Lake Rotoiti Evening Kayak Tour including Hot Springs, Glowworm Caves and BBQ Dinner

4.9 (65 verified reviews)

Kayakers soaking in square lakeside hot pools at Manupirua Springs, red kayaks pulled up on the shore

Kayaks inside a dark lakeside cave with glowworms speckling the rock ceiling

Two silhouetted paddlers raising their paddles in a double kayak under an orange sunset sky

Jetty leading to the lakeside hot pools and huts at Manupirua Springs, a row of red kayaks on the beach

Two smiling paddlers in a red double kayak on the lake at sunset

About This Experience

This is a guided evening kayak trip on Lake Rotoiti that ends the day with a hot soak, a barbecue and glowworms, from $131 per person, and it runs only from 1 November to 30 April. You meet at the boat ramp at Okere Falls, get kitted out and briefed, then paddle for about an hour across the lake to Manupirua Springs, a set of hot pools on the shore that can only be reached by water or air.

At the springs you have plenty of free time. The pools sit right at the lake edge, at a range of temperatures and fed by a natural hot spring, and you can swim in the lake between soaks while your guide cooks a Kiwi barbecue dinner. Entry to the pools, the meal, the equipment and Department of Conservation fees are all in the price.

After dinner you paddle back as the sun goes down, slipping into lakeside caves to see glowworms, and sometimes kōura, the native freshwater crayfish, before finishing in the dark. Your guide shares local history and Māori legends on the way. Allow about six hours in all, with around two hours of paddling.

It suits active couples, friends and families with children aged 5 and over who want to earn their soak, and anyone keen to bathe somewhere you cannot drive to. You need moderate fitness, since a headwind can make the outward paddle hard work, and the trip is not recommended in pregnancy or for anyone with poor cardiovascular health. The operator can change or cancel for weather or low numbers. It averages 4.9 across 65 Viator reviews, which praise the guides, the barbecue and paddling a calm lake at night.

Highlights

Paddle across Lake Rotoiti to Manupirua Springs, hot pools on the lake edge that you can only reach by water or air
Plenty of time to soak in pools of different temperatures, fed by a natural hot spring, and to swim in the lake
A Kiwi barbecue dinner cooked by your guide while you soak
A sunset paddle back across the lake into caves lit by glowworms, sometimes with kōura (freshwater crayfish) in the shallows
Local history and Māori legends from your guide along the way
Runs in summer only, 1 November to 30 April

What's Included

✓ Professional guide
✓ Full paddling training and safety briefing
✓ All specialist kayaking equipment
✓ Entry to the hot pools
✓ Kiwi barbecue dinner
✓ Department of Conservation fees

Not Included

Towels (hire for NZ$2 per person)
Transfers from Rotorua (available at extra cost)
Gratuities

What to Bring

Swimwear
Shorts to paddle in
A towel, or hire one for NZ$2
A warm layer for the paddle back after sunset
Any dietary requirements, told to the operator when you book

Good to Know & Caveats

Seasonal: the trip runs from 1 November to 30 April only.
Paddling time is about two hours in all, roughly an hour each way; allow about 6 hours for the whole trip.
Minimum age is 5, and children must be accompanied by an adult.
The recommended maximum weight per paddler is 120 kg.
Groups are capped at 20 people.
Transfers from central Rotorua accommodation can be added for NZ$15 per person.
As with any natural hot pool, keep your head above the water and do not duck under.
The operator may change or cancel a trip for weather, wind or too few bookings, with a full refund if the alternative does not suit; free cancellation also applies to your own Viator booking.

Not Suitable For

Pregnant travelers
Travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Children under 5
Paddlers over about 120 kg

Meeting Point

Meet in the car park by the boat ramp at 50 Otaramarae Road, Okere Falls on Lake Rotoiti.

What Travelers Say

Rated 4.9/5 by 65 verified Viator travelers.

Highly recommend this excursion. Initial kayak paddle was slightly difficult against the wind. The hot springs were fun and there was opportunity to swim in the lake too..warm! Tasty BBQ meal. By the time we headed to the cave it was dusk and calm on the water. An amazing experience paddling on a quiet calm lake at night...topped off by seeing the glow worms Highly recommend.
— Cathy S, Mar 2024

We had an amazing time on this Kayak tour! Our family of four enjoyed every moment from beginning to end (even the rainy moments). Swimming at the lake by the hot pools was a highlight for our 14 year-old, and our 15 year-old still talks about the stories we got to hear as we paddled from place to place. Thank you River Rats for such a great day!
— Andra B, Apr 2023

It was a beautiful experience, both energetic with the kayaking, interesting culturally with the local Māori stories, beautiful with the glow worms and relaxing with the lakeside hot pools! The bbq dinner was a nice bonus!
— Chloe L, Apr 2022

Frequently Asked Questions

When does the Lake Rotoiti evening kayak run?

Only in the warmer months, from 1 November to 30 April. Outside those dates there are no evening departures on this listing. The operator can also change or cancel a trip because of weather, wind or too few bookings, and offers a full refund if the alternative does not suit you.

Which hot springs do you paddle to?

Manupirua Springs on Lake Rotoiti, a set of hot pools at the water's edge that can only be reached by boat, kayak or air. The pools come in a range of temperatures and are fed by a natural hot spring. As with any natural hot water, keep your head above the surface and do not duck under.

How hard is the paddling?

You paddle for about two hours in total, roughly an hour each way, in kayaks with full training and a safety briefing first. A moderate level of fitness is recommended. Reviewers note that the outward paddle can be hard work against the wind, while the return after dinner is often on calm water at dusk.

Is dinner included?

Yes. Your guide cooks a Kiwi barbecue dinner at the springs while you soak and swim. Tell the operator about any dietary requirements when you book so they can plan for them. Entry to the hot pools and Department of Conservation fees are also included, so the only extras are towel hire, transfers and tips.

Can children come?

Yes, from age 5, and children must be accompanied by an adult. Families with teenagers in the reviews call the lakeside swim and the stories along the way highlights. Keep in mind it is a six-hour outing that ends after dark, so it suits children who are comfortable on the water and can stay up late.

Where do we meet, and is transport available?

The meeting point is the car park by the boat ramp at 50 Otaramarae Road, Okere Falls, on Lake Rotoiti. If you do not have a car, transfers from central Rotorua accommodation can be added for an extra NZ$15 per person; ask when you book.

What should I bring?

Swimwear, shorts and a towel; if you forget the towel, one can be hired for NZ$2 per person. A warm layer is useful for the paddle back after sunset, when the air on the lake cools down. All kayaking and safety equipment is provided, so you do not need any gear of your own.