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Guided Tours

Waitomo Glowworm Caves Guided Tour

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.

Duration

1 hr - 7 hr

Open today

09:00am - 05:00pm

Free cancellation

Free cancellation up to 48 hours before the start of your experience

Book now, pay later

Book now without paying anything. Cancel for free if your plans change.

Guided tour

4.6/5

(1,398)

Birgitta Schiller

Birgitta

Nov 2025
Verified booking
5/5
One of the best things I ever done! It's such an amazing experience to go through the cave- and to be guided in a smal group makes it personal and an unforgettable moment in life. The caves are astonoshing beautyful, and of course the highlight are the glowworms. I hope I rate the right tour - I did another one as well- but the eco tour, down to earth is special. Everything is provided, the outfit is incredible and that it is in family business makes me thankfull to have the opportunity to even be invited to this wonder of nature.
Arth Vincent Andal

Arth

Oct 2025
Verified booking
4/5
I really loved the Waitomo Glowworm Cave tour. It was amazing to witness the stunning rock formations, especially the stalactites and stalagmites, and to see the glowworms in their natural habitat. Although there were not many glowworms during our visit, the experience was still magical. It would be great if they allowed accredited photographers to take pictures inside the cave using controlled lighting without flash. But I completely respect the rules since they help protect the cave environment and its unique wildlife.
Gregor Schmidle

Gregor

Nov 2025
Verified booking
5/5
The tour is considerably more expensive than the classic "Gloworm Cave Tour" in Waitomo. However, it is worth every penny. The small group size and the experienced tour guide Ash make this couple of hours unforgettable. From logistics, safety, friendlyness, empathy, professinal photos, all adds up to a perfect package. And for those who struggle a bit in dark confined spaces, Ash literally walks and talks you through so that every step is a safe one. Highly recommended!

    • 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.

  • Waitomo Glowworm Caves Guided Tour

    • 45-minute guided tour of Waitomo Gloworm Cave

    • English-speaking guide of Maori descent

    • Waitomo River boat ride

    Ruakuri Cave Guided Tour (as per option selected)

    • 1.5-hour guided tour of Ruakuri Cave

    • English-speaking guide of Maori descent

    Offbeat Waitomo Glowworm Cave Small-Group Guided Tour (as per option selected)

    • 3.5-hour guided tour of Waitomo Glowworm Cave

    • Exclusive access to a private cave system on a family farm

    • Expert local guide

    • Small group of up to 8 people

    • Safety equipment & warm clothing

    • Snack & hot drinks

    From Auckland: Waitomo Glowworm Cave Guided Tour (as per option selected)

    • 45-minute guided tour of Waitomo Gloworm Cave

    • Round-trip hotel transfers from Auckland CBD

    • English-speaking guide/driver

    • Waitomo River boat ride

    • Snacks & water

  • You can cancel these tickets up to 48 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.

  • 4.6
    1,398 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.

    982
    289
    72
    30
    25
    Guests from Australia, United States, United Kingdom and over 10 countries have loved this experience

    What our guests say

    Daniel Vermette

    Daniel

    Dec 2025
    Verified booking
    5/5
    The tour began in a cave with an interesting guide. Then the boat tour to see glow worms was a first for us and we were impressed to see all those little points of light that looked like stars. We'll be recommending it to friends if they're in the area.
    Sidal Agdogan King

    Sidal

    Nov 2025
    Verified booking
    5/5
    From the moment I stepped into the Waitomo Caves, it felt like crossing into another world. The air grew cool and still, and the dim lighting revealed limestone formations that looked like something from a fairytale — rippling curtains of stone, delicate stalactites, and smooth cathedral walls carved by water over millions of years. Our guide spoke softly, his voice echoing gently as he told the information of the cave’s Māori history and how the glowworms live their tiny, luminous lives. . Then came the part I’ll never forget: the boat ride through the glowworm grotto. We glided silently across the black water, the guide pulling us along hand-over-hand on a rope, and as we drifted further in, the ceiling above began to shimmer. At first, it was just a faint sparkle — a few dots of blue light in the darkness. But as our eyes adjusted, the ceiling came alive with thousands of glowing pinpricks. It looked like the night sky had been inverted and lowered just above us. The water reflected the lights perfectly, so it felt as though we were floating between two galaxies — one above, one below.
    Birgitta Schiller

    Birgitta

    Nov 2025
    Verified booking
    5/5
    One of the best things I ever done! It's such an amazing experience to go through the cave- and to be guided in a smal group makes it personal and an unforgettable moment in life. The caves are astonoshing beautyful, and of course the highlight are the glowworms. I hope I rate the right tour - I did another one as well- but the eco tour, down to earth is special. Everything is provided, the outfit is incredible and that it is in family business makes me thankfull to have the opportunity to even be invited to this wonder of nature.
    Gregor Schmidle

    Gregor

    Nov 2025
    Verified booking
    5/5
    The tour is considerably more expensive than the classic "Gloworm Cave Tour" in Waitomo. However, it is worth every penny. The small group size and the experienced tour guide Ash make this couple of hours unforgettable. From logistics, safety, friendlyness, empathy, professinal photos, all adds up to a perfect package. And for those who struggle a bit in dark confined spaces, Ash literally walks and talks you through so that every step is a safe one. Highly recommended!
    Denise Gerraty

    Denise

    Nov 2025
    Verified booking
    5/5
    managed to change up the tickets to an earlier session on the same day which was great as we were going to travel back to wellington after. really impressed with the tour guide and amazed by the cave system and glow worms. the only thing that would enhance the experience is to be able to touch one of the rocks inside the cave to know what it feels like but fully understand why we can not.

  • Sail through an underground wonder on a tranquil boat ride beneath thousands of glowworms on a 45-minute tour of Waitomo Glowworm Cave, guided by an expert guide and surrounded by the cave’s beauty.

    Getting started

    Your ticket includes a 45-minute guided tour of the Waitomo Glowworm Caves. Arrive 30-minutes earlier to check in and meet your group before following your guide into the cave.

    What to expect

    • Towering Kahikatea canopy: Kick off your adventure zipping between 100-year-old native trees, surrounded by sweeping views of Waitomo’s limestone hills.

    • Building the thrill: Ease in with shorter, gentler lines before graduating to longer, faster rides, hitting speeds of up to 80 km/h.

    • Stories of the land: Learn Māori legends and local history from guides whose knowledge and passion bring the landscape to life.

    • Show-stopping finale: Conquer the 280m signature zipline, soaring over the Waitomo Caves with panoramic views you’ll never forget.

    • Guided every step: Relax knowing expert guides handle your safety gear, offer tips, and capture the highlights along the way.

    • After the ride: Return to base buzzing with adrenaline, ready to share epic photos and stories from your high-flying Waitomo adventure.

  • Waitomo Caves

    Monday09:00am - 05:00pm
    Tuesday09:00am - 05:00pm
    Wednesday09:00am - 05:00pm
    Thursday09:00am - 05:00pm
    Friday09:00am - 05:00pm
    Saturday09:00am - 05:00pm
    Sunday09:00am - 05:00pm

  • What to bring

    • Wear non-slip shoes as the cave floors are wet and slippery.

    • Bring a warm jacket as the temperature of the cave can be cool.

    • 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

    • Photography and videography are strictly prohibited in the Waitomo Glowworm Caves.

    • Smoking, food, drink or litter are not allowed inside the cave.

    • Pets are not allowed inside the cave.

    Accessibility

    • This experience is suitable for guests with reasonable mobility, with well-maintained paths and sturdy handrails throughout. However, it is not accessible for wheelchairs or prams/strollers.

    • Your voucher will be emailed to you shortly.

    • Please arrive at the meeting point 30 minutes before the scheduled time of your tour to avoid any delays.

    • 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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NZ$81
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