Every page on this site
Every page on WaitomoGlowwormCaves.com in one place. Most visitors start with the tours, then read the guides.
Start here
Underground
Plan your visit
Tours
- All tours
- Waitomo Glowworm Caves Tour by Boat45 minutes through the Cathedral, then a silent boat under the Glowworm Grotto. The original Waitomo cave tour.
- Ruakuri Cave Glowworm Walking TourA spiral ramp down into Ruakuri Cave, waterfalls, glowworms up close. Photos allowed, wheelchair accessible.
- Hobbiton and Waitomo Caves Day Trip from AucklandHotel pickup in Auckland, the Hobbiton Movie Set, a café lunch and the Glowworm Cave boat ride, in one 11-hour day.
- Black Labyrinth Black Water RaftingWetsuit, helmet and tube: 3 hours in Ruakuri Cave, small waterfall jumps and a float under the glowworms.
- Off the Beaten Track Glowworm Cave TourA private cave on a family farm: 8 guests at most, wading and climbing, about 2 hours underground, phones welcome.
- Black Abyss Caving AdventureA 35 m abseil into Ruakuri Cave, a flying fox in the dark, tubing under glowworms and waterfall climbs: 5 hours.
- Aranui Cave Guided TourWaitomo's most delicate show cave: an hour on boardwalks among pink and white formations, photos allowed, no glowworms.
- Spellbound Glowworm Caves Tour from AucklandSmall-group day from Auckland to the private Spellbound caves: a glowworm boat ride, the cave of the spirit, photos allowed.
- Okohua Glowworm Cave Tour with Hot TubA private farm cave for six: walk, wade and tube under the glowworms, guides take the photos, a cedar hot tub after.
- Hobbiton and Waitomo from Auckland or RotoruaHobbiton, a buffet lunch and the Glowworm Cave boat ride in one day, between Auckland and Rotorua, one way or return.
- Waitomo Caves Zipline ParkTen ziplines above the caves, about 1 km in all, up to the Waitomo lookout and a last 280 m line at up to 80 km/h.
Guides
- All guides
- Is Waitomo worth it?What the caves give you for the time and money, how long to allow, and who each cave suits
- Which cave is best?The Glowworm Cave, Ruakuri, Aranui and the adventure caves weighed by boat, photos, length and price
- Tickets and pricesOfficial NZ$ prices for every cave, family passes, opening hours, check-in and booking ahead
- Day trip from AucklandThe drive, the three day trips side by side, Hobbiton and the caves in one day, and Rotorua one way.
- Glowworms explainedFungus gnat larvae, titiwai, why not to touch, when they glow, the free night walk and the 1887 story.
- Photos and what to wearThe photo rule in each cave, 16 to 17°C inside, shoes and jackets, black water rafting kit and access.
Blog
- All posts
- Waitomo prices 2026This year's official ticket prices, the family passes and combos, and the from-price of every tour on this site.
- Waitomo summer 2026-27School holiday dates, extra summer tours, booking ahead, and what to do around the caves on a long day.
- Auckland to Waitomo tours 2026This season's three day trips from Auckland side by side: length, pickup, which cave, what is included and the price.
About this site
Quick answers
- Is Waitomo Glowworm Caves worth it?
- How much does a ticket to Waitomo Glowworm Caves cost?
- Can you take pictures in Waitomo Glowworm Caves?
- How long is the Glowworm Cave tour?
- Which glowworm cave is best in Waitomo?
- Do I need to book Waitomo Caves in advance?
- How cold are the Waitomo Caves?
- Can you visit Waitomo Caves from Auckland in a day?
- Why can't you touch glowworms?
- Are the Waitomo glowworm caves suitable for children?