RealNZ - Rafting Base — Attraction in South Island

Wow realnz An Unforgettable White Water Rafting Adventure with RealNZ

We had the incredible opportunity to experience white water rafting with RealNZ, and it was truly an adventure I will never forget. From start to finish, the experience was made all the more memorable by our two amazing guides and boatmasters, Martijn and Ico.

Martijn was a perfect mix of professionalism and fun. His deep knowledge of the river and the surrounding area really shone through, as he provided clear instructions and shared fascinating insights along the way. His calm demeanor in the face of the rapids gave us confidence, and his sense of humor kept the atmosphere light, even when we were navigating through the toughest parts of the course.

Ico, our other boatmaster, was equally impressive. His ability to read the water and guide us safely through challenging sections of the river was nothing short of expert. Ico’s energy was contagious, and he created an environment where we could push our limits while feeling completely safe. He made sure everyone was involved, engaged, and having fun, whether we were paddling hard or just riding the rapids.

The teamwork between Martijn and Ico was seamless—one would give instructions, and the other would reinforce them, ensuring we were always prepared for what lay ahead. Their communication and coordination were key in making the whole experience feel smooth and safe. Both of them made the day feel not only thrilling but also educational, showing us the dynamics of white-water rafting and ensuring we all understood what was happening with the river.

The rafting itself was exhilarating—challenging but rewarding—and the stunning scenery of the river valley added to the magic of the experience. RealNZ clearly takes safety seriously, and both Martijn and Ico made sure we were equipped with the right skills and knowledge to enjoy the ride while staying safe.

Overall, I couldn’t have asked for better guides. Martijn and Ico’s well done real assets to realnz.

passion for rafting and their dedication to ensuring we had a great time made this one of the best outdoor experiences I’ve ever had. If you're looking for an adrenaline-packed adventure with expert guides who genuinely care about your experience, RealNZ’s white water rafting is...

I was super scared to do this but we are here for our dual 50th bdays (with our kids) and this was one of the day trips we had planned. But we hadn't rafted in a good 20 years and the water levels were low making all the guides talk about the technical difficulty today's rafting would bring - I was super worried - I'm in shape, but also, I'll refer you to the "50" part. But fear not! Ico our guide was so calm and funny and talked us through every inch of every turn. We practiced our paddle moves and when the time came our raft was totally good to go. Did we get bounced around? Yes. Did we get soaked? Of course - but it was so so so fun and so wonderful to be fully and truly 'away. I can't say enough about the scenery (no pics as phones/rapids are not a good mix) but it's stunning and a perfect way to spend an afternoon. Fear conquered and I'm now a big fan. The whole thing was just amazing - I wish I had pics to show you, but just go do it for yourself and you'll see! (the bus ride to the river launch site . . .that's a different story . . . .that's insane and should be its own thrill ride - better to not know about it but tip: sit on the left side). Best time ever - strongly recommend and thank you to Ico for being so professional but also so fun and to the whole staff - great experience loved every second of not...

While I loved the rafting and even enjoyed the jet boating, I can't give more than "average" stars for this trip. I would love any rafting, but I was disappointed in a couple things.

My guide had no personality, while the other two (Dan and Guy) were funny and outgoing. Maybe mine just had a bad day. Also the biggest draw this company has is the free photos! What a plus. However, there were no photos of anyone jumping off the 3 meter rock. I had specifically asked too. The pre trip group photos of two groups were in the shade, so they were bad quality. Lastly, there were rapids photos from only one side of the boat rather than getting some in a different rapid on the other side. To top it off, my guide told one teenage boy to go sit in the front, so he blocked everyone anyway. The teenager was looking ill the entire time after that.

On the plus side... Good equipment, efficient distribution of it. Nice bus driver, George. Good facility in the base camp. Safety was top notch. Lots of fun despite some drawbacks. Would do it again, but ask for a different guide!

Also, don't believe the hot shower story at the end of the tour. None of the women had more than...