Combos

Te Anau Glowworm Caves & Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruise

4.7/5(60)

William H

Solo

Verified booking

Yesterday

An amazing cave with rushing stream and of course the glow-worms. Great guide who took us through the cave - partly walking and partly on a boat as we admired the tiny glow-worms.

Justin R

Family

Verified booking

3 weeks ago

This tour has it all, a perfect length cruise down the picturesque lake with some commentary from time to time about interesting locations or historical facts. A small forest walk through moss laden trees and across a babbling stream. Videos about our little 'stars' of the show, the glow worms. Caving, I was nervous I would be claustrophobic but it was fine, felt safe and well guided all the way. In my personal opinion you can't skip this if you visit Te Anau.

Christophe C

Group

Verified booking

2 weeks ago

An exhilarating boat ride, breathtaking views, and an immersion into the world of glowworms that was as astonishing as it was magical—all in the company of very friendly guides.

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.

Pair Te Anau's glowworm caves with an overnight Doubtful Sound cruise, a remote fiord that is larger and more secluded than Milford.

At Te Anau Glowworm Caves join a small-group guided tour with Lake Te Anau cruise, cave visit, forest walk, expert guide, tea and coffee included.

On Doubtful Sound cruise overnight with Lake Manapouri, coach transfers from Te Anau, nature guide, 3-course dinner, breakfast, tea and coffee.

Plan this over two days, combining the glowworm caves tour and Doubtful Sound cruise in one booking, with kayak or tender ride if weather allows.

Te Anau Glowworm Caves

Glowworm Caves tour

Expert guide

Guided forest walk

Return Lake Te Anau cruise

Complimentary tea and coffee

Small-group tour, maximum 14 guests

Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruise

Full-length overnight cruise of Doubtful Sound

Expert nature guide

Cruise across Lake Manapouri

Coach transfers from Te Anau

Coach trip over Wilmot Pass

3-course dinner

Cooked breakfast

Kayak or tender boat ride, weather dependent

You can cancel these tickets up to 14 days before the experience begins and get a full refund.

60 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 States, Germany and over 11 countries have loved this experience
What our guests say
Justin R
Family
Verified booking
3 weeks ago
This tour has it all, a perfect length cruise down the picturesque lake with some commentary from time to time about interesting locations or historical facts. A small forest walk through moss laden trees and across a babbling stream. Videos about our little 'stars' of the show, the glow worms. Caving, I was nervous I would be claustrophobic but it was fine, felt safe and well guided all the way. In my personal opinion you can't skip this if you visit Te Anau.
Christophe C
Group
Verified booking
2 weeks ago
An exhilarating boat ride, breathtaking views, and an immersion into the world of glowworms that was as astonishing as it was magical—all in the company of very friendly guides.
Gerry S
Couple
Verified booking
3 weeks ago
The cave tour, the approachable and knowledgeable guides. The system usd to keep the groups flowing between activities was like a well oiled machine
Jocelyn W
Group
Verified booking
2 days ago
Fabulous trip across the lake to the caves. The cave experience was awesome, so many glow worms and walking through the cave itself is beautiful.
Johann G
Couple
Verified booking
3 weeks ago
The silence and the pitch darkness in the caves.

Discover two of Fiordland's natural highlights with this combo, from the glowworm-lit chambers of Te Anau to an overnight journey through the remote waterways of Doubtful Sound. Explore underground caves on a small-group guided tour, then travel across lakes and rainforest-covered mountains before spending a night surrounded by the dramatic landscapes of one of New Zealand's most secluded fiords.Getting started

Getting started

Begin at the RealNZ Te Anau Visitor Centre for your Te Anau Glowworm Caves tour. After checking in, board a return cruise across Lake Te Anau to the Cavern House and caves on the western shore. On a separate day, depart from your selected Te Anau pickup point for the Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruise, travelling by coach to Manapouri before crossing the lake and continuing over Wilmot Pass to Deep Cove.

What to expect

Te Anau Glowworm Caves

Cruise across Lake Te Anau on a return journey to the Cavern House on the western shore, where you enter the 12,000-year-old Glowworm Caves.

Join a small-group tour with a maximum of 14 guests as your expert guide leads you through the caves’ passages to see hundreds of bioluminescent gnats, often called glowworms.

Follow your guide along a serene guided forest walk, learning about native flora and fauna before you continue your journey back across Lake Te Anau.

Relax with complimentary tea and coffee at the end of your cave visit, a chance to recap the glowworm experience with your group.

Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruise

Cruise across Lake Manapouri, then take coach transfers from Te Anau on a coach trip over Wilmot Pass, traveling through Fiordland National Park to reach Deep Cove.

Board your vessel for a full-length overnight cruise of Doubtful Sound, with an expert nature guide sharing insights on the fiord’s landscape and wildlife as you sail.

Savor a 3-course dinner in the evening and a cooked breakfast the next morning, with complimentary tea and coffee available onboard throughout.

Join a kayak or tender boat ride, weather dependent, to explore tranquil coves and shoreline areas that are not accessible to larger vessels.

What to bring

Te Anau Glowworm Caves Guided Tour

Display your mobile voucher with a valid photo ID at the RealNZ Te Anau Visitor Centre.

Wear non-slip shoes or boots, warm layers such as a sweater or fleece, and a waterproof jacket.

Carry sunscreen, sunglasses, and insect repellent for the lake cruise and forest walk.

Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruise

Display your mobile voucher with a valid photo ID at your selected Te Anau pickup point.

Bring non-slip walking shoes or boots, warm layers, a waterproof jacket, and a change of clothes for wet or windy conditions.

Carry sunscreen, sunglasses, insect repellent, essential medication, and a camera.

Pack lunch and snacks for the first day, before onboard meals are served.

Bring swimwear and appropriate clothing if you plan to participate in water activities.

What's not allowed

Te Anau Glowworm Caves Guided Tour

Photography and video recording are not permitted inside the glowworm caves.

Accessibility

Te Anau Glowworm Caves Guided Tour

This experience is not suitable for wheelchair users or guests wearing heeled shoes.

A reasonable level of agility is required, as guests must navigate steps, bend to pass through low cave entrances, and move through the cave passages.

This experience is not suitable for infants.

Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruise

A reasonable level of mobility is required due to the multi-leg journey and access via floating wharves.

Additional information

Te Anau Glowworm Caves Guided Tour

Meet your guide at the RealNZ Te Anau Visitor Centre, located at 85 Lakefront Drive, Te Anau 9640, New Zealand.

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

Your voucher will be emailed to you, and you can display it on your mobile device.

Keep noise to a minimum inside the caves, as glowworms are sensitive to noise and may dim their lights.

Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruise

Choose between Safer Parking at 48 Caswell Road and the RealNZ Te Anau Visitor Centre at 85 Lakefront Drive, Te Anau, as your pickup point.

Arrive at your selected pickup or boarding point at least 15 minutes before your scheduled departure.

Your voucher will be emailed to you, and mobile vouchers are accepted at pickup.

Bring only one carry-on bag per person to keep your onboard space comfortable.

Duvets, sheets, and towels are provided in your cabin.

Snacks and drinks are available for purchase onboard, with cashless payments only.

Kayaking, tender boat rides, and swimming are weather-dependent and may vary on the day.

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.