Skip to content
Crater lakes and forested ridges seen from the air

1 / 7

Floatplane tour · Tour 2A · 25 min

Floatplane Crater Lakes Flight

Duration
Approximately 15 minutes flying (25 minutes total)
Departs
Lakefront Drive, Rotorua City Lakefront, Rotorua, New Zealand
Aircraft
Floatplane
Landing
Flyover only

Take off from Rotorua’s lakefront on a breathtaking floatplane journey over hidden crater lakes, native forests,  before returning over Sulphur Bay and Rotorua City.

Highlights

  • Thrilling take off and landing on Lake Rotorua
  • Unparalleled views of Mokoia Island, Sulphur Bay, and Rotorua City
  • Stunning views of 12 distinct Crater Lakes
  • Views of Mount Tarawera from across Lake Tarawera
  • Expert commentary on the geography and cultural heritage

Tour Description

Discover the thrill of a floatplane Rotorua adventure! Departing from our city-center lakefront pier, your floatplane will take off from Lake Rotorua before climbing around Mokoia Island, a native bird sanctuary,  to discover the hidden lakes district. Ascending over the eastern ridgeline, the lakes of Rotoiti, Okataina, Tarawera, Okareka, Rotomahana, Rotokakahi (Green Lake) and Tikitapu (Blue Lake) are all dramatically revealed. These stunning crater lakes are surrounded by native forests and pastoral lands, hidden from the city by the volcanic terrain.

Rising above Lake Tarawera, take in the 3 distinct peaks of the dormant volcano Mt Tarawera. Only from an aerial perspective can you truly appreciate the beauty of this region. Returning to the Rotorua lakefront, your descent will take you over the Redwoods, Whakarewarewa Thermal Valley and the Pohutu Geyser (the largest geyser in the southern hemisphere erupts naturally every hour so you might be lucky enough to catch it from above!), and then across Rotorua City. Your pilot will land your floatplane back on the water before taxiing you back to the jetty.

Details

Duration: Approximately 15 minutes flying (25 minutes total)

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

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

Children: Children under 2 are free of charge. 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.

Read  about our floatplane fleet here!

Gallery

Aerial view of Rotorua and the pale geothermal waters of Sulphur Bay
Blue crater lakes seen beneath a floatplane wing
Rotorua lakefront seen beneath a floatplane wing
Sunset over Mokoia Island seen from a floatplane
Cessna floatplane moored beside the Rotorua jetty
Cessna floatplane flying beneath clouds

You might also like