Budget-friendly Waitomo Glowworm Cave tour with boat ride & stories from Māori guides.
- Everything you get: A 45-minute guided tour of the Waitomo Glowworm Cave led by an English-speaking guide of Māori descent. Explore majestic limestone formations, then sail along the Waitomo River beneath shimmering glowworms.
- Why choose this: It’s Waitomo at its most iconic; thousands of glowworms overhead, a serene underground boat ride, and a guide sharing tales passed through generations, all in one magical 45-minute tour.
- Upgrades: Choose the 1.5-hour Ruakuri Cave tour for a longer, accessible underground walk, or the full-day Waitomo Caves tour from Auckland with transfers for a more immersive cave experience.
Inclusions
Waitomo Glowworm Caves Guided Tour
- 45-minute guided tour of Waitomo Gloworm Cave
- English-speaking guide of Maori descent
- Waitomo River boat ride
Ruakuri Cave Guided Tour (as per option selected)
- 1.5-hour guided tour of Ruakuri Cave
- English-speaking guide of Maori descent
Offbeat Waitomo Glowworm Cave Small-Group Guided Tour (as per option selected)
- 3.5-hour guided tour of Waitomo Glowworm Cave
- Exclusive access to a private cave system on a family farm
- Expert local guide
- Small group of up to 8 people
- Safety equipment & warm clothing
- Snack & hot drinks
From Auckland: Waitomo Glowworm Cave Guided Tour (as per option selected)
- 45-minute guided tour of Waitomo Gloworm Cave
- Round-trip hotel transfers from Auckland CBD
- English-speaking guide/driver
- Waitomo River boat ride
- Snacks & water
What to bring
- Wear non-slip shoes as the cave floors are wet and slippery.
- Bring a warm jacket as the temperature of the cave can be cool.
- When you visit, make sure you've got a credit card or your phone set up for contactless payments (like Apple Pay or Google Pay).
What's not allowed
- Photography and videography are strictly prohibited in the Waitomo Glowworm Caves.
- Smoking, food, drink or litter are not allowed inside the cave.
- Pets are not allowed inside the cave.
Accessibility
- This experience is suitable for guests with reasonable mobility, with well-maintained paths and sturdy handrails throughout. However, it is not accessible for wheelchairs or prams/strollers.
- You can cancel these tickets up to 48 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.