11 Canoes & Kayaks in Rotorua to Build a Day Around

1.Twilight Glowworm Kayak Tour – Lake Karapiro

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

Paddle from Lake Karapiro into the Pokaiwhenua Stream as daylight fades. Riverside Adventures Waikato provides the kayak, PFD, wet shoes, splash gear, and instruction. Guides such as Daniel, Amy, Jess, David, and Lofty share local nature and star lore before you return through a canyon lit by glowworms.

“Incredible experience, super nice staff and awesome adventure. David the guide, explains everything about nature and stars.”

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2.Glow Worm Kayak Tour

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

Meet Taiao Adventures outside Rotorua iSite for a 15-minute shuttle to the lake. After a safety briefing, paddle a two-person sit-on-top kayak from twilight into darkness, entering small caves lit by glow-worms. Guides such as Ellie, Forest, Sam, and Keisha keep the pace calm and welcoming. Clear skies may add the Milky Way and Māori constellations.

“Amazing evening seeing the glow worm caves! Transport was well organised and on time. Briefing was clear on what to expect and how best to enjoy the trip. The company was well prepared with gear and very stylish crocs. Our guide Earl was a delight- so chilled and very informative. It’s a do not miss experience in Rotorua”

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3.Glow Worm Kayak Tour

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

Paddle a calm lake near Rotorua after sunset, following guides such as Kaisha, Sam, Forrest, or Tom into small glow worm caves. Taiao Adventures provides transport, kayaks, safety gear, and warm clothing. Expect gentle paddling, damp clothes, darkness, and possible stars if the sky clears.

“If you get the perfect night like we did, not only do you get to experience of the magic of the glow worms we also got to see the most amazing shooting star over the lake. The hosts were wonderful with lots of information. Overall I highly recommend this tour.”

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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, stopping for thermal hot pools, a Kiwi BBQ, glowworm caves, and a crayfish cave. No kayaking experience is needed. Guides such as Justin and Ricky have been praised for clear instruction and lively local stories. Pickup and equipment are included.

“Our tour was changed to morning due to not enough people. We had a great time kayaking across the lake beautiful weather. Spent an hours soaking in the hot springs, so relaxing. Our guide Justin was so helpful and gave a great commentary on our tour. Thank you Justin.”

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5.Hot Pools Kayak & Evening Barbecue

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

Kayak across Lake Rotoiti with an English-speaking guide, soak at boat-only Manupirua Springs, eat a barbecue, then paddle at sunset to glow-worm caves. Guides such as Justin and Ricky have led the trip. Bring swimwear, a towel, and enough energy for about two hours of paddling.

“Die Überquerung des Lake Rotoriti in einem Kajak an Heiligabend, Schwimmen im Thermalwasser und im See, leckeres Barbecue, Glühwürmchen in der Höhle - alles sicher und liebenswürdig begleitet von Justin als Guide - unvergesslich. Vielen Dank”

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6.Daytime Scenic Lake Rotoiti Kayak Tour

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

Paddle Lake Rotoiti for about two hours with a guide, visit a small glowworm cave, and finish at Manupirua Thermal Hot Pools. Guides may speak English, French, or German. Lucy, Steven, Sarah, and Jono have led recent trips, with stories about Māori myths and lake life along the way.

“Great day! Lucy is a queen, nice, informative, friendly, and cool! 🫶🏼 hot pools were so nice and got to see glow worms. 10/10”

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7.Epic Tandem Kayak Tour down the Kaituna River Waterfalls

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 6 reviews · 2 hours · from $177

Take a two-hour guided tandem kayak trip on New Zealand’s Kaituna River. You get one instructor per client, an extra safety kayaker, full gear, and a chance to paddle over 7m Tutea Falls. The trip suits beginners aged 13 and up who can swim, but the 95kg weight limit matters.

“Fantastic! So much fun! An absolute must-do! Instructors were great. They know what they are doing and it made us feel safe all the way down the river. Would definitely recommend it. I am sure we are going to do it again! :D”

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8.Evening Starlight Gourmet Kayak Tour with dinner

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

Paddle Lake Rotoiti with an English-speaking guide such as Cian or Tom, hear Māori stories, visit a glowworm cave, soak at Manupirua Hot Pools, and eat a cooked Kiwi BBQ dinner. This 4 to 4.5-hour tour includes about 2.5 hours on the water and suits confident beginners with moderate fitness.

“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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9.Glow Worm Adventure Kayak

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

Join Taiao Adventures for a four-hour evening kayak from Rotorua, led by guides such as Sarah, Forrest, Marsha, or Earl. Paddle across a quiet lake, stop for Kiwi snacks and tea, then enter secluded caverns filled with glow worms. The trip suits intermediate paddlers aged 13 and older.

“This is probably the best activity I've ever done anywhere, was looked after so well by the team, Sarah took the group I was in and was so exited and knowledgeable about everything and when she didn't know found out. The glowworms are unreal I didn't know how many we would we but there was so many it was amazing. If your on the fence book it you won't regret it”

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10.Lake Rotoiti & Hot Pools Guided Kayak

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · 4h 30m · from $107

Join guide Justin from Rotorua Kayak Adventures for a 4.5-hour trip across Lake Rotoiti to the boat-access-only Manupirua Springs Hot Pools. You’ll paddle about an hour each way, soak in pools of different temperatures, swim in the lake, hear local Māori stories, and possibly see glow-worms in a cave.

“This was such a good experience! The lake is beautiful, the hot pools were incredible, and we really did have the opportunity to go into a cave and see glow worms! Justin is an experienced guide and did a great job of taking care of everyone in our group. Communication about the schedule, where to meet, and all logistics was very clear. Also, Justin has a lot of knowledge about the history of the area and of New Zealand, including Māori history and natural history. I learned so much just in the course of the day.”

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11.Secret adventure kayaking to natural hot springs

★★★★★★★★★★3.8 · 3 reviews · 2 hours · from $74Best value

Paddle Lake Rotoiti for about 65 minutes, then visit a secret natural hot spring reached by kayak. Your guide, with Lance named in the tour information, supplies the kayak, paddle, PFD, warm clothing, transport, and safety gear. Expect Maori stories, birds, scenery, and a small group of up to 10 people.

“Great activity for the whole family. Lance is a real pro with a lot of experience and took us to an excellent hot springs along the lake.”

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