Black Water Rafting Experience Waitomo Caves Tour
Recommended by 97% of travelers
Waitomo, New Zealand
- 3 to 5 hours (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
Explore our promoted experiences
Overview
Embark on a thrilling Blackwater Rafting adventure in Ruakuri Cave. Choose between two exhilarating tours: the original Black Labyrinth, where you'll float under glowworms and jump off waterfalls, or the longer Black Abyss, which includes abseiling, ziplining, and cave exploration. Both experiences offer unforgettable encounters with the natural beauty of the cave and take you to places impossible to reach on your own.
- Stay active while on vacation with this exhilarating tour
- Don’t worry about packing kit, everything you need is provided for ease
- Suitable for ages 12+ for the Black Labyrinth, 16+ for the Black Abyss
- Enjoy a hot shower and snacks after your adventure
What's Included
- Abseiling techniques training (Black Abyss only)
- The use of equipment such as tubes, wetsuits, boots, helmets, abseiling devices (if option chosen) and safety equipment
- Complimentary hot shower
- Snacks
- Entry to Waitomo Cave Museum
- Gratuities
- Hotel pickup and drop off
- Towels and Toiletries for Showers
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- The Legendary Black Water Rafting Co, Waitomo585 Waitomo Caves Road, Waitomo Caves 3977, New Zealand
Departure Point: The Legendary Black Water Rafting Co, 585 Waitomo Caves Road, Waitomo 3977 Return point: Returns to original departure point
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.Itinerary
1
The Legendary Black Water Rafting Co.
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
2
Ruakuri Cave
2 hours • Admission Ticket Included
3
The Legendary Black Water Rafting Co, Waitomo
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Near public transportation
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- Your safety is our team's top priority.
- You must check in 30 minutes before the tour departs at 585 Waitomo Caves Road, Waitomo Caves
- All Participants for the Black Abyss must be at least 16-years-old and weigh at least 45kgs.
- All Participants for the Black Labyrinth must be at least 12-years-old and weigh at least 45kgs.
- Due to high demand and limited capacity if you miss your scheduled tour time your ticket(s) are forfeited and non refundable. New bookings will incur the full tour cost and are subject to availability.
- Water temperature sits at around 10-15 degrees Celsius.
- We require a minimum of two participants for a tour to operate - if you are the only participant confirmed, you may be asked to amend your tour time
- The Black Labyrinth (3-hour tour) does NOT include the abseil and zipline.
- Customers do not need to be able to swim, but these tours are best suited for those who are comfortable with at least standing in fast-moving water.
- Cameras and personal devices are not allowed on these tours
- Bring swimwear & a towel - we'll supply the rest!
- We ask those who have serious medical problems to contact us before booking onto our tours.
- Please understand that your guides have final discretion of whether you will be able to participate on our tours.
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 12 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
Nicole_G
This was an absolute highlight of my trip to New Zealand. What a beautiful experience! Our guides, Anna and Cole, were so lovely. They made our group feel super safe throughout the cave and shared a lot of fun information about the cave history and the nature of the glow worms. We were given wetsuits and boots, which we definitely needed as the water was quite crisp. Got to enjoy some chocolate fish in the caves and then some tasty, hot soup after our tour and warm showers. Highly recommend this tour if you’re looking for a unique adventure while in New Zealand.
Reviews
4.8
based on 413 reviews
Jennifer_C, Apr 2026
Guides were friendly, caring and informative. Expected more glowworms from publicity pics. Overall, great fun with just enough challenge to make it exciting. Being a bit picky - Tomato soup, really? If you build it as a feature maybe something a bit more interesting would suit.
Nikki_T, Apr 2026
Amazing experience, absolutely loved the three hour Labyrinth tour. Great tour guides, will come back with the children!
Elizabeth_G, Apr 2026
Matt and Xavier were excellent guides!
This was such a fun adventure and the glow worms were amazing! We would highly recommend. So fun!
Alex_F, Apr 2026
This has been one of my favourite experiences in NZ! Stacey and Jonty were brilliant, super friendly, made everything feel so safe and gave you lots of information about the glow worms. But even BETTER than that was the caves also had tonnes of frogs which made it so much more fun for me (and the guide). Can’t wait to get back later in the year and try out the longer excursion! Thanks again
Nicole_G, Mar 2026
This was an absolute highlight of my trip to New Zealand. What a beautiful experience! Our guides, Anna and Cole, were so lovely. They made our group feel super safe throughout the cave and shared a lot of fun information about the cave history and the nature of the glow worms. We were given wetsuits and boots, which we definitely needed as the water was quite crisp. Got to enjoy some chocolate fish in the caves and then some tasty, hot soup after our tour and warm showers. Highly recommend this tour if you’re looking for a unique adventure while in New Zealand.
Amy_O, Mar 2026
Absolutely amazing! It was like seeing constellations in a cave. The guides were amazing! I have some physical disabilities and they helped me experience things I wouldn’t have otherwise been able to!
Danielle_B, Mar 2026
Adventuring through the cave and seeing the amazing glow worms! They provide all the gear you need to go down into the cave. It was such a blast tubing through and seeing everything. Jumping off some little waterfalls was a bonus! Sam and Jayden were awesome tour guides!
Marla_H, Mar 2026
It was challenging and so much fun in every way! Hugo and Alex were terrific and so knowledgeable. They helped us understand everything and feel comfortable and safe the entire time. Loved every minute!
Rowena_N, Mar 2026
Awesome experience, brilliant knowledgeable guides and would definitely do it again. Glow worms were great to see
Mia_N, Mar 2026
Highly recommend this tour. I was initially scared because I didn’t know what to expect being in a cave. I’m sooooo happy my friends and I decided to do this tour. The glow worms were beautiful, rafting was amazing and water, although cold felt great. 10 out of 10 recommend.
Ginger_J, Mar 2026
Incredible experience! Caving and floating was fun- and the glow worms were just incredible! Highly recommend! Our guides really made it special with joking around and having fun- and signing traditional songs during the float made it an exceptionally spiritual peaceful experience!
sarah_g, Mar 2026
Was absolutely amazing! The tour guides walk you through everything and give encouragement every step!
Definitely was nervous going in but after we just wanted to do it again!
Beautiful tour will definitely be repeating when we come back
Denise_D, Mar 2026
We had an amazing experience with Waitomo Black Water Rafting. Our three guides were fantastic—extremely supportive, professional, and always focused on ensuring our safety, especially during the more challenging sections of the course. Their calm and encouraging approach made the adventure both exciting and reassuring, as there were sections that were very slippery, uneven, and hard to climb. Highly recommend!
Lyudmila_S, Mar 2026
The water is VERY cold, they give you thick 2 piece 7mm wetsuits and its ok when you are in and out of the water, however when you stay submerged for a while it gets to you. The caves are beautiful and look magical, however cold has gotten to us by the part you mostly in the water and we were waiting for it to be over. I'm thin female so thicker people or males might not feel as cold.
Jade_H, Mar 2026
Our tour guides Aria and Callie were absolutely incredible. They were funny, personable, and incredibly knowledgeable about the glow worms and the caves. We didn’t quite know what we were getting into with this tour and it far beyond surpassed expectations. It was adventurous and thrilling, pushing us to explore new areas and challenges as we went. We also got so lucky with our group and had many laughs and memorable moments. I would recommend this to anyone that is up for any kind of adventure.
Catherine_W, Mar 2026
This was adventure meets natural beauty! Our guides Evie and Paddy were fantastic! We were well taken care of in all aspects. This is a must do!
Audrey_S, Mar 2026
The guides train you as you go; nothing to worry about with this brand-new experience. The experiences throughout the tour were quite varied.
Benjamin_B, Feb 2026
Absolutely amazing! Literally made our trip, can’t stop talking about it. My wife was a little nervous but our guides made everyone so comfortable and keep everyone so safe. Highly recommend. Our guides Nick and Oscar were fabulous!! Give those two a raise, they were stellar. Personable, funny, knowledgeable, and they took care of the safety aspect while letting us enjoy the experience. We felt like we were in great hands the whole time. We will absolutely be back and definitely recommend.
Tam_P, Feb 2026
I booked this tour for husband and I because the boat tours were sold out during our visit in the area but so glad I found this alternative. This was a fun and adventurous way to see the glow worm caves of Waitomo Caves. Our girl-team guides Alex and Stacy were awesome and very attentive to the safety of guests on our Labyrinth tour. Only wish the glow worms had been glowier. Definitely recommend this as a more active and adventurous way to experience Waitomo caves.
SeMyeong_B, Feb 2026
It’s a great experience. Highly recommend it if you’re looking for a demanding but rewarding experience. Loved thousand of glowing warms.
Diane_T, Feb 2026
What a way to see the glow worms in the Waitomo Caves. The staff put the safety of the clients first and foremost while making the rafting a super fun tour. Water was cold, and some of the walking in the water was slippery, but the staff made sure everyone felt comfortable. Seeing the glow worms while floating in the pitch black water was an awesome experience.
Mireia_C, Feb 2026
It was incredibly fun, interesting and adventurous, but always feeling safe and in good hands. I would 100% recommend.
Dante_M, Feb 2026
My wife and I went for the black labyrinth tour. Our guides where very knowledgeable and encouraging. We were somewhat anxious before hand not knowing what to expect. For anyone else, if you can walk a mile, bend at the waist and crawl for maybe 50 feet you are likely okay. We had a great time and got some great photos. Cheers
Kimberly_R, Feb 2026
Very nice experience. Good gear and the glow worms were beautiful. This trip is not for anyone with really poor balance or for someone who gets claustrophobic. If you are in decent shape, you’ll have great fun
Shaun_L, Feb 2026
Exceptional experience, from go to stop, just amazingly well organised and run. Whole family loved the experience
rich_m, Feb 2026
worst part was putting on wet suit.
but worth the effort.
bit concerning walking on the stones in a current worried about rolling an ankle.
Nick_M, Feb 2026
The guides were really good and friendly. I would highly recommend doing this activity. Awesome sight when lights are turned off.
Annabelle_D, Feb 2026
Had such an amazing experience, im scared of heights and tight spaces but the guides we had which was leo (Aus) and the guy from Wales made the experience very comfortable! 1000/10
France_H, Feb 2026
Water tubing in cave was a great way to experience an already very unique nature phenomena! It’s exciting and safe even if you are not in the best of shape.
Eleni_K, Feb 2026
What a day! I’m on a solo road trip around NZ and wanted to see the famous glow worm caves and the Abyss experience did not disappoint. The guys were top tier tour guides, and I loved the mix of fun and adrenaline combined with knowledge sharing and history of the caves etc.
As a solo traveler, it can be hard to integrate but the guys made us all feel like such a team that it didn’t matter who was solo, a couple or friends.
Additionally, they adapt the experience/have options depending on what you’re comfortable with/level of fitness etc.
10/10 would do it again.
Likely to Sell Out
From $112.77
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
Compare Similar Experiences
Current
Likely to Sell Out
Black Water Rafting Experience Waitomo Caves Tour
413
5 hours
Free Cancellation
From
$112.77
Customers Who Bought This Tour Also Bought
Explore Similar Things to Do
- Underground Tours
- Half-day Tours
- Extreme Sports
- Nature and Wildlife Tours
- Walking Tours
- Tours, Sightseeing & Cruises
- Outdoor Activities
- Private and Luxury
- Waitomo
- Nature and Wildlife Tours - Hamilton
- Water Tours - Taupo
- Underground Tours - Taupo
- Extreme Sports - Taupo
- Nature and Wildlife Tours - Taupo
- Walking Tours - Taupo
- Water Tours - Rotorua
- Underground Tours - Rotorua
- Half-day Tours - Rotorua
- Extreme Sports - Rotorua
- Nature and Wildlife Tours - Rotorua
- Walking Tours - Rotorua
Attractions in Waitomo, New Zealand
More attractions near Waitomo, New Zealand