New Zealand · WAITOMO TOURS
Good waitomo tours fill up weeks ahead and the great ones go first. Below: the 15 to book early, what each includes and how they differ.
Explore Ruakuri Cave by tube, waterfall, and glowworm grotto on a 3-hour Waitomo black water rafting adventure.
“Excellent experience. I first did this activity 32 years ago and it was excellent then and is still excellent now. Great guides and a one off experience. Just do it. You won’t be disappointed. The glow worms in the dark cave were magical.”
See New Zealand’s glowworms by boat at Waitomo, with cave formations, Māori history, science, and practical tips for a 45-minute visit.
“Well worth the visit. The boat ride was a highlight and the guide we had was very welcoming and informative.”
Explore Ruakuri Cave near Waitomo on a 90-minute guided walk with glowworms, limestone formations, underground rivers, and local stories.
“We loved it! Our group was really small and our guide really went with our interests and questions. We loved the glow worms and it was amazing to see them up close with their sticky fishing lines as well as being glamorous lit on the cavern roof. Strongly recommend going on the Bush walk afterwards as it gives great overground perspective on the caves when the river rushing in and out of hole, caves, tunnels ... Our guide Aria was brilliant: friendly,fun and kind as well as highly informative and interesting.Read more”
Explore Waitomo’s glowworm caves by creek, boulder, and forest on a small-group adventure with gear, photos, and tea included.
“Ash and Michelle are amazing hosts. The tour itself was great, Ash had great energy and went above and beyond to make the tour enjoyable for us. Afterwards, Michelle and Ash treated us to coffee and biscuits and talked with us for a gRead more”
Explore Waitomo’s Ruakuri Cave by inner tube, glowworm tunnel, waterfalls, abseiling, and zipline on an active New Zealand adventure.
“Can you get a tour that is both thrilling and relaxing all at the same time… yes you can! The Black Abyss tour with the black water rafting co was the best of both worlds. An Abseil and zip line into the depths of the cave system and then a Read more”
Scramble through private Waitomo caves, see glowworms in the dark, and enjoy small-group guiding, gear, showers, tea, and cookies.
“I am so glad that I booked this tour! Ash is a superb tour guide. He is funny, helpful and extremely patient, especially if you are a beginner to cave exploring/trekking/hiking. I felt safe and confident in the cave because he gave us a lot of words of encouragement and kept checking up on us to see if we were all feeling fine. There were a few challenging rocks and narrow gaps to climb across but all my hesitations melted away when I finally saw the glow worms! It was truly an amazing once-in-a- lifetime experience. Highly recommended tour! Book now for a great adventure!”
Review of Waitomo’s Black Abyss tour, with a 35-meter abseil, glowworm zipline, waterfalls, cold-water rafting, and practical booking tips.
“Had a great experience, and wonderful guides 🎉 I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a bit of adventure. There are some tight spaces, but nothing too hectic.”
Review of the Spellbound Waitomo Glowworm Cave tour from Auckland, with cave details, timing, value, photos, guides, and practical tips.
“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.”
Explore Ruakuri Cave near Waitomo on a 90-minute guided walk with glowworms, fossils, river-shaped rock, and wheelchair-friendly paths.
“Great experience! Glad we read beforehand about the temperature and came prepared with long sleeves. Very knowledgeable guide.”
Review of Waitomo Caves’ 10-line zipline tour, with limestone views, Maori history, safety guidance, and a 280-meter final ride.
“Rob was really reassuring as I have a slight height phobia. He was very patient and safety above all, he made sure we were confident with what we had to do all the way. Thoroughly enjoyed our experience and amazing views.”
Explore Waitomo’s private Okohua Glowworm Cave by tube, swim, climb, and walk, then relax in a cedar hot tub for $136.
“Everything was great. The long gravel road to the experience could be improved.”
Explore Waitomo’s glowworm caves on a private three-hour adventure with gear, snacks, showers, and a guide who sets the pace.
“It is very hard to imagine that there is any other tour that can match this one! 100% custom to your group’s ability and confidence level. If you are interested in exploring caves, experiencing the glowworms and going on an adventure, this is the tour for you! Well worth the time and money.”
Explore Aranui Cave in Waitomo on a one-hour guided walk through delicate formations, Māori legends, and quiet forest scenery.
“Amazing 🤩 highly recommended it was very well organised. The tour guide and service was punctual. We even sang a song in Spanish.”
Photograph glow worms in an untouched Waitomo cave with a private guide, caving gear, snacks, and time for careful camera work.
“Ash is a great guide, knowledgeable and the type of guy you’d grab a beer with. Photography tour is definitely worth the money!”
Explore Aranui Cave near Waitomo on a small guided walk through delicate limestone formations, cave wetas, Maori legends, and high chambers.
“Grotte magnifique , guide adorable, sensation de zénitude lorsque l’on est à l'intérieur contrairement à la grotte aux vers luisants où l'atmosphère était très lourde.”
Pick an island, a lake or a cave.
