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Evening Glowworm Kayak Tour - Waikato

4.9
161
Deals from $89.40 Save $59.60 Check dates nowsystem_update_alt
Kayak into the night to experience the natural wonder of glowworms as they light up in the dark!

Kayak into the night to experience the natural wonder of glowworms as they light up in the dark!

Highlights

  • Be mesmerised as thousands of glow worms light up in the dark!
  • Expertly guided kayak tour through an ancient canyon
  • Enjoy paddling along the tranquil waters of Lake Karapiro and the Pokaiwhenua Stream
  • No experience necessary

Join Riverside Adventures Waikato for a magical evening kayaking the calm waters of Lake Karapiro and the Pokaiwhenua Stream.

Starting our paddle from the southern edge of Lake Karapiro, your guide will fill you in on the interesting history of the Horahora village as the sun begins to set.

We will make our way slowly up the Pokaiwhenua Stream and through a canyon hundreds of years old whilst enjoying stunning views of native trees and ferns.

Once darkness falls - the magic begins - as thousands of glowworms come to life, sparkling on either side of you like constellations in the night sky.

Also, check out our Daytime Canyon Kayak Tour

Per person ¤149.00

What's included

  • Guided kayak tour
  • Quality kayaks and life jackets
  • We provide overpants, splash jackets & wetshoes

Duration

  • Allow approximately 4 hours for the whole experience

Location

  • 362 Horahora Road
  • Piarere.

Restrictions

  • Minimum age: 8
  • There is a minimum of 4 customers to confirm a trip departure.

    Every single child under 15 is to be accompanied by a capable adult. I.e. If you have 2 children under the age of 15, they will also have to be accompanied by 2 capable adults.

    A moderate level of fitness and will be required to paddle yourselves for approx 1 hour at a time.

    The tour is ran in English and for health and safety all participants must be able to understand English or have a translator with them.

Child Friendly

  • This experience welcomes families with children.

Notes

  • Getting here:

    From Rotorua - Approximately a 1-hour drive.

    From Hamilton - Approximately a 40-min drive.

  • Please Note: Minimum 4 passengers are required for booking this experience and to confirm tour departure.

    Every single child under 15 is to be accompanied by a capable adult.

    I.e. If you have 2 children under the age of 15, they will also have to be accompanied by 2 capable adults.

    Fitness Level and Health & Safety: A moderate level of fitness and will be required to paddle yourselves for approx 1 hour at a time.

    The tour is ran in English and for health and safety all participants must be able to understand English or have a translator with them.

    Cancellations: No refunds will be given to cancellations within 48 hours of the tour.

Available Bookings from 19 Mar to 1 Apr 2026

Change Dates

All prices are shown in NZD ($)

Thu 19 Mar
Fri 20 Mar
Sat 21 Mar
Sun 22 Mar
Mon 23 Mar
Tue 24 Mar
Wed 25 Mar
Thu 26 Mar
Fri 27 Mar
Sat 28 Mar
Sun 29 Mar
Mon 30 Mar
Tue 31 Mar
Wed 1 Apr

  • Per person$125.00 Less than 6 at this price!

  • Per person$89.40

  • Per person$149.00

  • Per person$89.40 Less than 6 at this price!

  • Per person$89.40 Less than 6 at this price!

  • Per person$115.00 Less than 6 at this price!

  • Per person$89.40 Less than 6 at this price!

  • Per person$115.00 Less than 6 at this price!

  • Per person$115.00 Less than 6 at this price!

  • Per person$149.00

  • Per person$149.00

  • Per person$115.00 Less than 6 at this price!

  • Per person$115.00 Less than 6 at this price!

Authenticated Reviews & PhotosAll of our reviews are from people who have booked and paid for this activity thru Bookme

Authenticated Reviews & PhotosAll of our reviews are from people who have booked and paid for this activity thru Bookme

4.9

161 reviews

Showing all 161 authenticated Bookme reviews

laetitiak from France wrote on 24 March 2025

Incroyable expérience

Une virée magique avec un excellent guide, départ avec la lumière du coucher du soleil et retour dans la nuit sous des étoiles de vers luisants, merci pour cet incroyable moment !

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Florian Onde from France wrote on 26 February 2024

Expérience unique et géniale !

Une expérience inoubliable lors de notre voyage en nouvelle Zélande. Nous ne sommes pas prêt d’oublier ces moments avec les vers luisants ! Merci

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From Evening Glowworm Kayak Tour - Waikato

You're so welcome! Thanks for coming along

mariop1 from Canada wrote on 05 March 2026

Just Amazing!

What a wonderful experience. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. Neil was a fantastic guide and the treats half-way through our journey were most unexpected and appreciated!

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From Evening Glowworm Kayak Tour - Waikato

Thank you so much for your lovely message! We’re really glad to hear you had such a wonderful experience and thoroughly enjoyed the tour. I’ll be sure to pass your kind feedback on to Neil, he’ll be thrilled to hear it. We’re also pleased the halfway treats were a nice surprise! Thanks again for joining us, and we hope to see you back out on the water again sometime.

Jung sun Park from New Zealand wrote on 08 February 2026

Fantastic

Amazing, fantastic. Glow worms. Very good ,kind staff. It was good evening. Recommend this adventure.

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From Evening Glowworm Kayak Tour - Waikato

Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We’re so pleased to hear you had a fantastic evening and enjoyed seeing the glow worms. Our team will be delighted to know their kindness helped make the experience special. Thanks for the recommendation

Jiali Yang from New Zealand wrote on 07 February 2026

Kayak Tour of Delight and Serenity

Very friendly staff who were extremely detailed during the tutorial before we got into the kayaks. They not only made it easy for kayak newbies to enjoy the experience, but also made the trip more interesting with their knowledge of the local village, plants, and especially the glowworms. Even though it was tiring and cold during the midway break, the hot drinks and snacks were so relaxing and got us prepared for the next part of the adventure. All in all, I highly recommend it—whether you’re from overseas or living in nearby cities, it’s always a fascinating adventure for a vacation.

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From Evening Glowworm Kayak Tour - Waikato

Thank you so much for your thoughtful review! We’re really glad to hear our team helped make the experience enjoyable and comfortable, especially for first-time kayakers. It’s great that you enjoyed learning about the local area, the plants, and of course the glow worms. We’re also pleased the hot drinks and snacks gave everyone a nice boost during the break! Thanks again for the recommendation , it means a lot to our small team, and we hope to welcome you back for another adventure in the future.

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Qualmark Certification

This award identifies a business with a high level of professionalism, a keen awareness of the impact it has on the environment and a commitment to a customer centric approach.

This award is evidence of a sophisticated tourism business that consistently exceeds visitor expectations. Their proactive leadership and management ensure the business's focus on continuously improving their economic, social and environmental performance to create genuine, constantly evolving and sustainable tourism experiences.

This award recognises the best sustainable tourism businesses in New Zealand. It denotes exceptional customer experiences at the heart of everything the company does. This business is leading the way in making the New Zealand tourism industry a world class sustainable visitor destination.

When you see the Qualmark logo, your activity of choice is endorsed by New Zealand Tourism's official quality assurance organisation and backed by leaders in the industry. It's your trusted guide to iconic activities and experiences that are awarded for their exceptionally high level of quality, safety and sustainability.

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