Duration
Free cancellation
Guided tour
Mobile ticket
Discover a moment of magic under the luminescent light in Waitomo Glowworm Caves. Explore an ancient world hidden away in New Zealand's unique, natural beauty.
4.5/5
(1,315)
Michelle
Amrita
Catrin
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Enjoy a slow-paced 45-minute tour through 250 meters of the Waitomo Glowworm Caves, exploring the ancient dual-level system.
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Witness tiny creatures creating a celestial galaxy in the Glowworm Grotto with their radiant luminescence.
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Walk through the upper chamber of the 30-million-year-old cave system, then sail through the lower level encountering glowworms and the Cathedral.
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Care to explore more of this glowing haven? Opt for the 1.5-hour Ruakuri Caves tour, the longest underground walking experience available in this cave system.
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Did you know? Glowworms found in New Zealand's Waitomo Caves are a unique species, and cannot be found anywhere else in the world!
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45-minute guided tour of Waitomo Grotto (if option selected)
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English-speaking guide of Maori descent
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Waitomo River boat ride
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Small group of up to 15 people
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Entry to Waitomo Cave
1.5-hour guided tour of Ruakuri Cave (if option selected)
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English-speaking guide of Maori descent
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Small group of up to 14 people
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Wheelchair accessible
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Photography allowed
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Entry to Ruakuri Cave
3-hour guided tour of Waitomo Caves (if option selected)
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English-speaking guide of Maori descent
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Small group of up to 8 people
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Snack
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Hot drinks
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Safety equipment
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Warm clothing (thermals, fleece jumper, shorts, boots, socks)
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Caving helmet
Full-day tour of Waitomo Caves from Auckland (if option selected)
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English-speaking guide/driver
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Small-group tour of up to 11 people
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Round-trip hotel transfers from Auckland CBD
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45-minute guided tour of Waitomo Grotto
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Waitomo River boat ride
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Snacks and water
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Entry to Waitomo Cave
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You can cancel these tickets up to 48 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
How do we collect reviews?
Guests from Australia, United States, Germany and over 43 countries have loved this experience
Bipin
Jul, 2025Verified booking
The Ruakuri Cave tour was an stunning experience! From the ticket booking to the tour -- well planned and customer centric. The guide was well explained and friendly. Recommended...
Michelle
Jun, 2025Verified booking
This was a great start to my vacation! Having to change my clothes to participate was a bit of a surprise but I'm so happy I did! Ash, the tour guude, was so funny and his cousin Michelle were so friendly and welcoming. It was definitely a trek through rocks nd water that came up to my thighs, which I didn't expect, but it was well worth it to see the glow worms up close. Ash took some fantastic photos and I was shocked that I got access to them in just a few days. I HIGHLY recommend this tour to anyone who is up for an adventure. Also, having them provide tea and cookies (biscuits as the New Zealanders say) afterwards was a great finish to the tour!Grillet
May, 2025Verified booking
Our guide was exceptional and what we saw had a touch of mystic. We could feel the mana of the cave and learned about its importance in Maori culture!
Christie
Jul, 2025Verified booking
Amazing to see the tunnels and the guide was amazing and efficient
Linda
Jun, 2025Verified booking
The boat trip, serene and beautiful.
Explore the Waitomo Glowworm Caves
Join this 45-minute guided tour of one of New Zealand's best natural attractions. See the ancient limestone formations and the tiny glowworms lighting up the caves.
Your guide, a Maori descendant, will narrate legends and stories, enhancing your understanding of the caves' sacredness in Maori culture. Explore a 30-million-year-old landscape, learning about the glowworms' unique biology and their bioluminescence. The tour covers 2 levels of the caves: the dry upper level, showcasing delicate cave formations, and the lower level, featuring stream passages and the majestic Cathedral, the cave's tallest chamber.
Marvel at upper chamber carvings
Before setting sail, explore the upper chamber of the caves by foot. Here, you'll witness limestone formations, carved over millennia into stalactites, stalagmites, and intricate columns. Walking in the upper chamber offers a chance to appreciate the artistic mastery of nature in sculpting these delicate structures.
Sail through the Glowworm Grotto
The tour's highlight is a slow-paced boat ride through the Glowworm Grotto. As you glide along the water, you will see thousands of glowworms shining their blue-green light on the cave ceiling. Experience a magical atmosphere as you witness a galaxy of tiny living lights. These glowworms, known as Archanocampa Luminosa, are unique to New Zealand and make the Waitomo Glowworm Caves a must-see attraction.
What to bring
- When you visit, make sure you've got a credit card or your phone set up for contactless payments (like Apple Pay or Google Pay).
What's not allowed
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Photography is permitted in designated areas of the Ruakuri Caves. However, photography is strictly prohibited in the Waitomo Glowworm Caves.
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Guests under 12 years are restricted from participating in the 3-hour guided tour.
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Backpacks are not permitted inside Ruakuri Cave
Accessibility
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Waitomo Grotto is not accessible for wheelchair users.
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Ruakuri Caves are accessible for wheelchair users.
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The small-group 3-hour guided tour is unsuitable for the elderly or those with mobility issues.
Additional information
- It's recommended to wear a warm jacket along with comfortable shoes.
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Your voucher will be emailed to you shortly.
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Please arrive at the meeting point 30 minutes before the scheduled time of your tour to avoid any delays.
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Display the voucher on your mobile phone with a valid photo ID at the meeting point.
Meeting point
- Please check your final voucher for the meeting point details and specific instructions.
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