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
WGC 01 October 2026-30 Sept27
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
1,163 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Amazing experience
Adish T,May 14, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00We reached a little early. We were traveling from Paihia to Rotorua and had booked this excursion in advance, and grossly miscalculated. But they were very generous with the help and adjusted us in another time slot. There were no questions about our problems, they just got into action once they got to know. The excursion was great as well. The staff at Waitomo explained the caves and it's creation and history in great details and actually helped my parents a lot who don't understand English that well.
Nice experience
Road17391388156,May 10, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Nice experience . Timely. And guide was very interesting
This was a fun and easy...
Jacqueline O,May 10, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This was a fun and easy way to see glow worms. In addition to the glow worms, the cave was really interesting. We enjoyed our experience overall.
Unique & fascinating experience not to be missed.
Anthony R,May 10, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00It was very well organised & our guide was very informative. Not an overly large group which was great. Its an experience like no other…absolutely fascinating “other worldly” experience & well worth doing. Silence & good balance/eye sight required but it was in no way difficult. There were older people in our group & all coped well. The boatride through a section of the cave at the end was breathtaking.
Please improve
kitadam2026,May 9, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
3.00It was a wonderful experience to see the magical glow of the earthen bags in the cave. The boat is not equipped with an engine, and the male guide uses his strong arms to tether the ropes slowly, so you should be able to enjoy the view very quietly, but it was unfortunate. Are you from a country that doesn't understand English, despite the ban? The whole time we were talking together. I can't stand the second half, and I'm like, 'Please be quiet! ' I said it a little louder and then it became quieter, and I was finally able to immerse myself in the fantastic scene. But it was over in a very short time. I thought the guide should tell them to be quiet in some representative languages. There was another unfortunate thing. The last time I used the toilet, there was a sign in Japanese on the wall of my private room saying, "Please flush used paper down the toilet instead of in the trash." In Japan, even the smallest rural villages and remote islands have advanced infrastructure, allowing paper to be flushed down the toilet. Many Japanese people in the world pride themselves on the cleanliness of Japanese toilets. I think there are many Japanese who are sorry to see that sign. Come on. We would appreciate it if you could remove the Japanese display from the poster.
A Magical Experience
janel765,May 9, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The glow worm tunnel was an absolute must on our Honeymoon Bucketlist whilst road tripping in our Jucy Camper. Because we were travelling up from the South Island and were unsure of time frames, we foolishly didnt book tickets before arriving and missed out on tickets the day we arrived. Thankfully we had the flexibility being in a camper and got a ticket for the next day and took the opportunity to explore the nearby Kiwi Park and Hamilton. I bring this up only to suggest to other travellers to ensure you get tickets to avoid disappointment if you do have a stricter timeline. The parking was plentiful, however there is a bit of a walk on incline up to the centre, so if you arent physically fit, it is recommended you get dropped up the top and have the driver park for you. The overall experience was great from the get go. Our guides were funny and informative and we enjoyed some history whilst walking through the ancient cave system. When we reached the boats, the dark cave lit up by the glow worms was ethereal and nothing short of magic. You absolutely need to include this experience whilst travelling to New Zealand as it was an amazing thing to behold and wont be forgotten.
Amazing and serene. Excellent.
Chris K,May 9, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Ash was such a great guide and a modest (though very good) singer. The caves were very impressive and Ash’s stories were very funny. The glow worms were amazing and the boat ride was so serene. We had a lot of fun. A great day.
Enjoyable!
Leilah Hillman,May 7, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Fantastic experience and enjoyable activity to do when in Waitomo. AJ was a stellar guide and calm demeaning was welcoming. Excellent information provided!
Excellent experience!
gisele s,May 4, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Excellent experience with a knowledgeable guide. It was really good from start to finish. Very informative.
Amazing
748kyliem,May 2, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great experience. Loved our guide and his knowledge.
From NZ$81.00
Want a private experience? Upgrade to a private tour
Related Experiences
Operated by THL - Waitomo Caves Group