Lake Rotoiti Evening Kayak Tour: Hot Springs & Glowworm Caves

Paddle to hot pools, soak and dine, then glide into caves lit by glowworms

An evening kayak tour on Lake Rotoiti near Rotorua takes you across the water to natural hot springs fed by geothermal vents, where you swim and soak before a barbecue dinner. After eating, you paddle into lakeside caves to see glowworms and sometimes freshwater crayfish, then return as the sun sets. The tour runs 6 hours and includes full training, all gear, entry to the hot pools, dinner, and a professional guide; hotel pickup is available from central Rotorua accommodation.

The Experience

If you land in Rotorua with a free afternoon or evening, this tour fills it without you arranging transport or equipment. The guide picks you up from your hotel around 45 minutes before departure, then walks you through a briefing on the kayak and safety gear at the lake. You'll paddle for about 45 minutes to an hour to reach the natural hot springs — the water is warm year-round because it's fed by geothermal vents beneath the lake.

Once you arrive at the hot pools, you have time to relax in the water, swim, and let the heat ease into your shoulders. The Kiwi barbecue dinner happens here, cooked on-site, so you eat with the lake in view and the evening light changing. After dinner, you paddle back toward the start point but divert into a hidden glowworm cave carved into the lakeside rock. The glowworms hang from the ceiling like stars, and if you're quiet and patient, you might spot Koura — freshwater crayfish — moving along the cave floor. The paddle out catches the sunset.

The tour caps at 20 people, so the group stays small. You'll need to bring swimwear, shorts and a towel; the operator can hire you a towel for NZ$2 if you don't have one. Children from age 5 can join if an adult is with them, though the operator notes the tour isn't recommended for pregnant travelers or anyone with cardiovascular concerns — the paddling is steady and the full day is six hours start to finish.

What’s included

• Full kayak training and all specialist equipment.
• entry to the natural hot springs.
• a Kiwi barbecue dinner.
• Department of Conservation fees.
• a professional guide throughout.
• hotel pickup from central Rotorua accommodation.

Good to know

Moderate physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditions

Operated by Rotorua Kayak Adventures

Is this one for you?Book this if you have a full evening free and want three separate experiences—kayaking, hot pools, and glowworm caves—woven into one outing rather than pieced together across different days.

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Top questions

How far do I paddle each way to the hot springs?

The paddle to the hot pools takes around 45 minutes to an hour each way, depending on conditions and the group's pace. It's a steady, guided paddle across open water, and the guide will match the speed to the group.

What are the hot springs like once I get there?

The hot pools are fed by natural geothermal springs beneath Lake Rotoiti, so the water stays warm year-round. You have time to soak, swim and relax in the pools before the barbecue dinner is served on-site.

What will I see in the glowworm cave?

The glowworm cave is a lakeside cavern where glowworms hang from the ceiling and glow in the dark. You might also spot Koura, which are freshwater crayfish that live on the cave floor. The paddle in happens after dinner, as the light fades.

Is hotel pickup included, and how does it work?

Yes, pickup is included from any commercial accommodation in central Rotorua within about 15 minutes of the lake. The driver arrives approximately 45 minutes before the tour starts, so you'll have time to get ready and travel to the water.

What do I need to bring and what's provided?

Bring swimwear, shorts and a towel. The tour provides all kayak gear, a professional guide, full training, entry to the hot pools, a Kiwi barbecue dinner, and Department of Conservation fees. If you don't have a towel, you can hire one for NZ$2.

Is this tour suitable for children?

Children from age 5 can join the tour as long as an adult is with them. The operator does not recommend it for pregnant travelers or anyone with poor cardiovascular health, since the paddling is steady and the full experience runs 6 hours.