Top Rotorua Water Tours

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.

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.

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.

Hop on a free shuttle bus and explore the natural wonders of Waimangu Volcanic Valley at your own pace on this self-guided tour. Combine the experience with a chance to get up close to Lake Rotomahana’s towering geysers and steaming cliffs with a boat cruise across waters infused with geothermal energy.

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.

Get an authentic introduction to Māori culture the way few tourists do, with an evening at the Mitai Māori Village in Rotorua. See men in traditional dress paddle down the river in a waka (canoe) and be captivated by the displays of weaponry. Watch a haka war dance and poi performance, and spot glowworms in their natural habitat. This evening experience includes round-trip hotel transport and a traditional buffet hangi feast, so you don't have to worry about a thing.

Go on an adrenaline-filled rafting excursion down the Kaituna River on a half-day adventure tour from Rotorua. The river tumbles past a subtropical rainforest lining a deep canyon. Raft over Tutea Falls—a thrilling experience for first-time or experienced rafters. The tour operates in all seasons and there are several departure times daily so you can choose one that suits your schedule.

Learn about Maori culture and geothermal science without needing separate bookings on this family-friendly combo tour to the Whaka Living Village and the Pohutu Geyser. Discover how local people have been harnessing the power of the hot springs and mud pools for centuries, and enjoy eating a corn cob cooked in the thermal waters. Take great photos of bubbling mud, spurting geysers, and cultural attractions.

Learn about Maori culture and see boiling mud pools, geysers, and hot springs by visiting Whakarewarewa Village in Rotorua. To save time waiting in ticket lines, prebooking your admission means you can select an entry slot to suit your travel plans. Then, once inside, join a Maori guide to learn about Maori traditions—including a chance to try food cooked in geothermal pools.

Immerse yourself in the movie magic of Hobbiton—and enjoy a hassle-free way to explore—on this full-day tour from Rotorua. Following morning pickup from select hotels, head straight to Hobbiton, passing pretty scenery along the way. Upon arrival, head right in with your included admission tickets, go for a guided tour of the highlights, and even enjoy a tasty lunch before you go.

Soar through a 1,000-year-old native New Zealand forest on six ziplines reaching speeds up to 37 miles (60 kilometers) per hour. Cross suspended swing bridges and explore treetop platforms while looking out for native birds such as toutouwai and kererū. This half-day guided eco-adventure includes free digital photos, wet-weather gear, and return transport, with every booking supporting forest restoration. Suitable for families and groups of all ages.

Soar through the trees and experience New Zealand’s ancient native forest like never before on an incredible must-do adventure. You'll soar along several ziplines, experience New Zealand’s one-and-only volcanic cliff walk above the forest floor, incredible swing bridges, controlled descent, and an impressive tandem zipline so you can share the experience with a friend or partner.

While in Rotorua, the North Island’s heartland of traditional culture, attend an evening event at Te Pā Tū featuring a Māori cultural performance and a 3-course seasonal fusion feast. Learn about Māori customs tied to the lunar calendar while enjoying song, drama, and tradition in a forest village setting. Hotel pickup and return transfers from Rotorua are included for convenience.

See the awe-inspiring Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland on a half-day tour, led by a knowledgeable guide. Follow a well-marked path alongside bubbling hot springs and volcanic craters at Rotorua’s most comprehensive geothermal site. Be amazed by the daily eruption of the Lady Knox Geyser, then take a tour around Waimangu Volcanic Valley, a young geothermal ecosystem.