Glow Worm Kayak Tour
Overview
Available languages
3 hours
Mobile ticket
Come and explore the Rotorua Lakes on a truly unique and magical kayaking experience. This amazing evening adventure takes you along the lake shorelines in a guided scenic kayak tour as you discover small caverns home to a galaxy of glow worms. One of New Zealand's premium glow worm experiences this tour is designed to create a magical and special trip for every customer. Groups are limited in numbers to each of our personal and expert guides ensuring your adventure is the very best it can be. Our authentic, eco-friendly outdoor tours are led by grassroots leadership. We are an activity provider who strives daily to lead by example creating strong connections, positive contribution, and thoughtfulness to the environments we explore.
Additional Info
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Children must be accompanied by an adult - A minimum supervision ratio of one (1) adult to one (1) child under the age of 16 is required at all times.
What to bring:
For kayaking in summer (November - February) we recommend wearing light-weight clothing. Shorts/pants/leggings for your bottom half and at least two layers for your top half. Water friendly shoes are recommended, but are provided free of charge if needed.
For Kayaking outside of summer (March - October) please wear warm clothing (thermal if possible). Pants/leggings for your bottom half and a minimum of three layers for your top half (which are preferably thermal, fleece, or wool). Please also bring a warm hat and gloves. During our coolest months you will be provided a wetsuit to wear over your clothes. Water friendly shoes are recommended, but are provided free of charge if needed.
You are welcome to bring a towel and change of clothes for after your experience (it is not often someone gets wet enough to require these items)
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
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 kayak instruction before you take the helm on the water. You will then begin exploring the shoreline and embracing the last light of the evening as you follow your guide around the lake edge. Once it’s dark, discover your adventurous side as your guide leads you inside small hidden caves home to galaxies of glow worms. Take ample time to enjoy the magical moments inside the caves before returning along your course in the dark. If it is a clear night the magic continues as the stars come out and the cloudy appearance of the milky-way fills the sky. Upon returning to the base you will feel like you have been in another world for the past few hours and will likely have made some new friends through the wonder of this shared experience.
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, contribution, thoughtfulness to the environment
Small group tours with exclusive lake access (1 guide per 8 kayakers)
Food and drinks
Options
Glow Worm Kayaking Tour
Glow Worm Kayaking Tour Pickup included
Reviews
387 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Kayak to glow worm caves, awesome!
kzurheide,May 2, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Lucked 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.
Do not miss this experience!
Eliza H,Apr 28, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Seeing 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!
The staff were very kind,...
Thomas L,Apr 27, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00The 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.
My daughter and her...
sally h,Apr 23, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00My daughter and her husband had an amazing experience. The guide was fantastic. They loved seeing the various locations for the glow worms.
AMAZING EVENING
Wanderer55378620217,Apr 21, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Amazing evening. Would highly recomend. Great guides all equipment provided.
Magical Kayak Adventure
FBFTo,Apr 15, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We 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.
Magical glow worm experience
Go38132803681,Apr 10, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This 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.
Amazing experience
Dreamer17663168091,Apr 8, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was an absolute highlight of our trip to New Zealand. Knowledgeable and personable guides, a unique and memorable experience - we loved it! HIghly recommended.
7years old kid first...
Yoyo Y,Apr 5, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.007years old kid first kayak, very kids friendly. We loved the adventure. Easy to handle, even with little kids.
A real highlight in Rotorua
Leona M,Apr 3, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This 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.
From NZ$225.00
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Operated by Taiao Adventures