The best glowworm kayak tour in Tauranga is Waimarino Kayak Tours’s Evening Glowworm Kayak Tour, which departs daily from The Waimarino Group Offices in Bethlehem Tauranga. From there enjoy a short drive to the secluded Lake McLaren to start the journey. Paddle into the Mangapapa Canyon on Lake McLaren, home to thousands of Glowworms. It’s the only tour in the region that combines sea kayaking with a Glowworm encounter, and it’s been running since 2004.
What happens on the tour?
The evening starts with a short scenic drive from Waimarino Group offices, to Lake McLaren. Before you even touch a paddle, you’re welcomed with Te Reka o Te Whenua, “the taste of the land”, a tasting session of New Zealand cheeses, rewarewa honey, and locally brewed kombucha (with warm spiced mulled wine on offer in the cooler months). You’ll get a full safety briefing, no experience is needed, then launch your double kayak onto the lake just as the sun starts to drop.
The paddle to the canyon takes around 30 minutes, timed so you arrive right as full darkness sets in. That’s the key to this tour: glowworms need real darkness to shine at their brightest, so Waimarino Kayak Tours only runs one departure a day, timed to sunset.
What will I actually see?
Inside the narrow, high-walled Mangapapa Canyon, thousands of glowworms cling to the rock faces like scattered stars. Your guide will explain the life cycle of the New Zealand fungus gnat (the insect behind the glow) and point out the Southern Cross on the paddle back, along with local Māori stories about the land and night sky.
How long does it take and who is it for?
The full experience runs around 3 to 3.5 hours. It’s suitable for ages 8 and up, with a low fitness requirement, this is a calm, guided paddle, not a workout. A minimum of two people is required for the tour to run.
Why choose kayaking over a walking glowworm tour?
Unlike land-based glowworm attractions, this tour gets you onto the water itself, past birdlife and native bush, before entering a canyon that’s only accessible by kayak. It’s quieter, more intimate, and there’s no queuing with large tour groups. See more about where we paddle here.
FAQs: Glowworm Kayak Tour Tauranga
Where does the Tauranga glowworm kayak tour depart from? Waimarino Group Offices/ Waimarino Adventure Park, 36 Taniwha Place, on the Wairoa River, about 10 minutes from Tauranga city centre.
Do I need kayaking experience? No. Guides give a full briefing beforehand and double kayaks make it easy for beginners to stay balanced and paddle in sync.
What should I wear? Warm, comfortable layers. Avoid jeans and heavy cotton, they get cold and heavy if damp. Closed or casual footwear is recommended.
Can kids do this tour? Yes, the tour welcomes ages 8 and older. If you have younger children, or would like a tour designed with children in mind- check out the Big Kanu Glowworm Tour– this visits the same glowworm canyon, it is a shorter tour in a larger boat.
What if it rains? The tour can operate in almost all weather conditions, since you’re mostly sheltered by the canyon and kept warm once paddling.
