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Rotorua Glow Worm Kayaking Tour: Family-Friendly Adventure in Nature with Unique Sightings

4.8

163 Ratings

Experience a family-friendly adventure in Rotorua with a unique glow worm kayaking tour. Explore nature, learn kayak skills, and create lasting memories with our friendly guides.

Duration: 3 hours

Cancellation: 1 day learn more

Highlights

Rotorua isite Visitor Information Centre - Discover New Zealand’s magical glow worms on this incredible evening kayaking tour with Paddle Board Rotorua. Your friendly guide will pick you up and shuttle you from Rotorua past the iconic Redwood forest as you make your way to our base on the shorelines of Lake Okareka. Upon arrival you will gear-up and prepare for an epic night out with all activity equipment provided. Following the introductions you will gear-up and prepare for an epic night out with all necessary kayaking equipment provided. Your guide will then run through safety and basic kayak instruction before you take the helm on the water. Explore the shoreline and embrace the weather conditions of the evening as you follow your guide around the lake edge as night sets in. Once its dark, discover your adventurous side as your guide leads you inside small hidden caves home to galaxies of glow worms. Take ample time to enjoy the magical moments inside the caves before returning along your course in the dark. If it is a clear night the magic continues as the stars come out and the cloudy appearance of the milky-way fills the sky.

What's Included

Professional guide
Hotel pickup and drop-off (if option selected)
Goods and Services Tax (GST) included
All equipment provided

What's Not Included

Food and drinks

Additional Information

Paddle Board Rotorua delivers a distinctive tourism experience, treating every tour as a delightful excursion with friends, focused on crafting the ultimate enjoyment. Renowned as a top activity in Rotorua, this adventure offers a spectacular view of mesmerizing glow worms. It’s an activity that is suitable for the whole family, providing a chance to connect with the outdoors, enjoy oneself, and pick up kayaking abilities, all guided by our amiable team.

Children must be accompanied by an adult
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 Policy

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

Customer Ratings

4.8

(163 Ratings)

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Frank_h

Jul 2, 2024

A unique experience. ... - A unique experience. While there is paddling involved, not extreme in the least. Suitable for all levels. You will get wet! The guides were very knowledgeable and fun.

Review provided by Viator

Rowena_a

Jun 28, 2024

Breath-takin experience - Had a truly breath-taking experience out on the kayaks at night to see the glow worms. Our guide Forest was wonderful and even shared some hot chocolate he'd brought along out on the lake as we gazed up at the stars. Would highly recommend this tour to anyone!

Review provided by Viator

Tanya_h

Jun 28, 2024

Fantastic memorable experience. Highly recommended - Not to be missed magical glow worm and stars! Hosts were friendly and helpful. Felt well looked after

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Farai_a

Jun 21, 2024

A memorable and unique experience - If you like stargazing, nature and water, check out this kayak tour of glow worms in their natural habitat. ⚠️ Be still on the kayak and just let the back person paddle. Trust us 💦🛶 The glowworms are small but give out bioluminescence appearing like stars in the nightsky inside the dark caves where they dwell. We were fortunate to go out on a full moon which glowed on the lake waters. Lastly, kudos to our wonderful and patient guides, Forrest and Ellen! Thanks for a memorable and unique experience.

Review provided by Viator

Sharon_p

May 27, 2024

Jacob was a great guide.... - Jacob was a great guide. Wonderful storyteller. Very cool seeing the caves. Smooth pick up and drop off.

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Stacey_w

May 25, 2024

Great experience - Super trip! We had a perfect night on the lake with still water and a full moon. Guides were terrific! We are experienced kayakers but had some inexperienced people on the tour- not the right setting to learn how to kayak in the dark and into caves.

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Sunny_s

May 19, 2024

Amazing trip, never... - Amazing trip, never expected this can done during winter. Enjoyed the kayak with such lively tour guide. Thanks

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Jess_n

May 7, 2024

Amazing experience! - Such an amazing experience! I'm very glad I was book in as everyone should should see the glow worms st least once in their life. The crew were delightful and knowledgeable about the history. If I'm back in town, I'll definitely be going again!

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Nic_e

May 6, 2024

Awesome! - Loved this so much! It was magical. Ellen was so knowledgeable and enjoyable to talk to. Me, my husband and son loved the entire experience. I was a bit worried that I would be cold but they provided everything to help me be warm and comfortable. I wasn’t cold at all! It was absolutely awesome!!

Review provided by Viator

Jayson_c