Glow Worm Kayak Tour: Rotorua Lakes

Experience a family-friendly adventure in Rotorua with a unique glow worm kayaking tour. Explore nature, learn kayak skills, and create lasting memories with our friendly guides.

Duration: 3 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Rotorua isite Visitor Information Centre - Your friendly guide will pick you up and shuttle you from Rotorua, past the iconic Redwood forest as you make your way to our base on the lake shorelines. Upon arrival you will gear-up and prepare for an epic night out with all activity equipment provided. Your guide will then run through safety and basic…
What's Included
  • All equipment provided, no experience required, perfect for all ages (5+ yrs)
  • Incredible Glow Worms experienced by kayak
  • A Sunset/Dusk/Night Adventure with Star Gazing (if clear skies)
  • Pick-up & drop-off transfers from Rotorua Information Centre included: 1167 Fenton Street, Rotorua
  • Experience our Taiao Adventures values, connection,…
What's Not Included
  • Food and drinks
Additional Information

Discover the enchanting Rotorua Lakes with a truly unique kayaking experience. This incredible evening adventure offers a guided scenic kayak tour along the lake shorelines, where you can explore small caverns illuminated by a galaxy of glow worms. As one of New Zealand’s top glow worm experiences, this tour is crafted to provide a magical and memorable…

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.8
(387 Ratings)
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Kzurheide
May 2, 2026
Kayak to glow worm caves, awesome! - Lucked out with a perfect evening weatherwise, dry (in spite of hard rain just before), not too cold, with clear skies to see impressive array of stars, Milky Way, contellations from kayaks on lake. Wish I could recall both names of 2 great guides (Forrest and... Ben?). Both great, worked very well together. I'm an experienced kayaker, but those who weren't seemed to also do fine. We were in 3 genuine caves and 1 other tree-formed cave-like area (a 5th cave was inaccessible due to high water), each different from the others, all very interesting/magical. Learned some more cool glow worm facts, saw the lights of thousands of them. Very special experience.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Eliza_h
Apr 28, 2026
Do not miss this experience! - Seeing the glow worm caves was the top of our list for our weekend in Rotorua and this tour did not disappoint! There were 2 families with children aged 10 to 23 and everyone loved this experience. Our guide, Kesha, was knowledgable and engaging. The kayaks were easy to maneuver, with the guide pulling us into the caves. The night sky was perfect so we could easily see the Milky Way and the Southern Cross. Each cave was more spectacular that the one prior. We worried about being cold because it was the fall but wetsuits, booties, and jackets were available to all participants. We all highly recommend this tour!
Review provided by Viator
Thomas_l
Apr 27, 2026
The staff were very kind,... - The staff were very kind, and we got to see so many glow worms. The night sky was also full of stars, which made it such a wonderful experience. The cocoa was delicious too.
Review provided by Viator
Sally_h
Apr 23, 2026
My daughter and her... - My daughter and her husband had an amazing experience. The guide was fantastic. They loved seeing the various locations for the glow worms.
Review provided by Viator
Wanderer55378620217
Apr 21, 2026
AMAZING EVENING - Amazing evening. Would highly recomend. Great guides all equipment provided.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Fbfto
Apr 15, 2026
Magical Kayak Adventure - We had a wonderful experience on our 7:30 Glow Worm Kayak tour despite being very inexperienced kayakers. The company is very well organized and our guide and the clothing provided were excellent. There was one guide for four kayaks. The combination of the still water on the lake, the beautifully lit glow worm caves and being able to see so many shining stars in the night sky was pure magic and a highlight of our trip to New Zealand. One thing to note is that you leave all your belongings in the room where you gear up. There are no lockers there or anywhere to lock things up (although they do lock the room) so prepare accordingly.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Go38132803681
Apr 10, 2026
Magical glow worm experience - This was a truly magical evening - we were in a small group with an expert guide, Jacob, who led us in Kayaks to a number of glow worm caves.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Dreamer17663168091
Apr 8, 2026
Amazing experience - This was an absolute highlight of our trip to New Zealand. Knowledgeable and personable guides, a unique and memorable experience - we loved it! HIghly recommended.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Yoyo_y
Apr 5, 2026
7years old kid first... - 7years old kid first kayak, very kids friendly. We loved the adventure. Easy to handle, even with little kids.
Review provided by Viator
Leona_m
Apr 3, 2026
A real highlight in Rotorua - This was an incredible experience. Lake Ōkāreka was so peaceful which made the kayak to the caves to see the glow worms very relaxed and enjoyable. Ellen was a wonderful guide and very knowledgeable.
Review provided by Viator
From $116
up to 15 guests
1 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).