Rotorua
You have two routes to glowworms from Rotorua, and this list covers both: night paddles on Lake Rotoiti and full day trips to Waitomo. The kayak version adds lakeside hot pools you can only reach by water. Either way you’re watching a native species, a tiny larva that switches on its light to hunt.
Experience the enchantment of a magical nocturnal adventure with our Glow-Worm Tour. Immerse yourself in nature's sparkling wonders and create memories that will last a lifetime.
Most Popular★ 5.0“A great experience for our family (wife, adult kids and myself). The entire adventure was informative, fun and so different from the other activities we did on our trip. The night we went was damp with a light rain, but that turned out to be…”
★★★★★★★★★★
675 reviewsFrom $77.57by Real Rotorua
Discover New Zealand’s iconic Kiwi at Rotorua’s leading hatchery. Learn about conservation, see hatchlings, and support endangered species efforts.
★ 4.7“The tour was excellent. We had Mya as our guide she was so nice and gave us brilliant information. We learned lots about kiwis and the conservation of them. We saw two adult kiwis and were lucky enough to see a kiwi chick that had…”
★★★★★★★★★★
671 reviews1 hourFrom $44by The National Kiwi Hatchery Aotearoa
Experience the magic of nature at night with our Twilight Kayak Glow Worm Tour. Paddle through stunning waterways and witness the enchanting glow worms in their natural habitat.
★ 5.0“No kayak experience required. Guides were excellent instructors and knowledgeable about the area and glow worms. We saw so many glow worms! Was amazing!”
★★★★★★★★★★
493 reviewsFrom $92.47by Riverside Adventures Waikato
Discover the enchanting world of glow worms on a guided kayak tour in Rotorua. Immerse yourself in nature's own light show at nightfall. Book your adventure today!
★ 4.9“We valued that they offered the suitable equipment, which was essential to keep us warm abd somewhat dry. The overall experience was pretty unique. We were lucky enough to enjoy some amazing stargazing as well 😊 The guide Ellie was awesome 🙏”
★★★★★★★★★★
351 reviews3 hoursFrom $116by Taiao Adventures
Discover the magic of Rotorua's glow worm caves on an enchanting kayaking tour. Embark on a luminous adventure like no other. Click now!
★ 5.0“Fantastic way to see glow worms 15 minutes from Rotorua (rather than 2 hours to Waitamo!) There is a no photography policy (which is understandable as it alters their behaviour), so if photos are your core focus then maybe not for you.”
★★★★★★★★★★
342 reviewsFrom $121.01by Taiao Adventures
Discover the mesmerizing glow of Rotorua's glow worms! Join our guided nocturnal tour and experience nature's magical light show. Book now for an unforgettable adventure!
★ 5.0“fantastic,informative, stephen a fantastic guide..showing us aspects of fte forest we would have walked past saw possum, and tree insects explained everything what we were seeing took some amazing photo's highly recommend”
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271 reviews3 hoursFrom $74by Real Rotorua
Experience authentic New Zealand farming at Rotorua's Agrodome, with sheep shearing, animal encounters, and tastings—all in a fun, educational setting.
★ 4.8“well organised, very interesting learnt a lot about farming in NZ. Staff were very informative and professional. Place was very clean and had lits of different facilities.”
★★★★★★★★★★
270 reviews2.5 hoursFrom $38by Agrodome
Discover the magic of the National Kiwi Hatchery with our Kiwi Encounter Tour. Get up close and personal with these adorable endangered birds. Book your adventure now!
★ 5.0“Awesome place to see and understand more about Kiwis and especially what they do to help the kiwi population to grow. Definitely worth it”
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228 reviewsFrom $47.74by National Kiwi Hatchery
Discover the magic of Lake Rotoiti on an unforgettable evening kayak tour. Immerse yourself in hot springs, glowworm caves, and a delicious BBQ dinner. Join us now!
★ 5.0“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…”
★★★★★★★★★★
60 reviewsFrom $135.91by Rotorua Kayak Adventures
Discover the enchantment of Waitomo Glow Worms on your scenic Rotorua to Auckland transfer. Don't miss this extraordinary natural wonder. Book your adventure now!
★ 4.5“We were the only passengers so we pretty much had a private transfer with a stop at the caves! Our driver was excellent and helpful, the caves were awesome too. Had we had more time I’d prefer to do different caves but it was still…”
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22 reviewsFrom $200.94by FlexiToursNZ
Mystical encounters with glow worms and serene hot pools await on the Lake Rotoiti adventure in Rotorua - a tale of enchantment and relaxation.
★ 4.9“We had a wonderful afternoon kayaking with our knowledgeable guide Sarah. We saw the glow worms in the cave and enjoyed the hot water pools across the lake.”
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12 reviews3.5 hoursFrom $101by Waimarino Ltd
Experience the magic of glow worms while kayaking in Rotorua. Enjoy intimate, guided night paddles, stargazing, and local Kiwi snacks on this unforgettable adventure.
★ 5.0“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…”
★★★★★★★★★★
6 reviews4 hoursFrom $176by Taiao Adventures
Experience the magic of glow worms on a kayak tour in Rotorua. Enjoy serene waters, starry skies, and intimate encounters with nature’s shimmering lights.
★ 1.0“They offer shirts, pants, shirts and shoes, and also life vests. However, they all reek of B. O. especially the shoes. The shoes are still wet from the previous tour group and mine smelled like a sewer. Even the life vest was stinky. This smell…”
★★★★★★★★★★
1 reviewsFrom $183.07by Taiao Adventures
Discover Rotorua's highlights on a full-day tour—glowworm caves, Redwoods Forest, and Maori culture at Te Puia—combining nature, adventure, and tradition.
★ 5.01 reviews11 hoursFrom $238by NAVI HOLDING LIMITED
Rotorua runs on geothermal steam and Te Arawa hospitality; no other place I've been smells or sounds like it.