The 9 Best Rotorua Kayaking Tours

1.Twilight Glowworm Kayak Tour – Lake Karapiro

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 493 reviews · from $92Our pick

Meet Riverside Adventures Waikato in Piarere for a guided evening kayak on Lake Karapiro and the Pokaiwhenua Stream. You paddle for about an hour at a time, watch native birds and rock formations in daylight, then return through the dark to see glowworms. Kayaks, wet gear, shoes, safety equipment, and dry bags are provided.

“Sometimes the weather doesn’t cooperate, so was it wet? Yes. Was it cold? Also yes. Was it atmospheric AF to drift in the river in the dark while the bioluminescent worms shine around you like a constellations of stars so close it feel you caRead more”

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2.Glow Worm Kayak Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 351 reviews · 3 hours · from $116

Paddle a stable two-person sit-on-top kayak from Rotorua to Lake Okareka, starting in twilight and ending beneath glow worm-lit caves and, if skies are clear, the Milky Way. English-speaking guides such as Ellie, Forest, Sam, and Keisha lead small groups of up to eight. Equipment, safety gear, and transfers are included.

“It was so worth it! One if the greatest things I've ever done! 100% recommended :)”

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3.Glow Worm Kayak Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 342 reviews · from $121

Meet at Rotorua Information Centre and ride to the lake with Taiao Adventures. After a safety lesson and gear fitting, you’ll paddle at dusk into several small caves glowing with native larvae. Guides such as Kaisha, Sam, Forrest, and Tom add local insight. Clear skies may bring stars and the Milky Way.

“Incredible experience - both caves and starry skis but wrap up warm even now especially when skies are clear.”

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4.Lake Rotoiti Evening Kayak Tour including Hot Springs, Glowworm Caves and BBQ Dinner

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 60 reviews · from $135

Spend about seven hours kayaking Lake Rotoiti with an expert guide, soaking in lakeside hot pools, eating a Kiwi barbecue, and paddling into glowworm and crayfish caves. No kayaking experience is needed. Guides such as Justin and Ricky are praised for clear instruction and engaging local stories. Pickup and drop-off from Rotorua are included.

“This was really an excellent tour. We were a group of 5 + our motivated guide Ricky. He did a super nice job and everything what was included was fun. I highly recommend this tour. Thanks Ricky for an unforgettable afternoon/ evening 😀👍”

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5.Hot Pools Kayak & Evening Barbecue

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 12 reviews · 6h 30m · from $130

Paddle across Lake Rotoiti with an English-speaking guide, soak in boat-access-only Manupirua Springs, eat a Kiwi barbecue, then return at sunset to visit glow-worm caves. Plan for about two hours of kayaking and a six-and-a-half-hour outing, plus transfers from central Rotorua.

“This was our favorite activity of our whole trip! Thanks for being so fun and treating us so well!”

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6.Daytime Scenic Lake Rotoiti Kayak Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 12 reviews · 3h 30m · from $101

Paddle Lake Rotoiti with a guide, pause at a small glowworm cave, then soak in Manupirua Thermal Hot Pools. You will kayak for about two hours, hear Māori stories tied to the lake, and receive equipment, water, and a chocolate bar. Guides may lead in English, French, or German.

“The kayak event itself was excellent. Our guide Steven was knowledgeable and personable. The thermal baths were wonderful. However, the front office screwed up the schedule and we ended up starting 1.5 hours late as no guide showed at the scheduled time.”

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7.Evening Starlight Gourmet Kayak Tour with dinner

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 6 reviews · 4h 30m · from $209

Paddle Lake Rotoiti at dusk with a guide such as Cian or Tom, visit a small glowworm cave, then reach the water-access-only Manupirua Hot Pools. A cooked barbecue dinner, Kiwi ice cream, Māori stories, and star reflections make this a full evening outing. Basic kayaking skills and moderate fitness are needed.

“Thoroughly enjoyed our evening kayak trip with Cian. He was fun, knowledgeable and told us Māori creation stories in a magical glowworm cave. The hot pools were really lovely and dinner was delicious. The weather gods were kind and we had the moon and stars reflecting off the glassy lake on the way home. Can totally recommend 😊”

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8.Glow Worm Adventure Kayak

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 6 reviews · 4 hours · from $176

Meet Sarah, Forrest, Marsha, or Earl at Rotorua Information Centre for a four-hour evening kayak trip. Paddle across calm water, stop at a secluded beach for Kiwi snacks and hot tea, then enter shoreline caverns lit by thousands of glow worms. This is an intermediate-level outing for ages 13 and up, with transfers and gear included.

“It was super nice! Our driver and guides were so sympathetic and we had just the best snack plate at the beach. The glowworms were absolutely stunning and we learned a lot about them during the trip. We would definitely recommend that trip!”

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9.Waimangu Valley Walk and Steaming Cliffs Kayak Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 6 reviews · from $132

Meet your English-speaking Taiao Adventures guide at Rotorua Information Centre for an easy walk through Waimangu Volcanic Valley, followed by 90 minutes in a two-person sit-on-top kayak on Lake Rotomahana. Expect geothermal views, Maori cultural insight, safety gear, transfers, and no paddling experience required.

“Outstanding tour. Small group and an amazing experience. our guide was fantastic 👏”

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