Rotorua: Daytime Scenic Lake Rotoiti Kayak Tour

Badge of Excellence

Rotorua, New Zealand

3 hours 30 minutes (approx.)
Pickup offered
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

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Overview

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.

Paddle on peaceful Lake Rotoiti and learn about the plant and bird life
Relax in natural thermal hot pools on the shore of Lake Rotoiti
Rotorua hotel transfers are available for an extra fee
A fun way to mix physical activity with relaxation

What's Included

Local guide
Use of kayak rental and safety equipment
Snacks
Hot Pool Tickets

If Hotel Pickup is required please select the Hotel pick up option.
An additional cost of NZ$45.00 per person does apply to Hotel pickup/drop off.

Meeting and Pickup

You can head directly to the meeting point, or request pickup

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

Pickup details

We pick up from any accommodations in Rotorua Central and Rotorua iSite for an extra fee

Meeting point

41C Otaramarae Road, Okere Falls 3074, New Zealand

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Operating hours
.9:00 am

What To Expect

This kayak tour delivers you across the pristine waters of Lake Rotoiti, a picturesque mountain lake that is home to caves and hot pools only accessed via the waterway.

After meeting your experienced guide in Rotorua, you’re taken to the launch site at Lake Rotoiti, where you’re provided with kayak equipment and safety instructions.

Once you’re comfortably situated in your kayak, follow your guide past lakeside vacation homes dotting the cliffs and coves of this serene location. Hear Māori tales and learn about the plant life as you spot pohutukawa trees—commonly referred to as New Zealand Christmas trees for their spiky red flowers and evergreen foliage.

When you reach the lakeside cave, gaze with awe at the glowworms on the surrounding walls; the tiny creatures emit a soft light as you drift along the dark cavern—a rare sight in the daytime.

Then continue your kayak tour to hot pools fed by natural thermal springs at the edge of Lake Rotoiti. Enjoy a well-deserved soak in the thermal waters of this lakeside paradise, taking in the landscape as you unwind.

After about 45 minutes here, you’ll paddle back to the launch site and be returned to the original meeting point, where your half-day tour ends.

Lake Rotoiti

Lake Rotoiti Hot Pools

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Due to the route of this tour, cruise ship passengers are not recommended to participate
Not wheelchair accessible
Departure times can vary when cruise ships have scheduled arrivals and you will be informed of any changes
Minimum age is 8 years

Minimum of 2 adults is required per booking
Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
Please bring bathing suit, towel, sunscreen and hat
Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 20 travelers

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Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Gallery picture 1 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 2 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 3 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 4 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 5 (from a traveler's review)

Reviews

4.3

based on 37 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

We perform checks on reviews

It got a bit windy and...

Jessica_C, Oct 2025

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.

Response from Host, Oct 2025

Thank you for sharing your experience! We’re glad you enjoyed the hot pools, the perfect mix of hot, warm, and a refreshing plunge! Sorry the weather made things a bit choppy, but we’re thrilled it didn’t stop you from having a great adventure. We hope to see you back on the lake again soon!

Cancelled without telling me

Sharon_F, Sep 2024

Cancelled but didn’t bother to tell me. I called them while I waiting at the meeting spot wondering why there was no one there. Wasted my whole day

Response from Host, Sep 2024

Good morning Sharon We are really sorry for the inconvenience. We should have communicated the cancellation better. We’re working to improve this and appreciate your feedback.

Not for cruisers!

Anne_T, Feb 2024

We had to cancel because the pick-up and drop- off point was a 45 min drive from the cruise port. There was no way to reasonably arrange transportation to/from the ship and still have time for the activity. Otherwise, we had very much hoped to do this.

Response from Host, Apr 2024

Hi there, Thanks for your review. We do offer a variation of this tour that is sold onboard your cruise ship only for cruise ship clients to help avoid this issue as the tour you have tried to book does operate in a separate city (Rotorua). Alternatively we do operate a range of other kayaking and kanu experiences in Tauranga which is near the Port of Tauranga and transport can be booked through our website or office for a small charge.

The glow worm cave was very small...

Melita M, Sep 2017

The glow worm cave was very small and pretty disappointing. We were not given the water and snack or the dry bag for our cameras and phones as advertised. The tour guide gave us heaps of information on the glow worms but none on the wildlife or Rotorua also as advertised. The view of the lake however, was amazing but I felt that the tour was very overpriced for what we got.

Very nice to get out on the water in...

Gayle L, Feb 2017

Very nice to get out on the water in a kayak for this adventure. Area is beautiful. Glow worm cave was very small. The area where the glow worms are is large enough only to wedge your kayak into - take a look and back out again. The hot pools are a series of large cement pools that are fed by the hot springs. I envisioned swimming in a more natural setting.