There are only a handful of places in the world where you can see glowworms, with New Zealand being one of them. If you are traveling to the Bay of Plenty in New Zealand, one adventure you should take advantage of is seeing glowworms inside a cave on Lake Rotoiti. Take a kayak tour through glowworm caves on Lake Rotoiti to see the magical creatures known as glowworms.
Why is Lake Rotoiti the best place to see glowworms in New Zealand?
New Zealand and Australia are home to the only populations of glowworms, making them quite rare. What is also unique about the Lake Rototiti glowworms is that you have to have a kayak to see them.
The cave you go into to enter the glowworm cave on Lake Rotoiti is just big enough for two kayaks to enter from side to side at one time. The glow worm cave sits near the shore, surrounded by rich vegetation.
Photographing glowworms
When you enter Lake Rotoiti glowworm caves, you do not want to use flash photography, shine flashlights, or anything that emits light. Glowworms stop glowing when someone shines light on them.
Their system confuses artificial light sources with daylight, and their biological clocks signal them to stop glowing. As a result, light and flash photography can interfere with their mating and hunting activities, causing them to lose their natural behavior patterns.
This is why it is essential to minimize the use of light sources or avoid flash photography when visiting glowworm underground habitats.
Effect of light exposure on glowworms
The effects of light exposure on glowworms can be severe in some cases. Research has shown that prolonged exposure to light sources can impact the insects’ survival and reproduction rates.
In addition, it can result in a decrease in the population of glowworms in a specific area. As such, ensuring that these insects don’t see excessive light sources is paramount.
While you don’t want to photograph glowworms with flash photography, you can set your phone or camera to a setting with night mode and capture glowworms on camera.
New Zealand glowworms
In New Zealand, the Arachnocampa luminosa glowworms are the most popular. These glowworms are unique in that they produce blue-green glow worm lights.
Several New Zealand caves have glowworms, including the North and South Islands (formed over 30 million years ago). It is interesting to note that underground rivers and rainwater mixed with chemicals in the rock-eroded limestone to form caves and tunnel systems where glowworms now reside.
On the other hand, the Australian glowworms are much smaller and produce a dim, yellowish-green glow. Both species are sensitive to light and stop glowing when exposed to bright light sources, including flash photography.
What are glowworms?
Glowworms, Latin name Arachnocampa luminosa, are insects native to New Zealand and Australia. These glowing creatures belong to the family of fungus gnats and are bioluminescent.
This feature makes them popular among tourists and travelers. Did you know that glowworms emit a bright blue-green light? This bioluminescence makes them look like stars shining inside a limestone cave!
Seeing glowworms reminds me of seeing the northern lights in Alaska for the first time. Whether you’re in New Zealand looking at glowworms or the night sky of Soldotna looking at the aurora borealis, you always seem to find commonalities and differences in all forms of nature.
What do glowworms eat?
Glowworms are carnivorous and feed on other small insects such as mosquitoes, flies, and moths. They catch their prey using sticky silk threads, which are long and can reach up to 30 cm.
The worms wait patiently for their prey to tangle in their threads. Then, they devour their prey. They eat enough to sustain them for a few days before starting the hunt again.
Where do you find glowworm caves?
In Australia and New Zealand, glowworms are in damp, dark environments such as caves, caverns, and dense forests. Most commonly, they live in areas with high humidity, away from direct sunlight.
What makes glowworms glow?
Glowworms emit light through a process called bioluminescence. They have an organ on their abdomen called the Malpighian tubules, which contain a chemical reaction that makes them glow.
When oxygen combines with a pigment called luciferin, it produces light. The light is essential for the worms to attract prey or potential mates.
Where is Lake Rotoiti in New Zealand?
Lake Rotoiti is a mountain lake in the Tasman Region of New Zealand. Formerly known as Lake Arthur, the Travers River feeds it. Lake Rotoiti is inside the borders of Nelson Lakes National Park. It’s located on the North Island of New Zealand.
Finding the glowworm cave on Lake Rotoiti
To get to Lake Rotoiti look at the map below. You must bring your kayak, rent one, or go with a tour guide operator.
Wildlife on Lake Rotoiti (other than glowworms)
Other than glow worms, you’ll see a lot of other wildlife. As you paddle along the lake, you will notice an abundance of wildlife, including ducks, swans, and other waterfowl. Please keep your eyes on the elusive white-faced heron known to live in the area.
You may also spot the occasional brown trout swimming beneath the surface. The scenery is breathtaking, and you will have many opportunities to capture photos of the region’s natural beauty.
Getting your equipment to kayak a glowworm cave
If you’re going with a tour guide operator, the adventure begins at the edge of Lake Rotoiti. Here, you meet your glowworm cave guide and suit up with a life jacket and kayak.
From there, it’s a short walk down to the lake, where you will launch your kayak and begin your journey.
Kayak gear
Below is the gear provided on your kayak tour to find the glowworm caves on Lake Rotoiti:
- kayak paddle
- double sea kayaks
- water bottle
- light snack (chocholate bar)
- kayak skirt
- life jacket
- dry bag (to keep belongings dry inside kayak hatch)
What to bring with you
Kayaking on a lake can be unpredictable. Winds could pick up, it could rain, or you could capsize your boat. Here’s a list of recommended things to bring with you on the kayak tour to see glowworms on Lake Rotoiti in New Zealand.
- warm clothing
- wear a swimsuit under your clothing
- footwear (tennis shoes, water shoes, or keens)
- 1-2 towels
- camera
- zip lock bags
- a change of clothes
- hat
- sunscreen
The kayak tour to a NZ glowworm cave
Located in New Zealand’s Bay of Plenty region, Lake Rotoiti is the perfect place to experience this stunning country’s natural beauty and wildlife. Let’s look at what you can expect from a kayaking excursion in search of glowworms.
The primarily gentle waters of Lake Rotoiti are ideal for kayaking and provide a peaceful and serene environment to explore the area. Your guide will be able to show you the best routes to take and point out any points of interest.
For those who cannot go by kayak, some tour guides offer boat rides on Lake Rotoiti to the nearby hot spring pools.
Pickup location
- 41C Otaramarae Road, Okere Falls 3074, New Zealand (main meeting point)
- Tauranga (if on a cruise ship a tour guide will pick you up and drop you off from here)
- the tour guide operator can pick you up for an additional $30 (NZD) if picking you up at a central location in Rotorua
- our group left the port where our boat docked in Tauranga since we were cruising on Holland America Noordam ship on a 14-day Australia to New Zealand cruise
Glowworm tour requirements
Prior kayak experience is optional, although you should be familiar with paddling and be comfortable being on a body of water. You should be in relatively good shape to explore the cave system in the tight quarters of a kayak.
- minimum age: 8 years old
- 2 person minimum to book
- no denim jeans (shorts or quick-drying pants recommended)
- moderate to strenuous activity
- people with heart conditions should not go on this glowworm kayak adventure
- where a personal flotation device (PFD) or life jacket
Time spent kayaking
- your tour will spend approximately 2 hours kayaking on Lake Rototiti
- your kayak group will spend about 45 minutes at natural hot pools to swim at Manupirua Beach
- you’ll spend approximately 10 minutes inside the limestone cave
- total tour: 2.5 to 3 hours
Cost to kayak to a glowworm cave
- $145 (NZD) adult
- $90 (NZD) child
Waimarino kayak tour
- Website: https://glowwormkayaking.com/
Finding glowworms in NZ by kayak: a unique adventure
Kayaking tours of the glowworm caves on Lake Rotoiti offer a one-of-a-kind adventure sure to make a lasting impression. It’s the perfect way to combine the thrill of kayaking with the wonder of exploring natural wonders and, most importantly, the magic of the glowworms.
There’s so much to do in NZ, and this adventure was my second favorite followed by diving with great white sharks near Stewart Island.
Other glowing caves in New Zealand
- Waimoto glowworm caves
- Te Anau glowworm caves
Glow worm caves in New Zealand are a natural wonder. They deserve environmental attention and respect.
There are steps eco-tourists can take to help ensure glowworm survival. For example, minimize flash photography, stick to designated walking trails, and follow your tour guide’s rules.
With experienced guides, safe kayaks, and the right equipment, the tour is accessible to anyone thirsty for adventure. Some might think the kayak tour to see glowworms on Lake Rotoiti is expensive.
However, seeing such a rare animal in its natural environment is well worth the cost to others. So, whether you’re a seasoned adventurer or a first-time kayaker, a kayaking tour of a glowworm cave on Lake Rotoiti is an adventure you won’t soon forget!
Have fun visiting one of the most highly recommended glowworm caves in New Zealand! Do you have any questions about getting to Lake Rotoiti? Let us know in the comments section below.
If you want to learn about other great caves to explore, join us on cave adventures around the world. Do you love caves like we do? Try visiting Linville Caverns in North Carolina.
We hope you enjoyed reading this article about exploring the caves at Lake Rotoiti to see glowworms. Check out our other adventures and follow us on Instagram (@theearthbyfoot) to see where we’re traveling now.
