Bay of Islands Glow Worm Caves & Scenic Shore Excursion
Overview
Available languages
5 hours 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
Create lasting memories on this half-day tour of the Bay of Islands from your cruise ships arrival at the Waitangi Wharf.
The Bay of Islands is a popular tourist destination in New Zealand. This guided tour shows you an abundance of breathtaking picturesque views giving you plenty of fantastic photo opportunities. The area is often referred to as “the birthplace of New Zealand”, due to the past events that took place there. These historical events led to the shaping of New Zealand.
Your tour will include a Bakery/Café stop for you to grab a coffee or something to eat “on the go”. Your Bay Of Islands tour guide will instruct you on where to catch the shuttle buses back to the tenders should you wish to stay in town longer once your tour ends.
Additional Info
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Public transportation options are available nearby
Specialized infant seats are available
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
At time of booking, Cruise ship passengers must provide the following information at time of booking: ship name, docking time, disembarkation time and re-boarding time
100% refund will be issued if your ship can't make it into port due to weather conditions.
If your ship is scheduled to arrive after 9.30am - the tour departure time will automatically adjust to depart 1 hour after your arrival time - you can email to confirm this after booking.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Paihia Harbour
See the Paihia harbour as we drive through
Haruru Falls
View the waterfalls
What‘s Included
Bottled water
Driver/guide
Chocolate-tasting
Air-conditioned vehicle
Port pickup and drop-off
Live commentary on board
Local taxes
Food and Drinks
Options
Bay of Islands Glow Worm Caves & Scenic Shore Excursion
Pickup included
Reviews
350 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Bay of Islands/Glow Worm Caves
caburke4,Mar 28, 2026
- Review from Viator
3.00Water falls were mediocre at best and forests same. A lot of driving to get to glow worms which was OK. So if you don't mind riding in a bus for extended periods then don't attend this tour. Glow Worms were the best.
Awesome tour and tour...
Sarah P,Mar 22, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Awesome tour and tour guide with great knowledge and if you’re short on time this this is a good way to see the best of Bay of Islands
It was a very nice day...
Susan J,Mar 21, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00It was a very nice day out and very well organized. Plenty of time at stops. Didn't feel rushed at all
Very educational tour!
Geri S,Mar 21, 2026
- Review from Viator
4.00Our tour with Rob was great! Not only did we see really interesting things, we were gifted with so much knowledge and history! The Glow Worm Cave was underwhelming, but the history of the cave and others in the area as told by our Maori guide was very interesting.
Excellent guided tour....
Harry W,Mar 21, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Excellent guided tour. Very knowledgeable and informative. Glow worm personel guide you every step of the way.
Great tour
lesliegV6933RI,Mar 19, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Lots of interesting and beautiful things to see. Driver shared lots of interesting facts.
An enlightening tour!
Genevieve L,Mar 19, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Rob was a fantastic tour guide, sharing great insights and information about local history and culture. We particularly loved learning about and seeing the nature - Haruru Waterfalls, Kauri trees and fern trees, and the highlight of visiting the glow worms in their caves. We highly recommend this 5.5hr tour, very well organized and managed by this team.
A great overview.
Anne R,Mar 18, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Very well done and very organized. It was a breeze to connect at the wharf and our driver Dyson was very knowledgeable about all the things. Beautiful visit to Kauri forest, then waterfalls, then a little side trip for chocolate factory and a wood workshop with some lovely pieces. Finale was glow worm caves which were interesting. Then back to the wharf with plenty of time to make the tender! A good day was had by all!
Rob was a great driver,...
Karen M,Mar 18, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Rob was a great driver, knowledgeable with a great sense of humour. Pheonix at the Glow caves made the experience very enjoyable. Enjoyed the bakery stop for a taste of local fare.
Can be done, but not really spectacular.
HHBenfica,Mar 14, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00We did the tour during our cruise with the Celebrity Edge. The stops were Paihia Harbour, Haruru Falls, Makana Chocolate Boutique, Kawiti Glow Worm Caves and the Manginangina Kauri Walk. In addition, a stop in Kawakawa with its Hundertwasser toilet and the old tourist train. The Haruru Falls are a nice photo subject and worth a short stop. You are not allowed to take pictures in the Kawiti Glow Worm Caves. This is understandable, but the whole thing seemed less spectacular on the spot than it is depicted in many pictures on the Internet. The Manginangina Kauri Walk is basically a short forest path through a stand of very old Kauri trees. Interesting, but also nothing completely unique similar nature trails or impressive forests we have seen in Europe. A little further away from the ship (probably an additional viewpoint of Paihia Harbour) the guide asked the round whether we wanted to get off there or not. As many in the group did not realize whether this stop was even part of the official excursion, some reacted rather hesitantly and denied. This seemed a bit strange and could have been better explained by the guide. Overall, it is a solid excursion that gives a good little impression of the region. However, you should not expect any extraordinary highlights. Those who have never been to the area and want to get to know the Bay of Islands landscape can do the tour, but it remains a relaxed overview rather than a real “must-see”.
From NZ$245.00
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Operated by Bay Of Islands Tours