Auckland to Waitomo Caves Tours

Budget-friendly guided tour of Waitomo Caves with boat ride.

• Best for Nature enthusiasts and curious travelers who want a gentle cave walk and peaceful boat ride, marveling at glowworms overhead.
• Book this if you want: A serene 45-minute guided tour where you’ll drift quietly under a glowing canopy of glowworms along the Waitomo River.
• Everything you get: A small-group tour, expert Maori-descended guide, and a magical boat ride through glowworm-lit caves.
• Make the most of the calm of the underground cave as glowworms softly light your path and learn about the land’s legacy from your Maori guide.

Inclusions

45-minute guided tour of Waitomo Grotto (if option selected)

• English-speaking guide of Maori descent
• Waitomo River boat ride
• Small group of up to 15 people
• Entry to Waitomo Cave

1.5-hour guided tour of Ruakuri Cave (if option selected)

• English-speaking guide of Maori descent
• Small group of up to 14 people
• Wheelchair accessible
• Photography allowed
• Entry to Ruakuri Cave

3-hour guided tour of Waitomo Caves (if option selected)

• English-speaking guide of Maori descent
• Small group of up to 8 people
• Snack
• Hot drinks
• Safety equipment
• Warm clothing (thermals, fleece jumper, shorts, boots, socks)
• Caving helmet

Full-day tour of Waitomo Caves from Auckland (if option selected)

• English-speaking guide/driver
• Small-group tour of up to 11 people
• Round-trip hotel transfers from Auckland CBD
• 45-minute guided tour of Waitomo Grotto
• Waitomo River boat ride
• Snacks and water
• Entry to Waitomo Cave

• Tip: Take the time to visit the small but significant Waitomo Caves Discovery Centre, which shares the cultural history of the caves.
• Waitomo Grotto is not accessible for wheelchair users.
• Ruakuri Caves are accessible for wheelchair users.
• The small-group 3-hour guided tour is unsuitable for the elderly or those with mobility issues.
• Guests under 12 years are restricted from participating in the 3-hour guided tour.
• Photography is permitted in designated areas of the Ruakuri Caves. However, photography is strictly prohibited in the Waitomo Glowworm Caves.

• You can cancel these tickets up to 48 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.

Adrenaline and wonder in one experience, perfect for gentle thrills.

• Best for adventure-loving teens and adults ready to tube and raft through waterfalls and glowworm-lit caves, without needing caving experience.
• Book this if you want: A 3-hour adrenaline rush that involves tubing and rafting through Waitomo’s winding cave systems, with an upgrade for ziplining.
• Everything you get: Safety gear, wetsuits, expert guide, and entry to one of New Zealand’s most exciting underground cave systems.
• Make the most of floating through underground rivers by tube, surrounded by glowworms as you raft through magic.

Inclusions

• 3 or 5-hour black water rafting tour (based on option selected)
• Underground tour of Ruakuri Cave
• Ziplining, abseiling, rafting and tubing (based on option selected)
• English-speaking guide
• Small group of up to 8 or 12 people (based on option selected)
• Helmet, light, and black water rafting tube (based on option selected)
• Safety equipment
• Wetsuits, socks and shoes
• Safety briefing and training
• Changing rooms with hot showers

Exclusions

• Photos

• Tip: Just 30 minutes from Waitomo, Mangaokewa Reserve is a rock climber's paradise with over 200 routes catering to all skill levels.
• All participants on this tour must weigh at least 45 kg.
• Guests aged 12 and under are restricted from participating in this experience.
• Guests aged under 16 years are restricted from participating in the 5-hour black water rafting experience.
• The experience is not accessible for wheelchair users, pram/stroller users, people with mobility issues, people with back and neck problems, and guests who don't have a moderate fitness level or are too small.
• Prior caving or swimming experience is not required as you will have tubes and will be accompanied by expert guides.
• The water temperature is approximately 10 degrees Celsius.

• You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.

Eco-conscious small-group cave adventure through the cave's quieter sections.

• Best for Eco-conscious adventurers seeking an intimate, small-group cave experience with an emphasis on preserving nature and glowworm habitats.
• Book this if you want: A total 3-hour guided adventure through the lesser-known, eco-friendly parts of Waitomo Cave, including 2 hours of active exploration and 1 hour for close encounters with glowworms in the caves.
• Everything you get: Eco-focused small-group tour, safety gear, thermal clothing, snacks, and a hot drink for warming up afterward.
• Make the most of stream-wading and climbing through glowworm-lit caves, while your guide shares Waitomo’s natural wonders.

Inclusions

• 3-hour guided tour of Waitomo Cave including 2-hour hiking experience
• Expert local guide
• Small group of up to 8 people
• Snack
• Hot drinks
• Safety equipment
• Warm clothing (thermals, fleece jumper, shorts, boots, socks)
• Caving helmet

• Tip: On your way back, take a detour to the Waikato town of Matamata, the filming location for The Shire in the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings movies.
• Safety is a priority so this experience is restricted for guests under the age of 12 years and over the weight of 120kg (264.55lb).
• Your safety comes first so elderly or visitors with mobility issues are restricted from participating in this experience.
• Guests under the age of 16 years must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
• This experience involves 2 hours of hiking to get to Waitomo Caves. This involves climbing over boulders, walking up hills, and wading through streams with rocks underfoot, so a reasonable level of fitness is required.

• You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.

Float, climb, and wade through Waitomo’s caves for a deeper dive into nature.

• Best for Thrill-seekers and adventurers who crave ziplining, abseiling, and rafting through dark, subterranean rivers in Waitomo’s caves.
• Book this if you want: A black water rafting adventure with ziplining, abseiling, and tubing through Ruakuri Cave’s underground waterways.
• Everything you get: Expert guide, wetsuits, helmets, all safety equipment, plus access to changing rooms with hot showers after the thrill.
• Make the most of rafting through the glowworm-lit darkness, plunging through underground waterfalls, and drifting peacefully through the quiet caves.

Inclusions

• 5-hour black water rafting tour
• Underground tour of Ruakuri Cave
• Ziplining, abseiling and tubing
• English-speaking guide
• Small group of up to 8 people
• Helmet, light, and black water rafting tube
• Safety equipment (footwear, tubes, wetsuits, helmets, abseiling devices)
• Wetsuits, socks and shoes
• Safety briefing and training
• Changing rooms with hot showers

• Tip: If you're looking to push your boundaries, Haggas Honking Holes offers an intense caving experience with tight squeezes and vertical climbs.
• All participants on this tour must weigh at least 45 kg.
• Guests aged 16 and under are restricted from participating in this experience.
• The experience is not accessible for wheelchair users, pram/stroller users, people with mobility issues, people with back and neck problems, and guests who don't have a moderate fitness level or are too small.
• Prior caving or swimming experience is not required as you will have tubes and will be accompanied by expert guides.
• The water temperature is approximately 10 degrees Celsius.

• You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.

High-speed ziplining through the scenic Waitomo countryside with aerial views.

• Best for families, groups, and adrenaline seekers looking for an outdoor adventure ziplining through scenic landscapes in Waitomo.
• Book this if you want: A 2-hour adrenaline rush through a 10-line zipline circuit, surrounded by Waitomo’s beautiful nature.
• Everything you get: Safety equipment, expert guide, up to 2 hours of ziplining, and the chance to zoom through New Zealand’s lush forests.
• Make the most of soaring through treetops, catching glimpses of the native bush below, and feeling the rush as you zip through 10 thrilling lines.

Inclusions

• Entry to Waitomo Caves Zipline Park
• Expert guide
• Up to 2 hours of ziplining
• Access to 10 in a 1km circuit
• Safety lesson
• Safety equipment

• Tip: For a hearty meal to replenish your energy, head to Huhu Cafe, a local favorite known for its lamb burger and selection of local craft beers.
• There is some walking on uneven terrain including uphill walking, however, the activity is achievable with a low level of fitness.
• Safety is a priority, so this experience is restricted for those over 120kg (287 pounds), and guests under 7 years old.
• Groups with participants under 18 years old must have at least one adult participating in the adventure.

• You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.

Smaller chambers than other caves for a more personal experience.

• Best for explorers and photographers eager to see one of Waitomo’s quieter, picturesque caves without the large crowds of the main attractions.
• Book this if you want: A relaxed 1-hour cave tour to experience natural formations, deep caverns, and Maori legends, in a more intimate setting.
• Everything you get: Guided tour, small-group access, permission to photograph throughout the tour, and entry to the stunning Aranui Cave.
• Make the most of photographing intricate limestone formations from rich caramels to soft pinks and pristine whites, and the massive stalactites.

Inclusions

• 1-hour guided tour of Aranui Cave
• English-speaking guide of Maori descent
• Small group of up to 15 people
• Photography allowed
• Entry to Aranui Cave

• Tip: Ask your guide about the "Whisper Room," a hidden chamber off the main path, with acoustics allowing whispers to be heard from 30 feet away.
• Photography and video are permitted inside the cave.
• It's recommended to wear a warm jacket along with comfortable shoes as this experience involves a fair amount of walking.
• This tour is accessible to those with reasonable mobility.
• The experience is not accessible for wheelchair users.

• You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.