From Auckland: Spellbound, Waitomo Glowworm Cave Small Group Tour
Overview
Available languages
Mobile ticket
Discover New Zealand’s wonders with our Spellbound Glowworm Cave and Explorer Tour. Perfect for nature lovers and adventure seekers, this tour offers a blend of bioluminescence and natural beauty that will captivate you.
Begin your adventure with our expert guide leading you through mesmerizing caves. Learn about fascinating geological formations and history as you marvel at stunning stalactites and stalagmites.
Step into the enchanting Glowworm Grotto, where thousands of glowworms illuminate the cave with their magical light. Enjoy a serene 20-minute boat ride, gazing up at lights resembling a starry night sky. Gain insights into the glowworms' life cycle and ecological significance from your knowledgeable guide.
This unique tour is ideal for those wanting an up-close experience with the glowworms and photography enthusiasts, as there are no restrictions on photos in the caves.
Experience all this as part of a small, intimate group of only 11 guests.
Additional Info
Specialized infant seats are available
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
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.
What To Expect
Auckland Central
Embark on your expedition from the largest city in New Zealand. As we set out, your guide will kick off the day's adventures, laying the groundwork for an enthralling exploration. Proceed with a picturesque drive to the Waitomo region, winding through the scenic New Zealand countryside on the way to the Spellbound Glowworm Caves. Travel journey time from Auckland to Spellbound Caves is approximately- 2 hours, and 30 minutes
Waitomo Glowworm Caves
Embark on the unforgettable Spellbound Glowworm Cave & Explorer Tour in Waitomo. This unique adventure offers an up-close encounter with enchanting glowworms and a journey through breathtaking caves, perfect for nature enthusiasts and adventure seekers. Begin your journey with an expert guide through spellbinding caves. Learn about geological formations and the history of these natural wonders. Marvel at stunning stalactites and stalagmites as you navigate fascinating passages. Enter the captivating Glowworm Grotto, where thousands of glowworms illuminate the cave with bioluminescent light. Glide silently on a small boat, gazing up at sparkling lights resembling a starry night sky. Gain insights into glowworms' life cycle and behavior from your knowledgeable guide. Soak in the peaceful ambiance and capture stunning photographs of the natural landscape. Benefit from a personalized experience with our small group tours, ensuring a more intimate and immersive adventure.
Options
From Auckland: Spellbound, Waitomo Glowworm Cave Small Group Tour
Pickup included
What‘s Included
An english speaking tour guide
Bottled water
Snacks
All Fees and Taxes
Complimentary pick up and drop off from Auckland CBD
Fully Guided Small Group Tour
Air-conditioned vehicle
Coffee and/or Tea
Admission to a fully guided 180 minutes experience of the Spellbound Glowworm Twin Caves
Breakfast
Dinner
Lunch
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
222 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Amazing trip and the personal service was outstanding. Spellbound is the right name!
marianneobando,Jun 1, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Spellbound were an amazing Glow work operator. My elderly parents 80 and 84 were amazed at how they were treated. The smaller group allowed for a better experience. They have access to an amazing cave on a private property which made the experience all the more special. 100% would recommend this company
Great day trip from Auckland
Fionnula222,May 22, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Aaron was great, punctual for picking us up in the various spots and was super knowledgable on everywhere we went. The tour itself was very well managed, thanks a million! Would highly recommemd!
This was very much worth...
Matthew G,May 22, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This was very much worth the drive to and from Auckland. Aaron provided detailed information along the way. Our group got to see not one but two caves. The glowworm caves were amazing. The tour guide at the Waitomo caves was also very informative. I can't recommend this tour enough.
Fantastic tour with...
Sharon M,May 5, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Fantastic tour with knowledgeable guides, some walking, but can opt to be driven, glow worm experience is mesmerizing and so peaceful
Mesmerising! Excellent guides
Emily H,Apr 30, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This tour was absolutely fantastic! Aaron and Shane were our 2 guides for the day and they were both brilliant! They were so friendly and knowledgeable and shared so much interesting information with the group. The journey to Waitomo and back from Auckland was long, but certainly not boring. There were comfort breaks along the way and Aaron pointed out lots of landmarks. The other guests on the tour were also great to chat to. The caves themselves were spectacular! The glowworms absolutely covered the ceiling and walls of the cave. It was like being in Avatar world. The short boat ride was mesmerising and Shane was more than happy to take and share photos. I also loved that there was a section where photography was not allowed, as this really made the group fully immerse themselves and appreciate the nature and amazing surroundings. The second cave was also super interesting with some incredible formations. Overall a fantastic day out. I recommend the tour to anyone who doesn't have a car and is based in Auckland, who wants to experience something truly beautiful and unique
Marvelous!
K H,Apr 27, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Our guide was very friendly and supportive. You might want to bring a small towel to wipe off water drops that fall on your head or clothes.
A unique experience
Tourist105243,Apr 22, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The Spellbound cave experience is unique. We saw hundreds and thousands of glow worms on the cave ceiling. The tour includes a 20-min boat ride, with glow worms above us shining like blue stars, the experience felt surreal. The cave tour guide showed us how to take pictures and he also took pictures of us with the glow worms. Highly recommend this tour. However, I would only give one star to the driver who took us to the cave, his name is Dean. The drive was long - 2.5 hours one way. He did not tell us any fun facts at all. The whole time he chatted with a female traveler sitting next to him. When he talked to her, he often turned his head and looked at her, which made me nervous. I hope he would keep his eyes on the road the whole time. Maybe he was distracted by the chatting, he made a wrong turn and then he went to a wrong place to pick up people, which costed a 30-min time waste and we ended up being late for the cave tour.
Glowworm Caves
ShortE2004,Apr 20, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I had a great time. Amazing day trip from Auckland, and David was an excellent guide. I really enjoyed the tour and would highly recommend.
Incredible experience....
Aliouhane R,Apr 13, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Incredible experience. Highly recommended for all nature lovers. Unique and in a small group.
Amazing views, above ground and below.
Phillip C,Apr 12, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Fantastic 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.
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Operated by Expedigo Tours and Travels Auckland