B
Fun. Cold. Water. Glow.
4. Mainly because it was very enjoyable but extremely cold, if they provided us blankets on the bus than it might have been better.
Glow Worm Kayak Tour
+6 photos
At a glance
- Duration
- 3 hours
- Price from
- $129 / person
- Location
- Rotorua, New Zealand
- Rating
- 4.8 / 5 · 398 reviews
- Languages
- EN
- Group
- Small group, up to 48
- Cancellation
- Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
- Hotel pickup
- Available
- Confirmation
- Instant
- Ticket
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Operator
- Taiao Adventures
Description
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.
Schedule & prices
- Runs
- Every day
- Start times
- 13 times a day, 5:00 PM–10:30 PM
- Next available
- Thu, Oct 8
- Adult (ages 13+)
- $129
- Child (ages 5–12)
- $83
Out at sunset: the 5:00 PM departure is under way when the sun sets, around 7:37 PM in the coming weeks.
In demand: 271 of the next 390 departures are already sold out.
From the operator’s live schedule on Viator, checked Oct 7.
Tour Options
What's included
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)
Not included
Food and drinks
Pickup Locations & Times
We recommend that you arrive at least 10 mins prior to the meeting time at the Rotorua Information Centre. Once you meet your guide, you can forget about time altogether!
Traveller Ratings
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
4.8
398 reviews
How it compares in Rotorua
- No. 18 by number of reviews among 123 tours in Rotorua
Excurgo comparison of 123 Viator tours, recalculated daily.
Important Information
- 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
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
1+ days before100% refund
0–1 days before0% refund
Frequently asked questions
How long does Glow Worm Kayak Tour take?
Glow Worm Kayak Tour lasts about 3 hours.
How much does Glow Worm Kayak Tour cost?
Prices start at $129 per person for this Rotorua experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There is 1 booking option, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
What days does Glow Worm Kayak Tour run?
According to the operator’s current schedule, it runs every day, with 13 departures a day between 5:00 PM and 10:30 PM.
How much does Glow Worm Kayak Tour cost for children?
Children aged 5–12 pay from $83, adults from $129.
Does Glow Worm Kayak Tour sell out?
It can: 271 of the next 390 departures are already sold out, so booking ahead is a good idea.
Can I cancel Glow Worm Kayak Tour for free?
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
Is hotel pickup included?
Yes, pickup is offered. We recommend that you arrive at least 10 mins prior to the meeting time at the Rotorua Information Centre. Once you meet your guide, you can forget about time altogether!
What languages is Glow Worm Kayak Tour offered in?
The experience is available in EN.
Is this a private or a group tour?
It is a small-group experience with a maximum of 48 participants.
Is the tour suitable for children?
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.
Will my booking be confirmed immediately?
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Reviews(398)
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
R
Viiiiibes ✨
We were taken out by Forrest, Jacob & Ethan & they were such a vibe from pick up to drop off!!! Playlist- vibes. Kōrero- vibes. Energy- vibes!!!!! It was so beautiful to be looked after by people who are clearly so passionate about their job and just love being on the water. Amazing mahi koutou! The vibes turned any nerves into pure excitement and gratitude. Thank you so much for having us. 🫶🏾✨
D
A Must Do Fabulous Experience
Thank you Taiao Adventures! I was very hesitant at first to kayak at night but what an amazing experience. Forrest and Jacob were excellent guides making the night a memorable one. The lake was calm, the night clear and the caves memorable.
A
Fantastic Experience
What a fantastic evening! Very well thought out, everything is provided (from wetsuits, booties to dry layers) the glow worms were magical and the kayaking not at all strenuous. Our guide was great and made it a really enjoyable evening that I would highly recommend to anyone considering this activity :-)
7
An evening to remember
What a wonderful winter evening experience. I was a bit anxious to start with but Jacob was a fantastic guide getting us all kitted up so we were toasty warm and dry. Such a stunning calm evening to be on the lake - being in the glowworm caves was an amazing experience which was then topped of by some glorious star gazing. Absolutely thoroughly recommend this trip.
P
Amazing! A great night...
Amazing! A great night all around. Fantastic worms, stars, and beautiful night on the water A must in NZ
Operator response
Stoked to hear it Patrick! Thanks for coming, sounds like you experienced one of our magic winter nights with maximum stars. Kudos for braving the cold, you reaped the rewards!
J
Amazing!!
Amazing experience- glow worms in nature, knowledgeable guides in their own backyards! Easy kayak and such a beautiful place on the water to watch the stars at night. Highly recommended!!
Operator response
Stunning! So pleased to hear you loved your adventure with us. We sure do love our backyard and sharing it with you so thank you so much for coming to check it out. Hopefully see you again but if not, have the best time exploring more of NZ!
P
amazing experience
It was an amazing experience. One not to miss in Rotorua. The clear winter night made for a spectacular star gazing evening too. The glow worms were magical and the facts and stories from the guide,Tom, made it more interesting. He was very knowledgeable and passionate about the area, the glow worms and their ecology. Tom and Sydney had top notch service. Thanks for a wonderful evening.
Operator response
A true pleasure to host you! Thanks so much for coming to see such a spectacular part of NZ. Hopefully the rest of your NZ trip is/was just as magical!
A
Absolutely Beautiful! My...
Absolutely Beautiful! My partner and I went and it was just us. It was a beautiful "Private tour" with an absolutely amazing down to earth tour guide. It rained a little but turned out to be a clear night seeing 2 different lights the stars and the glow worms. Could not recommend this tour enough. So beautiful!
Operator response
Thanks Annalise, you're a gem. What an honour to host such wonderful people, our guides said you and your partner were a joy to chat to. Thanks for coming paddling with us and creating a memory for us. Hopefully we did the same!
B
This was an amazing...
This was an amazing experience I very enjoyed it I went in the winter so it was a smaller group which I personally prefer
Operator response
Hey Belinda, yeah winter time is stunning. Quieter all round and whilst it is cold, it can be absolutely idyllic out there. Thanks so much for spending the evening with us!
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from$129
4.8(398) Free cancellation