Group admiring glowworms in Waitomo Caves during Auckland tour.
Visitors exploring Waitomo Glowworm Caves in Auckland, viewing stalactites and stalagmites.
Group enjoying boat tour in Waitomo Glowworm Caves, New Zealand, with glowing ceiling.
Visitors exploring stalactites in Ruakuri Cave during a guided tour.
Stalactites in Waitomo Glowworm Caves, New Zealand, on a guided tour from Auckland.
Group exploring Waitomo Glowworm Caves with light streaming through cave opening, Auckland tour.
Tourists on a boat admire glowworms in Waitomo Caves, Auckland.

From Auckland: Waitomo Glowworm Caves Guided Tour

Waitomo
Day Trips
Google Verified Seller

Duration: Varies (7 hours to 12 hours)

Free cancellation

Free cancellation up to 3 days before the start of your experience

Group Size

Group: up to 11

Transfers included
Transfers included
Guided tour

Expert local tour guide

Hotel pickup

Convenient pick-up at your location

Get your booking confirmed instantly

Explore the Waitomo Glowworm Caves with this guided tour from Auckland, New Zealand. Your day begins in Auckland CBD and includes a scenic drive through picturesque landscapes to reach your destination. Along the way, enjoy photo stops amidst rolling farmland and lush countryside as you prepare for an memorable adventure beneath thousands of glowworms.

Take a full-day guided tour from Auckland to see the Waitomo Glowworm Cave and enjoy a scenic drive through lush Waikato countryside.

Explore Waitomo Glowworm Cave with an expert guide, see limestone formations, then cruise on a boat beneath thousands of glowworms.

Your guide will provide commentary throughout the tour, explaining the cave formations and the lifecycle of the glowworms.

Take 30 minutes to explore the Gift Shop or enjoy refreshments at Waitomo Homestead before or after your tour.

Upgrade your Waitomo Glowworm Cave adventure with a Hobbiton Movie Set tour, complete with a complimentary drink at the Green Dragon Inn.

45-minute guided tour of Waitomo Gloworm Cave

Round-trip hotel transfers from Auckland CBD

English-speaking guide/driver

Waitomo River boat ride

2.5-hour guided tour of Hobbiton Movie Set (as per option selected)

Complimentary beverage at Green Dragon Inn (as per option selected)

Snacks & water

Group admiring glowworms in Waitomo Caves during Auckland tour.

Group admiring glowworms in Waitomo Caves during Auckland tour.

Experience Waitomo Glowworm Cave on a full-day tour from Auckland. Explore caves, glide beneath thousands of glowworms, and enjoy scenic drives with insights from expert guides.

Getting started

Your adventure begins with morning pickup from your Auckland CBD hotel. Board your vehicle for a scenic 2.5-hour drive through South Auckland into the Waikato region, with a stop for photos and short breaks along the way.

What to expect

  • Scenic drive & photo stops: Travel through rolling farmland, rivers, and lush countryside with opportunities for memorable photos.

  • Waitomo Homestead stop: Arrive at Waitomo and enjoy around 30 minutes to shop at the gift shop or grab a drink/snack before your cave tour.

  • Guided Waitomo Glowworm Cave tour: Step inside the Waitomo Glowworm Cave for a 1-hour guided tour. Learn about the cave’s history, limestone formations, and the life cycle of the bioluminescent Arachnocampa Luminosa glowworms.

  • Magical boat ride: Glide silently along the underground river in a flat-bottom boat beneath thousands of glowing glowworms illuminating the grotto in blue-green light.

  • Return to Auckland: After your cave experience, relax on the scenic drive back to your hotel.

Visitors exploring Waitomo Glowworm Caves in Auckland, viewing stalactites and stalagmites.

Visitors exploring Waitomo Glowworm Caves in Auckland, viewing stalactites and stalagmites.

Group enjoying boat tour in Waitomo Glowworm Caves, New Zealand, with glowing ceiling.

Group enjoying boat tour in Waitomo Glowworm Caves, New Zealand, with glowing ceiling.

Visitors exploring stalactites in Ruakuri Cave during a guided tour.

Visitors exploring stalactites in Ruakuri Cave during a guided tour.

What to bring

  • Wear non-slip shoes as the cave floors are wet and slippery.

  • Bring a warm jacket as the temperature of the cave can be cool.

  • When you visit, make sure you've got a credit card or your phone set up for contactless payments (like Apple Pay or Google Pay).

What's not allowed

  • Photography and videography are strictly prohibited in the Waitomo Glowworm Caves.

  • Smoking, food, drink or litter are not allowed inside the cave.

  • Pets are not allowed inside the cave.

Accessibility

  • This experience is suitable for guests with reasonable mobility, with well-maintained paths and sturdy handrails throughout. However, it is not accessible for wheelchairs or prams/strollers.

Stalactites in Waitomo Glowworm Caves, New Zealand, on a guided tour from Auckland.

Stalactites in Waitomo Glowworm Caves, New Zealand, on a guided tour from Auckland.

Group exploring Waitomo Glowworm Caves with light streaming through cave opening, Auckland tour.

Group exploring Waitomo Glowworm Caves with light streaming through cave opening, Auckland tour.

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Operating hours

Waitomo Caves

Monday
9:00am - 5:00pm
Tuesday
9:00am - 5:00pm
Wednesday
9:00am - 5:00pm
Thursday
9:00am - 5:00pm
Friday
9:00am - 5:00pm
Saturday
9:00am - 5:00pm
Sunday
9:00am - 5:00pm
  • Timings are displayed in the venue's time zone.

By proceeding with any booking via Staybook, you acknowledge and agree to adhere to all the .

FAQs

Pets are not permitted inside the caves, and smoking, food, drink, or litter is also prohibited.
Wear non-slip shoes as the cave floors can be wet and slippery, and bring a warm jacket since the cave temperature is cool.
The guided tour of the Waitomo Glowworm Caves lasts for about 45 minutes.
You'll be provided with round-trip transfers by vehicle, which includes a scenic drive and boat ride on the Waitomo River.
The scenic drive from Auckland to Waitomo takes approximately 2.5 hours.
Photography and videography are strictly prohibited in the Waitomo Glowworm Caves.
You have around 30 minutes at the Waitomo Homestead stop for shopping at the gift shop or enjoying refreshments.
Ensure you have a credit card or phone set up for contactless payments like Apple Pay or Google Pay when visiting.
Upgrade your adventure with a Hobbiton Movie Set tour, which includes a guided visit to the set and a complimentary drink at the Green Dragon Inn.
Yes, your guide will provide commentary in English during the entire tour.

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