Mt Tarawera / Orakei Korako Landing – Floatplane

MOUNT TARAWERA / ORAKEI KORAKO LANDING – FLOATPLANE

Tour Code: 5A

This seaplane tour offers you the opportunity to fly over stunning lakes, a dormant volcano, multiple geothermal parks before landing on a river and getting an hour to walk around a diverse and colorful geothermal park!

Highlights

Thrilling take off and landing on Lake Rotorua & the Waikato River
Unparalleled views of Mokoia Island, Sulphur Bay, and Rotorua City
Stunning views of 12 distinct Crater Lakes
Fly over dormant volcano Mount Tarawera’s 8km rift line and craters
Fly over Waimangu Volcanic Valley and Wai-O-Tapu Geothermal Park, see spectacular colors and geothermal activity
Memorable landing on the river at the “Hidden Valley” of Orakei Korako Geothermal Park for a 1 hour self-guided tour
Return to the Rotorua Lakefront via the Redwood Forest and Rotorua City
Informative commentary on the geography and cultural heritage

Tour Description

Begin your unforgettable seaplane tour with a graceful takeoff from the pristine waters of Lake Rotorua. As the aircraft ascends, you’ll be treated to sweeping panoramic views of Rotorua City, the historically significant Mokoia Island, and the steaming shoreline of Sulphur Bay. With the region’s unique geography unfolding beneath you, see how many of Rotorua’s 14 lakes you can spot shimmering among the native bush and volcanic terrain.

As the flight continues eastward, the majestic form of Mount Tarawera emerges. This now-dormant volcano dramatically reshaped the region with its cataclysmic 1886 eruption — the largest in New Zealand’s living memory. Your pilot will fly directly over the 17-kilometre-long volcanic rift, carved deep into the earth. Marvel at its vivid colours, towering craters, and the wild beauty of this sacred mountain, forever etched in Aotearoa’s geological and cultural story.

From here, your seaplane tour soars over a landscape shaped by fire and water — including the submerged site of the legendary Pink and White Terraces, once dubbed the “Eighth Wonder of the World.” Witness the dramatic terrain of Waimangu Volcanic Valley, the world’s youngest geothermal system. Gaze down at the vast Frying Pan Lake and the surreal turquoise waters of Inferno Crater before continuing over Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland. There, the landscape bursts into colour with features like the Artist’s Palette and the effervescent Champagne Pool.

As you fly further south, your journey descends into one of New Zealand’s hidden geothermal gems — Orakei Korako, often referred to as “The Hidden Valley.” Your pilot will touch down on the winding Waikato River, guiding the floatplane through native bush-lined bends for a truly cinematic landing. This is an experience only a seaplane tour can offer: a remote and peaceful arrival into nature’s own geothermal theatre.

Disembark and take a 1 minute ferry ride into the park, where you’ll have approximately one hour to explore this untouched geothermal paradise on a self-guided walking tour. Discover spouting geysers, bubbling mud pools, hot springs, steaming terraces, and one of only two geothermal caves in the world. You’ll find yourself surrounded by silica formations and vibrant mineral colours in a landscape that feels almost prehistoric. Before boarding your floatplane again, enjoy a coffee or light refreshment at the on-site café.

Your return flight offers a fresh perspective — this time soaring over lush farmland, the rugged Paeroa mountain range, and back across the Rotorua Lakes District. Touch down gently at our Lakefront base, completing a journey that combines volcanic history, geothermal marvels, and scenic grandeur.

This spectacular seaplane tour is easily one of the top three experiences in Rotorua. It’s an unforgettable adventure for nature lovers, photographers, and anyone wanting to see New Zealand’s geothermal heartland in a completely unique way.

Details

Duration: Allow 2 hours 30 minutes, includes approximately 1 hour touring the park

Location: All flights depart from Lakefront Drive, Rotorua City Lakefront

Requirements: This flight operates with a minimum of 2 adult fares.

Children: Children 2-11 years pay a child fare (75% of the adult fare)

Tour duration, flight times and inclusions may vary due to weather conditions, volcanic activity and passenger loadings. Excursion landings are undertaken at your own risk and such landings are at your pilot’s sole discretion.

Curious about the plane you will fly in? Read more about our Fleet!