Starlight Gourmet Kayak and Glowworm Tour, Lake Rotoiti, Rotorua
If you’re looking for a glowworm experience in Rotorua that feels relaxed, authentic, and genuinely special, the Starlight Gourmet Kayak Tour with Waimarino Kayak Tours is hard to beat. This unforgettable evening on Lake Rotoiti blends calm waters, rich kōrero, incredible kai, and the quiet magic of glowworms under the stars.
It’s the kind of experience where you slow right down, connect with the whenua, and simply enjoy being present.
A Relaxed Start on Lake Rotoiti
The evening begins as you paddle out onto the peaceful waters of Lake Rotoiti while the sun starts to sink behind the hills. Native bush surrounds the lake, birdlife settles in for the night, and the light softens into golden tones.
Along the way, your guides share local history and Māori myths and legends connected to the area, offering insight into the deep relationship between the people, the lake, and the surrounding land. It’s a warm welcome grounded in manaakitanga, setting the tone for the night ahead.
Soaking at Manupirua Hot Pools
One of the highlights of the Starlight Gourmet Kayak Tour is a visit to the Manupirua Hot Pools, a secluded geothermal spot that can only be accessed by water. As evening approaches, you’ll have time to relax in the naturally warm pools, soaking in the peaceful surroundings and enjoying the calm of the lake.
It’s the perfect way to unwind before the next part of the adventure.
A Gourmet Kiwi Dinner by the Lake
After your soak, it’s time to enjoy a beautifully prepared gourmet BBQ dinner, celebrating Te Reka o te Aotearoa – the flavours of New Zealand. The menu is generous, relaxed, and full of local favourites, cooked fresh on site and shared in a casual, welcoming setting.
Dinner includes:
- Barbequed smoked Regal King salmon
- Wild game sausages from Naked Meats Butchers
- A fresh mesclun salad with tomato, cucumber, feta, walnuts, and Barker’s New Zealand dressing
- A classic Kiwi ice cream to finish
- Enjoying great kai beside the lake as darkness settles in is a highlight in itself -simple, delicious, and deeply satisfying.
With dinner finished and night fully set in, you’ll paddle once more – this time toward a hidden glowworm cave tucked into the shoreline. As you quietly enter the cave, thousands of glowworms light up the darkness, scattered across the rock like a living constellation. It’s calm, silent, and truly awe-inspiring.
After leaving the cave, the experience continues beneath the night sky. As you glide across the lake, your guide shares stories of the whetū (stars) and how they were used for navigation and storytelling, adding another layer of meaning to an already magical night.
Why This Is Rotorua’s Standout Glowworm Experience
What makes the Starlight Gourmet Kayak Tour so special is the balance. It’s not rushed or overly scripted -it’s thoughtful, peaceful, and deeply connected to place. From paddling and soaking to storytelling, glowworms, and shared kai, every part of the journey flows naturally into the next.
It’s ideal for couples, small groups, and anyone wanting a glowworm experience that goes beyond just “seeing the lights” and offers something richer and more memorable.
If you’re searching for the best glowworm experience in Rotorua, the Starlight Gourmet Kayak Tour with Waimarino Kayak Tours delivers on every level. Come for the glowworms, stay for the stories, the food, the stars, and the feeling of being truly connected to this special part of Aotearoa.
✨ A night on the lake you won’t forget
