11 Hot Pools and Spas in Auckland Worth Booking

1.Rotorua Māori Village & Hot Springs with Haka

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 58 reviews · 12 hours · from $236Our pick

Travel from Auckland in a small group of up to 11 with an English-speaking guide such as Huzefa, Matt, or Brendan. Visit living Whakarewarewa Village, watch Māori songs and haka beside geothermal pools, then relax at Polynesian Spa.

“We had a terrific trip out to Rotorua with our guide Matt, who was full of local knowledge and had a lot of solid tips for our further travels in NZ. He made sure we had rest stops and even managed to get around some of the terrible holiday traffic we experienced heading back into Auckland. The Maori village was worth the visit, we were shown around by Michael who explained everything clearly and concisely about village life and the surrounds. A musical and dance performance and delicious hangi lunch in the local café capped off the memorable visit. The Polynesian Spa was incredibly relaxing and we had a fabulous…”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.Ex Auckland: Rotorua Māori Village with Haka and Hot Springs

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 55 reviews · from $245Top rated

Leave Auckland at 6:00 a.m. for Whakarewarewa Māori Village, where local guides share Māori traditions beside steaming pools and silica formations. After a scenic Rotorua drive, relax for two hours at Polynesian Spa’s Deluxe Lake Spa before returning to Auckland. Guides may include John Paynter, JJ, or Huzefa.

“Huzedefa was great! He made it his priority to make sure everyone had a great time! I wasn’t impressed with the Māori village. Just looked like a rundown small town but the geothermal pools were cool! Interesting to see how they used the Read more”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.From Auckand: Waiotapu and Polynesian Spa Rotorua Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 40 reviews · from $235

Leave Auckland at 6:00 am with a small group of up to 11, visit Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland, arrive in time for Lady Knox Geyser, then soak in Polynesian Spa’s Deluxe Lake Spa before returning downtown. Guides such as Jason and Jamie add local context along the way.

“We weren’t sure how jet lagged we would be so decided this tour would be a great way to relax and see some of the North Island while traveling to Rotorua. We had a couple of quick stops on the way for food and bathroom breaks then arRead more”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Wai-O-Tapu & Polynesian Spa Rotorua Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 29 reviews · 12 hours · from $221Best value

Travel from Auckland in a small group to Wai-O-Tapu for a self-guided walk among steaming vents, sulfur pools, and volcanic colors, then spend two hours at Polynesian Spa beside Lake Rotorua. Guides may include Matt, Jason, or Dean. Spa entry, transport, and hotel pickup are included.

“Guide Jason fun and full of bits of info. Really enjoyed experie ce but do find all the tours pricey”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.Rotorua Te Puia with Haka & Polynesian Spa Small Group

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 13 reviews · from $245

Leave Auckland at 6 a.m. for a small-group day trip to Rotorua. At Te Puia, see geothermal wonders, Māori carving, kiwi, songs, poi, and haka. Then relax at Polynesian Spa’s Deluxe Lake Spa before returning. Guides such as Huzefa and Jaime are noted for friendly, patient service.

“Our guide Huzefa was very professional, friendly and efficient. It makes our day tour to Rotorua enjoyable and memorable. I highly recommend this tour as it is both culturally enriching as well as relaxing at the spa, being the best of both world.”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.Rotorua Te Puia, Haka & Polynesian Spa Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 10 reviews · 12 hours · from $236

Travel from Auckland to Rotorua with an English-speaking guide, tour Te Puia’s geothermal park, watch a Māori performance with haka and poi, then soak in Polynesian Spa’s mineral pools. Guides such as Jamie, Jo, and JJ have made this long day especially smooth.

“Our guide, Jamie, went above and beyond to make the trip enjoyable. He was extremely knowledgeable, took us to extra spots, and the pickup was right on time. The Polynesian Spa was very relaxing. Te Puia was nice—the geothermal area isn’t very large, but it is home to the highest geyser in the Southern Hemisphere. The haka performance was powerful and fascinating to watch. Overall, it was an enjoyable day, and I would definitely recommend it.”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.Te Puia & Hells Gate incl. Mud Spa Experience Private Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 8 reviews · from $713

Travel privately from Auckland to Rotorua for Te Puia’s Pōhutu geyser, kiwi house, Māori performance, weaving lesson, and hangi lunch. Then bathe in Hell’s Gate’s geothermal mud and sulphur pools. Expect a long day, flexible pacing, scenic stops, and a 20-minute mud bath limit for safety.

“The private tour was nice as we could move at our own pace. However the mud spa experience seemed rushed and only allowed you 20 minutes in the mud spa itself. However this time limit is not set by the tour company”

Check availability →Read our full review

8.Rotorua Highlights inc Wai-O-Tapu & Polynesian Spa

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 4 reviews · 12 hours · from $229

Travel from Auckland through Waikato and Tīrau to Wai-O-Tapu, then tour Rotorua and soak at Polynesian Spa. Your English-speaking guide handles the long drive, with Mark and Jeoff among the guides praised for friendly, useful commentary. Bring swimwear, a towel, and comfortable shoes.

“Loved the thermals steam and bubbling , quite prehistoric looking . Mark was Friendly and knowledgeable . Did a breaky/ coffee stop . Loved the relaxing Polynesian Spa and time to chill .”

Check availability →Read our full review

9.Wai-O-Tapu, Polynesian Spa & Maori Haka Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews · from $242

Leave Auckland at 6:00 am in a small group of up to 11. With an air-conditioned van, guide, and water provided, you’ll visit Wai-O-Tapu, see a Māori haka at Whakarewarewa, and relax in Polynesian Spa’s Deluxe Lake Spa.

“Wai-o-tapu Great guide- friendly and knowledgable. He got us to our two main sites the Wai-o-tapu and the Polynesian day spa! We loved the two experiences.”

Check availability →Read our full review

10.Cathedral Cove with the Lost Spring Hidden Spa

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews · from $381

Travel from Auckland with a private vehicle and English-speaking guide to walk from Hahei Beach to Cathedral Cove, stop in Whitianga, and spend two hours at The Lost Spring’s underground mineral pools. Pickup is offered, lunch is not included, and the tour suits moderately fit visitors.

“The tour was amazing and very fun Definitely recommend it our tour guy was great If you come to New Zealand you must do this tour”

Check availability →Read our full review

11.Hobbiton Movie Set Tour to Blue Springs and Mineral Spa

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 4 reviews · from $456

Travel from Auckland in a private air-conditioned vehicle to Hobbiton, then stop for lunch in Tirau, walk beside Blue Springs, and soak in a private wooden bathtub at Te Aroha Mineral Spa. The day runs about 12 hours 10 minutes and suits couples, families, and friends.

“0/5 stars. They did not pick us up and have not returned calls. Have not received refund nor explanation. Very disappointed ruined my dream trip.”

Check availability →Read our full review