From Auckland: Waitomo Glowworm & Cave Explorer Small Group Tour
Overview
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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
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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
Meeting and Pickup
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
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.
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From Auckland: Waitomo Glowworm & Cave Explorer Small Group Tour
Pickup included
Reviews
140 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Great small group experience
Roving331901,
Nov 28, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00David was a great guide! Enjoyed the day and the caves were fantastic!!! This is the tour you want - small groups and wonderful tour of the caves!
An experience not to be missed
lornlewis,
Nov 25, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00It was an amazing experience led by a professional guide. DAVID was accommodating, informative, and very welcoming. The guide in the caves was very experienced and gave us very detailed information about the caves and the glowworms. It is an experience not to be missed.
You absolutely must discover this one of a kind glowworm experience
SHARYN L,
Nov 25, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00David was our driver and set the perfect tone for the day right from the start. Personality: David was awesome, kind, and funny, he made the long drive from Auckland to Waitomo an integral, enjoyable part of the tour. Knowledge: He shared excellent local and historical information about the Waikato region, pointing out landmarks, and giving insight into New Zealand's culture and environment. Comfort: David ensured our small group experience was comfortable and well-organized, with timely breaks and a smooth journey, allowing passengers to relax and anticipate the main attraction. Ross the cave tour guide is the star of this subterranean experience, transforming it into a truly magical and informative journey. Expertise: He is very knowledgeable, providing great insight into the Maori cultural aspect of the caves, the geological formation of stalactites and stalagmites, and the scientific background of the Arachnocampa luminosa (glowworms). Passion: Ross's passion for the area and its natural wonders is infectious, giving visitors a newfound respect for the tribal lands and nature. The Glowworm Boat Ride: During the famous silent boat ride in the grotto, Ross’s guiding enhances the magical experience. He creates a moment of silence where the only illumination is the natural blue-green glow of thousands of tiny glowworms, which reminded us of a constellation of stars on the cave ceiling.
Wonderful!
721kirillf,
Nov 25, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00It was a great trip with David to the Spellbound glow-worm caves. A lot of interesting information, good timing, comfortable bus. The local guide, who showed us around the caves, was also marvellous. The glow-worms are really bright, it's a unique experience.
Interesting tour
Julia S,
Nov 23, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Good guides Lots of interesting info Bring walking shoes and a camera that works well in the dark! Also: you’ll get an ice cream stop
Breathtaking
K1385KFclaudiak,
Nov 22, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00An excellent tour with very goods guides who were enthusiastic to pass on their knowledge. The caves are breathtaking.
Best caves to visit
JohnG940,
Nov 16, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The Spellbound caves are probably the best glow worm caves to visit and Expedigo made it very easy to get there. Picked us up promptly from our CBD hotel and took all the hassle out of driving. The transport also picked up people from other CBD hotels with a total of 12 people all collected with 20 minutes and on our way. Our driver Jamie was a top bloke, very friendly and easy to got on with, and full of little snippets of information along the drive there and back. Water and snacks were also on board. When we arrived at Spellbound our group was looked after by Hop (can’t remember his full proper name :-/). So as a small group it felt like it had that personal touch. The first cave is amazing, and Hop also helps you set your camera to get the best shots. A hot drink and snacks before moving onto the second cave for a just as interesting talk from Hop. If you’re in Auckland and haven’t seen any glow worm caves yet this is the trip to try.
Great trip to explore caves, glow worms, geology and culture
Elizabeth T,
Nov 16, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Great trip from Auckland to Waitomo with driver Paul to experience the glow worm cave by boat. So magical. Then we walked to explore another cave that featured stalactites and stalagmites. Our guide on the cave tour, Ross from Spellbound, was fantastic! Light snacks and bottled water were provided in the van. We also made a rest stop for no-host coffee and pastries (excellent options!) on the way out and lunch on your own in the way back. Bring money, wear closer-toe shoes, and perhaps a light jacket as the caves are cool. Fantastic tour. Definitely recommend!
Excellent glow worm sights with enthusiastic guides
brittanylE1781NX,
Nov 15, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Dean was a great and friendly driver. He scared his knowledge throughout our drive to the caves. We then went on a small group tour, saw the glow worms, became more acquainted with the dark and saw how bright these small bugs can be. Took a little boat tour further into the cave, took beautiful pics, and went on to discover another cave afterwards.
Seeing fabulous nature: glow worms, caves, countryside
elizabethtZ7186TG,
Nov 15, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Our driver/guide Paul was pleasant, knowledgeable, and a superb driver. He got us to Waitomo, where Ross from Spellbound took over as our guide. What a wealth of information he is. The caves we visited are private but on his family’s land, so he had personal history, as well as an amazing amount of knowledge about geology, earth science, history and culture. We visited two caves quite different from one another. Also included in the tour is driving out of Auckland, allowing really nice viewing of lovely, rural New Zealand. We had a scheduled rest stop at a fabulous bakery, as well as lunch in our own in a cute town. We could have stayed in town longer, but the star of the tour was time in the caves and learning about them and, of course, the amazing glow worms. Fantastic.
From NZ$310.00
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Operated by Expedigo Tours and Travels Auckland