Waitomo Glowworm Caves Guided Tour
Overview
Available languages
45 minutes
Mobile ticket
Be amazed by the thousands of magical glowworms above on this 45-minute group guided tour, as you glide silently by boat in the world famous Waitomo Glowworm Caves. Many of the current guides are descendants of the Maori chief who originally explored the cave and can share with you the remarkable history of the area. Guided since the late 1880s, this is the original, iconic New Zealand attraction.
Additional Info
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Bring comfortable waking shoes and a warm jacket
You must check in 30 minutes before the tour departs .
Due to high demand and limited capacity, if you are late or 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
No photography allowed
Not suitable for those who have difficulty navigating stairs
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Waitomo Glowworm Caves
Discover your moment of magic in the Waitomo Glowworm Caves tour. Known as one of New Zealand’s best natural attractions, take a boat ride through the glow worm grotto, marvel at thousands of magical glowworms and become part of over 130 years of cultural and natural history.World renowned and a magnet for both local and overseas visitors, the Waitomo Glowworm Caves occupy a high placing in the New Zealand vacation wish-list. The glow worm, Arachnocampa luminosa, is unique to New Zealand. Thousands of these tiny creatures radiate their unmistakable luminescent light as the expert guides provide informative commentary on their historical and geological significance to the region. Waitomo Glowworm Caves are a must see for any traveler. Enjoy the world famous boat ride under thousands of magical glowworms and become a part of over 125 years of cultural and natural history. Walk through the majestic Cathedral Cave famous for its spectacular formations and acoustics. Marvel at Mother Nature's light display as you glide silently through the starry wonderland of the Glowworm Grotto. Meander underground along the Waitomo River and gaze in silence at the myriad of glow worm lights that make up the Glowworm Grotto. As you enter this galaxy of tiny living lights, you'll immediately experience a serene ambience and be fascinated and intrigued by tiny glowworms that light your way.
What‘s Included
Local guide
GST (Goods and Services Tax)
Souvenir photos (available to purchase)
Options
Waitomo Glowworm Cave
Waitomo Glowworm Cave Tour: Be amazed by thousands of magical glowworms above, as you glide silently by boat in the world famous Waitomo Glowworm Caves.
Reviews
1,115 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Excellent experience
Andrew J,Mar 25, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Great experience and a very easy company to communicate with. A must do if in the area. Wasn't and fun, good value too.
If you can only have one experience in Waitomo, pick Ruakuri cave.
susandN4815XF,Mar 24, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
3.00This is a good way to see a lot of glow worms, but be warned, you can’t take pictures! The much better experience is to tour Ruakuri cave first, the cave is more beautiful and you learn more about the glow worm and see them up close. @livingthedreaminlb
The caves and glow worms were unlike anything f we’ve seen before. It was an incredible experience!
Adele S,Mar 23, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The guide and experience were great. We wish the other tourists would have been more quiet as they talked the entire time, despite being asked to refrain from talking.
Glow worms but not such a glowing review of our guide
tomasz k,Mar 23, 2026
- Review from Viator
4.00Loved the caves and glow worms but the young tour guide was definitely lacking in personality and story telling like the guide we heard along the way in the caves at the same time. Ticket taking kiosk was great and calming as we ran to present our tickets fearing we were late. Very nice and calming person
Ecvellent experience
Brenda P,Mar 23, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Experienced Guide - one of the decedent's of original Chief who discovered the caves. Thank you Danny for excellent experience.
I wont be back. Not worth 80$
marJ2630HA,Mar 22, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
2.00Interesting obviously to see the glowworms. Too short of a tour for the price. Disrespectful of guest time to require a 30 min ahead of time check in for a 45 min tour. Probably just a sorry attempt to suck You in to the over done entrance area and overpriced snack shop. All for the ridiculous price of 80$. Not again!!
Good but not informative, disappointed.
skiersuk,Mar 21, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00On the whole this was a very positive experience. The place seems well organised and there is detail to safety. We were in a small group which was a real positive, some of the groups were very big which couldn’t have been a good experience. We did think that the guide did not provide enough information about the glowworms, in fact he didn’t even say that they are nit worms, he kept asking if we had any questions but when someone asked the simplistic of questions he did not know the answer. He seemed to think his job was to make sure we all enjoyed a laugh rather than giving us information. I do not think thins attraction is suitable for babies and very young children, It involves step steps and being in the dark, consequently on our trip we could not enjoy the quiet because of a young girl anxiously asking questions and saying all the time that she wanted to get off the boat. The whole thing was rather rushed and I guess that it has because a big money making exercise, which is a shame because this approach spoils the experience for people.
Glow Worms
900kylea,Mar 21, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00Very nice fun to see the unique glow worms
Well worth doing
Clare A,Mar 20, 2026
- Review from Viator
4.00Really well organised and good experience. Very competent guide and nice cafe afterwards. Easy to find and plenty of free parking. Excellent gift shop.
Gloworm Cave experience
Murali K,Mar 20, 2026
- Review from Viator
4.00The experience is surreal, every tourist should take this tour. The commentary was great with good detail. The environment inside was so natural and nice. The gloworm experience was interesting and informative.
From NZ$81.00
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Operated by THL - Waitomo Caves Group