Okohua Glowworm Cave Adventure
Recommended by 100% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Waitomo, New Zealand
- 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.)
- Offered in: English
Explore our promoted experiences
Overview
What's Included
- Use of equipment (tubes, high quality wetsuits, boots, and helmets)
- Snacks
- Highly trained guides
- Photos & Videos
- Amazing Glowworm displays
- Cedar hot tub relaxation post tour
- Black water rafting ( Tubing )
- Hot Showers
- Towels
- Socks
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- 754 Boddies Road, Waitomo Caves 3981, New Zealand
The Waitomo Experience is located a short 10 minute drive from Waitomo Village. Boddies Road is a narrow, gravel road, so drive carefully. You will see a big Waitomo Experience sign with an arrow when you arrive. Please arrive 15 minutes early to check in for your tour.
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.Ticket Redemption Point
754 Boddies Road, Waitomo Caves 3981, New Zealand
What To Expect
1
Waitomo Caves
2
Waitomo District
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Not recommended for travelers with back problems
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Travelers should have a strong physical fitness level
- We cannot take any travelers under 45kg
- Minimum age is 12 years old
- We recommend that you feel comfortable in water
- We cannot take anyone over 120kg
- Children aged 12-16 must be supervised by an adult aged 18 or older
- Maximum age is 67 years old
- If you are over 67 years old and you are fit and capable of an adventurous activity, send us a message or email.
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 6 travelers
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
Neil_R
We would give this 6 stars if we could!
We did this trip the day after what we had enjoyed what we considered our best ever adventure experience (white water rafting on the Tongariro) but this tour matched it!
Safety was paramount from the beginning and Vaughan was an outstanding guide - calm, reassuring and clear in all his instructions throughout the tour, which was critical for us as one of us is pretty claustrophobic and was very nervous about the experience.
However, we were both able to fully enjoy the tour as we were carefully guided and given options to match our appetites for ‘tightness’ at key points.
Vaughan gave us great information on the caves themselves and also on the glow worms.
As exhilarating and enjoyable as the caving was, it can scarcely compare the life-affirming experience of silently contemplating the glow worms in the cave and gliding beneath them on an inner tube.
Also, the changing facilities are great and the hot tub was the perfect way to recover after the exertions of the trip.
Thank you to Vaughan and all at Okohua caves for sharing this magical place and doing it so splendidly.
Reviews
5.0
based on 30 reviews
Ariel_A, May 2026
This was the highlight of my northern island trip. The drive up alone was stunning, and the excursion was absolutely amazing. Really fun, adventure and the guide Jamie did a phenomenal job leading us through and making the experience unforgettable. Gorgeous views at the end while warming up in the hot tub was an awesome way to end the day. Definitely worth the money to book a private tour with them.
Response from Host, May 2026
Thanks so much for the awesome review! We’re really happy to hear the experience was a highlight of your North Island trip. Jaimie will love hearing your kind words. Thanks again for joining us!
Fiona_C, May 2026
More than expected with this experience, not just floating around. Climbing through the caves was an amazing activity! Jamie was very good with explaining and working with all our different levels of fitness and anxieties.
Response from Host, May 2026
Thanks so much for the great review! Jaimie will really appreciate your kind words as well. Great to hear she helped everyone feel comfortable and supported throughout the tour!
BrookeEastland, Mar 2026
10 out of 10 experience. We had such a fun time climbing and swimming our way through the cave and seeing so many glow worms. The group size is small and personable and well worth the money. If you’re thinking about booking, do it. It’s an adventure you won’t want to miss.
Response from Host, May 2026
Thanks so much for the awesome review! We’re really glad you enjoyed the climbing, swimming, and exploring through the cave, and getting to see so many glowworms along the way. Great to hear the small group experience made it feel more personal as well. We really appreciate the recommendation and are stoked you had such a fun adventure with us!
Neil_R, Mar 2026
We would give this 6 stars if we could!
We did this trip the day after what we had enjoyed what we considered our best ever adventure experience (white water rafting on the Tongariro) but this tour matched it!
Safety was paramount from the beginning and Vaughan was an outstanding guide - calm, reassuring and clear in all his instructions throughout the tour, which was critical for us as one of us is pretty claustrophobic and was very nervous about the experience.
However, we were both able to fully enjoy the tour as we were carefully guided and given options to match our appetites for ‘tightness’ at key points.
Vaughan gave us great information on the caves themselves and also on the glow worms.
As exhilarating and enjoyable as the caving was, it can scarcely compare the life-affirming experience of silently contemplating the glow worms in the cave and gliding beneath them on an inner tube.
Also, the changing facilities are great and the hot tub was the perfect way to recover after the exertions of the trip.
Thank you to Vaughan and all at Okohua caves for sharing this magical place and doing it so splendidly.
Response from Host, May 2026
Wow, thanks so much for such a thoughtful review! We’re incredibly happy to hear the experience lived up to such a memorable adventure the day before. Vaughan will really appreciate your kind words.
Edward_B, Jan 2026
No for the faint of heart!
It has challenges but the staff are so good with instructions and they made the experience unique and memorable.
Response from Host, May 2026
Thanks so much for the review! It’s definitely an adventurous experience, and we’re really glad the team helped you feel comfortable and supported throughout the tour. Awesome to hear you found it such a unique and memorable experience!
Manuela_R, Jan 2026
It was amazing. We never did something like this before, but we really enjoyed it. Olli was an ecxcellent tour guide and made the whole experience perfect. The glowworms are beautiful and its impresive to learn how nature works. The caves are so impresive as they are just like nature made them. Beautiful. Thanks for the warm drink and the snack. I cant say which part i like the most they are all really cool. An adventure we will never forget
Response from Host, May 2026
Thanks so much for the lovely review! We’re really glad you chose to try something new with us and that Ollie helped make the whole experience so memorable. Awesome to hear you enjoyed every part of the adventure, from the glowworms and natural cave formations through to the warm drink and snack along the way. Thanks again for joining us!
Leon_V, Jan 2026
Caving on an accessible level trough the okohua cave. You'll have a great time, have many great ways to see the cave and the glowworms (I won't spoil it, just experience it yourself)
Be aware; plan this as the last activity in New Zealand, all other experiences just cannot match this.
Response from Host, May 2026
Thanks so much for the awesome review! We’re really glad you enjoyed the mix of adventure and getting to experience the cave and glowworms in so many different ways. And we’ll definitely take that warning as a compliment 😄 Thanks again for joining us!
David_H, Jan 2026
This was the best cave tour we have ever done and we have done quite a few (in the US). Of course the glow worms were the highlight, but this would have been a fantastic caving adventure even if they didn't have glowworms. Ollie was our guide and he was great and is actually related to the land owners so he has been exploring this cave since he was a child. They only recently opened it to tourists which is why you can't find much information about it on the Internet. This is a somewhat strenuous tour and you will be wading or even swimming through most of it. The private tour format made it extra special for my family. I cannot recommend this enough!
Response from Host, May 2026
Thanks so much for the incredible review! We’re really glad the experience stood out even among all the cave tours you’ve done. Awesome to hear you enjoyed not just the glowworms, but the adventure and natural cave itself as well. Ollie will really appreciate your kind words, and we’re stoked the private tour experience made it even more memorable for your family. Thanks again for joining us!
TanaWeeks, Dec 2025
Johnny was our phenomenal guide for this epic adventure through the caves. We ended up having a private tour with only the guide, our 12 yr. old girl and 14 yr. old boy, my husband and I when there was a late cancelation. It is on private land, owned by a local family, and Ollie was so helpful in accommodating our booking so that we didn't have to stress and could enjoy the full NZ experience!! We felt absolutely safe throughout swimming, tubing, jumping off ledges and being pulled through the darkness on tubes while we gazed at thousands of glowworms! That water is COLD but refreshing! Hankful for all the wetsuits and for the cedar hot tub soak at the end! Johnny absolutely made a unique journey for us allowing us to crawl through tight spaces and slide through the caves in water. We made it extra adventurous after we lost my kid's gumboot.! But he made the experience memorable despite thr hiccup! (Make sure those boots fit tight) The boots get heavy with water so plan for a good adrenaline workout that's good for the soul and the hammies! We absolutely recommend this Waitamo experience with this team! 10 outta 10 for friendliness, customer service and memory making caving! We've explored caves all over the world and this was our favorite tour yet! Mahalo! Kia ora!
Response from Host, May 2026
Wow, thank you guys so much for such an epic review! It was honestly a pleasure taking your family through the cave, and I’m stoked you fully embraced the adventure, even with the missing gumboot drama 😄 Your crew brought such great energy to the tour.
Really glad you enjoyed the more adventurous sections, the glowworms, and finishing off in the cedar hot tub afterwards. Thanks again for trusting us with part of your NZ trip and for such kind words. Mahalo and kia ora!
jamie_z, Dec 2025
It was great Ollie are guide was amazing
It’s a must do. The Glow worms are very spectacular. It’s nice too because it’s a small group.
Response from Host, May 2026
Thanks so much for the great review! We’re really glad you enjoyed the small-group experience and getting to see the glowworms up close. Ollie will really appreciate your kind words as well. Thanks again for joining us!
Shauna_F, Nov 2025
Very fun and adventurous activity. It was so much fun exploring the caves and the glowworm sightings exceeded my expectations. Great company to book with!
Response from Host, May 2026
Thanks so much for the great review! We’re really glad you enjoyed the adventurous side of exploring the cave and that the glowworms exceeded your expectations. Awesome to hear you had such a fun experience with us, and we really appreciate the recommendation!
From $164.82
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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