Guided Kayak & Glowworm Tours in Tauranga & Rotorua
Guided Kayak & Glowworm Tours in Tauranga & Rotorua
Experience one of New Zealand’s most unique kayaking adventures with guided kayak and glowworm tours in Tauranga and Rotorua. Paddle through calm waterways as your experienced local guide leads you into glowworm-lit canyons and scenic natural environments. These tours combine gentle adventure, nature, and storytelling, making them suitable for families, couples, and first-time kayakers alike. With small groups and a strong focus on safety and environmental care, this is a memorable way to explore the Bay of Plenty and Rotorua regions from the water.
Waimarino Kayak Tours Tauranga & Rotorua
Discover the magic of New Zealand’s stunning waterways with Waimarino Kayak Tours. Based in Tauranga and Rotorua, we offer unforgettable kayak experiences for adventurers of all levels.
Explore enchanting glowworm canyons, paddle across pristine lakes, or relax in natural hot pools. Our guided and self-guided kayak tours are suitable for couples, families, groups, and cruise ship visitors, offering unique experiences in both Tauranga and Rotorua.
Guided Kayak Tours Tauranga
Scenic Lake McLaren Kayaking Tour
Price: $175 Per person – $95 child
Departs: 9:00 am
Duration: 3 Hours
Enjoy the wonderful calm Lake McLaren where serenity takes a new name. Gently paddle a kayak past a multitude of birdlife, literally within paddles’ reach. Sheer cliffs break the stark lush native bush as gentle streams enter the lake’s edge. Kayak into the stunning Mangapapa canyon with water as deep as the cliffs on the sides, where the native bush appears to touch and form a cave. The Tauranga Scenic Lake McLaren Kayak Tour is a must-do Tauranga tour activity.
Evening Glowworm Kayak Tour - Tauranga
Price: $280 Per person
Departs: times vary with sunset hours
Duration: 3 Hours
Paddle through a stunning canyon teeming with thousands of enchanting glowworms. This unique experience combines the beauty of nature with the thrill of kayaking. Our expert guides share fascinating insights into the glowworm’s life cycle as you glide through the calm waters. No kayaking experience is needed, making it perfect for families and adventurers alike. Enjoy pre-tour refreshments while watching the sun set over the picturesque landscape. Book your glowworm kayak adventure today!
More Tour Detail Continiues:
Evening Glowworm Kayak Tour – Tauranga : continued
Relax on the edge of tranquil Lake McLaren, enjoy locally produced refreshments while watching the ducks and swans go about their evenings preparations. At dusk our kayak tour guides will lead you onto the lake to watch the sun set over the rolling hills. Gently paddle on your kayak into the night and discover the magic of the enchanting glow worm canyon…
Magical, Enchanting, Surreal, Amazing!
If any of the above words described the activity you and your group are looking for, then the Glowworm Kayak Tour is for you.
This is a truly unique experience; while you can see glow worms elsewhere in New Zealand, and you can paddle a sea kayak in many places around the world, this is the only place when the two combine for a magical & truly unique experience. This glow worm kayak tour is great fun with great refreshments, beautiful scenery, fantastic birdlife and awesome glow worms.
Enjoy delicious refreshments on the edge of Lake McLaren. Our kayak tour guides will prepare and brief you on how to kayak effectively before launching you onto picturesque Lake McLaren at twilight to paddle your kayak to the mysterious glow worm canyon.
The glow worms are situated in a narrow, high-sided canyon at the top of the lake, not in a cave, so our kayak tour only departs once a day before sunset so by the time we get to the glow worm canyon it’s completely dark, as required to see the glow worms to the best effect.
Paddling a kayak may be something you have tried before, but you probably haven’t kayaked at night (we provide head-torches) and certainly not have kayaked in the dark to see constellations of glow worms. It is a fully guided kayak tour, with our professional kayaking guides leading your group and providing a fascinating & informative brief about the life cycle and peculiarities of the New Zealand fungus gnat (glow worms).
A truly magical & unique experience; not to be missed!
BIG Kanu Glowworm Tour - Tauranga
Price: $180 Per person – Child $95 pp
Departs: times vary with sunset hours
Duration: 3 Hours
Unforgettable Glowworm Big Kanu Adventure
Discover the magic of Lake McLaren on this unique and family-friendly tour.
Paddle through stunning scenery and encounter diverse birdlife as you cruise in our spacious Big Kanu. Just a short 25-minute drive from Tauranga’s CBD, this adventure offers easy access to nature’s wonders.
Experience the awe-inspiring sight of thousands of glowworms illuminating a hidden canyon.
Learn about these fascinating creatures from our knowledgeable guides as you explore their magical habitat. Our evening tour ensures optimal conditions for witnessing the glowworms’ luminescence.
No paddling or kayaking experience is necessary, making this tour perfect for everyone. Book your unforgettable glowworm adventure today!
Waimarino Adventure Park Supreme Pass
Price: from $45 – Family price packages available
Operates: 10 am, 11 am, 12 pm &1 pm
Duration: 6 Hours
A family-friendly adventure park experience offering unlimited access to on-site activities in Tauranga. These passes includes access to all activities from 10am to close.
With full access to all activities the day is yours to enjoy. The Blob, The UFO, rock climbing and unlimited kayak hire; the fun is just starting. Slide down NZ’s only kayak slide; beach volleyball is a hit while others enjoy the challenge on Waimarino’s low ropes course, battle the champ on our Gladiators pole; or simply let the palm trees shelter you as you soak up the warm pool while a BBQ cooks nearby.
Kayaking in Rotorua
Starlight Gourmet Kayak Tour - Rotorua
Price: $350 Per person
Departs: times vary with sunset hours
Duration: 5 Hours
Experience an evening adventure kayaking out over one of New Zealand’s most stunning water ways, Lake Rotoiti.
Take in the beautiful scenery, abundant birdlife, and learn the myths and legends linked to the area as you paddle towards the magical glow worm cave.
Glide across the lake to the stunning Manupirua Hot Pools, which are only accessible by water.
Here you will enjoy a freshly cooked BBQ dinner along with a delicious kiwi ice-cream.
On the way back see how the lake is transformed by the moon and the twinkling stars above, with the night sky being the perfect end to the adventure.
Starlight Kayak Tour - Rotorua
Price: $350 Per person
Departs: times vary with sunset hours
Duration: 4 Hours
Experience an evening adventure kayaking out over one of New Zealand’s most stunning water ways, Lake Rotoiti.
Take in the beautiful scenery, abundant birdlife, and learn the myths and legends linked to the area as you paddle towards the magical glow worm cave.
Glide across the lake to the stunning Manupirua Hot Pools, which are only accessible by water.
On the way back see how the lake is transformed by the moon and the twinkling stars above, with the night sky being the perfect end to the adventure.
BIG Kanu Starlight Tour Rotorua
Price: $180 Per person – Child $95 pp
Departs: times vary with sunset hours
Duration: 2 Hours
What finer way to see Glow Worms than in a BIG Kanu.
Paddle together through the calm waters of Lake Rotoiti along the shore line, gliding past native New Zealand bush while you learn the myths and the legends of the area as the sun is setting over the lake.
Adventure into the cave and be greeted by a constellation of Glow Worms to then emerge from the cave into the starlit waters underneath the Milky Way.
The tour is suitable for all ages with no previous experience required.
Scenic Lake Rotoiti Kayak Tour - Rotorua
Price: $185 Per person Child: $95 pp
Departs: 9:00 am
Duration: 3 Hours
Neighbouring the famous Lake Rotorua, our Scenic Lake Rotoiti Day tour offers both an experience in two of New Zealand’s best kept secrets.
Paddle past the cascading native bush admiring the classic kiwi baches dotted along the cliffs and coves.
Learn the myths and legends of the Maori people linked to the area while exploring the quiet lake and it’s abundance of birdlife, before entering the glow worm cave.
Glide further across the lake before you arrive at the Manupirua Hot Pools which are only accessible by water. This gives you a chance to relax with the locals in the natural geo-thermal pools while you admire the beauty of your surroundings.
The tour is led by our professional guides and is suitable for all ages
What to bring:
- – Warm comfortable clothing
- – Casual footwear
- – Sunhat
- -Sunscreen
- – Swimwear
- – Towel
- – Change of clothes
We provide:
- – Kayaking Equipment
- – Buoyancy Aid
- – Dry Bags
- – Water bottle & light snack
- – Hot pool admission
Frequently Asked Questions – Waimarino Kayak Tours
What types of kayak tours does Waimarino Kayak Tours offer in Tauranga and Rotorua?
Waimarino Kayak Tours offers a wide range of experiences including scenic lake paddles, sea kayaking, glowworm kayak tours, and guided night adventures. Tours are available in both Tauranga and Rotorua and cater to all experience levels.
Are the glowworm kayak tours suitable for beginners and families?
Yes, the glowworm kayak tours are suitable for beginners and families. No previous kayaking experience is required, and all tours are fully guided with safety briefings, equipment provided, and experienced guides leading the way.
What should I bring with me on a kayak tour with Waimarino?
It’s recommended to bring warm, comfortable clothing, casual footwear, a sunhat, sunscreen, swimwear, a towel, and a change of clothes. All kayaking equipment and safety gear are provided.
What special experiences can I expect on the glowworm kayak tours?
Glowworm kayak tours include paddling through tranquil waterways into narrow canyon landscapes illuminated by thousands of glowworms. Guides also share insights into the glowworm life cycle, making it a unique and memorable night-time adventure.
How long do the guided kayak tours last and how much do they cost?
Most guided kayak tours last around 3 hours. Prices typically range from approximately $175 to $280 per person, depending on the tour type, such as scenic lake kayaking, glowworm tours, or Big Kanu experiences.
