Raft the Wild Rivers of Canterbury — Safe, Scenic, Unforgettable

Southern White Water — Rafting in Kaiapoi, Canterbury

Southern White Water operates guided rafting and jet-boat adventures from Kaiapoi in Canterbury, New Zealand. Specializing in trips on the Waimakariri River, Hurunui River, and Upper Grey River, the operator offers a full range of options for families, first-time rafters and experienced paddlers.

Key Trips and What to Expect

• Waimakariri Coast to coast — A 40 km, 5-hour rafting day trip along the Waimakariri River with gentle grade 1–2 rapids, ideal for families and scenic river touring.
• Hurunui Family Float — A 1.5-hour family-friendly rafting experience on the upper Hurunui River with grade 1–2 rapids and a riverside lunch at Devils Fang Falls.
• Upper Grey River — A 3-day guided rafting expedition featuring grade 2–3 rapids, bush-clad scenery, riverside camping and gourmet guide-prepared meals.
• Waimakariri Jet Boat – Raft — An action-packed jet-boat ride through the Waimakariri Gorge with 360 spins followed by a relaxed rafting section and riverside lunch.
• Waimakariri Jet Boat – Raft Overnight — Combines a jet-boat thrill with an overnight riverside camp, gentle rafting and campfire dining.
• Spot X — A 3-day white-water rafting trip through a bush-lined river with grade 2–3 rapids, guided meals, camping and optional fishing.
• Hurunui White Water — A full-day Hurunui River white-water run navigating notable rapids such as Simons Hole and The Cattlestop.

Why Choose These Canterbury River Trips

• Diverse river experiences — Options range from short family floats to multi-day white-water expeditions.
• Local access from Kaiapoi — Convenient staging point for the Waimakariri and Hurunui systems in Canterbury.
• Guided safety and expertise — Trained guides lead all trips, manage logistics, and prepare meals on extended expeditions.

Who Will Enjoy These Adventures

• Families seeking gentle grade 1–2 rafting and scenic riverside lunches.
• Adventure travelers wanting grade 2–3 rapids and multi-day backcountry rafting.
• Visitors to Canterbury looking to combine jet-boat thrills with river rafting and outdoor camping.

Practical Details & Keywords

• Locations: Kaiapoi, Canterbury, Waimakariri River, Hurunui River, Upper Grey River.
• Trip types: family rafting, white-water rafting, jet-boat, overnight rafting, multi-day rafting.

Planning Tips

• Choose a day trip for family-friendly grade 1–2 rapids and a relaxed schedule.
• Select a 3-day expedition for sustained white-water, backcountry camping and guide-prepared meals.
• Combine jet-boat and rafting for mixed-activity days that include both high-speed runs and scenic river sections.

Southern White Water delivers a variety of Canterbury river adventures — from calm family floats on the Waimakariri and Hurunui to exhilarating multi-day white-water trips on the Upper Grey. Use these trip types and keywords when searching for rafting, jet-boat, family river activities and multi-day river expeditions in Kaiapoi and greater Canterbury.