Bay of Plenty NZ

 
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NAU MAI  ︳WELCOME

... to our awesome riverbug adventures in Te Moana ā Toi ｜The Bay of Plenty.

The funky riverbug is the fun new way to experience our special places. Ride the rapids through hidden canyons and drift past cascading waterfalls as you connect with nature from a riverbug perspective.

Riverbug.NZ offers first-timer and family-friendly riverbug tours, courses and school programmes around Tauranga, Rotorua, Kawerau and Whakatāne, catering for groups and individuals from age 5 years upwards. Grab your friends & family, school buddies, workmates or travel companions, choose your adventure level, and get ready for an unforgettable experience...



NAU MAI  ︳WELCOME imageNAU MAI  ︳WELCOME imageNAU MAI  ︳WELCOME image

Tours and Courses

Scenic or Whitewater?

To help you choose your adventure level we've rated our riverbug tours from MILD to WILD. All our tours are first-timer friendly and run on fun, low-risk Grade 1 & 2 whitewater according to the international grading scale 1 – 6 (where 1 is easiest). We have GREAT DEALS for school & corporate groups. Contact us for more info and GROUP RATES.

Explore the spectacular Poripori Water Holes near Tauranga by Riverbug. Experience impressive bedrock geology, with deep pools and small rapids. 2.5 HOURS. From $109

Riverbugs mixed with generous portions of whitewater in a breathtaking gorge on the Rangitāiki river in the Eastern Bay of Plenty. HALF DAY TOUR from $149.

Riverbug the Tarawera River at the site of the 2013 IRF World Rafting Championships in Kawerau. 3 HOURS from $129

Experience a roller-coaster rapid ride and surf the “Wairoa Wave“' during the Sunday water releases in the Wairoa Gorge near Tauranga. 3 HOURS from $119.

Explore the scenic Wairoa river valley near Tauranga from a riverbug perspective. Great for families with younger kids. Minimum age 5 years. HALF DAY from $129.

Take a riverbug course and learn how to stay safe and in control in whitewater. Course content, location and duration tailored to your needs. Contact us for details.

★★★★★

Sally Corlson

 Had a great morning on the river with Don, a great experience and beautiful scenery. Fun for the whole family, and challenging for those less coordinated in our group. 

Sally Corlson: Trip Advisor Jan 2021
Dan Joines

 We had the best time ever. This is a MUST DO family activity for loads of fun. The bugs are safe, easy and lots of fun. Don our expert guide is informative and friendly - we had the best time. The high-light of our North Island trip and a must do activity. AAA+ 

Dan Joines: Google Reviews Jan 2021
Angela Seaton

 Great adventure down a river, encountering small rapids and beautiful scenery aboard a "bug". Thoroughly recommend for something unusual and fun. Owner-operators are very friendly, very experienced, safety-oriented and professional. 

Angela Seaton: Google Reviews Dec 2020
Ciska De Jong, New Zealand Adventures

 BEST TRIP EVER!! What an adrenalin rush this is.. The tour guides Don and Sabine are absolutely wonderful, fun and also make you feel really safe! When you fall in they just seem to be right there to help you! The bugs are super high quality and really comfy too. The rapids were SOOO fun!!! We were laughing the whole day. Already booked for their other tour on the Rangitaiki! 

Ciska De Jong, New Zealand Adventures: Google Reviews April 2021
Carol Herbert

 Riverbug Adventure was the Highlight of our holiday A fantastic day on the river in our Riverbugs. It was the highlight of our holiday. We were treated to a wonderful experience while really enjoying the great outdoors. Thank you Don and Sabine for creating great memories! 

Carol Herbert: Trip Advisor April 2021
  

Cruise

Shore Excursions

Explore Poripori Water Holes near Tauranga by Riverbug. Experience impressive bedrock geology, drift through deep pools and small rapids, and learn about Māori culture. 4 HOURS. From $149

Join our small group guided tour to experience natural wonders, history and culture around Tauranga and the local countryside. Visit significant cultural sites, take in amazing views over Tauranga, walk through lush native forrest, and enjoy a break at a cafe in a spectacular setting. 4 Hours. From $139

BUG SUNDAY

Wairoa River, Tauranga. Oct–May FROM $119

GIVE SOMETHING SPECIAL...

A RIVERBUG EXPERIENCE...

Simply let us know your wishes and we'll supply the voucher. Valid for 1 year from purchase, and includes free trip photos.

Order a Gift VoucherBook a Tour

TARAWERA RIVERBUG

ADVENTURE FROM $129

Book Now

School Programmes

INSPIRE. MOTIVATE. CHALLENGE.

Great value educational programmes for students from age 5 years upwards. River, ocean, lake & swimming pool options tailored to your budget & needs. Choose from our regular programmes, build a combo package with other activities, or let us build a programme around your special needs... Starting from $25/person

With safe, fun whitewater, easy access, and onsite amenities, the Tarawera river in Kawerau ticks all the right boxes. Tour duration and costs are flexible (up to 3 Hours). Minimum age 10 years.

A truly off-the-beaten-track action packed wilderness experience through a stunning gorge in the Eastern Bay of Plenty. 3.5 Hours. Min age 10 years. Cost $89pp

Riverbug the scenic lower Wairoa near Tauranga. An easy float trip that's a fun and educational experience. 3.5 Hours. Minimum age 7 years.

Fun games and initiative challenges on sheltered water at Pilot Bay Tauranga. Can also be run at swimming pools or suitable lake of your choice. Minimum age 5 years.

Meet the Team

Riverbug is our passion that we love to share.

We love our mahi (work), and supporting community and healthy lifestyles through enjoyment of the outdoors is at the heart of what we do. We run guide training and riverbug programmes for rangatahi (youth) and Riverbug activities for community groups under the guidance of riverbug pioneers Don (Ngāti Kahungunu), and Sabine (Germany). When you join us on the water you'll be helping us to help support our community.

te tautoko ngātahi i te hapori ︳supporting the community together

Safe Hands

Riverbug pioneer Don Allardice ran the first commercial riverbug tours in NZ in the late 1990's. Together with partner Sabine they brought riverbugs to Austria in 2007, offering tours and producing riverbug equipment under their brand Riverbug.me. They are experts in safe operations and guide training, and are establishing a growing community of riverbug enthusiasts around the globe.

With over 50 years of combined whitewater experience between them – you know you'll be in safe hands