Twilight Glowworm Kayak Tour – Lake Karapiro
Overview
Available languages
3 hours 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
This is a once in a life-time experience and different from any other Glowworm Tour you'll go on!
Our adventure begins late afternoon / early evening at Riverside Adventures' base in South Waikato. Paddle along the southern edge of Lake Karapiro, over the old submerged Horahora Dam that produced electricity for the early Waihi goldfields.
Learn the history of the Horahora village and enjoy the twilight & silence of being on the water as the day draws to an end.
As night arrives over the lake , paddle slowly up the Pokaiwhenua Stream and through the canyon carved out by water over many hundreds of years. Native ferns & trees drape over you, bird life is all around.
When darkness falls we float silently back downstream, being guided by the glow worms on either side sparkling like Christmas lights.
Additional Info
Wheelchair accessible
Service animals allowed
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
You need to have a moderate level of fitness and be able paddle yourself for 1 hour at a time.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Come along on a daytime canyon kayak tour, a glowworm tour, bike tour or more.
What‘s Included
Kayak, PFD, Splash Pants/Jackets, Wetshoes
Food and Drink
Options
Twilight Glowworm Kayak Tour – Lake Karapiro
Reviews
504 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Highly recommended!
aprilleannt,,Feb 22, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was the highlight of ou NZ trip! The kayaks , paddles and safety equipment were in good condition. Neil, Sarah and Kaylee (forgive me for the spelling!) were amazing and fun! The paddling upstream was fun and easy, instructions were given clearly. The glow worms were magnificent! It was a clear night so we were treated to a glorious view of the stars and the milky way too! Highly recommended!
Cool experience. Not for those afraid of the dark !
Toby L,,Feb 19, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Excellent instructors. Felt safe throughout the experience. Guide helped us since we were lagging behind and we never once felt as a burden. Would recommend that they just furnish back supports to everyone without the extra charge.
Go for the Glow
Paul F,,Feb 19, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Wonderful night kayak. Very safe, good leaders. Remarkable glow worm canyon nite show. A very fine experience not to miss.
Absolutely the highlight of our New Zealand trip!
moanal591,,Feb 17, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Riverside Adventures Waikato was without a doubt the highlight of our New Zealand journey. Before booking, I had already seen so many amazing reviews online. However, because our daily itinerary wasn’t fully confirmed at the time, I couldn’t book in advance and only started trying to secure a spot two days before our departure. I communicated with Kelly via email — she was incredibly patient and helpful, offering thoughtful suggestions and guidance throughout. Initially, there were no spots available. Even so, I wasn’t willing to choose a different glowworm experience with other company, as I truly believed kayaking would be the most unforgettable way to see them. After sharing how much we genuinely wanted to join, and with Kelly’s help, we were so lucky to secure a booking on our very last day in New Zealand. If you’re considering this experience, don’t hesitate — book early! On December 30th, we joined the tour with great excitement. The entire team was professional, friendly, and well-organised. Kayaking at sunset was already beautiful beyond words, peaceful, scenic, and magical. But nothing compares to what came after. Once night fell and we entered the canyon, seeing the glowworms while quietly drifting on the still river was simply unforgettable. Tiny lights sparkling on both sides, total silence around us — it felt like stepping into a mysterious, enchanted world. It’s honestly impossible to fully capture the feeling in words. I would recommend this experience to anyone visiting the North Island. It is an absolute must-do! One small note for future visitors: please be mindful that no lights are allowed during the glowworm section. I briefly tried to record the moment, thinking there was no light on, but accidentally triggered the flash. I felt truly sorry and turned it off immediately. The darkness is so important in preserving the magic of the experience. Thank you again to the whole team for such a special and unforgettable memory. 💫
Unique experience
wego810,,Feb 11, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was a great alternative to the traditional cave tour to see the glow worms. Our guides were super helpful with tips and instructions for the group.
Magical!
nicoletV4940SO,,Feb 11, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The kayak tour was amazing! We previously had already done the Waitamo caves to see the glowworms so we weren’t sure if we needed more glow worms, but we had read so may positive things about this evening kayak tour, we went for it! It was SO worth it! The kayak was not difficult, super calm waters, and relatively short distances. The guides were very interesting and informative. The snack by the water was delightful. And the “drifting back through the lazy river” was absolutely magical. Highly recommend!
100% Recommended - Incredible Experience
H7395ZOliamm,,Feb 10, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Beyond amazing experience with riverside adventures for the twilight kayak. Fantastic crew, and a spectacular tour of the glow worm canyon. Both my wife and I agree that we will never forget the experience as long as we live.
Best experience in NZ!
Ali C,,Feb 8, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Bring warmer clothing put on once the sun goes down. We spent 3 weeks traveling from AU to NZ, doing various tours at different locations along the way. This tour was by far our favorite. The experience was well managed, the tour guide did a great job balancing information and activity and the glow worms were magical with the open star filled sky above.
Glow worm city.
Heidi R,,Feb 8, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00It was awesome. Very unique experience. So beautiful and peaceful. Much better than seeing glow worms in a cave. Like being transformed to another magical world.
Riverside Adventures Waikato
charlene veverka,,Feb 5, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We did the Twilight Glow worm Kayak Tour - what a magical experience! After getting fitted in wet weather gear and then a quick briefing/intro to kayaking we slowly made our way to the riverfront and were treated to some beautiful viewing points across the river to learn about the history of the old power station and what is left of it today. We then made our way through the lush canyons to the other side where we enjoyed some light snacks provided by Lofty and Kapawerawa and further informative facts about the history of the area. Once the sun had set, we were guided back up the canyon and were treated to an amazing light show of all the glowworms situated both on the left and right sides as we leisurely paddled back. Definitely a worthwhile experience. You will get slightly wet, but it's part of the fun and adventure. Big thanks for Kapawerawa for looking after us at the back of group. Would do again and highly recommend as an alternative to seeing the glowworms in the cave.
From NZ$149.00
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Operated by Riverside Adventures Waikato