The Punakaiki River is a small river on New Zealand's West Coast, flowing approximately 24 kilometres before reaching the coast south of Dolomite Point at Punakaiki. It carries an average gradient of 1:125 (8m/km). Despite its modest size under normal conditions, the river has a notably larger catchment area than the nearby Porarari River, meaning it can rise to a substantially greater volume during flood events.

The river flows through a wide valley with bush-covered hills on either side. The valley floor is largely in grass with scattered willows, and the riverbed consists of fine gravel and sand. Large limestone bluffs occur along the valley edges, and the surrounding area contains numerous caves from which small creeks emerge. The scenery has been rated as impressive.

The lower approximately 10 kilometres of the river has been jet boated during flood conditions, and the river has been canoed. A rough track runs up the valley and could provide access for canoeists, though this track becomes flooded when the river is running high — which is also when conditions are most suitable for paddling. This presents a practical access challenge: the best water levels for paddling coincide with the track being impassable.

Overall, the recreational value of the Punakaiki has been assessed as insignificant, reflecting the limited paddling opportunities under typical low-water conditions rather than any particular hazard. Paddlers considering this river should be aware that viable conditions depend on elevated water levels, and that access logistics become complicated precisely at those times.