Overview
Available languages
3 hours 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
Explore Waitomo’s hidden glowworm cave on a private, premium adventure with The Waitomo Experience. As the exclusive operator of the breathtaking Okohua Glowworm Cave, we offer an intimate small group journey designed for those seeking a more private underground experience.
Float on tubes beneath thousands of glowworms, swim through clear underground passages, climb over ancient limestone formations, and wade through crystal pools to hidden waterfalls. A good baseline of fitness and confidence in water is required as our expert guides lead you through this adventurous journey, providing top of the line caving equipment and sharing their deep local knowledge along the way.
After emerging, enjoy a peaceful bush walk back to base before relaxing in a cedar hot tub overlooking native forest and rolling farmland. With a maximum of just six guests per tour, this eco-friendly experience delivers an intimate, adventurous, and unforgettable journey beneath Waitomo’s magical surface.
Additional Info
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have a high level of physical fitness
We cannot take any travelers under 45kg
Minimum age is 12 years old
We recommend that you feel comfortable in water
We cannot take anyone over 120kg
Children aged 12-16 must be supervised by an adult aged 18 or older
Maximum age is 67 years old
If you are over 67 years old and you are fit and capable of an adventurous activity, send us a message or email.
What To Expect
Embark on an adventure through the Okohua Glowworm Cave. Tube, walk, float, swim and climb through glowworm-lit passages in a serene, magical world beneath the surface. Set on the idyllic Tumu Tumu Station. Operated solely by our team, we hold exclusive rights to explore the stunning Okohua Glowworm Cave, making this a once in a lifetime opportunity you won’t find anywhere else. Just 10 minutes from Waitomo village, meet your expert guides and gear up for a premium caving experience. A short walk through picturesque farmland leads to a hidden cave entrance, where your underground adventure begins. Drift through ancient caverns on tubes under thousands of glowworms, wade and swim through spring-fed pools of water. After resurfacing into native bush, enjoy a tranquil forest walk and unwind in a cedar hot tub with breathtaking views. The Waitomo Experience is a family owned and operated adventure. We limit each tour to a maximum of six people. This ensures a more intimate, personalized, and enjoyable experience for every visitor. Our farm is proudly carbon positive, meaning it sequesters more carbon than it emits an important part of our dedication to protecting the Cave.
Options
Okohua Glowworm Cave Adventure
What‘s Included
Black water rafting ( Tubing )
Use of equipment (tubes, high quality wetsuits, boots, and helmets)
Cedar hot tub relaxation post tour
Snacks
Hot Showers
Highly trained guides
Amazing Glowworm displays
Photos & Videos
Towels
Socks
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
32 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
ONCE IN A LIFETIME EXPERIENCE!!
Theflavorelevator,Jun 5, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00There’s a reason this experience has nothing less than 5 stars cause it truly lives up to the hype (and more). This was such a phenomenal experience for us as a group to explore caving and get closer to nature. John and his team are absolute professionals and he made sure that we were safe and well taken care off. Especially loved the hot drink break half way through the experience and loved learning about glowworms and cave formations. If you’re ever in New Zealand and looking for adventure, this has got to be on your list!!
Wonderful experience
Climber39077977322,Jun 1, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The experience was absolutely fantastic. Would recommend to anyone.
Once in a lifetime experience
Ariel A,May 14, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This was the highlight of my northern island trip. The drive up alone was stunning, and the excursion was absolutely amazing. Really fun, adventure and the guide Jamie did a phenomenal job leading us through and making the experience unforgettable. Gorgeous views at the end while warming up in the hot tub was an awesome way to end the day. Definitely worth the money to book a private tour with them.
So much more than Glowworm caves!
Fiona C,May 7, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00More than expected with this experience, not just floating around. Climbing through the caves was an amazing activity! Jamie was very good with explaining and working with all our different levels of fitness and anxieties.
Best tour we took in over 20 excursions.
wgechter,May 4, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was amazing. You hike, you climb, you swim, you crawl, you tube all to get down the cave. We hiked and tubed a few places in the dark. We all got a turn to lead and time to explore areas of the cave. Plus we learned. The amount of natural glowworms is unreal and it was truly beautiful. You'll be cold in May but not as cold as you think, they give you gear. Jamie, our guide, did a great job with everyone and was so friendly and respectful. You must book this!!!!
Nerves disappeared.
419maureenp,Apr 27, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00I was so nervous driving to the start of the tour. But the staff were reassuring and confident. Once I got down that ladder, all nerves disappeared. Christina was a great guide. It was as if she had memorised the placement of every rock in those caves. It was an awesome experience.
Amazing experience!
Tiago Rio de Janeiro,Apr 21, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Amazing experience! Truly challenging. Staff was outstanding, unfortunately I came in a bit late but they still managed to get me in. Congrats to all involved!
The best cave tour
BrookeEastland,Mar 31, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.0010 out of 10 experience. We had such a fun time climbing and swimming our way through the cave and seeing so many glow worms. The group size is small and personable and well worth the money. If you’re thinking about booking, do it. It’s an adventure you won’t want to miss.
A magical and exhilarating experience - a must do in NZ
Neil R,Mar 25, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00We would give this 6 stars if we could! We did this trip the day after what we had enjoyed what we considered our best ever adventure experience (white water rafting on the Tongariro) but this tour matched it! Safety was paramount from the beginning and Vaughan was an outstanding guide - calm, reassuring and clear in all his instructions throughout the tour, which was critical for us as one of us is pretty claustrophobic and was very nervous about the experience. However, we were both able to fully enjoy the tour as we were carefully guided and given options to match our appetites for ‘tightness’ at key points. Vaughan gave us great information on the caves themselves and also on the glow worms. As exhilarating and enjoyable as the caving was, it can scarcely compare the life-affirming experience of silently contemplating the glow worms in the cave and gliding beneath them on an inner tube. Also, the changing facilities are great and the hot tub was the perfect way to recover after the exertions of the trip. Thank you to Vaughan and all at Okohua caves for sharing this magical place and doing it so splendidly.
Book this one!!
Pauline S,Mar 18, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Fantastic experience from start to finish!! We originally were going to book the other one but are so glad we chose this outfitter!! Love that it is a family business:) Brand new everything: wetsuits, showers, hot tubs! The team and our guide were excellent and they keep their group sizes small and much more personal. You can tell the pride they have in sharing their knowledge of the land, respecting the ecology and the glow worms. Highly recommend the Waitomo Experience!
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