Ultimate Waitomo Glow Worm Caves Experience Two Great Caves

Waitomo Glowworm Tourist Attractions

Waitomo Glowworm Cave Tours

Waitomo – Visit the Spellbound Glowworm Caves to enjoy Waitomo’s biggest and brightest glowworm show. Experience two wonderful caves softly lit by 30,000 glowworms in the Mangawhitiakau cave system, 12km south of Waitomo.

Drift slowly through the first cave where you will be rewarded with the soft glow of many of thousands of glowworms, enough to gently light up an entire cave. Walk through Cave of the Spirit, a lovely succession of chambers to find speleothems, fossil remains of extinct moa and cathedrals filled with natural light, softly falling to the floor.

You will have, 1 guide, 2 caves to visit and up to 12 people. Lots of time is taken so you can truly enjoy one of nature’s greatest light spectacles.

Spellbound Essential Glowworm Tour

One cave tour to see the Glowworms up close then Drift slowly through our glowworm cave by raft on flat water where you will be rewarded with enough glowworms to gently light up the entire cave

Price: $60 per person – Child $21 pp (under 14)
Tours Depart: 9:40 & 1:40 Bookings essential
Duration: 85 Minutes.
Group Size: 12 people maximum

Spellbound – Glowworm & Cave Excursion

Note – This is the same as our explorer option, but with pickup and return from the Waitomo Village

Price: $80 per person – Child $26 pp (Group discount on 9 to 12 pax)
Tours Depart: 11:00 am – 1:00 pm & 3:00 pm (From Waitomo Village)
Duration: 3 ¼ hours. Bookings essential
Group Size: 12 people maximum

In the first cave, see glowworms close up to discover their real identities. Then board a raft to experience a spellbinding drift down the mysterious cave river. Sit beneath the closest, densest and most sweeping glowworm display you could wish for.
Our second cave is approached via a scenic gorge path retracing a lost river. At the cave we turn on soft lighting and introduce you to the ancient world of the Cave of the Spirit. Be prepared to be surprised by this cave.

Our tour visits 2 different caves, the first is a cave with a boat ride, and the second is a walk-through cave.
We take you on an inflatable raft to view glowworms – there are no rapids in the cave, it’s very gentle and serene.
Our caves are presented very naturally, we’ve modified them as little as possible and they are located on a very beautiful, backcountry farm. You will encounter few other visitors – if any at all. Our tour is worth doing just for the drive out there!
Tours are suitable for people of all ages and average fitness. Our scenic walks are short and optional. Please let our guide know at check in if you have any fitness concerns.

The tour takes place in the outdoors and cave temperatures are cool even in summer (10°C/50°F)
We stay dry – the tour does not involve using a wet suit or abseiling or river rapids, it’s very easy
You are welcome to bring your camera to snap some memories.
Hot drinks and biscuits are provided. Toilets are also provided.
We travel to private caves in certified transit van with seat belts commentary is given along the way.
During times of flooding the raft may not operate for safety reasons.

Tour Itinerary

We drive to the caves via very scenic backcountry roads and farm tracks with commentary along the way. (20 minutes each way)
You arrive at private caves situated on a sheep and cattle farm, then walk among limestone rock outcrops before descending into a gorge to meet a picturesque stream.
Get ready to go underground ( for 45-55 minutes).The Spellbound Glowworm cave is almost totally adorned with glowworms. We walk through half of it and float through the other half on flat water using an inflatable raft. We keep our lights very dim or off as much as possible to give you the best possible glowworm experience.
By now you have been with us for 1.5 hours. We stop for toilets and refreshments (tea, coffee or hot chocolate and biscuits)
After tea and coffee, it’s time to walk along a dry gorge to the Cave of the Spirit. This cave has stalactites and stalagmites, fossils and tomo. We spend 40 – 45 minutes here, then drive back to Waitomo Village.
The tour Itinerary sometimes changes – we may visit the caves in opposite order or avoid walks between caves in heavy rain. If you don’t feel comfortable doing all the walks you will be able to ride in the van as an alternative.

Spellbound Cave Explorer

Price: $70 per person (min 2 people) Child $24 pp
Tours Depart: 10:00 am – 2:00 pm & 3:00 pm
Duration: approx 2 Hour 15 minutes

Our Most Popular Tour

2 cave tour starting at our new visitor centre (334 Boddies Rd. Oparure, Te Kuiti) – Take a 5 minute ride, then 5 minute walk in the Waitomo countryside to visit our Glowworm Cave. The highlight is boat ride with spectacular glowworms.Then continue , walking through an ancient river gorge to Te Ana o te Atua , the cave of the Spirit. Inside , be impressed by its limestone formations, fossils and spectacular views to the sky through tomo( sinkholes) also includes tea/coffee refreshment stop between the 2 cave visits.

This option includes the Essential tour, plus Spirit cave, plus refreshments.

Booking ahead is recommended because we can be very quiet or very busy!!

Private & Exclusive Photography Tour

Price: $650 private group (max group size 10)
Tours Depart: By Arrangement, generally departing on the hour
Duration: approx 3 hours.

Over the last 2 years we have had lead many groups for private exclusive photo tours. This is a more affordable way to do a photography tour. Join in with a few others (maximum 6 people). You must have a tripod and a camera, with equipment suitable to use in low light.
You also need to be familiar with the functions of your particular camera too achieve this – A typical Glowworm shot would be 30 seconds f4, Iso 6400 , depending how much extra reflections you like in your picture.
You must bring spare batteries and memory cards as there is nothing available at the site.
You also must feel confident focusing your camera in very low light conditions. Your guide will be able to recommend the best places to setup, and assist if necessary.

Bring a warm top or jacket, walking shoes (trainers) and your camera. If you have any questions about visiting our caves, please contact us for more information. We do like to know about any fitness issues or injuries which may affect you during your tour, then we can give you a good indication if our tour will be suitable for you

Freephone: 0800 773 552