Combos

Te Anau Glowworm Caves and Doubtful Sound Wilderness Cruise Experience

4.7/5(295)

Angus H

Couple

Verified booking

4 days ago

The day ran extremely smoothly and was very well organised with very little waiting time between the boat across teh lake, the bus and then the boat on Doubtful Sound. Same applied for the return trip. Doubtful Sound is beautiful and although it maybe not quite as dramatic as Milford Sound, it certainly makes up for it for being a lot more quieter, we were the only boat on the day we went. We loved the part when they turn the motors off and ask everyone to enjoy the silence. The food and drinks on board were very good and reasonably priced. Commentary was great on each of the three legs of our journey. A thoughly enjoyable day and highluy recommended for those that want to get away from the croiwds of Milford Sound.

Kyden A

Couple

Verified booking

Jul 2026

The Te Anau glow worm tour is a 100% must do! From the quick boat trip over to the caves with views of all the surrounding mountains, to the cave walk through and little boat inside the cave to see the worms in the dark, I couldn't recommend it anymore. We loved it!

Lynette S

Family

Verified booking

Jun 2026

The cruise across the lake is lovely and relaxing. The tour guides are friendly, helpful and very knowledgeable. Going through the cave in the boat is magical and wonderful for all ages.

Anne-britt B

Group

Verified booking

May 2026

This was a return visit for us after our honeymoon 15 years ago. The crew of the boat through to the tour guides were all friendly and knowledgeable. And the tour through the caves was a fun experience. We enjoyed it just as much a second time! There are stairs along the sturdy walkways, but it's an easy walk for most .. only two low spots that require ducking quite low, but nothing too arduous.

Deana B

Couple

Verified booking

May 2026

Loved it! Loved the sailing across to the caves just as much as seeing and finding out all about these little critters. The crew and guides were personable and humorous. It was a fun and unique way to spend a couple of hours and I'd highly recommend it.

Carlon G

Couple

Verified booking

May 2026

Nice tour through the amazing doubtful sound. It is stunning! People were really friendly. Only point of attention, is that the boat was a bit too full for my likings.

Pair Te Anau's glowworm caves with remote Doubtful Sound, reached via Lake Manapouri and Wilmot Pass, for two contrasting Fiordland days.

Te Anau Glowworm Caves tour includes a Lake Te Anau cruise, small-group guided cave visit, forest walk, plus complimentary tea and coffee.

Your full-day Doubtful Sound tour has a Lake Manapouri cruise, coach over Wilmot Pass, guided fiord cruise, tea, coffee, and language sheets.

Do the glowworm caves and Doubtful Sound on separate days in any order, one booking secures both guided experiences plus cruises and coach travel.

Te Anau Glowworm Caves

Te Anau Glowworm Caves tour

Expert guide

Forest walk

Return cruise across Lake Te Anau

Small-group tour, maximum 14 guests

Complimentary tea and coffee

Doubtful Sound Wilderness Cruise

Full-day Doubtful Sound Wilderness tour

Expert guide

Informative commentary

Cruise across Lake Manapouri

Coach trip over Wilmot Pass

Interpretation sheets in English, German, French, Spanish and Japanese

Complimentary tea and coffee

You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.

295 reviews
How do we collect reviews?
These ratings include verified reviews from both Headout guests and our trusted partners who operate this experience locally. All reviews come from real travelers who've taken this experience.
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Guests from Australia, United Kingdom, United States and over 19 countries have loved this experience
What our guests say
Angus H
Couple
Verified booking
4 days ago
The day ran extremely smoothly and was very well organised with very little waiting time between the boat across teh lake, the bus and then the boat on Doubtful Sound. Same applied for the return trip. Doubtful Sound is beautiful and although it maybe not quite as dramatic as Milford Sound, it certainly makes up for it for being a lot more quieter, we were the only boat on the day we went. We loved the part when they turn the motors off and ask everyone to enjoy the silence. The food and drinks on board were very good and reasonably priced. Commentary was great on each of the three legs of our journey. A thoughly enjoyable day and highluy recommended for those that want to get away from the croiwds of Milford Sound.
Yvonne H
Couple
Verified booking
2 weeks ago
The trip was great, staff were very friendly and knowledgeable. There only down side was we couldn't hear the comentry
Kyden A
Couple
Verified booking
Jul 2026
The Te Anau glow worm tour is a 100% must do! From the quick boat trip over to the caves with views of all the surrounding mountains, to the cave walk through and little boat inside the cave to see the worms in the dark, I couldn't recommend it anymore. We loved it!
Wayne H
Solo
Verified booking
Jun 2026
Great experience. Very friendly and helpful staff. Would recommend to anyone
Anne-britt B
Group
Verified booking
May 2026
This was a return visit for us after our honeymoon 15 years ago. The crew of the boat through to the tour guides were all friendly and knowledgeable. And the tour through the caves was a fun experience. We enjoyed it just as much a second time! There are stairs along the sturdy walkways, but it's an easy walk for most .. only two low spots that require ducking quite low, but nothing too arduous.

Explore Te Anau Glowworm Caves and a full-day Doubtful Sound Wilderness cruise in one small-group, guide-led combo.

Getting started

Begin your combo by checking in at the RealNZ - Te Anau Visitor Centre on Lakefront Drive or at the RealNZ - Doubtful Sound Manapouri Visitor Centre in Pearl Harbour, Manapouri, depending on your day’s plan. Present your mobile voucher and photo ID, then meet your expert guide and board your first cruise vessel to cross either Lake Te Anau or Lake Manapouri.

What to expect

Te Anau Glowworm Caves

This guided journey combines a lake crossing, cave visit, and short forest walk in the Fiordland region near Te Anau.

Features

Join a Te Anau Glowworm Caves tour that starts with a return cruise across Lake Te Anau to the western shore.

Visit the Cavern House area and then venture into the heart of the Glowworm Caves to see hundreds of bioluminescent gnats, often called glowworms.

Follow your expert guide on a forest walk, learning about native flora and fauna in a small-group setting with a maximum of 14 guests.

Benefit from insights provided by your guide throughout the caves tour and outdoor walk.

Pause at the end of your cave experience to enjoy complimentary tea and coffee before your return cruise across Lake Te Anau.

Doubtful Sound Wilderness Cruise

From Manapouri, this full-day Doubtful Sound Wilderness tour takes you across lakes, over a mountain pass, and deep into a remote fiord.

Features

Start with a cruise across Lake Manapouri, taking in its surrounding Fiordland landscapes on your way to West Arm.

Continue on a coach trip over Wilmot Pass, a scenic route through rainforest that links Lake Manapouri with Deep Cove in Doubtful Sound.

Board your vessel in Doubtful Sound for a wilderness cruise through a remote fiord framed by dense rainforests and waterfalls.

Spend the day with an expert guide who offers informative commentary on the region’s nature, geology, and history.

Use interpretation sheets available in English, German, French, Spanish, and Japanese to follow key points during the Doubtful Sound Wilderness Cruise.

Take advantage of complimentary tea and coffee on board during the full-day Doubtful Sound Wilderness tour.

Note that meals and drinks other than the included tea and coffee are not provided on the Doubtful Sound Wilderness Cruise.

Wrapping up

You can arrange the Te Anau Glowworm Caves tour and the Doubtful Sound Wilderness Cruise on different days, using the same combo booking for both. After each guided component ends at its respective pier or visitor centre, you are free to continue your Fiordland travels or return to your accommodation at your own pace.

Te Anau Glowworm Caves Guided Tour

What to bring

Ticket and ID: Display your voucher on your mobile along with a valid photo ID at the meeting point.

Footwear: Wear non-slip shoes or boots suitable for steps and damp cave surfaces.

Outerwear: Bring a waterproof jacket and a warm sweater or fleece jacket.

Sun protection: Carry sunscreen and sunglasses for the lake cruise and forest walk.

Insect protection: Bring insect repellent for the forest and lakeside areas.

What's not allowed

Photography in caves: Photography and video filming are not permitted inside the cave.

Accessibility

Wheelchair access: This tour is not suitable for wheelchair passengers.

Footwear restrictions: This tour is not suitable for those wearing heeled shoes.

Mobility requirements: You need reasonable agility as bending and steps are required in low cave entrances.

Infant suitability: This experience is not suitable for infants.

Additional information

Meeting point: Meet your guide at RealNZ - Te Anau Visitor Centre, 85 Lakefront Drive, Te Anau 9640, New Zealand.

Arrival time: Arrive at the meeting point at least 20 minutes before your scheduled tour time.

Ticket delivery: Your voucher will be emailed to you and can be shown on your mobile device.

Cave etiquette: Stay quiet inside the caves as glowworms are sensitive to noise and may dim their lights.

From Manapouri: Doubtful Sound Wilderness Cruise

What to bring

Ticket and ID: Display your voucher on your mobile along with a valid photo ID at the boarding point.

Footwear: Wear non-slip shoes or boots suitable for boat decks and wharf access.

Outerwear: Bring a waterproof jacket and a warm sweater or fleece jacket.

Sun and insect protection: Carry sunscreen, sunglasses, and insect repellent for outdoor sections of the tour.

What's not allowed

Accessibility

Mobility requirements: A reasonable level of mobility is needed due to the multi-leg journey and floating wharf access.

Additional information

Boarding point: Board at RealNZ - Doubtful Sound Manapouri Visitor Centre, 64 Waiau Street, Pearl Harbour, Manapouri 9679.

Arrival time: Arrive at the boarding point at least 15 minutes before your scheduled departure time.

Ticket delivery: Your voucher will be emailed to you and can be shown on your mobile device.

Vessel details: The cruise vessel used for the tour is subject to change without notice.

Meals: Meals and drinks are not included, apart from complimentary tea and coffee on board.

Your voucher will be emailed to you shortly.

Display the voucher on your mobile phone with a valid photo ID at the starting point.

Please check your final voucher for the starting point details & specific instructions.