THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
Go eye-to-eye with Rotorua’s Kaituna/Okere River on a guided white water sledging trip where you steer, surf, and carve your own line. Fast, fun, and surprisingly accessible, this is Rotorua adventure with cultural depth and real skills on moving water.
Go eye-to-eye with Rotorua’s Kaituna/Okere River on a guided white water sledging trip where you steer, surf, and carve your own line. Fast, fun, and surprisingly accessible, this is Rotorua adventure with cultural depth and real skills on moving water.
Book with Kaitiaki Adventures Aotearoa
Book directly with Kaitiaki Adventures Aotearoa for the best rates and real-time scheduling.
Reserve NowVerified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Kaitiaki Adventures Aotearoa · Okere Falls, Bay of Plenty
Mist hangs low over the Okere Awa as the river wakes, flexing around boulders and tugging at the banks of towering ponga ferns. You lie at eye level with the current, chest on a foam sled, fins cocked and ready. The water nudges first, then shouts—go—and you kick into a fast, green tongue that folds into a Class III wave train. Spray slaps your cheeks. The river pushes, you answer with your legs, and together you strike a rhythm that feels part swim, part sprint, all grin.
moderate.
2–2.5 hours (50–60 minutes on water).
Confident swimmers who can kick fins steadily and recover in moving water; good general cardio helps.
No. Guides coach you on reading current, kicking technique, and safety before you enter the river.
It runs roughly Grade 3 (Class III) whitewater—fast and splashy with maneuvering through eddies and waves. You should be a confident swimmer.
Wetsuit, fins, life jacket, helmet, professional guides, and transport from central Rotorua are typically included.
Plan for about 50–60 minutes of active river time within a 2–2.5 hour round-trip experience.
Yes, but use a secure mount and tether. Loose items can be lost in waves; phones need a waterproof case and leash.
Trips may be rescheduled or canceled for safety during high flows or storms; operators monitor conditions and will advise options.
The Okere Awa is significant to Ngāti Pikiao; you can still see remnants of the 1901 Okere hydroelectric station along the riverside track.
Stick to formed tracks and platforms, use mineral sunscreen that’s river‑safe, and pack out all waste. Respect cultural sites and any rāhui or guidance from local iwi.
Kaitiaki Adventures Aotearoa operates guided outdoor trips and adventures with an emphasis on safety, stewardship, and memorable experiences.
Book with Kaitiaki Adventures Aotearoa
Book directly with Kaitiaki Adventures Aotearoa for the best rates and real-time scheduling.
Reserve Now