New Zealand · KAYAK TOURS IN ROTORUA

12 Kayak Tours in Rotorua to Build a Day Around

12 tours  ·  from $74 a head

The 12 best kayak tours in Rotorua you can book today, with what each costs, how long it runs and who it suits. Number one is top for a reason; start there.

Twilight Glowworm Kayak Tour – Lake Karapiro - The daylight section: birds, plants, and carved rock
Canoes & Kayaks, Kayak Tours in Rotorua, Rotorua Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Waitomo Glowworm Caves Tours

Twilight Glowworm Kayak Tour – Lake Karapiro

Glow Worm Kayak Tour - A gentle launch, then shoreline paddling
Canoes & Kayaks, Kayak Tours in Rotorua, Rotorua Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Waitomo Glowworm Caves Tours

Glow Worm Kayak Tour

3.Glow Worm Kayak Tour

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

Kayak Rotorua’s lake at dusk, enter glow worm caves, and stargaze under clear skies with gear, guides, and central transfers included.

“I was very much looking forward to this experience, the guides were brilliant, provided a lot of knowledge, and were very kind. Once in a lifetime experience to go and see these creatures in their natural habitat. And with a super clear sky the stars were also an amazing sight.”

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Lake Rotoiti Evening Kayak Tour including Hot Springs, Glowworm Caves and BBQ Dinner - The first paddle across the lake
BBQ, Canoes & Kayaks, Dining Experiences, Dinner Experiences, Evening Experiences, Kayak Tours in Rotorua, Rotorua Tours, Spa & Hot Springs, Tour Reviews, Tours, Waitomo Glowworm Caves Tours

Lake Rotoiti Evening Kayak Tour including Hot Springs, Glowworm Caves and BBQ Dinner

4.Lake Rotoiti Evening Kayak Tour including Hot Springs, Glowworm Caves and BBQ Dinner

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 60 reviews · from $135

Kayak Lake Rotoiti at sunset, soak in hot springs, eat a BBQ dinner, and see glowworms and crayfish in boat-only caves.

“We had an amazing time on this Kayak tour! Our family of four enjoyed every moment from beginning to end (even the rainy moments). Swimming at the lake by the hot pools was a highlight for our 14 year-old, and our 15 year-old still talks about the stories we got to hear as we paddled from place to place. Thank you River Rats for such a great day!”

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Rotorua: Daytime Scenic Lake Rotoiti Kayak Tour - The glowworm cave is a brief but unusual stop
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Rotorua: Daytime Scenic Lake Rotoiti Kayak Tour

5.Daytime Scenic Lake Rotoiti Kayak Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 37 reviews · from $114

Kayak Lake Rotoiti to a glowworm cave and hot pools near Rotorua. This practical review covers scenery, effort, value, timing, and what to pack.

“It got a bit windy and choppy so we got a little wetter than anticipated. The hot pools are worth the work to get there. Hot and warm and you can plunge in the lake to cool off.”

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Private Waimangu Steaming Cliffs Kayak Tour - Steaming Cliffs, Geysers, and Color
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Private Waimangu Steaming Cliffs Kayak Tour

Rotorua: Evening Starlight Gourmet Kayak Tour Glowworms - Manupirua Hot Pools, reached by kayak
Canoes & Kayaks, Evening Experiences, Kayak Tours in Rotorua, Rotorua Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Waitomo Glowworm Caves Tours

Rotorua: Evening Starlight Gourmet Kayak Tour Glowworms

7.Evening Starlight Gourmet Kayak Tour Glowworms

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 35 reviews · from $217

Paddle Lake Rotoiti at dusk, visit a glowworm cave, enjoy a BBQ, and soak in Manupirua Hot Pools on this 4.5-hour Rotorua tour.

“Amazing guides and a beautiful experience. There were way more glow worms than expected and the food was delicious. Warning the hot springs have a strong sulfur smell”

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Lake Rotoiti Guided Hot Pools Kayak Trip - The first paddle across Lake Rotoiti
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Lake Rotoiti Guided Hot Pools Kayak Trip

8.Lake Rotoiti Guided Hot Pools Kayak Trip

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 23 reviews · from $104

Paddle Lake Rotoiti to Manupirua Springs, soak in lakeside hot pools, hear Māori legends, and visit a glow-worm cave with transport included.

“Highly recommend this tour. Fantastic activities with all fun along the paddle to reach to the beautiful geothermal pools and an extra to visit the cave of the glow worm. Our tour guider Justin who helps and demonstrates us about all kayak gears we needed and skill of the paddle. and he is a story teller. We learned lot of the local history and love story.”

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Hot Pools Kayak & Evening Barbecue - Getting ready in Rotorua
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Hot Pools Kayak & Evening Barbecue

9.Hot Pools Kayak & Evening Barbecue

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

Kayak Lake Rotoiti to Manupirua Springs, enjoy a Kiwi barbecue, sunset paddle, and glow-worm cave on this 6.5-hour Rotorua adventure.

“This was our favorite activity of our whole trip! Thanks for being so fun and treating us so well!”

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Daytime Canyon Kayak Tour - The first paddle, open water and hidden history
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Daytime Canyon Kayak Tour

10.Daytime Canyon Kayak Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 10 reviews · from $73Best value

Paddle through Waikato’s Pokaiwhenua Stream, glide over a submerged village, and explore a fern-lined canyon on this gentle Rotorua kayak tour.

“This is not a big fancy tour company. This has the feel of a family run operation with all the personnel touch you’d expect. We were a little disappointed when we first arrived because it looked like we were kayaking on a big lake. We did Read more”

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Rotorua: Evening Starlight Gourmet Kayak Tour with dinner - Paddling from Otaramarae to the glowworm cave
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Rotorua: Evening Starlight Gourmet Kayak Tour with dinner

11.Evening Starlight Gourmet Kayak Tour with dinner

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

Kayak Lake Rotoiti by starlight, visit a glowworm cave, soak in hot pools, and enjoy a Kiwi BBQ dinner for $209.

“Tom was an amazing tour guide. He was patient with us and the whole tour was great. The BBQ with the peacock/venison sausage and salmon was amazing and the glowworms was the icing on the cake. Thank you Tom for the amazing memory!”

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Rotorua: Waimangu Valley Walk and Steaming Cliffs Kayak Tour - Meeting your guide at Rotorua Information Centre
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Rotorua: Waimangu Valley Walk and Steaming Cliffs Kayak Tour

12.Waimangu Valley Walk and Steaming Cliffs Kayak Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 6 reviews · from $132

Walk through Waimangu Volcanic Valley, then kayak Lake Rotomahana’s steaming cliffs on a guided five-hour Rotorua adventure.

“The Waimangu volcanic area is amazing. It was great having a knowledgeable and enthusiastic guide to explain about the nature of the area and point out interesting features. Well worth doing, especially if you love nature.”

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Where to go, and what to do when you get there

Pick an island, a lake or a cave.