Cruise ship passengers who want an active adventure while on land will love this white-water rafting expedition from Napier. The rapids are an easy class II, so even first-timers and older kids can join in. Admire the views of the native bush, listen to birdsong, and even go for a swim in the gentle river if you like. Photos of your trip will be provided after.

Learn about local culture and history from your guide
There’s no need to get wet unless you want to swim
Combine sightseeing and outdoor adventure
Lunch is included to help you refuel

What's Included

Lunch
Air-conditioned vehicle

Meeting And Pickup

You can head directly to the meeting point, or request pickup

Meeting point

Napier
Napier, New Zealand
We meet you either from your ship or in Napier

Pickup point

napier

Start time

Confirm time with the local provider in advance of your experience.

Opening hours

5/20/2019 - 8/25/2024
Monday - Sunday : 12:00 AM - 11:30 PM

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Pickup details

We can either pick up from the port or from Napier city. Please note trips are bespoke. Times start once your ship is debarking from napier port..

What To Expect

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Not wheelchair accessible
Service animals allowed
Near public transportation

Infants must sit on laps
Infant seats available
Most travelers can participate
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 120 travelers

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.

Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Featured review

Nikki_Y

Deon is simply the best guide, he makes it fun for all and is caring for those in our group who were not quite as "water" friendly as the rest of us. We all agreed it was the highlight of the trip and we will do it again when we return to New Zealand. We have already referred friends that are going this year. Thanks again Deon, we will be back so you'll have to deal with us Aussies!!!

Reviews

5.0

42 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

Reviews by Viator travelers.

Showing 1-10 of 42 reviews

A nice day on the water!

Anita_Y, Apr 2023

Top shelf—Fun way to see the area. Well organized and safe. Sadly, one of us was feeling poorly and it was too late to cancel and receive a refund, which was frustrating. I think at least partial refund is in order when the concern is to keep the others on the boat safe. Almost went anyway because it was paid for! However, my partner had a great time and the said guide was amusing and formative!

Response from Host, Apr 2023

Thanks for the kind words. Sorry you couldn't make the trip. You could try getting a partial refund from them but it maybe a bit late. If you ever come back rest assured you can come for free.

Deliverance

Garry_M, Apr 2023

Although the area had been devastated by the cyclone the guides still did a great job to give as a great experience. Incredible scenery also.

Response from Host, Apr 2023

Haha thanks for the kind words. Great ro see you and show you something a bit different

Fantastic

Matt_Y, Feb 2023

Awesome communication. The day itself was fantastic . I can’t recommend it high enough . We loved every part of it .

Response from Host, Feb 2023

Cheers for that. I had loads of fun with you. Took some awdome photos too

Best time EVER!!!

Nikki_Y, Jan 2023

Response from Host, Feb 2023

woohoo thank you. I never did tell you did i that im half aussie......The naughty half haha. Enjoy the rest of your trip.

Rafting on Mohaka river

Jessica_B, Jan 2023

Deon was amazing. His communication & concern for time constraints were above expectations. His knowledge of the River was fantastic, while also having so much fun. I would highly recommend going off the beaten path for this adventure. Lunch was an a delicious added bonus to our day with Raft Fish NZ

Response from Host, Jan 2023

Thanks for the nice comments. Enjoy the rest of your holiday

River Rafting with Deon

Lynn_A, Jan 2023

Deon and team are very experienced and managed to create some wonderful memories for us. This was our first time river rafting but the anxiousness died once we got on the raft. Definitely a highlight of our NZ trip and highly recommended for families who would like to give river rafting a go.

Response from Host, Jan 2023

Thanks very much for the nice words. Don't forget to come back.

BEST OF NAPIER

Delilah_K, Jan 2023

This excursion was beyond amazing!! It was worth the price we paid unlike the other excursions before this one!!! The husband and wife team operating this excursion make the trip even more special!!! When in NAPIER THIS IS THE ONLY EXCURSION YOU NEED TO LOOK FOR DONT LOOK ANY FURTHER!!

Response from Host, Jan 2023

O thanks for the nice remarks. We loved hosting you. Have fun

Good Value Family Excursion

David_P, Jan 2023

Happy to endorse Dion and the Raft Fish team! Dion was communicative throughout the entire process, met us exactly where he said he would, and returned us to our ship about an hour before we sailed from Napier. This was good value for a fun, stress free family excursion while we were in Napier. Thank you Dion!

Response from Host, Jan 2023

Thank you for the kind remarks. Enjoy the rest of your holiday.

The best day ever!

Saira_H, Dec 2022

Deon was a wonderful and humorous guide despite only being two of us on this trip. He went out of his way to give us a memorable and enjoyable experience and the home cooked lunch provided by his lovely wife and son was delightful all set up on the riverbank at the end of our trip. Thoroughly recommend Deon and his company. We had a fab day and we even got back in time to have a look at the art deco buildings in Napier. Thanks Deon and family 😃

Response from Host, Dec 2022

Aw thank you for that. Cone back sometime.

Fun on the river

Stacey_V, Nov 2022

This is a most excellent adventure!!! From the easy port pickup to the river to the lovely tea and back all went smoothly. I highly recommend this trip!!!

Response from Host, Nov 2022

Thanks Stacey, come back anytime. Have fun

Great day on the river with Deon!

Laura_S, Nov 2022

We had a great day rafting with Deon. He was very personable and made the day fun. He told us bits of information about the area as we rafted down the river. Once we were done his wife met us and served us lunch prior to taking us back to the cruise port. Most important the pick up and return was easy and smooth.

Response from Host, Nov 2022

Thanks for the kind remarks. We had fun hosting you. Very nice people

Great rafting experience with a super knowledgeable guide

Brenda_S, Nov 2022

Nice rafting down the Mohaka River with class 2 rapids. Our guide was super friendly. He took us to his farm where we were outfitted with rafting gear and drove 3 minutes to the river. Our guide knew that river like the back of his hand. At the end of the rafting his wife brought us some homemade sandwiches and treats. That was a nice change from cruise ship food. Totally recommend this tour.

Response from Host, Nov 2022

Thank you for the nice feedback. We enjoyed the day

Excellent cruise excursion

Julia_D, Oct 2022

A great day in Napier! Deon was excellent at communicating pick up times and location since our ship slightly adjusted the itinerary. Warm and welcoming to the family-run business it was a beautiful paddle down river. Very easy small rapids and the scenery is too notch. Very tasty light lunch provided as well.

Response from Host, Oct 2022

Thanks for the nice comments. Come back anytime

A day of laughs on the river

eljordin, Oct 2022

Deon was a phenomenal tour guide. He was extremely accommodating to our group with regards to pick up and drop off. The entire tour was filled with humor and good stories. He was very witty and interactive with all of us as we floated down the river. The river itself was rather calm. The rapids were easily navigated and we stayed relatively dry. Don't let any of those concerns scare you off from this wonderful tour. When we finished navigating the river, Deon's wife met us with delicious refreshments and an absolutely addictive dessert. They even brought their dogs to play with us while we had the picnic. This was an incredible tour at a great value!

Response from Host, Oct 2022

Thanks for the nice words. I had loads of fun with you.

Great Rafting experience

Wendy_T, Oct 2022

Great customer service. Deon responded to all my queries almost immediately and very patiently. Loved the clear and detail instructions provided so that we know exactly what to expect. Great and fun Rafting experience! Highly recommended!!

Response from Host, Oct 2022

Thanks for the nice comment. Loved hosting you all. Great fun had all round.

Highly recommended! ⭐️

Carla_B, Dec 2021

It was our first time ever to go rafting and it was such an amazing experience! Seeing and listening to nature allowed us to take our minds off the hustle & bustle of the city - great way to unwind. Will definitely book with Deon and Jo again, they are such lovely people. Highly recommended activity 👍

New Zealand Scenic Rafting

Lonnie_R, Dec 2020

Excellent time - New Zealand awesome, Deon was excellent guide from pickup to rafting to return. Water levels not all that fast, however that is the seasonality of a Feb trip. Overall a great excursion, and would definitely do again.

Response from Host, May 2021

Thank you, ome back anytime.

Scenery

Pauline_G, Mar 2020

Omg! We had they best day! Deon was fantastic with his hilarious story telling and was great fun and made us all laugh! Lunch was delicious as well. So pristine and peaceful well worth it. From Pebbles lol

Response from Host, Mar 2020

O yes thanks for coming, I have so much fun showing the river off. Come back for more Haha.

Rafting in the port by Napier

Karen_M, Mar 2020

we really enjoyed out rafting trip with Deon. You can see his passion for rafting and fishing! We happened to be his only rafters for the day but no problem. We had every question answered and every sight pointed out. I like the idea of supporting a family owned and run business. It was like we were treated like friends. The countryside and river were gorgeous with high rock cliffs down the river. Great lunch prepared at his home too. No problems with pickup since Deon sent us informative emails. He got us back to town and he did some sightseeing of colorful Napier. Plenty of time to shop, etc

Response from Host, Mar 2020

Thanks for the review, i do love these small trips. And loved to host you.

Crystal clear river

ELIZABETH_W, Feb 2020

A nice way to enjoy the River. Our group was only one raft and the river was untouched beauty. The River was so clear that you could see the bottom and the trout swimming by the entire trip. A very personable trip experience.

Response from Host, Feb 2020

Thanks for your kind review, yes i love it when the river is claear like that. Bye for now