Waitomo Caves
Journey through New Zealand's Waitomo Caves. See enchanting glowworms on a guided tour. Book now for subterranean magic.
Bestseller
Free cancellation
Waitomo Glowworm Caves Guided Tour with Optional Ruakuri Cave Tour
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
Mobile ticket
1 hr
from
NZ$75Top Experiences
Free cancellation
Day Trips
From Auckland: Waitomo Glowworm Caves Guided TourInstant confirmation
Rated 4 out of 5.0 from 6 reviews.
from
NZ$279Free cancellation
Rafting
Guided Black Water Rafting in WaitomoInstant confirmation
Rated 4.77 out of 5.0 from 22 reviews.
NZ$179
Free cancellation
Free cancellation
Day Trips
From Auckland: Hobbiton Movie Set & Waitomo Caves Guided TourInstant confirmation
Rated 5 out of 5.0 from 2 reviews.
from
NZ$410Free cancellation
Outdoor Activities
Ruakuri Cave Guided TourInstant confirmation
Rated 4.46 out of 5.0 from 114 reviews.
NZ$107
Free cancellation
Rafting
Waitomo’s Black Abyss Guided Tour with Black Water Rafting & Zip LiningInstant confirmation
Rated 5 out of 5.0 from 2 reviews.
NZ$299
Free cancellation
Ziplining
Waitomo Caves Zipline Park TicketsInstant confirmation
Rated 5 out of 5.0 from 7 reviews.
NZ$125
Headout's Top Recommendations
Free cancellation
Guided Tours
Waitomo Glowworm Caves Guided Tour with Optional Ruakuri Cave TourInstant confirmation
Rated 4.43 out of 5.0 from 378 reviews.
from
NZ$75Free cancellation
Day Trips
From Auckland: Waitomo Glowworm Caves Guided TourInstant confirmation
Rated 4 out of 5.0 from 6 reviews.
from
NZ$279Free cancellation
Rafting
Guided Black Water Rafting in WaitomoInstant confirmation
Rated 4.77 out of 5.0 from 22 reviews.
NZ$179
Select a Date
Duration
1 hr
7 hrs - 12 hrs
3 hrs
Inclusions
Maori descendant expert tour guide
Small group tour
45-minute tour of Waitomo Glowworm Caves (optional)
Boat ride along Waitomo River (optional)
Guided walk inside Waitomo Grotto (optional)
Extended 1.5-hour guided walking tour of Ruakuri Cave (optional)
Exclusive access to deeper and untouched areas of the cave (optional)
Access to Holdens Cavern, the Drum Passage, the Pretties & the Ghost Passage (optional)
Up close views of glowworms, stalagmites & stalactites (optional)
Entry & exit through the grand spiral staircase (optional)
More Inclusions
Round-trip hotel transfers from Auckland CBD
Expert guide
Small group tour
Complimentary snacks & water
45-minute guided tour of Waitomo Glowworm Caves:
Boat ride along Waitomo River
Guided walk inside Waitomo Grotto
Transfers to Rotorua (based on option selected)
1.5-hour guided tour of Te Puia Geothermal Valley (based on option selected)
More Inclusions
3-hour underground black water rafting
Expert guide
Safety equipment (footwear, tubes, wetsuits, helmets, abseiling devices)
Snack
Small group of up to 12 guests
More Inclusions
Cancellation policy
You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
You can cancel these tickets up to 48 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Top things to do in Waitomo
About Waitomo Caves
Waitomo Glowworm Caves, dating back 30 million years, is a subterranean wonder in New Zealand. Walk through cave passages illuminated by the celestial glow of native glowworms. Book your tickets now and explore the geological and cultural treasures of this magical attraction.
Why visit Waitomo Caves?
Did you know?
- The glowworms in Waitomo Caves are actually a species of gnat called Arachnocampa Luminosa. In their larval stage, they glow to attract insects, resembling maggots more than worms.
- The caves began forming 30 million years ago from limestone rock composed of marine fossils. Tectonic activity brought the rock to the surface, and rain, over a million years, created the expansive cave system.
- Glowworms glow not only for tourists but mainly to attract other insects. Their bioluminescence, created by their tails, lures insects to their sticky lines. They also use the glow to attract mates.
- Beyond the well-known caves, Waitomo area has hundreds of caves. Only around 10 of which are open for exploration, each with their own unique experience.
- While there are paid tours, there are also opportunities to see glowworms for free. The Ruakuri Bushwalk at night allows visitors to spot glowworms along the trail using torches.
Browse By Themes
Millions love heading out with us
Deborah
United States
The cave was simply amazing. Ticketing was easy. It was much easier to find with morning meeting location when we had an address and the name of the hotel rather than the GPS coordinates that were initially provided.
Roxana
Belgium
Had a lovely time on the tour, Chris was a wonderful guide, sharing a lot of interesting facts and adding in some extra sights along the drive. Communication and scheduling was easy and precise, I appreciated the punctuality.
Petra
We had a great time! A family with two kids - 9 and 12 Years old. Rob and Kelly are lovely people. We had a lot of fun and felt very safe. Thank you for this exciting family adventure!
Amit
United States
This was an amazing experience! A must do for anyone who is in the Waitomo area.
Rob and Kelsey were really great and made sure that we had a great time ziplining!
Carol
New Zealand
The caves should be one of the seven wonders of the world - it is simply staggering to see them and to take in the age of them and the beauty of the rock formation as well as the unique glow worms. It has been tastefully commercialised with the construction fitting well with nature and everything was meticulously clean. We had a great tour guide, Charlee, and one of the highlights was her singing Pokarekareana - it was soul wrenching in the cathedral. Just awesome.
Graeme
New Zealand
The pace, the guide, the ease in which we moved to an earlier tour, the congrats from the check in person when she heard it was our 40th Anniversary. We were to have visited 40 years ago, stayed overnight in the region and the cave was not available to visit that time. Great to finally get that opportunity.
James
New Zealand
One of the best things i've ever done in NZ. Such a unique experience and amazing friendly instructors we had such a good time!
Dom
New Zealand
Brilliant adventure under the ground. Very well looked after, the peaceful moments drifting underneath glowworms were amazing.
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