Tauranga: Evening Glowworm Kayak Tour
Overview
Available languages
3 hours 15 minutes
Mobile ticket
Mount Maunganui and Tauranga are the central areas for this kayak tour - it uses double kayaks on the calm sheltered waters of Lake McLaren. The tour operates in the evening due to the visibility of the glow worms..
As the evening unfolds, begin your journey with a short scenic drive through rolling countryside, you’ll arrive at the breath taking Lake McLaren. Here, you’ll be welcomed with “Te Reka O Te Whenua- the Taste of the Land” a curated tasting session featuring flavours unique to Aotearoa. Savour the flavours of New Zealand Cheeses, sweet RewaRewa honey, and other artisanal delights, perfectly paired with locally brewed kombucha. In the cooler months, sip on warm, spiced 0% mulled wine to keep you warm.
Additional Info
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
A minimum of 2 people per booking is required to commence a tour
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Waimarino Adventure Park
this meeting point is also Waimarino Adventure Park Tauranga's longest established tourism attraction where families enjoy the days activities
McLaren Falls Park
Enjoy light refreshments on the Edge of Lake McLaren prior to departing in double kayaks into the sunset. Here you will discover the birdlife settling for the evening and the gentle splashes of fish (trout) breaking the surface for the final evenings meal. You then paddle to the head of the lake and transition from daylight to darkness through dusk. this is when the stars start coming into view and the glow worms begin to pop from the native bush on the cliffs.
What‘s Included
Light refreshments
Kayak and equipment
Professional guide
GST (Goods and Services Tax)
Options
2023/24
Reviews
323 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Super fun experience
Karen W,Feb 27, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was super fun and adventurous. The guides take good care of you with all the equipment you’ll need even if it rains. Glow worms were cool. So worth it.
Sparkly Fun night
Pat p,Feb 26, 2026
- Review from Viator
4.00Guides were great, very good at keeping group on task, safe and entertained. It got very dark quickly as we were loading into kayaks but went without incident. Lake calm and beautiful. Enjoyed explanations and legends. We loss some time with getting access into park initially so our departure was very rushed, but all worked out.
Memorable experience.
427balvirk,Feb 24, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Absolutely wonderful. Both tour guides were the best.
Once and Forgettable
JOSEF W,Feb 15, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00The tour starts with a snack and at nightfall it goes out of the lake and into the canyon. Thousands of fireflies on the rocks. We were probably in the canyon for an hour. Unique and unforgettable!
Magical
Ainhoa A,Feb 14, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00A truly magical experience that I will remember for life. Kayaking at night and watching the glowworms felt like navigating through the stars. It was peaceful, beautiful, and absolutely unforgettable. Highly recommend!
Kayaking trip
aw244,Feb 10, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Passion, informative and organised really enjoyed the whole evening with our hosts Ollie and Ouchie. Lots of fun and laughs and the tasting was delicious.
The best Glowworm tour
Coastal16500756897,Feb 8, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00My family and I recently took the Evening Glowworm Kayak Tour and it was absolutely amazing! It’s so so so good, it’s the best Glowworm tour!
Night Kayak Glow Worm tour
Jeffrey W,Feb 7, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This is a wonderful way to experience the Glow worms. I am claustrophobic so going to a cave did not appeal to me, but on the kayak tour we were out in the open and saw the glow worms in a canyon. The distance we kayaked was just right (we do not kayak on a regular basis). The water was calm. It was a cool night, but our guides outfitted us with a fleece jacket (no takers on that) a rain jacket and a skirt that covered the kayak opening which kept our legs and feet dry the whole time. We had a nice assortment of local snacks before we headed out. It was a small group. I think there were 8 kayaks besides our two guides, Ewan and Jack. They were interesting and entertaining and we learned a lot about the local landscape as well as the glow worms themselves. Wonderful experience and I would highly recommend.
5 stars all round
simonekW7694BS,Feb 4, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Tour guide was very down to earth and the group size was small enough for an intimate experience
Pefect
danielwS9898CS,Feb 1, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Cian our guide was amazing. Hi took us paddling over the lake to the hotpools where we took a long bath in the diffrent Pools. The Place was magically. When we heated up in the hotpools Cian cook our dinner that was delicius. Then in the sunset we paddle to the small cave where our cayaks just fitted in. It was as a stary sky in there. We could not come closer to a pefect evening tour.
From NZ$265.00
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Operated by Waimarino Kayak Tours