Guided Tours

Waitomo Glowworm Caves Guided Tour

Name: Waitomo Glowworm Caves Guided Tour
Start: 2025-08-17T12:40:00
End: 2025-08-17T13:40:00
Location: Waitomo

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

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

4.5/5

(1,324)

Michelle

Jun 2025

Verified booking

5/5

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!

Amrita

Jul 2025

Verified booking

4/5

Ticketing experience was great. Roads very clean and accessible. The whole experience was systematic and well-organized. Plenty of parking (30-40 cars) and clean restrooms. Restaurant and cafe inside if a quick bite is needed before/after the tour. The limestone caves were beautiful and the glowworms on the boat ride were a surreal experience. Guide was friendly and knowledgeable. Gift shop was expensive and overrated -- we know that as we had already visited several stores earlier and the ticket prices here were by far the highest. After the experience, there is the option to go on a few short trails, either to the village or to a lookout point.

Catrin

Jul 2025

Verified booking

4/5

It was fascinating and informative, although we couldn't enjoy the whole cave. Due to ongoing rain, the cave was flooded, so we couldn't take the boat. We just walked down to the dome and watched from there. You can see a small part of the glowworms. Guide was great. We got half price back. Would have been nice to know, when we booked the tickets (one day prior to the visit) that most of the cave was closed. Then I wozld have chosen another day to get the whole expirience.

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.

How do we collect reviews?
4.5
1,324 ratings
5/5
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4/5
277
3/5
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2/5
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1/5
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Guests from Australia, United States, Germany and over 43 countries have loved this experience
Bipin
Jul, 2025Verified booking
5/5
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
5/5
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
5/5
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
5/5
Amazing to see the tunnels and the guide was amazing and efficient
Linda
Jun, 2025Verified booking
5/5
The boat trip, serene and beautiful.

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.

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.