Black Water Rafting Experience Waitomo Caves Tour
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.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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
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 Labyrinth 25/26
Black Labyrinth (2025/2026): Three-hour adventure caving tour. Prices are valid for tours between 01/10/25 and 30/09/26
The Black Abyss 25/26
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 Abyss (24/25)
Black Abyss (2024/2025): Five-hour adventure caving tour. Includes abseiling and a zip-line. Prices are valid for tours between 01/10/24 and 30/09/25.
The Black Labyrinth (24/25)
Black Labyrinth (2024/2025): Three-hour adventure caving tour. Prices are valid for tours between 01/10/24 and 30/09/25.
Reviews
319 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
The BEST tour hands down
Kimberley S,
Nov 27, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00This was such an amazing experience! I one that it sounded great but to experience it… wow. This is a bucket list item for sure. It’s an active 5 hour tour and so worth every second. Rappelling, spelunking, tubing, zip lining- oh my. WOW. Do not miss this opportunity!!
Chillin’ with my wormies
Michelle S,
Nov 25, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00The water is cold, the footing uneven, but all of it is worth it to go on this adventure with awesome guides ( thanks Jetta and Sammy!) and literally chill with the glow worms!
Awesome water tubing...
Gary S,
Nov 24, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Awesome water tubing through caves. Had wetsuit and boats on . Hot shower and soup afterwards. Would do it again🤙
Fun adventure!
Q5568SYlisac,
Nov 21, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00It was fun. They took safety seriously and presented challenges that made it a fun adventure. Great to see the glow worms this way and get a sense of exploring a cave differently.
So Cool!!
Lauren M,
Nov 20, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Definitely recommend the ABYSS tour - it was phenomenal and the guides were fantastic! The guides made everything feel very safe and the snacks & hot drinks were a nice touch!
Amazing experience!
Greta T,
Nov 19, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00What an excellent experience! Be prepared for a significant amount of walking through the cave, through running water over rocks--maybe more of this than the actual tubing itself. But the guides were extremely helpful and reassuring, and gave me confidence to do it. Floating in the dark, seeing the glow worms was other-worldly! Absolutely amazing experience and worth every penny!
A must do caving experience!
L9576IMjohnc,
Nov 15, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We had an amazing experience due in large part to our 2 incredible guides Evie & Pip. They were energetic, fun, helpful and provided great instruction and information on the glow “worms”. It was a good combination of exploring a beautiful cave system and bonding with your cave/tube mates!
Out of comfort zone - and it was just fine.
A7734HMkenh,
Nov 13, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great time. Difficult to identify which of the cave tubing organizations/trips to take - very glad we chose this one. 60 plus years of age and had never done something like this. A bit claustrophobic, so nervous starting out. But all good and very exciting. I didn't feel that anything was dangerous. When you turn the headlamps off and are in the pitch black cave, the only illumination is from the glow worms. If you don't mind getting a bit out of your comfort zone this is wonderful.
So cool very unique...
Sonia M,
Nov 13, 2025
- Review from Viator
4.00So cool very unique experience. We did the water only version. There was plenty of time in the caves and some cool waterfalls to jump off of and parts to navigate. The staff was lovely but it just felt a little chaotic between trying to get wetsuit stuff and the photos were so horrible which is a shame because you can’t bring your own camera in
Incredible and Unique Experience!
carolyng184,
Nov 7, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This is a one of a kind experience you shouldn't miss if you visit the North Island. You "tube" through a cave that has lots of glow worms, so you not only see the glowworms, you get an exciting tubing experience. This included jumping off some small waterfalls and getting pulled though the cave in complete darkness while you admired the worms. Our guides, Kylie and Leo, were very competent and funny. They take pictures that you can purchase at the end. The facility has a nice cafe where you can eat before or after and they serve you soup after your trip. It was a truly memorable experience.
From NZ$193.00
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Operated by THL - Waitomo Caves Group