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
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‘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
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.
Options
Glow Worm Kayaking Tour
Glow Worm Kayaking Tour
Pickup included
Reviews
322 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Amazing experience
RobertBLee,
Dec 10, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00So cool! Friends and one of our party had done and enjoyed the large cave walk/floats in other areas. This was a unique experience. We're experienced kayakers but had never paddled in the dark. The guides did a good job of getting everyone geared up and a basic dryland paddling/safety at the lakeshore. Some had never kayaked and there were some boat bumps. The caves show only as faint reflections at the edge of the leaf canopy. When the guide pulls your boat into a cave it's like stepping into the cockpit of a small sci-fi ship. The glow worms (glow-butt maggots we now call them) are all over the ceiling and just above your head. Some are close enough to touch but DON'T. Our guide, Ellie, had answers for all our scientific questions regarding their life cycle and behaviour. A highlight of our trip.
Gorgeous glow worms and stunning stars
amvAberdeen,
Dec 7, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Excellent adventure led by a great team who are really laid back but clearly committed to giving guests the best and safest experience while respecting the environment. The glow worm light reflected in the water of the caves was magical. Equally magical was the starlight display- we had a perfect, still cloudless night and the moon didn’t interfere. Big thanks to Forest, Ellie, Sam, Zoe and Rani for making this so good.
Canceled
Bethany L,
Dec 4, 2025
- Review from Viator
1.00I had called the booking company and was told this was gonna be canceled secondary to weather and that I would be refunded. I never received a cancellation email or a refund of my money.
Magical!
brownat2,
Dec 2, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00This tour goes rain or shine so be ready with a rain jacket or sweater or check the forecast early. It was really cool to see the glowworms in small caves from the water. Our guide was great and we felt well taken care of.
A magical night!
45stellao,
Nov 26, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had a magical experience kayaking to see glow-worm caves on a perfect clear night with minimal wind. Our guides explained everything cheerfully and thoroughly to start with, then off we went (wearing their borrowed waterproof gear) and in no time we were out on the lake, marvelling at the trillions of stars glowing through the darkness overhead and the gorgeous mini-lights glowing in the caves below. Absolutely loved it! Thank you, Sam!
Magical!
EatRunTravel17,
Nov 23, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Absolutely amazing experience! I highly recommend this tour and doing it late at night. Not only did we have great viewing of the glow worms, but we had spectacular star gazing. Also, if you’re a bit claustrophobic like me, it’s so dark you can’t tell how small the cave openings and instead you can just enjoy the beauty of what feels like stars dotting the caves.
Great but keep your temp preferences in mind
Sandy S,
Nov 23, 2025
- Review from Viator
4.00We met at the designated spot and got driven in a bus to another location to suit up - literally. You can choose your own adventure with a wet suit or rain pants + coat, in addition to the clothes you wear there. There are cubbies to store your belongings. No phones are allowed for photos in the caves. We did the 9:40 tour so I was quite cold and wished I did the wet suit (high 50s F). The kayaking is very easy and the caves were very cool. Some were smaller than others so if you are claustrophobic keep that in mind. We got to meet Forest, Sam, and Kelsey, all of which were so friendly and helpful! The glowworms themselves my partner and I found a bit underwhelming but it was a late night for us so perhaps our moods were a bit off. Despite wearing water protection, you still do get a bit wet/damp. Overall definitely recommend if you’re traveling to Rotorua as this tour meets in the town center.
Real Deal Glowworm Kayak Trip
vuwetzel,
Nov 23, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Definitely go! If you’re in Rotorua and thinking of going all the way to Waitapo, don’t bother. This is the real deal and you’ll see thousands of glow worms without driving anywhere. And kayak for about 1.5 hours on top of it. No 10 minute crap you’ll read about elsewhere.
Glowworm kayaking tour
976georgiae,
Nov 18, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Jacob was a great tour guide and made us feel very comfortable on the tour. The hot choccie was a great surprise and made the experience of seeing the glow worms even better.
Like nothing else
Stephen D,
Nov 17, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Incredible experience - both caves and starry skis but wrap up warm even now especially when skies are clear.
From NZ$195.00
Want a private experience? Upgrade to a private tour
Chat with us on social
Related Experiences
Operated by Taiao Adventures