Private Tour
Black Labyrinth: Black Water Rafting - Private Tour from Auckland
Overview
Available languages
11 hours
Mobile ticket
Experience the ultimate underground adventure as you journey from Auckland in a luxurious private vehicle to the spectacular Waitomo region. Dive into the thrilling world of black water rafting in the stunning Ruakuri Cave, where you'll float through an underground river, leap over cascading waterfalls, and marvel at thousands of glowworms illuminating the cave walls. This adventure offers just the right balance of excitement and accessibility, making it perfect for those seeking adrenaline without intense challenges. After the adventure, enjoy a delicious café-style, reflecting on an unforgettable day of exploration.
Additional Info
Specialized infant seats are available
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Public transportation options are available nearby
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Minimum weight restriction of 45kg+ apply
Guides at Waitomo reserve the right to refuse to take anyone into the cave that they consider to be unsuited for the tour (e.g. physically incapable or too small).
Participants must be 12 years old or over (proof of age may be required)
Good and moderate fitness level is required
Just bring yourself, your swimwear, a towel, shower gel and a thirst for adventure.
No caving experience is needed!
The water temperature is 10-14C / 50-57F year-round so doing the activity in winter will feel almost the same as doing the activity in summer
Photos are taken for you throughout the experience where you’ll get to view and purchase your photos at the end of the tour
Cameras, including GoPros, can’t be taken on the tour
Tours only run if it is safe, which is the vast majority of the time. However, prolonged heavy rain can result in rising water levels in the caves, in which case the tours would be cancelled.
Each participant requested to complete a disclosure document and provide information relation to health, physicality, impairments, and water preparedness.
Cancellation Policy
All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
What To Expect
Auckland Central
We pickup travellers from most locations in the Auckland CBD location. If your pickup location is not available on the list, please do not hesitate to contact us and we will do our very best to accommodate your request.
The Bombay Hills are a range of hills to the south of Auckland, New Zealand. Though only a small and seemingly insignificant range of hills, they lie at the southern boundary of the Auckland region, and serve as a divide between Auckland and the Waikato region. directly named after the ship Bombay, The ship itself was named after the Indian city of Bombay (now Mumbai). Bombay Means: a breed of black short-haired medium-sized cat.
What‘s Included
Private transportation
Fully guided private return transfers from Auckland
3-hour Black Labyrinth black water rafting guided GROUP Tour
Refreshments and water onboard
Café Style lunch at Waitomo
All Fees and Taxes
Air-conditioned vehicle
Pick up and drop off from Auckland
Marvel at the stalactites and stalagmites that decorate the cavern walls.
Jump into cascading underground waterfalls, reflecting the glowworms above.
Float down the underground river in rubber tubes while admiring the glowworm displays above.
WiFi on board
All the necessary safety equipment provided including footwear, tubes, wetsuits, and helmets
Journey concludes when you emerge into the sunlight of the Waitomo Forest.
Enjoy some sweet treats along the way an underground snack.
A local English-speaking tour escort throughout the tour
Luxurious temperature-controlled private transportation in a minibus
Journey safely through the stunning underworld with experienced, trained guides
Enjoy climbing, black water tubing, leaping, and floating through Ruakuri Cave.
Breakfast
Dinner
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
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Black Labyrinth: Black Water Rafting - Private Tour from Auckland
Pickup included
Reviews
8 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Most amazing caving experience!!
barbaraf835,Apr 27, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00My husband and I, both in our 60’s, had an amazing adventure. I’m a little afraid of heights but it wasn’t a problem. The training in how to use the rappelling gear made a big impact. The hardest part for me was walking up the hill after getting out of the cave. Shout out to Teddy for helping me during the last part of the caving experience. Cannot recommend it enough!!
So glad we did this!
Scruffalugs,Jan 18, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was an incredible experience, and I am so glad we did it. My kids (12 and 16) rate it as one of the top experiences of their trip. There was actually a problem with our booking (entirely my fault - I booked it for the wrong day), and the staff at reception were kind and helpful getting us rebooked onto a tour with short notice, and then gave us some great advice on what to do and see whilst waiting the next few hours. Our guides, Hannah and Leah (and our excellent driver Pippin) were incredibly professional, relaxed and heaps of fun - they brought energy and excitement to our experience with a wonderful sense of humour. I was so immensely impressed with how they handled the impulsive energy of my 12 year old son, making sure he was having fun whilst always prioritising safety. They were exceptional and made our experience a really special adventure.
literally the coolest activity in New Zealand, 10/10 would book again
713gavins,Jan 1, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This review is twofold-- one for the Blackwater Rafting Co, and one for ExperienceKart. EXPERIENCE KART: Firstly-- the drive from Auckland and back was gorgeous! Secondly, we were the only three people who had booked the tour, so we got a pretty personalized experience. Karthik was really nice-- he even took us back to the hotel a few minutes after departure when I realized I'd forgotten something. We learned a lot about the places we passed along the way, we got snacks, and had a chance to eat lunch before heading off back to Auckland. Karthik even dropped us off at Mount Eden, to help us make it in time before sunset! I couldn't recommend this company enough. Especially our guide Karthik, who was super cool and made the experience 10 times better! BLACKWATER RAFTING CO: Booking this experience, I was a little scared, being a weak swimmer and, like most people(?), am afraid of dark and narrow spaces. But blackwater rafting was amazing! Everyone was right-- this IS the best way to see the glow worms. I'd visited and done a regular tour a few years ago, but the blackwater experience blows it out of the water. Just walking through the caves was already awesome. Sprinkle in a few waterfall jumps and the glide under the glowworms at the end and you've got an unforgettable experience. The blackwater rafting co folks were really kind and great guides! I always felt safe in the water and they took good care of us. The caves themselves actually felt quite roomy. I'm also not the most athletic person out there, but this was pretty breezy. A good metric would be; can you climb stairs, stand in the tides on a beach without falling over, and are okay stepping walking for thirty minutes straight? Anyways-- next time, I'm coming back for the black abyss experience. TL;DR super worth it! you won't regret it!
Yes! Do this.
Kperry5465,Nov 3, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was an absolute highlight of our trip to New Zealand - it was our first tour and we loved it! It's not a far drive from Auckland. We did the Labyrinth and it is 3 hours long. SO MUCH FUN!! And, challenging. The first challenge is getting into the wet suit! LOL! Then we walked to a dock where they ask you to jump backwards into the water onto your tube. Needless to say, the water was very cold. But it gets you used to how you will be getting into the underwater river and you'll jump off of a couple waterfalls this way, crawl through a low ceiling area and you'll float as a "tube, tube" train through a portion of the tunnel and see the glowworms above. The boots they provide are amazing - no slipping on rocks! If you have the time, I highly recommend this adventure.
Family holiday travelling around North Island, NZ - Black Labyrinth rafting
OllieOakey,Jan 19, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Family holiday travelling around North Island, NZ - did the Black Labyrinth Waitomo rafting experience. Absolutely amazing experience and something completely different from a standard holiday activity. Not for the faint hearted - did this with my two teenagers, whilst my wife did the Waitomo Glowworm caves tour - for the more gentle experience.
Loved the Legendary Black Water Rafting Experience
Karen L,Jan 13, 2023
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00What a fabulous experience!! Definitely more exhilarating than I anticipated but but well worth the adventure. The guides were very good and ensured a safe and fun experience for all. My favourite part was the human eel floating with our headlamps off just taking in the beauty of the glow worms. We were apparently lucky for timing as the past few days of rain meant higher water levels which lead to a great experience. You definitely can’t be afraid of a combination of dark, fast moving water, caves, physical exertion, jumping backwards off a small water fall. It was a blast and one of my favourite activities I have ever done! My partner and I are in our sixth decade for reference for anyone older thinking of doing this!
Enjoyable even for the faint hearted
Sally1314,Dec 6, 2022
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Prefacing this by saying I am not the adventurous type, but I wanted to try something new. Our guides, Ciarne, Astrid, and Leah, were very helpful and professional! I’m a bit of a scaredy cat (I shy away from roller coasters) but I felt safe at all times with the guides. The water is cold but the wet suit keeps you nice and warm (apart from your hands) - definitely worth it for the experience and the view!!
DO IT
TheMuggins,Jul 14, 2022
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00What an AMAZING experience. Our guides, Matt and Ollie, made this experience even better. We felt very safe and comfortable with them, while having many laughs and much fun. If you are thinking about doing this, don't hesitate! We had from 15 years to 50 year olds, skinny to chubby, and everyone made it through with big smiles on their faces. We did this early July, and although the water was cold, it wasn't unbearable. There are change rooms, lockers, toilets and showers at their base. Have no doubt that you are in good capable hands and will have an experience not to forget.
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