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 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.
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
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
333 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Excellent experience at the Black Water Rafting centre.
Jason H,,Dec 20, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Excellent experience, beyond all expectations and even though it was the shorter 3hr tour. It was amazing to experience Labyrinth system with the guides as you gradually floated in pitch blackness, jumped off waterfalls and climbed through side tunnels!
So much fun!
N3304SDlaurens,,Dec 19, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was such a fun experience! It was a bit intense for my husband who has never done anything like this before, but if you're okay with cold water and some occasionally tight spaces, the magic of floating through the glowworm cave and seeing the lights that look like a galaxy above your head is so worth it!
A Must-Do Experience!
deansX3023QE,,Dec 19, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I loved this experience! I was worried that the water part of the tour would cause me to panic as I am not a strong swimmer. The wet suit allowed me to float on my back without issue. The tour guides, Aria (Arya?) and Ollie, were fantastic! They help lighten the mood, kept things fun, and shared a lot of knowledge with us. I was worried that I would feel dehydrated during the tour, but ended up not even noticing any thirst. They provided some hot chocolate and a punch of some sort. It kept us warm and going. Oh! The glowworms were amazing too! They have such an amazing, and brutal, lifecycle.
Drifting with glow worms
bluebird777emerald,,Dec 18, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Wow, what an adventure. We had a great day alongside 12 others in our group. Well organised, experienced guides and a fantastic 3 hrs. Glow worms were very special to see whilst floating through the caves on our tubes.
That it’s a fun great...
Sarina R,,Dec 17, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00That it’s a fun great experience and we loved the day.. the guides were enthusiastic and helpful and very knowledgeable.
Great Experience!!!
Patrick S,,Dec 16, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Really glad we did this. Tour leaders were very good and well prepared. Traveling through the caves was a wonderful experience.
Might just be the best experience in New Zealand
Curious43900438489,,Dec 14, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This just might have been my favorite adventure we did in New Zealand. Our cave guide Xavier was an 11/10 and made sure everyone was always having a great time and well looked after. Very few experienced in the world allow you to go down a 100ft repel, 75ft zip line, climb waterfalls hidden in caves, jump into a freezing river, and tube a magnificent river lined with glow worms on the ceiling all in the same couple of hours. The black water adventure was 1000% worth it and I would highly recommend it over the traditional walking/just tubing experience. My only critique is for them to get new wet suits since many have holes in them and the water is FREEZING but your adrenaline and hype will get you through it.
Great experience. I was...
Robin G,,Dec 13, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Great experience. I was nervous as I can get a little claustrophobic, but Liv , our guide, walked me through everything in advance and helped ensure I wasn’t hanging out in the tightest places while in the caves. Liv was amazing as a guide, can’t recommend her enough.
True adventure experience
andrewtN8735VZ,,Dec 13, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00One of the Greatest experiences ever! Definitely a must go and try trip, it was amazing. The tour guides are awesome and make the trip so enjoyable, y’all are the best! You will rappel, zip line, explore caves and have a great view of the glowworms like stars in the sky, my favorite trip so far
Adventure plus!
Leanne C,,Dec 6, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00You have to be comfortable with being in confined spaces in the dark with cold water, but be prepared to be amazed and awestruck with another world. BRILLIANT!!!
From NZ$193.00
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Operated by THL - Waitomo Caves Group