West Coast Cave & Black Water Rafting Tours – South Island NZ
Updated 23 rd February 2026
West Coast Cave & Black Water Rafting Tours – South Island NZ
Experience the best cave tours and black water rafting adventures on the West Coast of New Zealand’s South Island. From the rugged limestone country around Charleston, this guided trip takes you deep into hidden caves where glowworms sparkle above crystal pools, and then onward through thrilling whitewater sections on purpose-built rafts.
Perfect for adventure seekers, this West Coast cave rafting tour combines underground exploration with hands-on water action, winding through rainforest rivers, limestone chasms and glowworm galleries you won’t find anywhere else. Whether you’re chasing the iconic glowworm experience or the rush of black water rafting in Charleston, this is one of the South Island’s most unforgettable journeys.
Charleston Cave & Black Water Rafting Adventures
Discover the Magic of Underworld Adventures on New Zealand’s West Coast
Embark on an unforgettable journey with Underworld Adventures, nestled in the heart of Charleston near Westport on the West Coast of New Zealand’s South Island. This unique destination offers three distinct adventures that cater to all ages and abilities, promising an experience like no other beneath the lush rainforest canopy of Paparoa National Park.
Choose from a range of thrilling Underworld West Coast Experiences, including:
- Underworld Cave Rafting: Drift through crystal-clear waters beneath a mesmerizing canopy of glowworms.
- Adventure Caving: Conquer abseils, climbs, and crawls in the raw wilderness of New Zealand’s largest unmodified cave system.
- Glowworm Cave Tour: Stroll through underground wonderlands illuminated by millions of glowworms, creating a magical ‘starry night’ experience.
- Rainforest Train: Take a scenic journey through primeval rainforest, surrounded by towering limestone cliffs and lush, untouched nature.
Beneath the surface, explore spectacular formations of stalactites and stalagmites, navigate water-sculpted passages, and immerse yourself in a hidden world of natural wonders. Whether you’re an adventure seeker or a nature lover, Underworld Adventures promises an experience filled with awe, discovery, and adventure.
Book your adventure today and let the mystical world of the West Coast’s caves captivate you!
Charleston Glowworm Cave Tour / Metro Cave Tour
A Magical Underground Journey
Price: Adults $165 per person Child: $115 pp Family 2 adults/ 2 children $495
Departs: 9 am, 11-30 am & 2 pm
Tour Duration: approx 4 Hours
Rainforest Train Adventure
Your journey begins at the modern Charleston Base (or your accommodation in Westport). After a short 10-minute drive, board the Rainforest Train for a 15-minute ride through the Nile River Canyon, surrounded by the lush, untouched West Coast rainforest.
Scenic Bush Walk
Follow the tranquil Nile River on a gentle walk through the native forest, soaking up the peaceful atmosphere before climbing 130 steps to the high cave entrance.
Explore the Ancient Metro Cave
Step into an ancient limestone wonderland, where you’ll encounter:
- Spectacular calcite formations in the Hall of Refugees.
- The breathtaking Main Entrance, with an underground galaxy of glowworms.
- Fascinating insights into the cave’s geological history, local caving tales, and natural wonders.
The Glowworm Experience
One of the highlights of this tour is witnessing thousands of glowworms create a star-like canopy along the underground passages. Get up close to these incredible creatures, learning about their unique lifecycle and habitat.
Return to Civilisation
After exploring the cave labyrinth, emerge back into the daylight and retrace your steps to the Rainforest Train for the journey back to Charleston. This tour offers a deep dive into nature, providing a unique glimpse into one of the few undeveloped caves in New Zealand, all while staying clean and comfortable!
Underworld Rafting – An Unforgettable Black Water Adventure
Price: Adults $245 per person Children $175 pp
Family: Family 2 adults/ 2 children $745
Departs: 9 am, 11-30 am & 2 pm
Tour Duration: approx 4 Hours
Begin Your Journey with the Rainforest Train
The adventure starts at our purpose-built Charleston base, where guests are equipped with wetsuits, boots, gloves, and helmets. After gearing up, a short 10-minute drive leads to the Nile River Canyon. Here, the Rainforest Train carries you through lush native forest and towering limestone cliffs, setting the tone for the underground adventure ahead.
Enter the Enormous Nile River Cave
A gentle walk upstream allows time to soak in the peaceful atmosphere, before climbing 130 steps to the high cave entrance. Inside, explore a hidden world of limestone formations, crossing huge chambers and navigating the maze-like passages of the Nile River Cave.
Discover the Cave’s Wonders
Your guide will enrich the experience with fascinating stories about the cave’s formation, geology, and local history. Traverse the dry underground riverbed to reach the edge of a subterranean lake, where the true magic begins.
Float Beneath a Glowworm Galaxy
Climb onto your tube, link up with fellow adventurers, and drift 250 meters through the darkness, guided only by the natural light of countless glowworms. This surreal experience feels like floating under a starry night sky, deep within the cave’s mystical embrace.
Emerge into a Lost World
Exiting the cave, the adventure continues with rock hopping to the Nile River. A gentle float down rapids brings you back to the train, where the journey concludes with a ride back to civilization.
Award-Winning Adventure
This is an award-winning experience, blending thrills, natural beauty, and the wonders of the underground world. Whether you’re an adventure seeker or a nature lover, Underworld Rafting offers a once-in-a-lifetime journey into the heart of Paparoa National Park.
Book now to explore a hidden realm, nestled in the breathtaking West Coast wilderness!
Adventure Caving – The Ultimate Expedition-Style Cave Experience
Price: $350
Departs: 9 am, 11-30 am & 2 pm
Tour Duration: approx 5 Hours
For the True Adventure Seekers
Adventure Caving is the ultimate expedition-style tour, offering a full-on, sporty, and challenging experience deep within the Te Tahi Cave System, just 20 minutes from Charleston. This tour is designed for fit, capable explorers who crave a raw and immersive caving experience.
Gear Up & Get Ready
After a safety briefing, guests are equipped with wetsuits, overalls, harnesses, lights, and helmets. A short drive up an old logging road brings you to the remote karst landscape of the West Coast, where the real adventure begins.
130 ft Abseil into the Hi Hi Tomo
Start your journey with a thrilling 130-foot abseil down the breathtaking Hi Hi Tomo. As the sunlight fades above, the descent leads to the dry rift passages of Te Tahi Cave, where scrambling over boulders sets the stage for underground exploration.
Navigate Active Waterways & Narrow Passages
Experience the true spirit of caving as you:
- Climb rifts and waterfalls, following the water upstream.
- Chimney, bridge gaps, and crawl through sporty passages, surrounded by the sounds and smells of the cave.
- Tackle cascades, waterfalls, and squeezes, blending physical challenge with pure fun.
Discover Fossils & Explore The White Room
Take a well-deserved break in the ‘White Room’, surrounded by superb formations and fossilized history. Enjoy a power snack and gain a true understanding of what exploratory caving is all about.
Crawl, Climb & Emerge into the Open
Navigate through narrow water passages, returning to the larger, dry caverns of Te Tahi. The adventure concludes with a hidden exit, where a short rainforest walk brings you back to the tomo where your expedition began.
A True Caving Challenge
This is the perfect adventure for those with a desire for real caving—a chance to push boundaries, explore the unknown, and create lasting memories in one of New Zealand’s most extraordinary underground worlds.
Book your spot today and experience an authentic caving expedition that will leave you in awe of nature’s underground beauty!
