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Evening Glow Worm Kayak Tour

North Island

Taiao Adventures

from
NZ$265
per person
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Glowworms glowing along the canyon walls as kayakers pass through on Lake McLaren

Experiences

Kayak & Canoe Tours Kayak & Canoe Tours Family-friendly Tours Family-friendly Tours Nature & Wildlife Nature & Wildlife Half-Day Tours Half-Day Tours

North Island

Start: Lake McLaren Falls Park
Location: Tauranga
Travel Time: 3 hours
Difficulty: 2
Minimum Age: 8

Details

Explore Tauranga’s Enchanting Glowworm Canyon

As the sun begins to sink behind Tauranga’s rolling hills, your journey starts at Waimarino by the tranquil Wairoa River. Here, guests relax with refreshments while watching the sky transform into shades of gold and pink. Once twilight arrives, the adventure gently moves onto the water.

Under the guidance of experienced local instructors, you’ll paddle along peaceful river stretches toward the hidden Glowworm Canyon. The water reflects the last light of day as the atmosphere shifts to calm and quiet anticipation. When night fully falls, the canyon reveals its mesmerising glow, an otherworldly sight created by thousands of sparkling glowworms.

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A Closer Look at Waimarino’s Twilight Kayak Adventures

At Waimarino Kayak Tours, the Evening Glowworm Kayak Tour offers an unforgettable encounter with nature’s own light show. With only one tour departing daily before sunset, the experience feels exclusive and intimate. Your guides share fascinating insights about the glowworms’ life cycle, their unique biology, and the surrounding ecosystem, enhancing the magic of the journey.

This memorable Tauranga experience blends relaxation, exploration, and natural beauty in perfect harmony. It’s an ideal evening escape for travellers seeking something both peaceful and extraordinary beneath the starlit New Zealand sky.

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Happy young adult group posing before the Evening Glowworm Kayak Tour at Lake McLaren
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Group of adults wearing life jackets, ready for the Evening Glowworm Kayak Tour
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Two people kayaking on calm Lake McLaren surrounded by trees at sunset
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Glowworms glowing along the canyon walls as kayakers pass through on Lake McLaren
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Kayak guide leading a group through the glowworm canyon at Lake McLaren
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Aerial view of Lake McLaren under a star-filled night sky with kayakers below

WHAT TO BRING

  • Warm, comfortable clothing (no jeans, please)
  • Casual footwear – we will do our best to keep your feet dry.

WE PROVIDE

  • High-quality kayaking equipment
  • Tandem sea kayaks
  • Life jackets
  • Refreshments before your tour
  • Insect repellent

AGE INFO

  • Minimum Age: 8 years

CANCELLATION & REFUND

Individuals and Small Groups (under 10)

Peak season (26th Dec – end of Feb)
  • Outside 48 hours before travel: Full refund**
  • Within 48 hours before travel: No refund.
Off-peak (1st March – 24th Dec)
  • Outside 24 hours before travel: Full refund**
  • Within 24 hours before travel: No refund.

For groups over 10 people:

  • Outside 14+ days before travel: Full refund**
  • 7-14 days before travel: Full refund less NZ$150 admin fee**
  • Within 7 days before travel: No refund.

Note: **Refund excludes credit card, payment or booking fees if applicable, which are non-refundable.

Please see more information on refunds and cancellations in Go New Zealand's terms and conditions.*

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