Black Water Rafting Adventures

Take an exhilarating black water rafting adventure in New Zealand. Paddle through underground rivers, navigate hidden caves, and discover glowing wonders in the heart of Auckland's natural beauty.

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Guided black water rafting under glowworms in Waitomo Cave, New Zealand.

Group of people in wetsuits with inner tubes at Black Water Rafting, Waitomo.

Participants exploring cave during Black Water Rafting in Waitomo.

Adventurers in wetsuits and helmets explore a cave during a black water rafting tour in Waitomo.

Adventurers black water rafting in Waitomo cave with glowworms above.

Guided black water rafting under glowworms in Waitomo cave.

Group enjoying Black Water Rafting in Waitomo cave, wearing helmets and wetsuits.

Person exploring illuminated cave during black water rafting in Waitomo.

Adventurers rafting under glowworms in Waitomo Cave, New Zealand.

Participants enjoying black water rafting in Waitomo cave stream.

Adventurers in wetsuits and helmets navigate rocky stream in Waitomo cave.

Adventurers with tubes exploring a cave during a black water rafting tour in Waitomo.

Person ziplining through a cave during a Black Water Rafting experience in Waitomo.

Ruakuri Cave Black Water Rafting Guided Experience

Free cancellation

Book now, pay later

3 hr

Join a 3-hour black water rafting adventure in Ruakuri Cave, combining underground tubing, small waterfall jumps, and magical glowworm displays.
Float beneath a glittering glowworm ceiling, weave through limestone passages, and take the plunge off low, safe waterfalls.
Learn about Maori myths, the glowworm’s unique life cycle, and caving techniques from your knowledgeable guide during the journey.
Pause mid-tour for complimentary snacks, then return to The Base for a hot shower after an unforgettable glowworm-lit rafting journey.
Opt for the 5-hour black water rafting tour for a bigger challenge, featuring added thrills like abseiling, ziplining, and scaling underground waterfalls.

More details

Join a 3-hour black water rafting adventure in Ruakuri Cave, combining underground tubing, small waterfall jumps, and magical glowworm displays.
Float beneath a glittering glowworm ceiling, weave through limestone passages, and take the plunge off low, safe waterfalls.
Learn about Maori myths, the glowworm’s unique life cycle, and caving techniques from your knowledgeable guide during the journey.
Pause mid-tour for complimentary snacks, then return to The Base for a hot shower after an unforgettable glowworm-lit rafting journey.
Opt for the 5-hour black water rafting tour for a bigger challenge, featuring added thrills like abseiling, ziplining, and scaling underground waterfalls.

from

NZ$322

Guide instructing participants on safety gear for ziplining in Waitomo.

Person abseiling in a dark cave during a guided black water rafting experience in Waitomo.

Caver descending in Waitomo cave during Black Abyss tour with zip lining and rafting.

Person ziplining in Waitomo Cave with glowworms illuminating the cave walls.

Person black water rafting under glowworms in Waitomo cave.

Group enjoying a break during Black Water Rafting in Waitomo cave.

Adventurers black water rafting under glowworms in Waitomo cave.

Adventurers black water rafting in a cave during a guided experience in Waitomo.

Person in wetsuit and helmet holding an inner tube in Waitomo cave for black water rafting experience.

Caver exploring narrow passage during black water rafting in Waitomo cave.

Adventurer exploring Waitomo cave during Black Water Rafting tour.

Adventurers in wetsuits prepare for black water rafting in Waitomo cave.

Ruakuri Cave Black Water Rafting & Abseiling Guided Experience

Free cancellation

5 hr

Go on a 5-hour black water rafting adventure at Ruakarui Cave, complete with abseiling, ziplining, tubing, and glowworms.
Abseil 35m into the cave, zipline through glowworm tunnels, and tube along fast-flowing underground waters.
Your expert guide will provide instructions, safety tips, and fascinating insights on the cave’s formations and glowworms.
Take a short break to enjoy a snack, then finish your adventure with a warm shower and comforting soup after an unforgettable multi-activity experience.

More details

Go on a 5-hour black water rafting adventure at Ruakarui Cave, complete with abseiling, ziplining, tubing, and glowworms.
Abseil 35m into the cave, zipline through glowworm tunnels, and tube along fast-flowing underground waters.
Your expert guide will provide instructions, safety tips, and fascinating insights on the cave’s formations and glowworms.
Take a short break to enjoy a snack, then finish your adventure with a warm shower and comforting soup after an unforgettable multi-activity experience.

from

NZ$322

Group enjoying boat tour in Waitomo Glowworm Caves, New Zealand, with glowing ceiling.

Family exploring stalactites in Waitomo Glowworm Caves, New Zealand.

Visitors exploring Waitomo Glowworm Caves with a guide holding a flashlight.

Glowworms hanging in Waitomo Caves during a guided tour.

Visitors admiring glowworms in Waitomo Glowworm Caves during guided tour.

Visitors admire glowworms and stalactites in Waitomo Glowworm Caves, New Zealand.

Glowworms illuminate Waitomo Caves' ceiling, casting a blue glow over the water on an Auckland tour.

Glowworms illuminating the Waitomo Caves ceiling during a small group tour.

Tourists on a boat admire glowworms in Waitomo Caves, Auckland.

Glowworms illuminating the Waitomo Caves in New Zealand.

Walkway through illuminated Waitomo Glowworm Caves, New Zealand.

Visitors exploring Waitomo Glowworm Caves with glowing ceiling, New Zealand tour.

Glowworms illuminating the Waitomo Caves ceiling during a small group guided tour.

Wooden walkway surrounded by lush greenery on the Guided Tour of Waitomo Glowworm Caves.

Waitomo Glowworm Caves Guided Tour

Free cancellation

Book now, pay later

45 min

Explore the Waitomo Glowworm Caves on a 45-minute guided tour featuring a serene boat ride beneath thousands of glowing worms.
Walk through stunning limestone formations, including stalactites, stalagmites, and the towering Cathedral chamber.
Hear captivating stories and legends from expert guides descended from the Māori chief who first explored the caves.
Upgrade to the 1.5-hour Ruakuri accessible cave tour or the full-day Waitomo tour from Auckland with transfers for a longer, richer experience.

More details

Explore the Waitomo Glowworm Caves on a 45-minute guided tour featuring a serene boat ride beneath thousands of glowing worms.
Walk through stunning limestone formations, including stalactites, stalagmites, and the towering Cathedral chamber.
Hear captivating stories and legends from expert guides descended from the Māori chief who first explored the caves.
Upgrade to the 1.5-hour Ruakuri accessible cave tour or the full-day Waitomo tour from Auckland with transfers for a longer, richer experience.

from

NZ$81

Glowworms illuminating Waitomo Caves with a silhouetted person on a guided tour.

Waitomo Glowworm Caves entrance with sunlight filtering through, surrounded by lush greenery.

Small group exploring Waitomo Glowworm Caves with helmets and headlamps.

Visitors exploring Waitomo Glowworm Caves on a guided tour, New Zealand.

Offbeat Waitomo Glowworm Cave Small Group Guided Tour

Free cancellation

Book now, pay later

3 hr

Enjoy an exclusive small-group Waitomo cave adventure with private access, away from the crowds, led by an expert local guide.
Gear up with helmet, headlamp, boots, and warm clothing before venturing underground to explore hidden limestone passages and glowworm-lit chambers.
Trek through underground streams, climb over boulders, and see stalactites and stalagmites while hearing captivating Māori legends and geological insights.
End your journey with hot drinks, cookies, and a chance to relax after your adventure, with free photos to remember the day.

More details

Enjoy an exclusive small-group Waitomo cave adventure with private access, away from the crowds, led by an expert local guide.
Gear up with helmet, headlamp, boots, and warm clothing before venturing underground to explore hidden limestone passages and glowworm-lit chambers.
Trek through underground streams, climb over boulders, and see stalactites and stalagmites while hearing captivating Māori legends and geological insights.
End your journey with hot drinks, cookies, and a chance to relax after your adventure, with free photos to remember the day.

from NZ$219

NZ$197.10

10% off

Person walking through illuminated Ruakuri Cave tunnel, New Zealand.

Visitors exploring Ruakuri Cave on a guided tour, New Zealand.

Visitors exploring stalactites in Ruakuri Cave during a guided tour.

Visitors exploring stalactites in Ruakuri Cave, New Zealand.

Guided walkway through Ruakuri Cave with illuminated limestone formations.

Spiral walkway inside Ruakuri Cave, New Zealand, illuminated with warm lights.

Visitors exploring Ruakuri Cave's illuminated formations during a guided tour in Waitomo.

Ruakuri Cave illuminated passageway with textured rock walls, New Zealand.

Walkway through illuminated Ruakuri Cave, New Zealand, showcasing rock formations.

Person walking on a lit pathway inside Ruakuri Cave, New Zealand.

Ruakuri Cave Guided Tour

Free cancellation

1 hr 30 min

Join a 1.5-hour tour of Ruakuri Cave, exploring impressive rock formations and the magical glow of thousands of glowworms.
Stroll through wheelchair-friendly routes featuring beautiful limestone formations, underground rivers, and iconic sites such as The Drum Passage and The Pretties.
Listen to engaging Māori legends and fascinating facts shared by guides descended from the original Māori explorers of the cave.

More details

Join a 1.5-hour tour of Ruakuri Cave, exploring impressive rock formations and the magical glow of thousands of glowworms.
Stroll through wheelchair-friendly routes featuring beautiful limestone formations, underground rivers, and iconic sites such as The Drum Passage and The Pretties.
Listen to engaging Māori legends and fascinating facts shared by guides descended from the original Māori explorers of the cave.

from

NZ$116

Family taking a selfie at Hobbiton Movie Set entrance, Auckland tour.

Hobbiton Movie Set house with round door and garden path in New Zealand.

Tour group arriving at Hobbiton Movie Set visitor center, Auckland.

Family exploring Waitomo Caves with a guide, part of the Auckland Hobbiton Movie Set tour.

Group enjoying boat tour under glowworms in Waitomo Caves, New Zealand.

Visitors enjoying drinks at the Hobbiton Movie Set's Green Dragon Inn, New Zealand.

Double arched stone bridge and mill at Hobbiton Movie Set, Matamata, New Zealand.

Transfer vehicle for Auckland to Hobbiton Movie Set tour.

From Auckland: Hobbiton Movie Set & Waitomo Glowworms Caves Guided Tour

Free cancellation

Book now, pay later

12 hr

3 more

Experience the Hobbiton Movie Set and Waitomo Glowworm Caves on a full-day tour from Auckland with an expert guide for company.
Explore Hobbit Holes, The Mill, and other film locations on a guided tour of the Hobbiton Movie Set, ending with a complimentary drink at the Green Dragon Inn.
Take a guided walk through ancient caves and enjoy a serene boat ride under thousands of luminescent glowworms at the Waitomo Glowworm Cave.
Opt for a private tour to explore at your own pace, or join a shared tour with lunch for a relaxed, all-in-one day without worrying about meals.

More details

Experience the Hobbiton Movie Set and Waitomo Glowworm Caves on a full-day tour from Auckland with an expert guide for company.
Explore Hobbit Holes, The Mill, and other film locations on a guided tour of the Hobbiton Movie Set, ending with a complimentary drink at the Green Dragon Inn.
Take a guided walk through ancient caves and enjoy a serene boat ride under thousands of luminescent glowworms at the Waitomo Glowworm Cave.
Opt for a private tour to explore at your own pace, or join a shared tour with lunch for a relaxed, all-in-one day without worrying about meals.

from

NZ$379

Group admiring glowworms in Waitomo Caves during Auckland tour.

Visitors exploring Waitomo Glowworm Caves in Auckland, viewing stalactites and stalagmites.

Stalactites in Waitomo Glowworm Caves, New Zealand, on a guided tour from Auckland.

Group exploring Waitomo Glowworm Caves with light streaming through cave opening, Auckland tour.

From Auckland: Waitomo Glowworm Caves Guided Tour

Free cancellation

Book now, pay later

7 hr

3 more

Take a full-day guided tour from Auckland to see the Waitomo Glowworm Cave and enjoy a scenic drive through lush Waikato countryside.
Explore Waitomo Glowworm Cave with an expert guide, see limestone formations, then cruise on a boat beneath thousands of glowworms.
Your guide will provide commentary throughout the tour, explaining the cave formations and the lifecycle of the glowworms.
Take 30 minutes to explore the Gift Shop or enjoy refreshments at Waitomo Homestead before or after your tour.
Upgrade your Waitomo Glowworm Cave adventure with a Hobbiton Movie Set tour, complete with a complimentary drink at the Green Dragon Inn.

More details

Take a full-day guided tour from Auckland to see the Waitomo Glowworm Cave and enjoy a scenic drive through lush Waikato countryside.
Explore Waitomo Glowworm Cave with an expert guide, see limestone formations, then cruise on a boat beneath thousands of glowworms.
Your guide will provide commentary throughout the tour, explaining the cave formations and the lifecycle of the glowworms.
Take 30 minutes to explore the Gift Shop or enjoy refreshments at Waitomo Homestead before or after your tour.
Upgrade your Waitomo Glowworm Cave adventure with a Hobbiton Movie Set tour, complete with a complimentary drink at the Green Dragon Inn.

from

NZ$279

Group exploring glowworm-lit Waitomo Caves on Auckland tour.

Geyser eruption at Te Puia cultural site, Rotorua, with geothermal activity, small group tour from Auckland.

Geothermal steam rising from Te Puia's Pohutu Geyser in Rotorua, New Zealand.

Maori performers in traditional attire during cultural show, Rotorua, New Zealand.

Maori cultural performance at Te Puia, New Zealand, with traditional meeting house in background.

Maori performers in traditional attire performing a haka at Te Puia, Rotorua.

Craftsmen weaving flax at Te Puia cultural center, Rotorua, New Zealand.

Craftsperson weaving traditional Māori garment at Te Puia, New Zealand.

Carving traditional Maori wood sculpture at Te Puia cultural site, Rotorua.

Chef demonstrating geothermal cooking at Te Puia, Rotorua, with tourists observing.

Stalactites in Waitomo Caves, New Zealand, part of the Auckland to Rotorua & Te Puia tour.

Kiwi bird in natural habitat, part of a small group tour from Auckland exploring New Zealand wildlife.

From Auckland: Waitomo Caves, Rotorua & Te Puia Guided Tour

Free cancellation

Book now, pay later

11 hr

3 more

Join a full-day small-group day tour from Auckland to see Waitomo Glowworm Cave, Te Puia’s geothermal wonders, and Rotorua’s city highlights.
Explore Waitomo Glowworm Cave on a 45-minute guided tour with stalactites and stalagmites, then enjoy a serene boat ride beneath the glowworm-lit grotto.
Explore Te Puia Geothermal Park with a guide, seeing geysers, hot springs, Māori arts, and the unique Kiwi bird up close.
Drive through Rotorua’s most iconic sights, including Lake Rotorua, Rotorua Museum, Government Gardens, Rachel Spring, and the Blue Baths.

More details

Join a full-day small-group day tour from Auckland to see Waitomo Glowworm Cave, Te Puia’s geothermal wonders, and Rotorua’s city highlights.
Explore Waitomo Glowworm Cave on a 45-minute guided tour with stalactites and stalagmites, then enjoy a serene boat ride beneath the glowworm-lit grotto.
Explore Te Puia Geothermal Park with a guide, seeing geysers, hot springs, Māori arts, and the unique Kiwi bird up close.
Drive through Rotorua’s most iconic sights, including Lake Rotorua, Rotorua Museum, Government Gardens, Rachel Spring, and the Blue Baths.

from

NZ$419

Family exploring illuminated Aranui Cave on guided tour, New Zealand.

Visitors exploring lush entrance of Aranui Cave, New Zealand.

Guided tour group exploring limestone formations inside Aranui Cave, Waitomo, New Zealand.

Family exploring stalactites in Aranui Cave, Waitomo during guided tour.

Family exploring Aranui Cave on guided tour, admiring rock formations.

Visitors exploring stalactites and stalagmites in Aranui Cave during a guided tour.

Glowworms illuminating the ceiling of Aranui Cave during a guided tour in New Zealand.

Aranui Cave Guided Tour

Free cancellation

1 hr

Take a 1-hour guided tour of Aranui Cave, featuring fragile limestone formations and deep-rooted Māori stories.
Explore quiet, narrow passages filled with beautiful stalactites in shades of pink, brown, and white.
Listen to your knowledgeable guide share Māori myths and the story of Ruruku Aranui, the cave’s discoverer.

More details

Take a 1-hour guided tour of Aranui Cave, featuring fragile limestone formations and deep-rooted Māori stories.
Explore quiet, narrow passages filled with beautiful stalactites in shades of pink, brown, and white.
Listen to your knowledgeable guide share Māori myths and the story of Ruruku Aranui, the cave’s discoverer.

from

NZ$81

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What our guests say

Tillmann B

Couple

3 weeks ago

‌

I did this tour 36 years ago, and it was once again an amazing experience to crawl through the underground world and enjoy the glow-worm sky.

Ruakuri Cave Black Water Rafting Guided Experience

Gabrielle S

United States

Couple

Feb 2026

‌

+1 more

We had such an amazing time! Our guides were amazing and funny and made all of us strangers come together and socialize that not even trained icebreakers would be able to do. I honestly didn’t realize the experience included so much exercise, like swimming and walking through the cave. We even floated down the river without the tubes, meaning I bumped the ground more than once because my floating is subpar at best, but that made it even better. We even ended up climbing up two small waterfalls (which we definitely weren’t expecting!), and it turned into such a fun adventure. We were laughing and giggling the entire time. Everything felt so well put together, and the little touches made it extra special, especially the cookies, tea, hot chocolate, chocolate bars, and hot soup at the end. It was the perfect way to reward and relax after all the excitement. If you’re looking for something adventurous and memorable, this is absolutely worth it. We’d do it again in a heartbeat!

Ruakuri Cave Black Water Rafting & Abseiling Guided Experience

Isabel K

Couple

Jan 2026

‌

The tour was amazing!! We have been to some caves before, but this was something entirely different. The caves were not touristy at all so we could experience the beauty of the caves and the nature around it in the best way possible! Ash was an absolutely great guide and made our tour even more perfect. If you are looking for a small adventure with beautiful views, this is definitely the place to do it!

Waitomo Glowworm Caves Guided Tour

Jane C

United Kingdom

Couple

Jan 2026

‌

The formations in the caves, the variety, our guide's informative and fun commentary, being so close to the glow worms. Superb experience.

Waitomo Glowworm Caves Guided Tour

Bridget W

New Zealand

Couple

Last week

Had an amazing tour of the cave, got to see gloworms, cave formations and lots of educational stories. Well thought out path created that made it easy to explore. Highly recommend this tour.

Ruakuri Cave Guided Tour

Gaetan B

France

Couple

Last week

We loved our experience with Barbara at Down to earth ! We were only a group of 5 with an incredible guide and we recommend 100% !

Offbeat Waitomo Glowworm Cave Small Group Guided Tour

Karolina D

Canada

Family

3 weeks ago

The caves were beautiful. AJ our tour guide gave a great tour with informative facts about the cave and the worms. It was a fun adventure, walking and on the boat for our family.

Combo: Ruakuri Cave Guided Tour + Waitomo Glowworm Caves Guided Tour

Judith M

Australia

Couple

3 weeks ago

Our tour guide was fantastic and explained everything about the caves. I was a little underwhelmed with the boat ride though. I thought it may have been longer. Otherwise was a good outing.

Combo: Ruakuri Cave Guided Tour + Waitomo Glowworm Caves Guided Tour