Twilight Glowworm Kayak Tour – Lake Karapiro

Kayaking through glowworm canyons at night, a truly stunning, serene, and beautiful experience. Our tour guide Neil was extremely informative about the area and was a great guide.

Had a great time with our tour guide Neal. Wealth of knowledge and felt safe at al time on the water. Great way to spend an evening a mix of activity and natural magical experience.

Our evening on the water was a joy, blessed with fine weather and ideal conditions. Until sunset, we paddled gently beneath a glowing sky. As newcomers, we occasionally drifted off course, but the support guide calmly called out directions and steered us back. The snacks at the midway break were delicious. Then came the moment we had been waiting for. Once darkness fell, the glowworms appeared, and the sight was truly mystical. A word of advice: paddling in the dark calls for a little extra care. The guides were attentive throughout, however, and we always felt secure. A modest command of English is helpful, as instructions are given verbally.

The weather was predicted not suitable for the kayak tour so the agency offered to change it into a walk. The walk was very enjoyable, we saw many many glow worms nicely, quietly and closely. The staffs were very friendly and knowledgeable. They provided good gears to help participants to properly equipped. Even if you don’t have enough warm clothes or water proof gears you will be totally fine.

Neil was an excellent guide, he was both knowledgeable and quite humorous in his commentary! The kayaking experience itself was also spectacular, the vegetation and plant-life around really makes it surreal. The glow worms were beautiful to look at, they are like stars in a night sky! ⭐️

This was a magical experience! The kayak up the canyon was absolutely gorgeous, and floating back down through the glowworms was honestly otherworldly. We were lucky that it was a calm and clear night, so we got to see the stars reflecting on the lake too! Would 100% recommend this experience for seeing glowworms.

Floating down the canyon in the dark with glow worms on both sides was pure magic. The scenery was also beautiful at sunset and we were lucky with the clear skies to get some stargazing in as well. The team was absolutely fantastic and we couldn’t recommend this experience more.

Our kayak tip was just as cool as seeing the glow worms. Kaperiera, our guide, was very informative throughout our time together. We enjoyed this trip very much and will be bring our friends and family when they come to visit us.

Our kayak tip was just as cool as seeing the glow worms. Kaperiera was very informative throughout our time together. We enjoyed this trip very much and will be bring our friends and family when they come to visit us.

Neil our tour guide did a fantastic job. Explained things clearly yet kept it lighthearted. Made sure we were always safe and in sight. Steve was helpful with kitting us out in our gear and practical stuff

Magical river trip at night! Experienced guides, safety conscious, gorgeous paddle at dusk and in the dark. Glow worms + starry narrow canyon sky + light reflected on the water = an unforgettable experience.

Easy paddle with spectacular views, great host with lots of local historical knowledge. The best viewing of the glowworms!

After a long day of travel and a tour of Hobbiton my party and I were already quite tired heading into our twilight glowworm kayak tour however once we arrive we found our two guides Mak and Alice to be so welcoming and engaging during the tour that it really helped us keep up the energy for our tour through the canyon. The tour started with a safety briefing and quick refresher on core kayaking competencies before heading down to the shore and boarding our kayaks and heading down towards the canyon. Along the way our guides shared local history and information about the local ecology along with safety tips about each section of our trip. Kayaking through the canyon during daylight both a beautiful scenic ride as well as a helpful primer on what the overall layout and shape were for the upcoming twilight float allowing us to mostly just sit back and enjoy the "lights reflected on water". Once through the canyon we landed for a light snack and warm beverage while listening to a more thorough explanation about the historical sites we passed by and the glowworm life cycle. Once sundown was approaching we had a safety briefing and clear instructions covering our twilight float through the canyon and return trip before loading back into the kayaks and once darkness had set in taking off for a relaxing trip back through the canyon carefully tended by our guides before paddling back to the lake and doing some bonus stargazing on a perfectly clear and calm night. Overall it was a brilliant experience and a beautiful way to call it a day on the Waikato leg of our journey across the country. Thanks again Mak and Alice for keeping us engaged and safe while providing some truly lovely experiences for us to bring home.

Our family loved this experience, seeing the glow worms was magical. Neil, our guide was great with stories of the past and really practical on his safety talks. My only recommendation for improvement would be to drop the extra charge for the seat supports and just build it into the price of the adventure because everyone wants them!

Beautiful tour with a small group. Very knowledgeable Guide Neil made us feel safe and comfortable throughout the trip despite it being pitch black! The paddle into the canyon during dawn was gorgeously and the glow worms in the canyon on the way out in the dark were amazing! Highly recommend - one of the highlights in NZ.

This kayak tour was lots of fun! I've barely kayaked before but felt safe and relaxed under the care of our tour guides. Gliding along the river at night with glow worms shining on the river banks was an amazing experience!

Fun and adventurous, the host was very friendly and caring. It was the moment when we were give. A small cup of warm tea and little snacks which showed how this customer Service stands out compared to to other Tours. Thank you

We had a wonderful time. Would strongly recommend this tour. The ladies running the tour were exceptional!

The tour itself was great. The location is easy to find, there is plenty of parking, and they provide everything you need (dry bags, splash pants, and a safe place to leave keys, wallets, etc.). The glow worms were incredible as well—being out on the water under the starlit sky with the glow worms above was an amazing experience. Overall, the tour was fantastic. Unfortunately, as a solo traveler I was given a single kayak, and the particular one I received was much slower and harder to maneuver than the double kayaks and even the other single kayak. While others were able to glide easily through the water after a few paddles, my kayak had almost no glide and wouldn’t go straight without constant effort. I had to paddle constantly to stay anywhere close to the group. This made it basically impossible for me to take photos without holding everyone up significantly. It also made what I expected to be a leisurely tour feel like a lot of exertion. The guide even commented that the kayak I had required more work than the others because it was so difficult to keep a straight path, which was very validating since it seemed like everyone was having a much easier time. Again, the tour itself was an amazing experience and the glow worms were truly incredible. I would suggest going with a partner so you can use a double kayak, or speaking up if you notice you’ve been given a shorter, wider kayak that may require more effort to paddle.

Well organised, informative, friendly operators. Fantastic experience...............................

Kayaking in pure darkness with millions of sparkling glowworms on canyon walls is pure magic! This kayak experience is a 10/10. Thank you, Mackey for a great birthday 💜.

We had a wonderful time. Neil was an awesome guide and the experience was unforgettable. We are so glad that we choose this way to view the glow worms.

A great experience in beautiful surroundings. Staff are knowledgeable and friendly. Unique setting and wonderful feeling as you kayak down the creek. Glow worms look like fairy lights! The lake is stunning at sunset. The pineapple lumps and treats were unexpected and a really nice touch. Lots of help entering and exiting the water and kit was clean. Thank you

Really professional team doing something they love and sharing their knowledge. The kayaking is well paced and not too physical, but if you go solo, you do have to work a bit. Drifting back through the canyon after the sun has set would be one of the most beautiful natural experiences I have had.

This tour is delightful from start to finish and I thoroughly recommend it to you. Its such a memorable trip, very carefully and safely run with all the gear you could possibly need supplied so we were all warm and comfortable throughout our time on the water. Even the delicious snacks (at the half way stage of the trip)are carefully considered and out of the ordinary! the journey back is indescribable and mustn't be explained for fear of spoiling the surprise!!! I thoroughly recommend this adventure to anyone who can lift a paddle!

This was a mixed ability tour with some participants never having kayaked before which was a surprise when part of trip is of course in complete darkness. Nevertheless, we were all safe and we did experience the glow worms in the gorge as we traversed it.

I did it the second time. Forst with a friend and then with m. Son and both times it was amazing and i enjoed it so much.

This was the highlight of ou NZ trip! The kayaks , paddles and safety equipment were in good condition. Neil, Sarah and Kaylee (forgive me for the spelling!) were amazing and fun! The paddling upstream was fun and easy, instructions were given clearly. The glow worms were magnificent! It was a clear night so we were treated to a glorious view of the stars and the milky way too! Highly recommended!

Excellent instructors. Felt safe throughout the experience. Guide helped us since we were lagging behind and we never once felt as a burden. Would recommend that they just furnish back supports to everyone without the extra charge.

Wonderful night kayak. Very safe, good leaders. Remarkable glow worm canyon nite show. A very fine experience not to miss.

Riverside Adventures Waikato was without a doubt the highlight of our New Zealand journey. Before booking, I had already seen so many amazing reviews online. However, because our daily itinerary wasn’t fully confirmed at the time, I couldn’t book in advance and only started trying to secure a spot two days before our departure. I communicated with Kelly via email — she was incredibly patient and helpful, offering thoughtful suggestions and guidance throughout. Initially, there were no spots available. Even so, I wasn’t willing to choose a different glowworm experience with other company, as I truly believed kayaking would be the most unforgettable way to see them. After sharing how much we genuinely wanted to join, and with Kelly’s help, we were so lucky to secure a booking on our very last day in New Zealand. If you’re considering this experience, don’t hesitate — book early! On December 30th, we joined the tour with great excitement. The entire team was professional, friendly, and well-organised. Kayaking at sunset was already beautiful beyond words, peaceful, scenic, and magical. But nothing compares to what came after. Once night fell and we entered the canyon, seeing the glowworms while quietly drifting on the still river was simply unforgettable. Tiny lights sparkling on both sides, total silence around us — it felt like stepping into a mysterious, enchanted world. It’s honestly impossible to fully capture the feeling in words. I would recommend this experience to anyone visiting the North Island. It is an absolute must-do! One small note for future visitors: please be mindful that no lights are allowed during the glowworm section. I briefly tried to record the moment, thinking there was no light on, but accidentally triggered the flash. I felt truly sorry and turned it off immediately. The darkness is so important in preserving the magic of the experience. Thank you again to the whole team for such a special and unforgettable memory. 💫

This was a great alternative to the traditional cave tour to see the glow worms. Our guides were super helpful with tips and instructions for the group.

The kayak tour was amazing! We previously had already done the Waitamo caves to see the glowworms so we weren’t sure if we needed more glow worms, but we had read so may positive things about this evening kayak tour, we went for it! It was SO worth it! The kayak was not difficult, super calm waters, and relatively short distances. The guides were very interesting and informative. The snack by the water was delightful. And the “drifting back through the lazy river” was absolutely magical. Highly recommend!

Beyond amazing experience with riverside adventures for the twilight kayak. Fantastic crew, and a spectacular tour of the glow worm canyon. Both my wife and I agree that we will never forget the experience as long as we live.

Bring warmer clothing put on once the sun goes down. We spent 3 weeks traveling from AU to NZ, doing various tours at different locations along the way. This tour was by far our favorite. The experience was well managed, the tour guide did a great job balancing information and activity and the glow worms were magical with the open star filled sky above.

It was awesome. Very unique experience. So beautiful and peaceful. Much better than seeing glow worms in a cave. Like being transformed to another magical world.

We did the Twilight Glow worm Kayak Tour - what a magical experience! After getting fitted in wet weather gear and then a quick briefing/intro to kayaking we slowly made our way to the riverfront and were treated to some beautiful viewing points across the river to learn about the history of the old power station and what is left of it today. We then made our way through the lush canyons to the other side where we enjoyed some light snacks provided by Lofty and Kapawerawa and further informative facts about the history of the area. Once the sun had set, we were guided back up the canyon and were treated to an amazing light show of all the glowworms situated both on the left and right sides as we leisurely paddled back. Definitely a worthwhile experience. You will get slightly wet, but it's part of the fun and adventure. Big thanks for Kapawerawa for looking after us at the back of group. Would do again and highly recommend as an alternative to seeing the glowworms in the cave.

Staff at Riverside were fantastic. Would recommend this adventure to anyone! I carried an expensive camera and they made sure nothing happened to it

The staff was super friendly and helpful. They provide you with everything you need, shoes pants and coat. The kayak trip was not too long and very scenic. We got to see so many glow worms on the rocks at night fall. I loved this experience very much. Highly recommend!

Wow, what a magical evening with my granddaughter... such a professional outfit, with two of the loveliest guides you could wish for. Information given along the way, and a stop halfway with surprise snack and warm drink (much appreciated!). But the slow drift through the dark past hundreds of glowworms was breathtaking .. I'm still in awe. Thank you team

This was the highlight of our trip. The staff were absolutely fantastic, they could not have been more helpful or welcoming to everyone. We had a fabulous time and would go back in an instance if we could.

A truly amazing trip, lofty our guide was engaging and knowledgeable. The kaayaking was great fun and easy (I opted for the seat back which made it a lot easier) kayaking at night through the glow worm canyon was awesome!

This was the highlight of our trip, beautiful, very easy going kayaking. Lovely guides. Even if you’ve seen glowworms elsewhere, this is next level. We felt very safe and well cared for throughout the experience. Would recommend hiring the backrest (additional $10) for comfort.

This was so much fun! Just amazing floating down the canyon at dusk. We had great weather and great time for all of us (2 adults and 2 teenagers).

This was a well organized, highly supportive and informational experience. The guides were experienced, knowledgeable and fun. The timing was just right with some short rests (it was windy!). They helped folks that were less experienced and make the experience fun and safe for all. Kayaking in the dark has some challenges and they made sure that they kept folks away from the stumps. They gave interesting historical information as well as information about the glow worms.

Such a fun evening experiencing the magic of the glow words and the history of the area we were in. Very friendly and knowledgeable staff who made the trip memorable.

The glowworm kayak experience was a must do! A perfect way to see the glowworms and the tour guides were very knowledgeable and friendly. Great experience that we would recommend

It was my Anniversary and I thought to myself what would I do? We would normally go to the pub but not this time. I was lucky enough to ring up and find out they had a late cancellation and 2 spots became available. That was perfect as that was exactly how many I needed! We turned up and was greeted by such an amazing crew. The staff there are so funny and very easy going. On the way the wife and I had some real bonding times and what I mean was that we were trying to get our paddles in sync because she kept filling up my lap full of water. Lots of laughs and some cool sites to see. Lofty was the main guide. He was awesome. He had some great stories to tell. Over all the 4 hours it took seemed to fly. It was a great experience. Would highly recommend doing

We enjoyed the whole experience and the glow worms were beautiful in the gorge. We were given waterproof trousers, tops, shoes, dry bags for phones and clothes and lots of insect repellent was freely available. There’s a toilet on site which I’d recommend using as we were out for over 3 hours. A lovely pit stop half way to learn about the area, share a snack and listen to the night sounds - perfect. Our only criticism is that there were far too many people on the tour. We couldn’t hear what the guide was saying on the water as so spread out and despite being told to ‘paddle up and ask me’ it was impossible. We were told to take the paddling easy but some people seemed to think it was a race and the guide even said they’d given him a challenge to keep up. It did slightly spoil the experience and we kayak fairly regularly but could spoil it for those focusing on keeping up.