Rotorua

Rotorua Glow Worm Kayaking Tour

Badge of ExcellenceRotorua, New Zealand
Sunset Kayak Glow Worm Cave Tour

Overview

As the sun sets over the Bay of Plenty, take a kayak into the hidden glow worm caves around the Rotorua Caves on this remarkable after-dark tour. Instead of trying to find your own way out to the caves, take a kayak across the lakes with a guide by your side who can help you navigate the tunnels and keep you on course. Marvel at the clusters of glowing bugs and the way they light up these underground rock formations.
  • On your way, admire the Rotorua countryside as the sun sets
  • No claustrophobic crowds on each one of these small-group tours
  • Get picked up from central Rotorua or from your accommodation in town
  • Children under 13 can join this tour at a discounted price

What's Included

  • GST (Goods and Services Tax)
  • Professional guide
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off (if option selected)
  • All equipment
  • Food and drinks

Meeting And Pickup

Pickup point

  • Rotorua isite Visitor Information Centre
    1167 Fenton Street, Rotorua 3010, New Zealand

Pickup details

The Rotorua Information Centre is located at 1167 Fenton Street Rotorua. Please be ready and waiting at least 10 minutes prior to your scheduled activity time.

What To Expect

Additional Info

  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
  • No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Child rate applies only when sharing with 2 paying adults
  • Children must be accompanied by an adult
  • What to bring:
  • For kayaking in summer months (Dec, Jan, February) we recommend wearing swim wear with thermal leggings/gym type leggings and a thermal top layer, fleece jersey and light jacket. For Kayaking outside of summer (March-November) please wear swim wear, thermal leggings/gym type leggings and a thermal top layer with a minimum of three upper layers which are preferably fleece or wool. Please also bring a woolen beanie and woolen gloves. If it looks like rain a rain jacket also. Water shoes are recommended, but are provided free of charge if needed.
  • Near public transportation
  • Towel and warm clothes to get changed into after the tour.
  • A sense of fun and adventure.
  • Not recommended for travelers with back problems
  • Most travelers can participate
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 40 travelers

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

  • For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
  • If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
  • Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
  • Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
  • This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Traveler Photos

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Featured review
ScottJoanne_S
Leah was an amazing guide on her last day working there. The rains stopped and we enjoyed a great kayak trip with cool glow worms. Magical is the best word to describe the experience.

Reviews

5.0
148 reviews
Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews
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Reviews by Viator travelers.
Showing 1-10 of 148 reviews
No refund
Susan_F, Mar 2024
Our trip was canceled due to weather and I have been trying to get a refund for over 6 months with no luck. Do I am not happy with Viator or the glow worm caves.
DO IT
Angel_J, Mar 2024
Forrest was a great guide! Easy paddle out to the small caves. The night sky was AMAZING! One of the highlights of our trip. Definitely recommend!
Magical experience with Leah.
ScottJoanne_S, Feb 2024
Leah was an amazing guide on her last day working there. The rains stopped and we enjoyed a great kayak trip with cool glow worms. Magical is the best word to describe the experience.
Good worms and hosts
Nathan_G, Feb 2024
Saw stars and worms that glowed. Hosts were great. Highly recommend. Easy to do even if you’ve never kayaked.
Best Guide Kayaking for Glowworm Caves
Cynthia_B, Feb 2024
Best tour guide Forest who gave us so much information about the lifespan of the glow worms and was extra attentive in getting us in and out of the caves by guiding us in. Super. It was our first kayaking experience and appreciated his help a lot. Our driver was also very good and personable
Response from Host, Feb 2024
Hey Cynthia thanks so much for this feedback. Glad you had such a great time and loved our guides !!
Don’t waste your time or money with this one
Lawrence_B, Jan 2024
Trip was cancelled with no communication. My family and I sat at the meeting point until I finally got answer from multiple phone calls. Only to be told it was cancelled. Plenty other tours in this country. Don’t waste time with this one.
Response from Host, Mar 2024
Hey Lawrence, I would like to really apologise for our lack of communication on this one. However, we had to cancel this trip due to poor weather conditions. Unfortunately, we are at the mercy of the weather if we want to run a safe trip and this can change in an instant, meaning we have to make a call last minute occasionally. We always try and communicate as best we can with our customers through email and phone calls, however bookings made through Viator go through the Viator messenger app which can be easy to miss. Sadly our only option. As for the phone calls, it is possible that our operations manager was on the phone with other customers on that night having the same conversation. Ultimately, we are very sorry that we didn't communicate with you at our usual 5* standard and that we didn't get to go paddling with you. Have a lovely time on your holiday in NZ. Tom
Thank you Leah!
Jenny_G, Jan 2024
We really enjoyed this glow worm tour. Leah was an awesome guide! She made it fun and provided education. The hot chocolate in the glow worm cave was an extra special touch. Thank you!
Memorable Glow Worm Kayak
Kenneth_M, Jan 2024
Kayaking to visit the glow worm caves was a really cool experience! We were a family of 3 with an 11 year old and were able to enjoy some fun kayaking along with the really amazing view of various glow worm caves. It was an active and peaceful way to experience glow worm and I would absolutely recommend it.
Incredible kayaking experience
Catherine_S, Jan 2024
This was a fun and cool way to connect with nature and to see the glow worms. We kayaked to a few different spots and were also able to take in the gorgeous starry night sky. Our guide was really knowledgeable and passionate about kayaking and keeping the glow worms safe and propogating.
Well worth it and later in the evening the better
Tony_H, Jan 2024
Amazing kayak in the dark. The lake was so peaceful with clear skys and of course amazing glow worms in the caves
Fantastic experience all round
Edward_S, Jan 2024
A beautiful evening on a mirror flat lake and spectacular glow worms. Entertaining guides made it memorable.
A Honeymoon Highlight
Brian_V, Dec 2023
This was the highlight of our honeymoon! The weather was great, the kayak was easy to operate, the staff was tremendous, the stars were shining and the caves were amazing! We had a wonderful time learning about the glowworms and then were treated to a great show in the sky with thousands of stars around
Spectacular experience
Jean_S, Dec 2023
Fantastic experience our guide was excellent. Tom was most knowledgeable and very helpful Kayaking was easy and calm glowworms were spectacular
Nice paddle with glow worms.
Gary_M, Dec 2023
This is an easy kayak paddle. We did not get the clear night sky to see the stars but the glow worms in the caves were fantastic. We enjoyed the trip. It was well worth it.
Glowworm cave kayaking
Melanie_R, Dec 2023
Tranquil setting, fabulous guides, relaxed atmosphere, perfect weather to explore a few caves, lots of glow worms! Fantastic trip! Hot chocolate and marshmallow fish, Forest is a star!
Beautiful date night with glow worms
Alexandra_R, Dec 2023
Lovely time on the water with our guides! Quick drive over to the lake, good instructions for kayaking and using the head lamp, and out we went. Glow worms were in full view and we had the caves to ourselves
Kayaking adventure
Sophie_B, Nov 2023
Was a lot of fun and really special kayaking at night and experiencing the glow worms in the caves. I would recommend this to anyone wanting an active adventure!
Starry Night
Stuart_T, Nov 2023
The guides were very good and the lake is beautiful. It was early November and we were grateful that the lake was calm; not much wind. The caves are small but you do get a great view - upclose. At the end you can see the all the stars on a clear night.
Really good fun!
phil_p, Nov 2023
Lovely guide and all round great trip - easy paddling and chilled out vibe! perfect for seeing some stars as well!
Amazing Experience
Hannah_K, Nov 2023
Really enjoyed this tour, the staff are great and nothing felt rushed so you can really take your time and take in the beauty. We were taken to 4 caves I believe, some with lots of glow worms & others with not as many, but all were amazing to see so up close and personal. If you have water shoes definitely bring them as your feet will get wet getting in and out of the kayak there is no avoiding it. They do provide shoes as well if you don’t have your own, but bring a towel so you can dry off your feet when switching back to your shoes at the end. I really recommend this tour, it was fantastic.
Likely to Sell Out

From $101.23

up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)

  • 3 hours
  • Pickup offered
  • Mobile ticket
  • Offered in: English

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