Come visit a New Zealand attraction that’s sure to have you ‘glowing’ during this 45-minute small-group guided boat ride through the famous Waitomo Glowworm Caves. Glide by boat through this underground complex, enjoying a light show put on by the millions of tiny bioluminescent insects hanging above. As an added bonus, many of the trip guides are of Maori descent, adding unique historical context to your visit.

Discover New Zealand's famous Waitomo Glowworm Caves on a guided boat trip
Learn the science behind these mysterious glowing creatures, known as 'Arachnocampa luminosa'
Marvel at a virtual 'constellation' of glowworms above your head in the Glowworm Grotto
Explore this massive cave complex on foot, including a chance to visit Cathedral Cave
Hear about the geology and history of the caves from your guide
Once-in-a-lifetime experience
Great way to explore the unique natural beauty of New Zealand

What's Included

Local guide
GST (Goods and Services Tax)

Souvenir photos (available to purchase)

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

Waitomo Caves, Waitomo Caves, Waitomo District, Waikato Region, North Island
Departure Point: Waitomo Glowworm Caves Visitor Centre Address: 39 Waitomo Village Road, Waitomo Dates: Daily

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

What To Expect

Begin your visit at the Glowworm Caves Visitor Centre, picking one of the range of tour departure times that work best for your schedule. Then prepare to experience the magic of this unexpected subterranean adventure.

Start your glowworm experience by exploring the giant cave complex on foot, stopping to visit its ‘Cathedral Cave,’ a site renowned for its unique acoustics and striking cave features. Then step aboard your boat to continue your adventure.

You’ll silently cruise through the Glowworm Grotto, marveling at the star-like constellation of bioluminescent insects that seem to twinkle like an eerie blue version of the nighttime sky. Your guide will provide details about the insects themselves, known by their scientific name of Arachnocampa luminosa, and share insights into the geologic and historical background of the cave complex.

Leave the caves after your 45-minute underground journey, still marveling at the mysterious beauty of these surprising insects.

Waitomo Glowworm Caves

45 minutes • Admission Ticket Included

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
Bring comfortable waking shoes and a warm jacket
Not wheelchair accessible
Near public transportation
Infant seats available

Most travelers can participate
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
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 23 travelers

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.

Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Featured review

Kasanita_V

What an incredible experience! The glowworm cave was just spectacular and coupled with the history (both scientific & Maori) we learned from our guide, Moi, made it an unforgettable experience! We’ve recommended the tour to family and friends and will continue to do so.

Reviews

4.5

670 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

Reviews by Viator travelers.

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Showing 1-10 of 670 reviews

Very nice your, excellent...

Carrie_D, Apr 2024

Very nice your, excellent guides. Took the guided path through the trees by the car park, it was a nice walk.

Be careful with booking

Barry_L, Apr 2024

The tour was good. My issue is Viator. I booked through Viator as the price advertised was considerably less than others. It was only as you are about to pay that it is disclosed the price advertised is in US dollars. The other agents advertise their price correctly in New Zealand dollars as $75. With the currency conversion it cost ue $78NZ each. Very misleading business practise by Viator.

Amazeballs

Gayle_W, Apr 2024

It was all memorable just amazing. The singing in the cathedral cave was beautiful. The glow worms are such fascinating creatures.

worth to visit

gemma_c, Apr 2024

The allocated time started as per schedule . and my guests were totally satisfied. And it’s good there’s a restaurant just beside the entrance .

Waitomo Glowworms Caves is an otherworldly experience; a must do

Reena_S, Apr 2024

This is by far one of the best tours we’ve done. We were a family of 3 and everyone of us absolutely loved it. It was so sacred and the cathedral is just stunning. We came for the glowworms sure but boy oh boy our guide Charlie’s voice is otherworldly!!! Have recommended to our family and friends. Will surely be back.

Worms glowed, but the guide treated us like cattle

Nick_T, Apr 2024

It was cool to see, but the guide lied to us, telling the group that if we made a noise that the worms would stop glowing... not true. They treat guests like cattle, using manipulations to control the group. Tell people the truth...

Not worth the detour. Better to watch on TV.

Ian_D, Mar 2024

Tour was just less than 45 minutes. Spent at least half the time being shown the caves on foot and some of it felt as if time-filling. Luckily shown the Glowworm threads then as you see little else. You only see a small area on the boat so disappointing. They really ought to show a video to give more detail as the glow works are so small you only see the lights and little else. My wife and I had both seen this on TV before coming we both agreed the TV was far better.

Sheryl was an excellent...

Malcolm_S, Mar 2024

Sheryl was an excellent guide - well spoken and friendly. really enjoyed our visit. Will recommend to our friends.

beautiful growworm

hyunchul_k, Mar 2024

I felt I was in the universe.so beautiful. I could not imagine these beautiful little creatures live in cave.

Book It

Kari_R, Mar 2024

The guide was knowledgeable and fielded questions well. The tour wasn't too long or strenuous and got to see lots of gloworms. Kids and adults were intrigued.

Loved it

James_Y, Mar 2024

It was an interesting, informative, and enjoyable experience. I went with my daughter, and the guide was great

A must see and include the boat ride

demcc50, Mar 2024

Our guide Corey was a well humoured Maori man and a relative of one of the original developers. He explained everything about gloworms and their habitat and lifestyle. We saw the way they feed and you need to see this! He sang beautifully in this fabulous acoustic cave system. The boat ride is a must

Great tour and guide

Melissa_T, Mar 2024

We enjoyed our tour of the glow worm caves. Joe our guide was very knowledgeable and we learned a lot of the history of the caves and the area. Joe even was kind enough to sing for us so our group could hear the acoustics of the cave. The glow worms were very cool as well. Highly recommend.

A glowing experience, worth it👍

Rachel_C, Mar 2024

Great commentary about the caves, well organised and glow worms look just like the Christmas tree lights, amazing experience 👍

Nice day out

Andrew_B, Mar 2024

Awesome trip. Knowledgeable guide and lovely to see. Caves and glowworm very interesting. Would recommend.

Worms

Rodney_M, Mar 2024

Tour guide made the tour that much betrer. The worms are so amazing. I would recommend this tour to all.

Total Disappointment-No Camera Usage!

michael_a, Mar 2024

We drove 2 hours from Taupō for a 30 minute tour. No photos or videos allowed is so ridiculous as there’s absolutely no reason for this restriction! The photos afterwards for purchase are fictitious ones done on a green screen for $40 and not of you in the cave. I’m not sure if I’d go if it was around the corner, let alone 2 hours away from where we were staying and visiting from the other side of the world!

Glad we did it!

TimraL_C, Feb 2024

Enjoyable experience, loved hearing about the history. A must see if visiting New Zealand. It’s dark so need to be careful while walking through the cave.

Enjoyed our guide. The...

Glen_S, Feb 2024

Enjoyed our guide. The experience was amazing. We had never seen anything like it .this is a must tour if you go to New Zealand

Amazing!

Kelley_L, Feb 2024

Seeing these creatures light up at will, only to catch their food supply was amazing. 99% of people on this earth will never what God has created here.

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