Rafting & Fishing Adventures
Why choose us? We are the most experienced company rafting grade 4-5 rivers on the west coast, small group tours, owner operated and guided. Te Wai Pounamu, the South Island of New Zealand, west coast, is home to some of the best white water rafting in the world. Come rafting with Eco Rafting Neuseeland on our West Coast rivers and experience the best whitewater rafting NZ has to offer, with well over a thousand rivers and creeks flowing off the Southern Alps, we have chosen a select few to operate on. Our access via helicopter or hike in gets us to the most remote rivers in the country, a fly fishing and white water paradise. Towering limestone canyons, crystal blue water, live monster eels, glacial backdrops and wild NZ backcountry… Don’t be fooled by other companies. We have the best rafting in NZ. Our video and flickr photo galleries clearly show this
Eco Rafting specializes in small group tours we have trips for everyone from scenic floats and family fun, to medium-level class 2 and 3 rapids and the most extreme grade 5 whitewater rafting in New Zealand. We offer the best value for money for heli-rafting and multi-day expeditions in NZ.
We’ve got over 15 years experience on these rivers, and being owner-operated and guided our knowledge of the terrain via helicopter scouting has let us choose the rivers with the best rapids and scenery ensuring you get the best rafting in NZ. We have drive and hike in options for those on a tight budget, and all of our rivers flow under the main highway, so they are easy to find and no time is lost travelling. The pick of the bunch is the Whataroa river, a heli access river that has been nicknamed the ‘Grand Canyon of New Zealand’. We truly believe this to be the best rafting for money you can find.
Multi-Day Rafting expeditions
We have drive-in, hike-in and heli-in options on these overnight to 7 day expeditions. Great for fly fishing, team building, family trips, and for the adventurous type.
We have plenty of options for a wide-range of adventurers. Raft through some of the most stunning scenery you’ll ever see, and enjoy camping riverside at night. Enjoy some of the best trout fly fishing NZ has to offer on these trips, raft access enables us to get to many places where helicopters are not permitted to land, so they don’t get fished by other fishing guides. All equipment and food is provided. We operate on over 22 rivers and have a variety of options so contact us for details. Minimum age of 7, depending on the river grade.
Grade
Grades 2-5 Varying grades of white water over multiple days of rafting. Depending on the river we choose to suit your needs, we will experience a range of conditions, from flat water with small waves and short rapids for grade 1-2, regular, medium sized waves (grade 2-3) to very exciting and challenging grade 4-5; depending on what level of excitement you are after. All prices are in NZDollars
Price
Discounted rates for groups of 4 or more. From $250 2 day natural hot pool hike in – $800 heli in 2 day drift fishing for trophy brown trout – $1650 3 day heli in white water expeditions; Contact us for details, prices and booking. Discounts for children.
Rivers
- Karamea – Grades 3-5. 3 day , 5 day Minimum age 16.
- Mokihinui North Branch, 2 day – Grades 4-5. Minimum age 14.
- Lower 2 day – Grades 2-3. Minimum age 7.
- Big Grey – Grades 2-3. Minimum age 7 depending on flow.
- Taipo 2 day – Grades 3-4. Minimum age 14.
- Mikonui2 day – Grade 2. Minimum age 7.
- Wanganui 2 day – Grades 3-4. Minimum age 12.
- Landsborough3 day – Grades 3-4. Minimum age 14.
- Waiatoto3 day – Grades 3-4. Minimum age 12 depending on flow.
› View Full Photo Gallery › EcoRafting Photos on Flickr
Day Rafting
Drive-in or heli-in on these trips, with half-day and full-day rafting options. We have different rivers to suit everyone’s abilities. These are the most scenic and exciting rafting trips in New Zealand!
You have the option of riding all levels of whitewater—from easy to extreme depending on the river we choose for you—on these remote wilderness rivers. Our most popular river is the Whataroa river just 20 minutes from Franz Josef, 2 hours drive south of Greymouth (also known as the grand canyon of NZ) I reckon this is the best river in NZ hands down. Just let us know what kind of adventure you’re looking for and we will find a river to match. Lunch is provided and photo’s are free (we take excellent photo’s). Minimum age of 7 for family floats, 16 for the more challenging runs depending on the water level. All of our rivers flow under the main highway so no time is lost in travelling.
Grade
Grades 3-5 Depending on the river we’re running and the time of year, you’ll see varying degrees of white water through passes ranging from medium sized waves for grade 3 to very exciting and technical high-rapid sections for grades 4-5.
Price
From $110 drive in – $350 half day helicopter in/$450 full day helicopter in Discounted rates for groups of 4 or more. Contact us for details and booking.
Rivers
- Karamea1 day – Grades 3-5. Minimum age 16.
- Mokihinui1 day – Grades 4-5. Minimum age 14.
- Taipo 1 day – Grades 3-4. Minimum age 14.
- Big Grey1 day – Grades 2-3. Minimum age 7 depending on flow.
- Arnoldhalf day – Grades 1-2. Minimum age 5.
- Hokitika1 day – Grades 3-4. Minimum age 13.
- Wanganui1 day – Grades 3-4. Minimum age 12 depending on flow.
- Whataroa1 day – Grades 3-5. Minimum age 14-16 depending on flow.
- Perth1 day – Grades 4-5. Minimum age 16.
› View Full Photo Gallery › EcoRafting Photo’s on Flickr
Adventure fishing, Rod and Rifle rafting
I have fly fished since I was 5 years old, we have always caught heaps of big trout on our overnight rafting expeditions, so we figured we should start offering ‘Adventure Fishing’. A blend of rafting and fishing thats gets us to spots helicopters/foot fisherman can’t access. We can do half day to 5 day expeditions. Drift fishing from the raft and sight fishing to feeding trout in side streams. If you have an old sports injury that prevents long periods of walking It’s the perfect way to experience New Zealand’s backcountry fishing rivers.
We have a number of options, most of which are rafting-orientated, fly fishing and spin fishing trips in the best trophy brown trout rivers in NZ. We also offer deer stalking year round and the best free range Tahr and Chamois hunting that New Zealand has to offer during the winter months. We take photos and the option is there for us to produce a video of your trip. Minimum age of 7 (why not bring the family), depending on the river grade and activities chosen. We currently have specials running for these trips as we need more video footage for our website!!! (from $600pp 2-3 day heli in-raft out)
Grade
Grades 2-5 Varying grades of white water over multiple days of rafting. Throughout the trips you’ll experience flat water, to a range of regular, medium sized waves through unobstructed passes depending on the grade of the river you prefer.
Price
From $330 half day – $800 2-3 day heli in-drift fish – $1650 5 day adventure fishing; Per Person Discounted rates for groups of 4 or more. Contact us for details and booking.
Rivers
A variety of rivers are available for all different activities, tell us what you want and we will pick a river to match. I recommend the 2-5 day drift fishing around Haast in south westland
› View Full Photo Gallery › EcoRafting on Flickr
Scenic Floats
Drive-in access to this half-day scenic wilderness river raft. Enjoy easy rapids, feed monster eels, take in the beauty of the surrounding wilderness, view native birds, pan for gold and boil the kettle over an open fire. Overnight trips are available on request. Drinks and snacks are provided. Minimum age of 7.
Grade
Grades 1-2 These waters are quite calm, through scenic wilderness areas. You’ll see very approachable, minimal fast water sections through open passages and calm canyons.
Price
From $130 Per Person, we can also arrange a babysitter if mum and dad want to go for the day Contact us for details and booking.
› View Full Photo Gallery › EcoRafting photo’s on Flickr
River Rescue & Team Building
All of our guides are certified Grade 5 Senior NZ Raft Guides; this qualification is the highest attainable rafting license in the world and comes with a lot of experience in swift water rescue. 2-5 day Swift Water Rescue courses are great for teambuilding, especially if your company does any work near or around water. These courses will build confidence and are a heap of fun, we are flexible and can provide these courses all over the South Island. Another great teambuilding option is our overnight raft trip, setting up camp, cooking on open fires, and a bunch of on land activities available. Different rivers available to suit all ages and abilities.
Water Safety & Location Scouting
We have experience providing all aspects of water safety on movie sets and multi sport events.
We can manage all the risks and hazards associated with water and can also film scout all over NZ for the perfect location for your movie or event. Land, river and ocean; we have you covered.
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