Tauranga Daytime Scenic Lake McLaren Tour

Overview

Available languages

English

3 hours 30 minutes

Mobile ticket

Paddle out to the middle of the wonderfully calm Lake McLaren in a 18 seater canoe if you are from a Cruise Ship, where serenity takes a new name. On days when there is no Cruise Ship in the Port of Tauranga you will be in kayaks

Additional Info

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

The tour can operate in almost all weather conditions

Please dress appropriately for the weather

Easy pace scenic tour

If Hotel/Accommodation pick up is needed please book the Hotel Pick up option upon checkout.

Cancellation Policy

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

What‘s Included

Full safety briefing with the trip guide

All relevant canoe & kayaking equipment

Gratuities

Food and drinks (some snacks available for purchase at reception)

Meeting and Pickup

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

What To Expect

IF YOU ARE FROM A CRUISE SHIP, THIS TOUR WILL TAKE PLACE IN A 18 SEATER CANOE - NOT IN KAYAKS Enjoy the wonderful calm Lake McLaren where serenity takes a new name. Gently paddle past a multitude of birdlife, literally within paddles' reach. Sheer cliffs break the stark lush native bush as gentle streams enter the lake's edge. Paddle into the stunning Mangapapa canyon with water as deep as the cliffs on the sides, where the native bush appears to touch and form a cave.

Options

Lake McLaren Kayak Tour

Scenic Lake McLaren Kayak Tour: Standard tour meeting at Waimarino Adventure Park - no transport included

Scenic Lake McLaren Kanu Tour

Duration: 4 hours: Approximately a 3.5 hour excursion departing from and returning to the passenger entry to the Port of Tauranga.
Departure Point: This tour departs and returns from the Passenger Entry to the Port of Tauranga.
Kanu: This tour is operated in one of our Big Kanu's a unique family friendly and accessible option for all ages.
Pickup included

Lake McLaren with Hotel Pickup

Lake McLaren & Hotel Pickup: Costs Extra

Reviews

4.63

41 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

Great outdoor experience close to Auckland
Brett M,
Sep 29, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
Our guide Troy was excellent company very informative really nice guy and made all the effort to make the great experience. The lake and the gorge absolutely amazing really beautiful and worth the effort to come down and do the kayak experience
Incredible tour and guide!
Bree L,
Jun 27, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Craig was such a great guide for this amazing tour! Even though it was raining for half of it, my family, friend and I really enjoyed the whole experience. We appreciated the rain jackets that they supply and the skirt that goes around your waste in the kayak. We were pretty wet, but not as wet as we would have been without them. We were very warm with the fleece sweaters provided as well. The canyon was breathtaking with the water dripping all around us, ferns, and moss everywhere.
Beautiful and tranquil
Trickster77,
Mar 30, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
If you need a break from rushing round trying to see everything, take this kayak trip. It was a great way to take in Tauranga and really immerse yourself in the rainforest, paddling your way through the nature that you couldn't see on foot. Our guide was safe, informative and enthusiastic about the surroundings, which made it all the more enjoyable. I thoroughly recommend this trip.
Big Disappointment
Jane I,
Mar 7, 2025
- Review from Viator
1.00
Booked this months in advance because we were only in the area 1 day. The day before our kayaking was to take place , it was cancelled due to only 2 of us being signed up. Too late for us to arrange something else.
Beautiful Location
ChurchSingerForever,
Mar 5, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Beautiful location. Craig and Maddy were knowledgeable and courteous. Loved seeing black swans and all the other flying creatures.
A great kayaking experience
Charles D,
Mar 2, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00
A great day with Craig on the lake kayaking through some beautiful scenery. We highly recommend this tour.
Excellent Canoe Trip on the McLauren River
Flowerbloss,
Feb 8, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Wonderful, relaxing & informative canoe trip with Leo & Ewan - both of them kept us entertained on this trip - would highly recommend if visiting Tauranga!
A must see event!!
M3061DKamyd,
Feb 4, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
We had a kayak trip with a visit to the glow worm cave as well as a visit to the hot springs. The whole experience was unbelievably amazing! I highly recommend this as long as you can paddle a kayak for sustained amounts of time.
Fabulous
1BarbaraR,
Jan 18, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Fabulous experience. I had a perfect experience kayaking, seeing the gloworms and relaxing in the hot pools. Aaron was an amazing guide and we kayaked past beautiful scenery. The gloworm cave was a highlight. Double kayaks made the experience accessible for everyone snd we did the 10 km adventure easily. If you get the opportunity to take this your - just do it.
Great experience!!
20terresab,
Jan 7, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00
Great views, loads of amazing photos! Thanks to our great team of experts. Felt very safe. Loved the glow worms and the beautiful moss covered rocks.