Top Rotorua On the Water

Enjoy the sights and sounds of the night on a kayaking tour into hidden glow worm caves on a lake near Rotorua. Feel safe and secure paddling a kayak with a guide leading the way. Marvel at the constellations of glowing bugs lighting up the rock formations, and the starry skies outside if the weather’s clear.

Adventurous travelers will love this glowworm-spotting tour with a difference. As the sun gets lower in the sky, paddle in a kayak on Lake Karapiro and along the Pokaiwhenua Stream. You’ll see beautiful native plants and bird life, and rock formations that have been naturally carved over centuries. Once the light disappears, you’ll see thousands of glowworms lighting your way. This tour is a fun way to experience some of New Zealand’s best natural attractions.

Discover Rotorua from a different angle on a fun “duck” tour. This sightseeing adventure takes you aboard an authentic World War II-era amphibious vehicle, able to travel on land and water. Start with a city tour before splashing down into a couple of Rotorua’s many scenic lakes. Listen to live commentary about Rotorua’s history and local landmarks along the way. A family-friendly tour that everyone will enjoy.

Challenge yourself against the world’s highest commercially rafted waterfall and enjoy outdoor adventure on this Kaituna River white-water rafting trip from Rotorua. Hop into your raft in the Kahikitea Forest and take to the waves with a guide. Navigate steep canyons through native forest and test your nerve over 14 challenging rapids. Splash, paddle, and roll through New Zealand’s spectacular scenery with all safety equipment and hotel transfers included.

Blast around Lake Rotorua on a jet boat tour! An expert driver spins you around on an adrenaline-infused adventure and delivers you at top-speed to all of the iconic landmarks. Experience 30 action-packed minutes of family-friendly fun as you hear live narration on the history of the area. Select from multiple departure times; spray jackets included.

Combine two activities into one day on this tour from Rotorua. Experience the adrenaline-pumping excitement of high-speed turns and spins on a jet boat ride. Then, to recover from the exhilaration of jet boating, follow up with a relaxing soak at Manupirua Thermal Springs, a stunning boat-accessible location at the edge of Lake Rotoiti. Soothe your nerves with a soak in mineral hot pools, then cool off in the lake.

Take a scenic excursion through the New Zealand wilderness on this white-water sledging adventure from Rotorua. Listen as a guide explains the challenges ahead, don your helmet and life vest, and take to the Okere River on your floating sledge. Twist and turn through swirling river rapids, float along relaxing flats, and admire views over the mighty Kahikatea Forest. See parts of the landscape you couldn’t reach any other way.

Treat yourself to a therapeutic mud bath and sulfur spa package at Hells Gate Geothermal Park. Located in one of Rotorua’s most active geothermal zones, Hells Gate features mud bath treatments that leave your body rejuvenated and skin smooth. You also have the option to cool off with a dip in waterfall pools after your treatment.

Explore geothermal lakes, hidden bays, and hot pools that can only be reached by water. These places hold cultural significance Ngāti Pikiao, and are rarely seen by visitors. This access makes the experience different from standard rentals or theme‑park style attractions. Adventures are real, our machines are fast, support on water assistance, explore with a local Māori guide cruise on your own adventure self guided operator training lessons, easy to learn activity travel lakes in style and find the amazing natural beauty and history of the area.

While in Rotorua, take a wild and wacky ride in an inflatable ZORB ball. Enjoy the thrill of rolling downhill inside an inflatable ball with water to make things more slippery and fun. After instructions from the knowledgeable team, experience the world’s longest zig-zag Sidewinder Track and the smooth-and-fast double Straight Track.

Explore the Rotorua lakes district and learn about its history on a 2-hour tour duck boat cruise from Rotorua. Travel on land and by water in the amphibious World War II vehicle, visiting four lakes including Lake Tarawera, located at the foot of Mt Tarawera. Hear about the devastating 1886 eruption of Mt Tarawera and other aspects of local history on this family-friendly tour.

Spend a magical evening kayaking on Lake Rotoiti, where you visit glowworm caves and have plenty of time to soak in natural hot springs before a barbecue picnic dinner. Paddle with an expert guide into lakeside caves only accessed by boat to see glowworms and crayfish, then revel in the sunset reflected on the tranquil waters. Instruction, equipment, and round-trip hotel transport from Rotorua are all included.

A diverse range of wildlife calls the calm blue waters of Lake Rotoiti—near Rotorua—home, including many species of local birds. Listen to the enchanting birdsong as you paddle across the lake on this half-day evening kayak tour. Then, set out towards the nearby glowworm cave to see bioluminescent light speckle the dark cave walls before a BBQ dinner at the Manupirua Hot Pools.

Take a guided canyon kayak tour in the daytime, on the Waikato River. Learn the history of the submerged village and enjoy the serenity of being on the water. Paddle slowly up the Pokaiwhenua Stream and through the canyon carved out by water over many hundreds of years.

Discover the hidden gems of Lake Rotoiti aboard "The Airstream Project," a one-of-a-kind, handcrafted vessel built for intimate, small-group exploration. This Rotorua boat tour combines active adventure with scenic relaxation. Twist your feet into the hot sand stream, swim in crystal-clear waters, leap from overhanging trees, wade into glowworm caves to catch their gentle daytime glow or simply unwind amid scenery so close you can almost touch it. Savor complimentary morning tea as you glide past ancient Māori food storage caves and breathtaking landscapes.

Soak in the thermal spring-fed pools of Lake Rotoiti and paddle into a glowworm cave on a morning kayak tour from Rotorua. With an expert guide, explore the tranquil waters of the lake as you take in the scenery. Paddle to caverns and hot springs that are accessible only by water. Kayaking equipment, hot spring entrance, and snacks are included.

Active travelers wanting to experience Rotorua’s unique landscapes will love this private kayaking tour. Walk through Waimangu Volcanic Valley, one of the world’s youngest geothermal systems, to Lake Rotomahana. Paddle along its shores and admire the steaming cliffs, colorful geothermal features, and dramatic geysers, learning about Māori culture along the way. This is a fun way to get some exercise and explore some of Rotorua’s less-visited attractions.

Your Glow Worm Adventure Kayak tour begins with a friendly pick-up from the Rotorua Information Centre. We stop at our base to gear up, then head out to the lake where the kayaks await! As you paddle into twilight, the lake reflects the shifting colours of dusk, creating a striking backdrop for your journey. Your first stop is a secluded lakeside beach accessible only by vessel, where you’ll step ashore to enjoy kiwi snacks and hot tea while taking in the quiet of the night. Back on the water, you’ll paddle toward hidden glow worm caverns that come alive after dark. Thousands of tiny lights illuminate the walls like a starry sky, giving you time to drift beneath their shimmering glow for an unforgettable, intimate encounter. If the night is clear, the magic continues outside the caves as milky-way shines overhead, guiding your serene paddle back across the lake.

White-water rafting is a thrilling adventure activity but roaring rapids can be scary. Enjoy a scenic rafting tour on Grade 2 rapids on the Rangitaiki River during a laid-back tour from Rotorua. Ride past tumbling waterfalls, sheer rock cliffs, and forest-clad river gorges. The rolling rapids make this an ideal trip for families and those looking for a more relaxed experience. Includes lunch, a hot shower, and hotel transfers.

While spending time in geothermal Rotorua, paddle across magnificent Lake Rotoiti by kayak to soak in the mineral-rich waters of the Manupirua Springs Hot Pools. The pools are only accessible on the water, but you may struggle to get there without a guide to show the way. With entry fees plus hassle-free round-trip travel from your Rotorua hotel included, enjoy a special experience in the heart of the Rotorua countryside.