Guided Tours

Waitomo Glowworm Caves Guided Tour

4.6/5(1,617)

Anna M

Couple

Verified booking

Jul 2026

The huge cathedral cave with its air of reverence and outstanding stalagtites and stalagtites awes, while floating gently beneath a firmament of glow worms beguiles. Our competent guide was not intrisuve, and the high numbers of visitors were well handled so that the caves did not feel crowded or touristy. Can't recommend this highly enough!

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

These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.

1,617 reviews
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Guests from Australia, United States, United Kingdom and over 34 countries have loved this experience
What our guests say
Praneel K
Family
Verified booking
3 weeks ago
Just amazing. Chance to get very close to glow worms. Tour guide was great with very good sense of humor. Best cave tour in NZ.
Larissa R
Couple
Verified booking
3 weeks ago
I haven't been since 2004, it was as good a tour this time, and the absolute awe of the caves and glow "maggots", is still stunning today, and Corey was amazing. Hopefully next visit won't be so far in the future!
Donna M
Family
Verified booking
Jul 2026
Group Age range 13-63 and everybody rated it 5 out of 5. I do think we had the best guide - Steven was absolute entertainment. History, humor and a moving waiata in the cathedral. Its a must for everyone.
Fahimeh F
Family
Verified booking
3 weeks ago
Just seeing the glow worms and learning about them, and how they eat and their life cycle However, it was very short; I expected a longer boat ride for the cost I paid.
Heather M
Family
Verified booking
2 weeks ago
It was informative without being too over bearing. Kids enjoyed it Done this before but not for awhile. Feel it was a credit to NZ tourism keep it up.

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.

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.