Combos

Te Anau Glowworm Caves and Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruise Experience

4.6/5(52)

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.

Linda C

Couple

Verified booking

Apr 2026

Guide was friendly and knowledgeable. Glow maggots were fascinating and a bit gross! Very dark in cave so be careful. Well worth it for atmosphere and experience.

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

Complimentary tea and coffee

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.

52 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 10 countries have loved this experience
What our guests say
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!
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.
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.
Linda C
Couple
Verified booking
Apr 2026
Guide was friendly and knowledgeable. Glow maggots were fascinating and a bit gross! Very dark in cave so be careful. Well worth it for atmosphere and experience.

Explore Te Anau Glowworm Caves and a full-length Doubtful Sound overnight cruise in one small-group, guided combo.

Getting started

Begin at the RealNZ - Te Anau Visitor Centre, where you check in for your Te Anau Glowworm Caves tour and meet your expert guide. You will then board a return cruise across Lake Te Anau to reach the caves. On a separate day, your coach transfers from Te Anau will take you via Wilmot Pass to start the Doubtful Sound overnight cruise.

What to expect

Te Anau Glowworm Caves

This guided Te Anau Glowworm Caves tour combines a lake crossing, underground exploration, and a guided forest walk in Fiordland.

Features

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

From Te Anau you travel by land and water to reach the remote Doubtful Sound for a full-length overnight cruise with an expert nature guide.

Features

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.

Wrapping up

Drinks from the licensed bar on the Doubtful Sound overnight cruise are available as an additional expense, so you can choose whether to add these to your experience while keeping core inclusions covered in your combo.

Te Anau Glowworm Caves Guided Tour

What to bring

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

Footwear and layers: Wear non-slip shoes or boots and a warm sweater or fleece under a waterproof jacket.

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

What's not allowed

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

Accessibility

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

Footwear limits: This experience is not suitable for those wearing heeled shoes.

Mobility needs: A reasonable agility level is needed 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.

Voucher delivery: Your voucher will be emailed to you, and mobile display is accepted.

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

From Te Anau: Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruise

What to bring

Ticket and ID: Display your mobile voucher with a valid photo ID at your chosen Te Anau pickup point.

Footwear and warm layers: Bring non-slip walking shoes or boots and a warm sweater or fleece jacket.

Weather protection: Pack a waterproof jacket and a change of clothes for wet or windy conditions.

Sun and insect care: Carry sunscreen, sunglasses, and insect repellent, especially for deck and water activities.

Food and snacks: Bring lunch and snacks for the first day, before your onboard meals are served.

Swim and water gear: Bring swimwear if you plan to swim, and pack any personal water activity clothing.

Personal medication: Pack any essential medication, as it may not be available onboard.

Camera: Bring a camera to capture the landscapes and wildlife.

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

Pickup points: You can board at Safer Parking, 48 Caswell Road, or RealNZ - Te Anau Visitor Centre, 85 Lakefront Drive, Te Anau.

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

Voucher delivery: Your voucher will be emailed to you, and mobile display is accepted at pickup.

Luggage: Bring only one carry-on bag per person for comfort and safety on board.

Onboard bedding: Duvets, sheets, and towels are provided in your cabin.

Onboard purchases: Snacks and drinks are available for purchase, with cashless payment only.

Water activities: 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.