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Evening Glow Worm Kayak Tour in Tauranga

By Waimarino Adventure Park
Recommended by 100% of travellers
This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher
Start your evening with a glass of refreshment and cheese board on the banks of Lake McLaren, then paddle your kayak to an enchanting canyon filled with glowworms. This guided tour features double kayaks on calm, sheltered waters—ideal for exploring at dusk. You have the option to book transport from accommodations in Tauranga or Mount Maunganui.
from
S$137.63
per adult
from
S$137.63
per adult
Lowest price guaranteeReserve now & pay laterFree cancellation
Ages 8-99, max of 30 per group
Duration:3h 15m
Start time: Check availability
Ticket type:Mobile
German, English, French
Highlights
  • Evening glowworm excursion on Lake McLaren
  • Refreshments include fruit, and cheese
  • Guide leads a max of 20 people on night paddle
  • Upgrade for hotel pickup in Tauranga at booking
  • Kayak and equipment
  • GST (Goods and Services Tax)
  • Light refreshments
  • Professional guide
  • Entry/Admission - McLaren Falls Park
What's not included
  • An additional cost per person does apply to Hotel pickup/drop off.
  • Entry/Admission - Waimarino Adventure Park
Departure details
  • Traveller pickup is offered.
  • We pick up from any accommodation provider in the Mount Maunganui, Tauranga city center for an additional $25.00 per person (minimum 2 person required). Please get in touch directly with us to arrange this.
  • 36 Taniwha Place, Bethlehem, Tauranga 3176, New Zealand Meet at Waimarino Adventure Park, and check in for your tour at reception. There is plenty of free parking on site.
Return details
  • Returns to original departure point
  • Not wheelchair accessible
If you have questions about accessibility, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 5997P3
  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
  • A minimum of 2 people per booking is required to commence a tour
  • No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
  • Most travellers can participate
  • This experience requires good weather. If it’s cancelled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
  • This experience requires a minimum number of travellers. If it’s cancelled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 30 travellers
  • For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.
A note from Evening Glow Worm Kayak Tour in Tauranga
  • Safety is our priorty. We have limited our tours to smaller numbers and are ensuring that the highest possible sanitation levels are maintined. We want both our guests and our staff to feel safe at all times. We welcome any feedback on this.
What you can expect during your visit
  • Regularly sanitised high-traffic areas
  • Guides required to regularly wash hands
  • Hand sanitiser available to travellers and staff
  • Transportation vehicles regularly sanitised
  • Contactless payment for gratuities and add-ons
  • Gear/equipment sanitised between use
Community
Ask a questionWrite a review
  • Safety precautions are provided by the property and are not checked by Tripadvisor for accuracy.
Which attractions will I visit with Evening Glow Worm Kayak Tour in Tauranga?
During this experience, places you will visit include:Discover and book Evening Glow Worm Kayak Tour in Tauranga on Tripadvisor
How much is Evening Glow Worm Kayak Tour in Tauranga?
Evening Glow Worm Kayak Tour in Tauranga price starts from S$136.59. Discover and book Evening Glow Worm Kayak Tour in Tauranga on Tripadvisor
What is the Evening Glow Worm Kayak Tour in Tauranga cancellation policy?
Evening Glow Worm Kayak Tour in Tauranga cancellation policy: For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience. Discover and book Evening Glow Worm Kayak Tour in Tauranga on Tripadvisor
Which company provides Evening Glow Worm Kayak Tour in Tauranga?
Evening Glow Worm Kayak Tour in Tauranga is hosted by Waimarino Adventure Park. Read reviews, discover additonal experiences or contact Waimarino Adventure Park on Tripadvisor. Discover and book Evening Glow Worm Kayak Tour in Tauranga on Tripadvisor
If you have questions about this tour or need help making your booking, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 5997P3
Itinerary
  • You'll start at
    36 Taniwha Place
    Or, you can also get picked up
    See departure details
  • 1
    Waimarino Adventure Park
    Stop: 15 minutes - Admission excluded
    See details
  • 2
    McLaren Falls Park
    Stop: 60 minutes - Admission included
    See details
    Pass by
    McLaren Falls Park
  • You'll return to the starting point
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About the operator

Don’t take it from us – here’s what people have to say about this operator.

By: Waimarino Adventure Park
856
XenusTampinhus
XenusTampinhus
00
Awesome, despite the river
The guide Jono, was very knowing of local lore and super friendly, he also pointed us towards many other local spot…
louisepiche007
louisepiche007
00
Wow very great
The tour was amazing !!! Hot springs were very Nice and very cool. The Warms were incredible to expérience and thé …
H3829ZVdianab
H3829ZVdianab
00
Kayak experience in a most serene landscape
Spent 1.5hrs on scenic Lake McLaren Kayak Tour led by Jono. It is a magical place located in an Arboretum with many…
2222sabrina
2222sabrina
00
Kayaking and hot pools in Lake Rotoiti
Great kayaking on the large beautiful lake with delightful hot pools and glow worm cave. The guides Jonathan and Ha…
shereel245
shereel245
00
Gotta go!
Kayaking in the twilight was thrilling and the glow worm experience was magical. Our guide, Jack, was enthusiastic,…
Raewyn T
Raewyn T
00
EXCITING..
All of it!!!!👍👍👍 My daughter, myself & my 5 grandchildren thoroughly enjoyed our day. The staff were "superheroe…
Nontendo
Nontendo
00
Underwhelming
Very expensive for what is on offer. The need to sign a disclaimer for safety requirements is over the top and a to…
D489IYkimg
D489IYkimg
00
Big Kanu glow worm tour AMAZING
What an amazing experience! We had the best time and learnt so much. Josh and Hannah were excellent tour guides. Jo…
notsurewherehomeis
notsurewherehomeis
00
great experience, access to a hidden gem!
Absolutely wonderful day, kayaking to the canyon, worth every penny. Our guide Josh had a great balance of humour, …
Momodear
Momodear
00
Girls day out
We did everything and really enjoyed this wonderful day out!!! 10/10. Me, and 9&7 year old girls. The hydro slide …
janethQ7385JH
janethQ7385JH
00
Kayak Tour
What an amazing morning with Faith. We did the kayak tour and it was beautiful and peaceful. Faith has an amazing l…
Kerstinaxt
Kerstinaxt
00
Great fun
Great outdoor fun for the kids/teens. Get some adrenaline flowing. Beautiful spot to sit and relax with a picnic fo…
Kondoor12
Kondoor12
00
Worst and terrible experience
First of all we were travelled from auckland,they didnt even mention that it is not a adventure park instead it was…
Gwellington24
Gwellington24
00
Nighttime kayak to the glow worms
A really great experience with two sensational guides Faith and Katie - thank you both. Well run and a terrific exp…
peterlF1709LO
peterlF1709LO
00
Fun
The kayaking was my favorite activity and the service from staff was awesome definitely recommend others for a day …
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
155 reviews
Excellent
146
Very good
9
Average
0
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Fran Cormack
Perth, Australia753 contributions
Wet, but great fun
You can’t pick your weather, but you can pick your tour company.

I would highly recommend Waimarino Kayak Tours for the evening glow worm tour.

The guides, including Josh, looked after us for the evening, starting off with some excellent local wines and cheese on the edge of Lake McLaren.

We were in 2 person sea kayaks, and thankfully were supplied with all the gear you needed to be both safe, and dry.

The trip was excellent, moderate exercise, and we got to see thousands of the glow worms (fungus gnats).

Highly recommended.
Written 9 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Waimarino
Thanks for leaving such a detailed review for us. We do pride ourselves on delivering a high quality tour - rain or shine, and it is great to hear we did that!
Written 25 August 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Louichan
Tokyo, Japan215 contributions
Beautiful Evening Kayak Tour
Dec 2021
Our family group of three did the evening glow worm kayak tour, and it was a highlight of our time in Tauranga. You start with the sunset over beautiful McLaren Lake and then a fairly gentle kayak trip over the lake to the glow worm canyon, which was breathtaking. Great for all ages and definitely recommended. Guides Josh and Katie were 'oar-some'.
Written 19 December 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Waimarino
Hi there, Josh and Katie really are Oar-some! Thanks for joining our tour and taking the time to leave us a 'glowing' review!
Written 20 December 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Foak
Yorkshire5 contributions
Amazing glow worm experience
Feb 2020 • Solo
Absolutely loved this. The lake is stunningly beautiful! Watching sunset from the hot pools was wonderful, with the added bonus of having a quick dive into the lake if you got a bit too warm. Then a paddle across to the glow worms where the tour guide, Jono, was informative and funny and able to help everyone get their kayak into the ideal place to see the glow worms. Then a moonlight paddle back to the shore. Everything felt really safe, even in the dark with really good intro given to beginners, torches so you can see each other, and if you're by yourself you share a boat with the lovely guide. Good kit provided, including jackets to keep you warm after the hot pools. Even got eco-friendly water bottles and Whittaker's chocolate! I'd recommend this as my favourite glow worm tour as you are so much closer than when you go to the big caves and it's so magical just being in a little cave with all the lights reflected on the water. Thanks guys, awesome tour!
Written 7 July 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Heather F
2 contributions
out glowworm adventure
Jan 2022
What an adventure! Kayaking across the lake in McLaren Falls Park and into the "crack in the World" as the youngest of our party called it with one of the best displays of glowworms was awesome. Returning in the dark, disturbing a group of swans (poor things must have been wondering where we all came from in the dark) and following the glow of our tour guides kayak added to the experience. Our three guides were fantastic.
Written 25 January 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Waimarino
We're so pleased that you enjoyed your night. The "crack in the world" is a fantastic way to describe it ! Thanks for the great review.
Written 7 February 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
cocotravel2015
Napier, New Zealand15 contributions
Exceeded our already high expectations
Jan 2021
What a great tour. Not just glow worms, which were beautiful but the whole experience. It really was a wonderful evening experience. Oli Chris and Daniel made everyone feel welcome and were great fun and full of knowledge. From the arrival, the fun drive, welcome refreshments through to the brief, the beautiful but gentle kayak paddle over the lake and into the glow worm areas.
Much more than it sounds. Wonderful. Highly recommend.
Written 18 January 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Waimarino
Hi there! Thank you for your glowing review! We are so happy to hear that you found the entire experience to be magical. I'm sure the glow worms were shining extra bright for your group that night!
Written 7 February 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
David_Virag
2 contributions
Evening Glow Worm BIG KANU tour
Feb 2020 • Couples
My husband and I took my parents visiting from overseas to the BIG KANU tour to see the glow worms on Lake McLaren. We chose this instead of the kayak tour as my parents are retired, Mum is scared in the kayak, plus I am six month pregnant. The big canoe was a great choice, very stable and easy to paddle. Josh and Emil from Waimarino tours were amazing tour guides, very knowledgeable, entertaining and considerate. We loved the experience, watching the glow worms in the canyon from the lake was beautiful and very unique. We all felt safe in the canoe and had great fun. We highly recommended booking it - we just rang the phone number given on the internet and booked it directly with the office even though there was no scheduled Big Kanu tour for that week. They were very flexible and kind.
Written 9 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Ivan Ivanov
Auckland, New Zealand8 contributions
Uniques glow-worm experience with test of adventure and lovely wines
Aug 2020
We had a great experience and I highly recommend it if you are more active and looking for an alternative to big crowds in the Waitomo caves. We started from a relatively short drive to the lake shore where we were offered nice New Zealand wines and great snacks. Then we paddled in our double kayak on the lake in the dusk. When it was quite dark we saw several deer. Finally, we got to the canyon where we saw a real magic. Great trip, excellent guide, unique experience!
Written 13 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Maria G
Epping, Australia2 contributions
Beautiful and Tranquil
Nov 2022
Amazing Guide! and interesting to know more about the Glow worms. :)

The hot springs and BBQ was awesome and I definitely recommend this tour.

Seeing the moon over the lake at night and the beautiful glow worms in the cave with a Kayak was certainly an experience.

Thank you! :)
Written 20 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Waimarino
It truly is a great experience, we are so glad that you enjoyed it !
Written 20 November 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Ali M
Sydney, Australia31 contributions
Fantastic experience- definitely one for any visitors
I had high hopes for the glow worm tour and it didn’t disappoint. We had some snacks before heading off on an easy kayak to the glow worms. Our guide Royce was informative and gave us plenty of information and laughs along the way. The glow worms (or Arachnocampa luminosa as we learned) were stunning
Written 18 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Waimarino
Royce is a great guide, we are so glad that you enjoyed your experience !
Written 20 November 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Roger W
2 contributions
Awesome experience
Mar 2022
The glow-worm alcove was spectacular. A gentle paddle at sunset on a mill-pond lake made extra special by a fullish moon.

Really enjoyed this comfortable tour capably managed by our friendly guides. Highly recommended.
Written 19 March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Waimarino
Thanks so much for your feedback and recommendation. We're pleased to hear you had such a special experience!
Written 22 April 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
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Evening Glow Worm Kayak Tour in Tauranga | New Zealand