looking for a fun session on the river I'd highly recommend booking with River Rats, we'll certainly be back for more!

  • 5/5 Amy B. 3 years ago on Google
    Went on the sunset kayak and dinner trip with Justin. Absolutely perfect trip! Rotoiti was beautiful to kayak on and the hotpools were clean, well maintained, super warm and also enjoyed the pontoon and slide into the lake to cool off! Justin was a friendly and knowledgeable host, told great stories about the area, and cooked a good summery bbq steak dinner! The highlight was the kayak back at sunset. The lake was like glass and so warm. The glow worm caves were beautiful and it was amazing how much they responded to sound, making them glow more! 100% recommend River Rats to all travelling through Rotorua! 22 years in the industry and it shows. Will be back for more trips soon! Worth every penny!

  • 5/5 ziggy z s. 1 year ago on Google
    Awesome adventure for the whanau. Friendly staff with some killer jokes and the scenery was amazing. The photographers were great at capturing the moments of embarrassment to have a laugh at ones you get back to their shop. I 100% would recomend!

  • 5/5 Elizabeth S. 1 year ago on Google
    We did the kayak trip. A fantastic experience I highly recommend. Loved the actual kayaking to the hot pools which was a welcome destination. Justin our guide looked after us well with a yummy barbeque. The trip back via glow worm cave was idyllic. We are in our 60s and it was very doable. Weren't pressured to go fast. Just enjoyed every moment. It got cold as the evening wore on but we were provided with warm gear. Take extra layers if you feel the cold. Base layers a good idea.

  • 5/5 Nadia C. 2 years ago on Google
    We did the white water sledging trip down the Kaituna River and I had an absolute blast! Our guides (Justin, Dave and Ethan I believe) were all very friendly and very good at what they do - thanks for a great trip! Would recommend river rats and the sledging trip to anyone who is keen for a fun adventure.


Call +64 800 333 900 Open on Google Maps

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