Lakes & Rivers

Rotorua is well known for its 18 lakes, three major rivers and heaps of ways to enjoy many of them – even at night.

 
Swimming, fishing, lakeside picnicking, paddle boarding and other water sports are the obvious activities, so hook up the boat, grab your floaties and head to Rotorua.
 
You can also soak away your worries at one of two secluded thermal hot water beaches accessible only by boat, luxury catamaran, floatplane or hike. Take a canoe, kayak or paddle board tour across a lake to see glow worms at night.
 
Do you prefer something a bit faster? Choose from an exhilarating jet boat experience through a tangled, man-made river at break-neck speed, or scream across Lake Rotorua in a jet boat that takes you to tour pristine Mokoia Island. You can even combine a jet boat ride with a unique geothermal experience at a natural hot water fall and hidden geothermal valley called The Squeeze.
 
Finally, one of Rotorua’s world-famous adventures is a must-do for adrenaline junkies: a whitewater rafting trip on the famous Kaituna River where you’ll drop off the world’s highest commercially raftable waterfall.

Check out our majestic lakes, including Lake Tarawera, Lake Rotoiti, Lake Ōkareka and the blue waters of Lake Tikitapu.