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From Auckland: Spellbound, Waitomo Glowworm Cave Small Group Tour

Recommended by 98% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Waitomo, New Zealand
Popular pick
Booked 10+ times last week!
  • 8 to 9 hours (approx.)
  • Pickup offered
  • Mobile ticket
  • Offered in: English

Why travelers loved this

4.9
·
· Catherine_D ·
Mar 2026
Amazing experience! Well thought out stops. Great guide, thanks to David. Small group, intimate experience. A bit of a drive but so worth it!
· Laura_S ·
Jan 2026
Fantastic tour. Our driver and guide David was the best. Besides being informative about the caves, he gave a lot of information about New Zealand and Auckland. He was also very solicitous and made sure there was time for us to get snacks at the spots he recommended. The caves were amazing- pictures do not do justice. Highly recommend.

Overview

In the Waitomo Glowworm Caves, thousands of glowworms light up the cave walls with their bioluminescent light. Set out on a journey from Auckland to Waitomo on this full-day small-group tour, navigating craggy stalactites and stalagmites while marveling at the worms’ natural display and learning about the ecological significance of the caves, and the wildlife that calls them home.
  • Full-day tour of the Waitomo Glowworm Caves from Auckland
  • A chance to snap photos of the glowworms—there are no restrictions on cameras
  • Enjoy a short boat ride through the cave, staring at the lit-up ceiling
  • Small-group tour: Lots of time with your guide to ask questions

What's Included

  • Admission to a fully guided 180 minutes experience of the Spellbound Glowworm Twin Caves
  • An english speaking tour guide
  • Fully Guided Small Group Tour
  • Complimentary pick up and drop off from Auckland CBD
  • Air-conditioned vehicle
  • All Fees and Taxes
  • Coffee and/or Tea
  • Snacks
  • Bottled water
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner
  • Lunch

Meeting and Pickup

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

Pickup details

- If your accommodation is not yet confirmed, we suggest selecting The SkyCity Hotel for now—you can update it later if needed! - We offer convenient pick-ups from selected hotels. If your location isn’t listed, simply choose the nearest available option and meet us there. - Pick-ups start up to 20 minutes before the scheduled departure time. Please be ready and waiting outside by then for a smooth start. - Pick-up locations are planned based on each tour and may vary by day. If there are any changes to your pick-up spot, please let us know in advance. - Our guides make multiple stops and may arrive within a 10-minute window. To keep the tour on schedule, we recommend being ready 5–10 minutes early, as we are unable to wait for late arrivals. - As our hotel pickups operate from downtown CBD, guests located near the airport or South Auckland can be picked up from The Sebel, Auckland Manukau at 16 Lakewood Court, Manukau City Centre, Auckland 2104,

Itinerary

1

Auckland Central

2 hours 45 minutesAdmission Ticket Free

2

Waitomo Glowworm Caves

2 hours 45 minutesAdmission Ticket Included

3

Otorohanga

30 minutesAdmission Ticket Free

4

Auckland

2 hours 45 minutesAdmission Ticket Free

Additional Info

  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
  • Infant seats available
  • No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
  • You do need to be able to walk for at least 40 minutes at a time over gentle terrain and pathways. We do not climb or crawl anywhere in our caves. There are no stairs in our caves. For those with mobility concerns, you will need to step up 40cm into and out of a transit van and down 40cm into and out of our raft. We do not take wheelchairs or walking frames. If you are concerned or unsure if your fitness is adequate, please contact us.
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 11 travelers

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Gallery picture 1 (from a traveler's review)
Gallery picture 2 (from a traveler's review)
Gallery picture 3 (from a traveler's review)
Gallery picture 4 (from a traveler's review)
Gallery picture 5 (from a traveler's review)

Featured review

Hannah_L
We had the pleasure of having Aaron as our tour guide and he was absolutely fantastic. His personal knowledge and insight as a Kiwi made the experience so much more engaging and authentic. Aaron shared stories, local history, and perspectives that you simply wouldn’t get from a guidebook, which made the whole tour both informative and memorable. He was friendly, approachable, and clearly passionate about what he does. I’d highly recommend Aaron to anyone wanting not just a tour, but a true New Zealand experience.

Reviews

4.9
based on 214 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

Amazing views, above ground and below.

Phillip_C, Apr 2026
Fantastic experience. From Aaron's picking us up and sharing so much along the way, including when we stopped for coffee and a bathroom break, to Spellbound's Peter guiding us through the caves and sharing so much detailed information about the worms, how to take good pictures, and more. We got picked up at 7:45, and were back by 5:30, so it is a long day, but very well done in every aspect. There was water and snacks on the bus out there, a stop between caves for coffee or tea and cookies, and then a stop to walk around and get some lunch or fruit at the fruit stand, all with bathroom stops at the same time as well. All went well, never felt like we were somewhere too long or too short. The only thing I guess could serve as a warning is that the 11 passenger bus is ok, but the seats are fairly small, so if you are large in stature, you will be uncomfortable, but not terribly so. With driving that much, it could have been worse, and the views out the big windows were great.

Response from Host, Apr 2026

Thank you so much for such a thoughtful and detailed review! We’re really pleased to hear you had such a fantastic experience from start to finish. Aaron will be especially happy to know his knowledge and easy-going approach helped make the journey enjoyable right from pick-up — those little stops for coffee, bathroom breaks, and sharing insights along the way are all part of making the long day feel relaxed and enjoyable rather than rushed. It’s also great to hear how much you enjoyed the Spellbound experience with Peter. He does a wonderful job bringing the caves and glowworms to life, and it’s lovely that his explanations, tips for photography, and detailed knowledge added so much to your visit. We’re glad the pacing of the day worked well for you, with everything feeling well balanced — from the travel time, to the breaks, to the cave experience itself. We really do aim to make sure guests can just sit back, take it all in, and enjoy the journey as much as the destination. Thank you again for taking the time to share your experience in such detail. We truly appreciate it, and we’re so glad you enjoyed your day with us!

Waitomo Glowworm caves

Anonymous, Apr 2026
An excellent experience. Make sure you wear non slip shoes. Two fantastic tour guides. We learned so much and travelled with a friendly interesting group of people. It is a long day so perhaps not suited to very young children or people who might have difficulties walking over uneven surfaces in the dark. Seeing all the tiny glowworms lighting up the dark is just magical. Learning about their life cycle was really interesting and gave the tour perspective and meaning.

Response from Host, Apr 2026

Thank you so much for taking the time to share this! We’re really glad you enjoyed the experience and the glowworms — it really is something magical seeing them light up the cave like that. Great to hear the guides helped bring everything to life with the stories and information about their life cycle too. We also appreciate your helpful tips for future guests — especially around footwear and the nature of the terrain. It is a longer day, so those notes are really valuable for others planning the trip. Thanks again for coming along and for the thoughtful review!

Great day seeing...

Jacky_F, Apr 2026
Great day seeing glowworms & a limestone cave, really good food at the food stops, relaxing & interesting tour

Response from Host, Apr 2026

Thanks for the lovely feedback! Glad you enjoyed the glowworms and limestone cave — such a cool experience. Great to hear the food stops hit the spot too. Sounds like a nice relaxed day all round, which is exactly what we aim for. Appreciate you coming along!

A Magical Glowworm Experience

Florence_C, Apr 2026
I went to Spellbound today and it was such an amazing experience. The glowworms were absolutely stunning — they looked just like a galaxy spread across the ceiling, so peaceful and magical. The whole tour felt calm and immersive, and the cave atmosphere made the glowworms even more beautiful. The van pick‑up was perfectly on time, and the ride was really comfortable. The driver (David) was incredibly friendly, knowledgeable, and shared lots of interesting facts along the way, which made the trip even better. Everything felt well‑organised from start to finish. The booking app was very easy to use too, so the whole process was smooth and stress‑free. Overall, it was a fantastic day and definitely one of the highlights of my trip.

Response from Host, Apr 2026

Thank you so much for taking the time to share this — we really appreciate it. We’re so glad you enjoyed the Spellbound experience. The way you described the glowworms like a galaxy is exactly what makes that place so special — it’s such a quiet, surreal moment in the cave, and it’s great to hear you were able to really take it all in. David will be really pleased to hear your kind words. He’s great at making the journey feel just as enjoyable as the destination, and he loves sharing those little bits of knowledge along the way to add more depth to the trip. It’s also great to hear everything ran smoothly for you, from the pick-up to the booking process. We try to keep things simple and well-organised so you can just relax and enjoy the day. Thanks again for coming along — we’re really glad it ended up being a highlight of your trip!

Don’t miss this amazing tour!

Jeanne_S, Apr 2026
This was a don’t miss tour! Every bit of it was absolutely incredible! Our drivers and guide were beyond wonderful and I’m so happy that we did it!

Response from Host, Apr 2026

Thanks so much for the amazing review! Love hearing that it was a “don’t miss” for you. Really glad you enjoyed every part of the day — and we’ll pass your kind words on to the drivers and guides, they’ll appreciate it. So good to hear you’re happy you did it — that’s exactly what we hope for. Thanks again for joining us!

Auckland 2026

len, Mar 2026
This is well worth the ride to the caves! Liam our guide was passionate about the country and his heritage. The tour in the cave was absolutely wonderful and one of the best we’ve taken in New Zealand! Highly recommend.

Response from Host, Apr 2026

Thank you for the great review! We’re really pleased to hear you felt the journey out to the caves was well worth it. Liam will be especially happy to hear your feedback — he’s genuinely passionate about the country and his heritage, and he puts a lot of effort into making the experience meaningful and informative along the way. It’s fantastic to know the cave tour stood out as one of the best you’ve done in New Zealand. It really is a unique experience, and we’re glad it lived up to expectations. Thanks again for your recommendation — we truly appreciate it and are glad you had such a memorable day with us!

Finn did a great job of...

Denise_B, Mar 2026
Finn did a great job of explaining about the caves and found us some interesting animals. We saw a long finned eel and also cave crickets. Let’s not forget about why we came GLOW WORMS!!! It was the most amazing thing I have ever seen. This is a MUST DO when in New Zealand

Response from Host, Mar 2026

That’s so awesome to hear — Finn will be stoked to know you enjoyed it! He’s got such a knack for bringing the caves to life, and it’s great that you got to see some of the local wildlife too. The long-finned eel and those cave crickets always catch people by surprise! And yeah… the glow worms really are something else, aren’t they? That moment when everything goes quiet and the ceiling just lights up — it never gets old, no matter how many times you see it. It’s pretty special knowing it left such an impression on you. Really appreciate you taking the time to share this — sounds like you made the most of the experience!

Mystery in the cave

regina_g, Mar 2026
The tour was amazing and the tour guys were very informative. Just make sure you take good walking /hiking shoes. I will recommend this tour.

Response from Host, Mar 2026

Thanks so much for the lovely feedback! Really glad you had such an amazing time and that the guides made the day interesting and enjoyable. And that’s a great tip about the walking shoes—definitely makes a difference out there! We really appreciate you recommending us and hope we get to have you back on another tour sometime.

Waitomo Glow Worm Caves are a MUST SEE

Margaret_M, Mar 2026
It’s so much better in person than the photographs. Pictures do not do it justice. I didn’t think I would enjoy the walking portion outside of the caves, but I enjoyed ALL of the tour!

Response from Host, Mar 2026

Thank you for your kind words. It’s wonderful to hear that the experience exceeded your expectations—this is truly one of those places that can’t be fully captured in photographs and is best appreciated in person. We’re especially pleased that you enjoyed the entire tour, including the walking portion, which often surprises guests in the best way. We’re delighted you had such an enjoyable and memorable visit.

Waitomo Glow Worms🩵

Adelina_G, Mar 2026
Our driver Doug was very kind and knowledgeable, with a great sense of humor. Our guide Finn at the caves was awesome! Highly recommend.

Response from Host, Mar 2026

Thanks so much for your kind words—we really appreciate you taking the time to share this. Doug will be so pleased to hear your feedback. He’s known for being easygoing, knowledgeable, and always ready with a bit of humour, so it’s great to hear he helped make the journey enjoyable for you. And that’s awesome to hear about Finn as well—he does a fantastic job in the caves and really brings the experience to life. We’re so glad you had a great day overall. Thanks again for the recommendation—it means a lot to us!

Dean is the best tour...

Virginia_W, Mar 2026
Dean is the best tour guide ever! He taught us things, showed us things and really looked after us. This was a wonderful experience!

Response from Host, Mar 2026

Dean will be absolutely wrapped reading your message. He genuinely puts a lot into every tour, not just showing the sights but making sure people come away having learned something, seen a few special places, and felt properly looked after along the way. It’s awesome to hear that all of that came through for you. It sounds like you had a really well-rounded day, which is exactly what we hope for every group—good experiences, a bit of learning, and just an easy, enjoyable time from start to finish. Really appreciate you coming out with us, and thanks again for the kind words—it means a lot.

Great experience

Andybrenda, Mar 2026
This tour was excellent! The tour allows you to take photos of the glow worms unlike some of the others. Our driver Deanne, was great as well as our tour guide Shane.

Response from Host, Mar 2026

Thanks so much for your kind words—really glad you had such a good time. Being able to take photos of the glow worms is pretty special, so it’s awesome to hear you enjoyed that part of the experience. It definitely makes it a bit more memorable. Deanne and Shane will both be so happy to hear this. They’re a great team—Deanne keeps everything running smoothly on the road, and Shane brings the experience to life once you’re there, so it’s nice to hear they both made an impression. Thanks again for coming along with us—we really appreciate it, and glad it was such a great day for you.

Glowworming in NZ

Garrett_W, Mar 2026
Great tour. I would highly recommend this tour for any family visiting New Zealand. Tour host was great and very informative. Enjoyed the extra stop at a fruit stand and the real fruit ice cream!

Response from Host, Mar 2026

Thanks so much for the kind words—we really appreciate it. Glad you had a great day out with us. It’s always nice when those little extras, like the fruit stand stop and real fruit ice cream, end up being part of the experience—simple but pretty memorable. Great to hear your host made the day enjoyable and informative as well. That balance really makes a difference, especially for families. Thanks again for recommending us, and hope the rest of your time in New Zealand is just as enjoyable!

An absolute must!

Ty_P, Mar 2026
Matt our driver was fantastic. He has a great sense of humor and is very knowledgeable about the area and has some entertaining stories to help pass the time. The cave tours themselves are conducted by a special guide you meet near the caves. Truly fascinating and our guide brought special equipment to take photos for each participant. This is the only tour in which photography is permitted. This was a long day and you get to see two different, very distinct caves. I don’t know how people are doing this in conjunction with other tours—so yourself a favor and just focus on this one activity. Also lunch is at about 1:30pm so bring snacks, but don’t fill up because the restaurant is delicious!

Response from Host, Mar 2026

Thank you so much for taking the time to share such a thoughtful review! It really means a lot to hear that you had such a great day with us. Matt will be especially happy to read this. He truly loves what he does, and his sense of humor and storytelling are a big part of how he likes to make the journey just as enjoyable as the destination. I’ll be sure to pass along your kind words to him — feedback like this always makes our drivers’ day. You’re absolutely right about the cave experience as well. Our specialist cave guides do an incredible job of bringing the caves to life, and the photography they provide is something many guests really appreciate since cameras usually aren’t allowed in most cave tours. It’s great to hear that this stood out to you and helped capture such a memorable experience. We also appreciate you mentioning the pace of the day. It is definitely a full adventure, and visiting two very different caves makes for a long but incredibly rewarding experience. Your advice about focusing on this tour alone is spot on — there’s a lot to take in, and it’s best enjoyed without feeling rushed. And thank you for the helpful tip about the lunch timing! Bringing a small snack is always a good idea, but we’re glad you enjoyed the restaurant stop as much as we do. We’re so pleased you had a memorable day with us and hope to welcome you back on another adventure in the future!

Uncomfortable road trip

Alex_R, Mar 2026
We truly enjoyed the caves, but getting there was not so enjoyable. Van was cramped - every last seat taken, seats very uncomfortable for such a long road trip, driver’s mike broken so only those in front could hear conversation.

Response from Host, Mar 2026

Thanks for sharing your feedback, and we’re really glad to hear you enjoyed the caves — they’re definitely the highlight of the day. We’re sorry to hear the journey there didn’t feel as comfortable as you expected. For our tours we use German vehicles such as Mercedes and Volkswagen vans, which are 12-seater vehicles commonly used for small group tours. The seating is the standard configuration you’ll generally find globally, similar to economy seating on a flight. Compared with large coaches or buses the space can feel smaller, but that’s part of the small-group tour style. After speaking with the guide, he mentioned that you were seated in spots that usually have some of the better legroom in the vehicle. If the comparison is with larger buses or different transport used in other countries, it can feel different, but for small group vans this setup is fairly standard. Regarding the microphone, the guide did advise that he was experiencing some issues with it on the day, and he did his best to continue sharing information despite the technical difficulty. We do appreciate you taking the time to share your experience, and we’re pleased that the glowworm cave visit itself made the trip worthwhile.

The Glowworm Is Real!

Tatsuya_G, Mar 2026
You may grow skeptical about every pamphlet photos you see as you travel often. I had felt that way about the Glowworm Cave. However, I was blown away by what I saw in the cave — the photo was certainly not retouched exaggeration.

Response from Host, Mar 2026

Thank you for such a thoughtful review. We completely understand that feeling — when you travel a lot, it’s easy to become a little skeptical of those picture-perfect photos in brochures. That’s what makes the glowworm cave experience so special though; it truly lives up to what you see, and often even more once you’re there in person. We’re really glad it surprised you in the best way and that the experience left such a strong impression. Thanks for sharing your experience! ✨

Another check off the bucket list

Alicia_K, Mar 2026
As amazing as you think it’s going to be, it’s even better. The boat ride is difficult to put into words. It was awe inspiring

Response from Host, Mar 2026

Thanks so much for the great review! You’ve summed it up perfectly — the boat ride really is something special and hard to describe until you experience it yourself. So glad it lived up to (and even beat!) expectations for you. Appreciate you sharing your experience

Amazing experience! Well...

Catherine_D, Mar 2026
Amazing experience! Well thought out stops. Great guide, thanks to David. Small group, intimate experience. A bit of a drive but so worth it!

Response from Host, Mar 2026

Thank you so much for the lovely review! We’re really glad you enjoyed the experience and the thoughtfully planned stops along the way. Traveling in a small group definitely helps keep things more relaxed and personal. David will be very happy to hear your kind words as well. It is a bit of a drive, but we’re so pleased you felt it was worth the journey!

The drive is quite long...

Donald_R, Mar 2026
The drive is quite long but the countryside is absolutely gorgeous. Very peaceful and relaxing. The cave tour and glowworms are an experience not to be missed. Glad we spent the day on this trip.

Response from Host, Mar 2026

Thank you for sharing this — it really captures the day so well. You’re right, it’s a bit of a drive, but that peaceful countryside is part of the experience. Rolling green hills, farms, little pockets of forest — it’s such a calm and beautiful part of the North Island. Sometimes the journey itself is just as special as the destination. And the caves… they really are unforgettable. Sitting quietly under the glowworms feels almost surreal, like stepping into another world. It’s one of those moments that stays with you long after the day ends. We’re so glad you chose to spend your day with us and that it was worth it.

Glowworm cave was...

Alyssa_C, Mar 2026
Glowworm cave was excellent! Tour guide there was very knowledgeable and goods at managing people. Our driver was very good. We did have issues with the microphone speaker so missed some information initially. After feedback from the group, he was able to get it to work. Driver was flexible and offered options on return trip.

Response from Host, Mar 2026

Thank you for the honest feedback — really appreciate it. I’m so glad you loved the glowworm cave experience. The guides there are fantastic at what they do, and it makes such a difference when someone can both share the knowledge and manage the group smoothly. I’m sorry about the microphone issue at the start — that’s frustrating, especially when you don’t want to miss anything. I’m glad it was sorted once everyone mentioned it. It’s great to hear your driver was flexible on the way back too. We always try to adapt where we can to make the day work well for everyone. Thanks again for sharing your experience.

Amazing experience

Venus_W, Mar 2026
This was a great tour! The guide was friendly and informative. The glow worms and caves were absolutely amazing.

Response from Host, Mar 2026

Thank you so much! I’m really glad you enjoyed the tour and found the guide friendly and informative — that always makes the day better. And the glow worms and caves… they really are something special. It’s hard to describe until you see them for yourself. So happy you had a great experience!

Excellent

Sue_M, Feb 2026
Paul was a very good tour guide. Learned a lot from him Enjoy learning also about the eels It was enjoyable

Response from Host, Feb 2026

Thank you for sharing this! We’re so glad you enjoyed the tour and learned so much from Paul. He really loves sharing his knowledge — including all the fascinating facts about eels! It’s wonderful to hear that the experience was both enjoyable and educational for you.

An unbelievable experience - don't miss it!

Rick_S, Feb 2026
What an amazing adventure! If you are in New Zealand on the north island, you have to see the Glowworm cave. Doing this in the small group tour was a great way to see the caves and countryside. As a group, we had lively conversation throughout the tour. And our guide for the tour did a fantastic job of managing an unplanned/unavoidable incident. The vehicle broke down (alternator failure) but he was able to get us to a great stopping place while we waited for a replacement vehicle. Well done!

Response from Host, Feb 2026

Thank you so much for sharing your experience! We’re thrilled you loved the glowworm caves and enjoyed exploring the countryside with a small group — it really does make the day more personal and fun. It sounds like your group had a great vibe with lots of lively conversation, which always makes the day more memorable. We’re especially glad our guide handled the vehicle issue smoothly and kept everyone comfortable while waiting. Accidents happen, but it’s fantastic to hear it didn’t spoil your adventure. We’ll be sure to pass on your praise — it will mean a lot. So glad you had an amazing day despite the hiccup!

Spellbound, Waitomo Glowworm Cave - Amazing

Valerie_V, Feb 2026
This was a wonderful day! From the time we were picked up by Experigo to the tour of the caves with Spellbound the day was filled with great opportunities for making memories! Would highly recommend this tour.

Response from Host, Feb 2026

Thank you so much for the lovely review! We’re really happy to hear the day felt special from pickup right through to the caves. It’s great to know everything came together to create some lasting memories. We truly appreciate the recommendation and hope we can welcome you back again one day!

Fascinating and Educational Day!

Marilyn_P, Feb 2026
David was punctual, engaging throughout the day and facilitated exactly what the tour was to offer. He did a wonderful job of introducing all participants and bringing us together as a group. We could not have asked for more.

Response from Host, Feb 2026

Thank you so much for sharing your feedback! We’re delighted to hear that David was punctual, engaging, and able to facilitate exactly what the tour promised. It’s wonderful to know he created a welcoming environment, introduced everyone so smoothly, and brought the group together. Your kind words mean a lot, and we’ll be sure to pass them along to him — he’ll be thrilled to hear that he made such a positive impact on your experience."

Just know that is about a...

Janice_G, Feb 2026
Just know that is about a 2 1/2 hr drive from Auckland so it does make for a long day. Having said that this trip was awesome. John was very knowledgeable and had special sites for us to enjoy and photograph. The caves were a beautiful site. Our guide Finn? was very good and gave us plenty of time in the caves. It was a small group with only 11 people and we travelled in a Mercedes van in comfort.. we had comfort breaks on the trip and stopped for lunch after the cave tours. I would highly recommend

Response from Host, Feb 2026

Thanks so much for sharing your experience. You’re right — it’s a long day from Auckland, but we’re really glad to hear it was worth it for you. John will be happy to hear your kind words, and we’re glad you enjoyed the caves, the small group, and the relaxed pace. We really appreciate the recommendation and hope to see you again.

Wonderful guides both by...

Mark_P, Feb 2026
Wonderful guides both by van and at the site. Amazing experience unlike anything we've ever been exposed to! Can't say enough good things about it!

Response from Host, Feb 2026

Thank you so much for the kind words. We’re really glad you enjoyed the day and that both the driver and site guide helped make it special. It means a lot to hear it was such a unique and memorable experience for you. We truly appreciate you taking the time to share this with us.

Fantastic! The driver was...

kruggirl, Feb 2026
Fantastic! The driver was experienced & informative; also the guide was very well versed on the glow worms!

Response from Host, Feb 2026

So happy to hear that! Our drivers and guides really love what they do, and it’s great to know their knowledge and passion came through — especially with the glow worms. Thanks for sharing, and we’re glad you had such a fantastic experience! ✨

Waitamo Caves

Laura_S, Jan 2026
Fantastic tour. Our driver and guide David was the best. Besides being informative about the caves, he gave a lot of information about New Zealand and Auckland. He was also very solicitous and made sure there was time for us to get snacks at the spots he recommended. The caves were amazing- pictures do not do justice. Highly recommend.

Response from Host, Jan 2026

Thank you for such a lovely review 😊 We’re so happy to hear you had a great day with David — he really does love sharing his knowledge and making sure everyone feels well looked after. Glad you enjoyed the stops, the local tips, and of course the caves (they really are something you have to see in person!). Thanks so much for the recommendation, it means a lot to us.

A Long Day

Carol_B, Jan 2026
Just got back from this small group tour. The website is accurate when it says it should be about 2 1/2 hours, however, on both the outbound and the return back into Auckland it took almost 3 1/2 hours due to traffic accidents. Although this was not preventable, it made for a very, very long day. The van was uncomfortable with not even room to place a cup or a bottle of water. Leg room was minimal. For a trip that long a more comfortable van would be ideal. Plus coming back into Auckland, the sun shown directly into the van and in spite of the air-conditioning being on due to the slowness of traffic, it became almost unbearably hot. The glow worm cave experience was truly remarkable. The additional time spent hiking through the other cave was also great. The challenge I had was the guide, spoke very rapidly and was difficult to understand several times. I would do this again because it was so unique, but would have to figure out a way to either stay in the area or schedule it in a way to try to avoid rush-hour traffic.

Response from Host, Jan 2026

Thank you so much for taking the time to share such thoughtful and balanced feedback. We really appreciate you acknowledging that the extended travel time was due to traffic incidents — unfortunately that’s something beyond our control, and we understand how it can make for a long day. Regarding the vehicle, we use 12-seater Mercedes Sprinter vans or Volkswagen Crafters, which are among the most comfortable options available for small-group tours. Cup and bottle holders do tend to come down to personal preference and layout, and while legroom may feel more limited compared to a large coach, this is part of keeping the experience intimate and small-group. All our vans are fully air-conditioned, well maintained, and have tinted windows, though traffic conditions can sometimes make the heat feel more noticeable. We’re really pleased to hear how much you enjoyed the glow worm caves and the additional cave walk — that’s wonderful to hear. Thank you as well for the note about the guide speaking quickly; we’ll be sure to pass that feedback on so we can improve the experience for everyone. Your suggestion about staying locally or avoiding peak traffic is a great one, and we’re glad to hear you’d still do the tour again despite the challenges. Thanks again for your honest feedback — it truly helps us refine what we do.
From
-5%

$185.57

per person
Was $195.33

up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)

Book ahead!
On average, this is booked 67 days in advance.

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