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 from17 Mar to 30 Mar 2026

All prices are shown inNZD ($)

Change Dates
Tue 17 Mar
Wed 18 Mar
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

  • Per person$89.40

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

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

  • 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$115.00 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!
Magical experience Awesome tour to see nature at night The magical Glow worms that aren’t worms! Tolles Erlebnis! Exceptional and informative tour
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Authenticated Reviews

Real highlights, tips, and the helpful advice straight from Bookme customers who’ve actually done this experience, summarised with AI support

  • emergencyLes clients ont adoré l'expérience magique de faire du kayak parmi les vers luisants, la décrivant comme surréaliste et à couper le souffle (35 personnes ont dit cela).
  • emergencyBeaucoup ont loué les guides compétents et amicaux qui ont fourni des histoires captivantes et des informations sur la région et les vers luisants (30 personnes ont dit cela).
  • emergencyL'atmosphère sereine lors du pagayage au crépuscule et le paysage époustouflant ont souvent été soulignés comme un point fort (28 personnes ont dit cela).
  • emergencyLes participants ont apprécié la nature bien organisée de la visite, y compris la fourniture de collations et de boissons chaudes (22 personnes ont dit cela).
  • emergencyL'expérience était adaptée à tous les niveaux de compétence, beaucoup notant que même les débutants se sentaient à l'aise et en sécurité (18 personnes ont dit cela).
  • emergencyLa taille réduite des groupes a rendu l'expérience plus intime et spéciale, augmentant le plaisir global (15 personnes ont dit cela).
  • star_shineApportez un appareil photo pour des photos époustouflantes.
    Habillez-vous chaudement, car il peut faire frais la nuit.

4.8

164 reviews

Showing all 164 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

Natalie from Switzerland wrote on 13 March 2026

Amazing experience 😍

Absolutely beautiful kayak tour with an amazing view of the glow worms in the canyon. One of my favorite activities so far in New Zealand!

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jaeyoungl3 from South Korea wrote on 12 March 2026

Refund Recommendation for Kayaking Activity

Subject: Refund Recommendation for Kayaking Activity We were advised by the activity coordinator that, due to safety concerns, it would be best to proceed with a refund for the kayaking activity. The coordinator will also be contacting you directly regarding the refund. However, we are sending this email as well to reconfirm and ensure the refund process is arranged smoothly. Please let us know if you need any further information from our side. Thank you for your understanding. Kind regards, [JAEYOUNG LEE] Email: [email protected]

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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.

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Booking

10:00 a.m.Thursday 13 July

12

Per person

*This option must be made together with another price type.
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