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
363 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Best Experience Ever!
Trisha H,,Feb 24, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Wear the water pants they offer you- they keep you dry. This was the coolest experience! Well worth it.
A highlight of our stay in Rotorua.
Tjaart B,,Feb 23, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Very good. Guides are experienced and enthusiastic to share this wonderful experience with tourists. Very informative and a worthwhile activity.
Amazing experience
Tn S,,Feb 21, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00What an experience! Late night on the lake under a million stars, then the experience of seeing the glow worms in 3 different locations,
Best tour!
Sunshine39454139438,,Feb 20, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Absolutely wonderful. Felt taken care of and safe the entire time. sarah was our guide and she was delightful! Knowledgeable and funny and kept a good pace. The sky was incredible and we saw so many stars and the glow worms were bright! So glad we chose this tour.
Natural Phenomena! God is good!
830pkh,,Feb 20, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00What an adventure! We did the 940pm last trip of the day. Launched our kayaks well after dark and paddled across the lake to 3 different caves. This is a very intimate experience in small nooks filled with glow worms. Hard to describe other than they look like neon blue constellations in complete darkness. Incredible! Totally unique to New Zealand. Our guides were full of positive energy from start to finish. Ellen picked us up, briefed us, and outfitted us with a passion for her land and job. And Kascia (sp?) led us through the lake, getting into the water and moving us in and out of the caves. She informed us like a true naturalist and knows her worms!! 🐛 Side notes: late Feb it was chilly! Also if you’re claustrophobic these are tight spaces. Kascia worked around this for me making sure I was comfy while still getting good views. We haven’t done Waitomo bc someone said kayak experience is less crowded and more of an adventure. Really glad we did! ( btw our guide had hot chocolate and snacks at the ready mid trip). If you’re not familiar with kayaking this may not be right for you as they’re above water seats and lots of paddling involved. Bonus: they supply ALL gear: Life vests, jackets, wetsuits, booties, etc. No photos inside allowed!
This experience is a must...
Jamie B,,Feb 19, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This experience is a must do, great excerise and convosation along with fun facts about glow worms. The tour ran super smoothly, the Atmosphere of the lake and the mini glow worm caves was just remarkable. Also if your into star gazing, with any luck and clear skies you will see the best night sky for stars. Would recommend even if you go solo 10/10
I wish this wasn’t...
jerry n,,Feb 19, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00I wish this wasn’t required. I wouldn’t leave a review but I would like the photos resent. This is annoying.
Great adventure, great...
Timothy A,,Feb 17, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Great adventure, great star gazing , helpful upbeat staff, great job getting us to the lake and into the caves
Awesome
Y7086LWtimothya,,Feb 17, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great experience, very helpful, upbeat people getting us there and on the lake, and into the caves.
Excellent guides, frendly...
Jon P,,Feb 16, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Excellent guides, frendly and helpfull. A good paddle on the lake, fantastic Glow Worms and caves. Recomend.
From NZ$195.00
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Operated by Taiao Adventures