In a nutshell
- Everything you need to plan your visit to the Waitomo Glowworm Caves — tours, tickets, and what to expect.
- There are 5 tours across 3 caves: from a classic walking and boat tour to full-on Blackwater Rafting.
- We did the Black Labyrinth Tour ourselves — gliding through the dark under thousands of glowworms was seriously unforgettable.
- We break down all ticket prices and walk you through each tour so you can pick the right one for you.
- Plus: honest practical tips and our top hotel picks for staying nearby.
What you need to know about the Waitomo Caves
The Waitomo Glowworm Caves are one of the absolute highlights of New Zealand. Thousands of tiny lights twinkling on the ceiling of an underground cave — it’s a genuine wonder of nature, and honestly one of those experiences that’s hard to put into words.
Beyond the main Waitomo Cave, there are two more caves nearby: Ruakuri and Aranui. You can take guided tours of all three, though the Aranui Cave has no glowworms.
So how do the glowworms actually work? Here’s the fun part: they aren’t really glowworms at all. They’re mosquito larvae that spin sticky threads which glow blue in the dark.
Our tip: If you don’t make it to the Waitomo Caves on the North Island, you’ll find the Te Anau Caves on New Zealand’s South Island. The same glowworm phenomenon awaits you there.
Where are the Waitomo Caves?
The Waitomo Caves are located on New Zealand’s North Island, about a three-hour drive south of Auckland.
There’s plenty of parking for all three caves. The lot for the Waitomo Caves sits right next to the Visitor Center. A little further down the road you’ll find the larger parking lot for the Ruakuri Cave. Between the two lots there’s an intersection that leads to the Aranui Cave.
Overview: All tickets for the Waitomo Caves
When visiting Waitomo Caves, you can join a total of 5 tours. You can’t visit the caves independently — a guided tour is required.
The table below gives you a quick overview of the prices and key details for each tour. In the next section we’ll walk you through exactly how each one works.
| Price | Glowworms? | Blackwater Rafting? | Boat Tour? | Link | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waitomo Cave Tour | 41 EUR | Yes | No | Yes | Book tour |
| Ruakuri Cave Tour | 59 EUR | Yes | No | No | Book tour |
| Aranui Cave Tour | 41 EUR | No | No | No | Book tour |
| Black Labyrinth (Waitomo Caves) | 98 EUR | Yes | Yes | No | Book tour |
| Black Abyss (Waitomo Caves) | 163 EUR | Yes | Yes | No | Book tour |
What does a visit to the Waitomo Caves look like?
That was just a quick snapshot of the different tours. Now we’ll walk you through each of the five options in detail, so you know exactly what to expect.
Waitomo Cave Tour
Duration: 45 minutes
This is the standard tour that most visitors go for — and for good reason. It takes place in the most famous of the three caves, the Waitomo Cave.
The tour has two parts: first a walk through the cave, then a short boat ride beneath the glowworms.
It’s the perfect pick if you’re short on time or not into adrenaline, but still want the quintessential Waitomo Glowworm Caves experience.
Important: You’re not allowed to take your own photos on this tour. Your guides take photos that you can purchase afterward for a small additional fee.
Book the standard Waitomo Cave tour here
Ruakuri Cave Tour
Duration: 90 minutes
The Ruakuri Cave Tour is a great alternative to the main Waitomo Cave — you’ll still get to see plenty of glowworms.
This one is entirely on foot with no boat ride, but it’s twice as long as the standard tour, so you get much more time underground.
Another big plus: you’re allowed to take your own photos on this tour. Definitely bring your camera!
Important: You’ll need your own car for this tour. You check in at the Ruakuri Visitor Center and then drive yourself to the cave.
Book the Ruakuri Cave glowworm tour here
Aranui Cave Tour
Duration: 1 hour
The Aranui Cave tour has no glowworms. If that’s the main reason you’re here, we’d point you toward the Waitomo or Ruakuri Cave tour instead.
What Aranui does deliver are seriously impressive stalactites and stalagmites — some of the most dramatic formations you’ll find in New Zealand.
You’ll also take a short walk through the rainforest to reach the hidden entrance to the cave, which is a lovely touch.
Important: You’ll need your own car for the Aranui Cave Tour too. Pick up your tickets at the Waitomo Glowworm Caves Visitor Center, then drive to the Aranui Cave.
Book the guided Aranui Cave tour here
The Black Labyrinth
Duration: 3 hours
The Black Labyrinth is the slightly more relaxed of the two blackwater rafting tours, both of which take place in the Waitomo Cave.
So what exactly is blackwater rafting? At the start of your tour you’ll be given an inner tube — much sturdier than anything from a souvenir shop. For most of the tour you’ll be sitting in that tube, slowly drifting along the underground river beneath thousands of glowworms.
We’ll be straight with you: the water is seriously cold! That said, you’ll be wearing a very thick wetsuit and rubber boots to keep you warm — you pick both up at the Visitor Center before you head in.
Some sections of the route require you to walk, making your way over rocks and through narrower passages.
The tour also includes two small waterfalls where you jump down with your inner tube. They’re really not very high — the bigger one is about 3 feet — so don’t let that put you off.
Afterward, there’s a hot shower and some soup to warm you back up. You can browse the guides’ photos and purchase any you like.
Our experience: We did this tour ourselves and absolutely loved it! Gliding through the darkness with thousands of glowworms shining above you feels like being on another planet. Totally worth it.
Book the Black Labyrinth blackwater rafting adventure here
The Black Abyss
Duration: 5 hours
The Black Abyss is the second blackwater rafting tour in the Waitomo Cave — and it turns up the adrenaline considerably.
On top of the rafting, this tour has you rappelling 115 feet down into the cave and flying through the dark on a zipline. You’ll get a brief intro and all the necessary equipment at the Visitor Center beforehand.
The rest of the tour follows a similar format to the Black Labyrinth — you climb through caves and over rocks, then drift in your inner tube beneath the glowworms.
It’s the longest tour by far, so plan for a full day including travel time. A lunch snack is included in the ticket price.
Book the Black Abyss tour for adrenaline lovers here
Places to stay near the Waitomo Caves
The Waitomo Caves are located in the middle of nowhere. If you’re on a road trip in New Zealand, though, you can easily fit them in as a day trip from New Zealand cities like Tauranga or Taupo — the drive from either is about two hours.
If you’re in New Zealand for the surfing, the surf town of Raglan is probably already on your radar. From there it’s only a 1.5-hour drive to the Waitomo Caves.
Our hotel recommendations for Tauranga:
Quest – a super stylish boutique hotel with views of Mount Maunganui
The Anchorage Apartments – lovely oceanfront apartments with great value for money
The Reef Beachfront Apartments – right on the beach and close to plenty of restaurants
Our hotel recommendations for Taupo:
Bellevue Boutique Lodge – peaceful setting, beautiful décor, and the lake within walking distance
Baycrest Thermal Hotel – great lake views, plus a pool and terrace
The Reef Resort – spacious studio apartments, pool, and lake views
Our hotel recommendations for Raglan:
Raglan Sunset Motel – great location, close to the river, and lovely décor
Practical tips for visiting the Waitomo Caves
Here are a few things to know before you go — to help you pick the right tour and make the most of your time there.
Do you need to book the Waitomo Caves tours in advance?
Yes — especially during the New Zealand summer, the tours are very popular and sell out fast. Book your tickets online ahead of time so you don’t make the trip only to find everything’s full.
Also make sure you check in at the Visitor Center and collect your tickets at least 30 minutes before your tour starts.
Can you visit the Waitomo Caves without a tour?
No. You can only visit the Waitomo Caves as part of one of the five guided tours — there’s no independent access.
Is blackwater rafting dangerous?
Not really. You drift slowly along the river in your inner tube, wearing a helmet in case you bump your head and a thick wetsuit to stay warm. Two guides are with you the whole time keeping a close eye on things.
On our Black Labyrinth tour there were even kids along who handled it just fine.
What do you need to bring for the Waitomo Caves tours?
For the regular tours, all you need are comfortable shoes and a warm layer — it can get cold inside the cave.
For the blackwater rafting tours, bring a swimsuit to wear under your wetsuit, plus shower gel and a towel if you want to freshen up afterward.
Which Waitomo Caves tours are suitable for kids?
The regular cave tours have no age restrictions. For the blackwater rafting tours, you must be at least 12 years old for The Black Labyrinth and at least 16 for The Black Abyss.
Are there discounts for children at the Waitomo Caves?
Yes — children under 14 receive a discount. There’s also a family pass available for two adults and two children.
