Overview
Available languages
Mobile ticket
We offer two different Blackwater Rafting experiences through the Ruakuri Cave.
The Black Labyrinth is the original, 3-hour Blackwater Rafting tour. You will jump off two small waterfalls (highest is 1.5 meters), float on a tube underneath an impressive display of glowworms and navigate through the cave’s natural streamway. All participants must be at least 12 years old and weigh at least 45kgs.
The Black Abyss is the ultimate 5-hour Blackwater Rafting tour. Abseil 35 metres into the cave and zipline across a river under a grotto of glowworms. You'll then float on a tube through the caves' natural streamway. All participants must be at least 16 years old and weigh 45kgs.
An average level of fitness and mobility is required for both of our tours. It is important to understand that these tours take you into a completely natural cave environment. Please understand that your guides have final discretion of whether you will be able to participate on our tours.
Additional Info
Public transportation options are available nearby
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
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.
What To Expect
The Legendary Black Water Rafting Co.
The Legendary Blackwater Rafting Co., is the check-in point for both of our Blackwater Rafting tours. From here, your guides will take you to go get geared up for your tour. Free lockers are available for your belongings.
Ruakuri Cave
Both of our Blackwater Rafting Tours take you through our glowworm-studded Ruakuri Cave. For those on the Black Labyrinth tour, you can expect to spend up to an hour and a half inside of the cave system. On the Black Abyss tour, participants will spend up to three hours inside the cave.
Options
The Black Abyss 25/26 & 26/27
Black Abyss (2025/2026): Five hour adventure caving tour. Includes abseiling and a zip-line. Prices are valid for tours between 01/10/25 and 30/09/26
The Black Labyrinth 25/26 & 26
Black Labyrinth (2025/2026): Three-hour adventure caving tour. Prices are valid for tours between 01/10/25 and 30/09/26
What‘s Included
Complimentary hot shower
The use of equipment such as tubes, wetsuits, boots, helmets, abseiling devices (if option chosen) and safety equipment
Snacks
Abseiling techniques training (Black Abyss only)
Entry to Waitomo Cave Museum
Gratuities
Hotel pickup and drop off
Towels and Toiletries for Showers
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
429 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Awesome Abyss Tour!
G4530BRnathanb,Jun 7, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I did the Abyss Tour and it was absolutely amazing! I haven't found an excursion like this anywhere in the world; definitely worth flying halfway around the world for. They have so many surprises and activities in the cave for you to do! A must stop if you visit New Zealand! The caves they offer are filled with wonders no where else in the world.
Magical
Ashlee R,May 31, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This was awesome! Our guide, Ellen, was knowledgeable and funny. She adapted to the needs of our group quickly and made the experience that much better. We saw Glowworm from right away scattered around and then once we got deeper into the cave we saw them in larger groups. It was magical!
Unreal Black Water Rafting Adventure – A Must Do!
Rolando Q,May 22, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Our black water rafting experience with Waitomo Cave Tours was absolutely unforgettable! The entire five-hour tour was perfectly paced, adventurous, and so well run from start to finish. Our guides, Mitch and Ollie, were fantastic. They made us feel completely safe and secure throughout every part of the journey, even during the more adventurous sections. Their energy, professionalism, and clear instructions gave us total confidence the whole time. Along the way, they provided warm drinks and snacks, which was such a thoughtful touch and really helped keep everyone comfortable during the experience. Seeing the glowworms in this way was truly magical and something we would highly recommend to anyone visiting Waitomo Caves. If you’re considering it — don’t hesitate. This is hands down one of the best ways to experience the glowworms and an absolute highlight of our trip!
Unreal Black Water Rafting Adventure – A Must Do!
Rmquispe,May 22, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our black water rafting experience with Waitomo Cave Tours was absolutely unforgettable! The entire five-hour tour was perfectly paced, adventurous, and so well run from start to finish. Our guides, Mitch and Ollie, were fantastic. They made us feel completely safe and secure throughout every part of the journey, even during the more adventurous sections. Their energy, professionalism, and clear instructions gave us total confidence the whole time. Along the way, they provided warm drinks and snacks, which was such a thoughtful touch and really helped keep everyone comfortable during the experience. Seeing the glowworms in this way was truly magical and something we would highly recommend to anyone visiting Waitomo Caves. If you’re considering it — don’t hesitate. This is hands down one of the best ways to experience the glowworms and an absolute highlight of our trip!
Must-see in New Zealand
Reed O,May 21, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Fantastic and unique! Seeing the glowworms should not be missed on any trip to the country. Evie was an excellent guide and told us about the plants on the walk to the cave. Does not require special skills or caving experience.
An extraordinary activity that worth to taste
NorthStar68694324362,May 14, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our group/tour leaders Jeffery & Kiwi were such a wonderful person- professional, thoughtful, kindness, full of sense of humour …. 👍👍👏🏻👏🏻 It was a good experience. I would strongly recommend to people around me to join this activity
Fantastic experience! Fun guides, amazing glowworms.
Camper15550365298,May 13, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00My partner and I recently did the Black Labyrinth experience with Tim and Luke as our guides. We were both a little nervous as we aren't really water people and hadn't done a lot of caving. They made us feel right at home, and were very fun and engaging. The length of the tour was stated to be about 3 hours, which was fairly accurate. We were advised to be there 30 minutes before the start, which was unneeded as the tour includes all the preparation (wetsuits etc.). The preparation covered everything, including a safety fall, which was half safety and half an opportunity to get an embarrassing photo of everyone. The experience was amazing. There's plenty of places in New Zealand that sell you on 'glowworms' but this experience really had glowworms. Thousands of them, it was really interesting and engaging. We had a group of 7. One of the guides said they can have up to 12 people, which I feel could slow the experience and detract from it, but I thought 7 was about perfect, as the tour moved at a good pace. The water was cold (duh) but nobody seemed to be struggling too much. My partner isn't a swimmer, but she felt at ease the entire time. It felt like an 'adventure' without being risky. We got hot soup after the tour. It was nice for me, as I can't have dairy, but they had a dairy free option, which I really appreciated. They had some cool souvenirs, and I got a tie dye hoodie, which looks terrible/amazing and I will wear it everywhere. It was a great day, and it will be one of the highlights of our NZ holiday. P.S. if anyone from the team reads this, give Luke a pay rise. He commiserated with me about my bad football team.
Black Abyss: 10/10 Adventure
chejanamareec,May 12, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00My partner and I did the Black Abyss Waitomo tour over the weekend and what an absolutely incredible experience it was. Tim and Ollie were outstanding guides — knowledgeable, funny, and genuinely supportive the whole way through. I mentioned early on that heights make me a bit nervy, and they were brilliant: patient when I needed it, but also encouraging enough to help me push past it and enjoy every moment. The tour itself far exceeded our expectations. Having only eight people in the group made it feel personal and unrushed (apart from the shock of that chilly water). The balance of adventure, challenge, and learning was perfect, and the guides shared their cave knowledge in a way that was both informative and entertaining. Highly recommend this tour to anyone looking for an unforgettable Waitomo experience. It’s an absolute must‑do.
Good experience if you...
bazzfisher451,May 6, 2026
- Review from Viator
4.00Good experience if you can tolerate the cold. It helps if the group you go with aren't a bunch of noisy young guys.
Excellent tour well worth it
darrel g,Apr 27, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Excellent tour . Definitely worth it. Guides extremely knowledgeable and fascinating to understand about the caves and glow worms . The duration was just enough
Related Experiences
Operated by THL - Waitomo Caves Group