Shotover River Whitewater Rafting

The main difference is the grade of rapids.

The Shotover River is graded 3-5. Grade 5 is the highest grade commercially rafted in the world. This means heaps of excitement and a harder river to navigate. The Shotover River has more rapids compared to the Kawarau River, including a 170m long tunnel to navigate. We expect you to be a confident swimmer as there is a higher risk of falling out of the raft.

The Kawarau River is usually graded 2-3 however can reach grade 4 at higher water levels. This river is easier with less risk of falling out. You also have the opportunity to jump out and swim a rapid on this experience and we have recently added a cliff jumping section.

The Kawarau River is much deeper and bigger, flowing through some awesome Central Otago canyons ending with the 400 meter long Dog Leg rapid.

No, today is not your day to learn. We require water confident swimmers on the river. You may fall out and will be directed by our experienced guides to swim to safety. You will be given flotation jackets and wetsuits, but you will still need to be able to help the guides by moving towards the raft or the safety kayaker. Water confident – imagine yourself swimming in the sea with medium waves around you, if you can handle that then you should be able to handle our rivers.

No, you don’t. Everyone can enjoy rafting with zero rafting experience. We give you training and an extensive safety briefing before the experience starts. Our guides will also instruct you down the river to get you safely to the finish.

Bring your swimsuit and towel. We have hot showers at the Rafting Base and lockers should you need to lock away any personal belongings. Don’t bring your cameras or high value items, they are best left at home. However, you are welcome to bring your phone and snap away before we leave for the river.

We strongly recommend that you do. Peak season is busy, and space can be limited. If you decide on the day you want to take on the river, ring us or pop into the Beach Street store to book on an experience.

No. You are going to get wet and we don’t want you to ruin your outfit of the day. Bring your own swimwear and we will provide the rest. Please don’t wear cotton, it will make you cold. We give you a wetsuit, a jacket, a spray jacket and a life vest, if you’re cold we will have extra layers for you.

Yes, you can, however please bring a sports strap or tie as we can’t guarantee the safety of your glasses without one. If you can do without, leave them behind.

Nothing can be taken with you on the raft for health and safety reasons. Please don’t bring your camera equipment or GoPro with you.

The total experience time for both rivers is 4.5 hours. However, your time on the water can vary depending on the river speed, water levels and conditions. Our rafting shuttle will be waiting for you at base to get you back to town no matter the time you return.

Our Raft Base is located on the banks of the Shotover River at Arthurs point, approximately a 10-minute drive from Queenstown.  The Shotover River is found to the North of Queenstown. It will take us around 40 minutes to navigate the Skippers Canyon Road to the start point. You will then raft 14km of the Shotover River, through canyons and mountain terrain.  The Kawarau River is the only outlet to Lake Whakatipu flowing east from Queenstown. We will drive for around 25 minutes passing Arrowtown to get to the rafting start point. The experience covers 8km of river, making its way through the beautiful Gibbston Valley.

The rafts carry a max of eight people including the guide. If you’re in a group, we organise that you will be seated in a raft with your pals.

Of course, we wouldn’t let you tackle our waters alone. Every raft comes with a qualified and certified raft guide, if you’re lucky you might get two! They will keep you safe and entertain you with stories and information about the areas as you go.

There is also a safety kayaker on each trip, checking the river and helping anyone who may have taken a dip.

Some medical conditions will prohibit you from rafting. It is VERY important that if you do have a medical condition that you let our staff know prior to rafting, this is not to stop you but to inform your guide, so they are prepared in the unlikely event that something does go wrong. If you need medication for you condition, e.g. asthma inhalers, you need to bring that with you.

No. We don’t offer two for ones on our trips and we don’t allow anyone who is pregnant on grade 3 or above rivers.  P.S congratulations!

This is assessed on a case by case basis. We recommend you call our staff and chat with them about your needs. With notice we are able to accommodate, however your involvement will be at the discretion of the trip leader and guides.

You need to be at least 13 year old to raft with us and a minimum weight of 40kg. There is no maximum age, we just ask you to be at a good level of physical fitness. The weight limit is 120kg. We do have a number of extra-large wetsuits and small ones for the kids.  It will be at the discretion of the trip leader and guides as to who is eligible to participate.

New Zealand winter is between June and early September. So opposite to the northern hemisphere.

The raft guides say, ‘We don’t pee in your clothes so please don’t pee in ours’.  There are toilets at the Raft Base, please use them before departing for the experience.

We don’t have spectators on the river due to the remote location and nature of the terrain. There is an opportunity to stand near the last rapid on the Shotover River as you exit the Oxenbridge tunnel. Timings can depend on river levels so we can’t give your fans an exact time to be there.