Waitomo Glowworm Caves Guided Tour
Waitomo, New Zealand
Waitomo Glowworm Caves Guided Tour
Waitomo, New Zealand
- 45 minutes (approx.)
- Offered in: English
Overview
Enjoy one of New Zealand’s original tourist attractions: a tour of the magnificent Waitomo Glowworm Caves. Your guide—who may be descended from the Māori chief who first discovered the caves—leads you underground and tells you about the cultural significance of this site. Hop into a boat and glide on an underground river, enjoying the light show put on by millions of tiny bioluminescent insects hanging above.
- Learn the science behind these glowing creatures from your guide
- Great way to explore the unique natural beauty of New Zealand
- Varied tour includes on-foot and cruise components
- Souvenir photos are available to purchase after
What's Included
Meeting and Pickup
Itinerary
Additional Info
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
Danny was very informative and amusing. The caves were beautiful. I’d recommend to anyone who comes over to the north island.
Reviews
4.4
based on 1,242 reviews
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Not kid friendly for kids below 6. They expect kids to not say a word and shushh the whole time. Its a good experience if its just adults if big kids. But not worth the stress with little kids
My daughter became said she felt sick, we decided to tell our tour guide we are going back. We waited for a group to come down the stairs and there was another tour guide just behind the group the behind by himself. I let him know “sorry we need to go back up the stairs cause my daughter is feeling sick” , he said the fastest way to go out was actually on the boat. He quickly took us on the boat to enter out the caves and we managed to catch the Glowworms at the same time and didn’t miss out ! Thank you soooo much I think he goes by the name “bubba” , anyways bro you are a life saver ! Much aroha to you and the crew !
Very informative tour through some cool caves and got to see a ton of glowworms. Our tour guide, James, was really nice and knowledgeable! We enjoyed him a lot!
Extraordinary experience to see the glow worms. Friendly tour guide who explains the journey well and enjoyable .
Was interesting and a good experience. We enjoyed this. However, if you are a picture taker like me, then you'll be disappointed. No pictures are allowed on this tour, until the very end and then they pictures aren't but hey, glow worms!
Gliding Under Stars 🌟 it was such a beautiful experience - walking through the caves and learning about their formation, and changes and the glow worms was so interesting. Our guide Steven was so funny and knowledgeable, we had an amazing time! The walk through the caves and getting onto and off of the boat was very easy and supported. Walking from the river up to the cafe and exit was a little steep but railings were provided for support and only took about 5 minutes. It was a great experience! I would do this every time I visit!
This was a great tour with some easy cave walking and a short boat trip inside the caves.
The cave was interesting, but it was the glow worms that were the “stars” of the show. Sitting in the boat, looking up at the ceiling and seeing thousands bright lights was truly breath taking.
The tour, whilst not the longest available, was for us the right length. More of the same would have spoiled the experience.
We highly recommend this tour.
It was a great tour, our guide was very informative, spiritual and kind, better tour than expected. Glow worms are super cool to see as well!
Fabulous experience. The caves were awesome, amazing explanation on how they were formed and that they're always changing. The glow worms were amazing to see. The only disappointment was that the photo that was taken at the start was obviously photoshot and a green screen. It didn't ruin the experience- we just didn't buy a photo.
This glowworm tour was great! The tour guide was very knowledgeable and made the experience fun. The glowworms were amazing to see in person. This tour is a must see for anyone visiting New Zealand!
Spectacular and fascinating experience. Son helped me in the dark walk and there was no problem or concern.
These caves are an absolute must see. From the moment we entered the caves our tour guide - Steve - had us laughing whilst also giving us so much information on the history of the caves and facts about the glow worms.
The glow worms were definitely a highlight but not the only highlight of the tour.
Surprisingly, it was not cold in the caves as I had expected. Do expect to get dripped on though.
This was an Amazing experience definitely worth a visit . Our host had a wealth of knowledge and was wonderful
The waitomo glow worm caves was our first experience entering a cave. The guide was friendly and nice. We even sang a birthday song for one of the tourists. Experiencing the glow worms was interestingly serene and captivating.
No photos, be prepare to enjoy a totally different cave experience and for sure be surprised by glowworm
Fantastic experience. Tum, our guide, was very informative. He made the tour fun and interactive. We experienced a fly hatching from the glow worm cocoon. Tum was genuinely very excited at capturing this moment he displayed such passion for his job. The glow worms and caves were absolutely phenomenal!
Absolutely amazing, what a wonderful tour and very well organised. The sight of the worms glowing whilst sitting in the boat in absolute darkness is a sensation to the senses.
Although the boat part of the trip is quite short (10 minutes?) we walked through the cave and saw beautiful formations along with the glow worms. I believe they should not allow young babies, as one cried/screamed on our entire experience, which almost ruined it for us.
Was an amazing experience Danny was our guide absolutely loved it I recommend it, you can’t take any photos inside the cave
This was a really cool tour with an interesting history and overall beautiful experience seeing the glow worms
The tour guide was amazing (Ashta, not sure how to write).
I felt as having the stars within arms reach.
I’d like to come back to see the others caves :)
It was an amazing experience. Being able to see how the glowworms live and how the people take care of them as well. Definitely a must try for everyone who can go to see them.
Amazing experience! Our guide was so good (can’t remember his name unfortunately).
Would recommend this to everyone.
It was pretty fun, beautiful out there at Waitomo caves. I should’ve known the time would be used to teach people about the caves but it was really funny and fun to learn about. My only complaint was that I wish the caves experience was longer but great for a family.
Allow yourself time to just 'be' in silence, to absorb the gift of nature.
The guides are experienced and will answer all your questions about the caves including the Maori heritage with them.
A very well run guided tour. Informative and beautiful.
Tour guide had a great attitude and helpful.
It was very cool but I wish the boat ride would be a little longer.see more glowworms and rock and stories
You must do this if visiting NZ.
Magical experience, and the guides have such emotional ties it makes it so much more special. We have George (I think was his name) and you could feel the cultural significant from his enthusiasm.
We loved this experience! The cave is beautiful and the boat ride through the river in the cave to see the glowworms was magical. Two things to be aware of:
1. You cannot take pictures inside of the cave
2. I would recommend stopping in town to eat as we did not find the food at the restaurant to be our favorite.
They were so accommodating when I was running late, the tour was stunning - only negative was other tourists speaking when asked to be quiet but the guides did repeatedly ask them to stop.
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