Black Water Rafting Experience Waitomo Caves Tour
Description
We offer two different Blackwater Rafting experiences through the Ruakuri Cave. The Black Labyrinth is the original, 3-hour Blackwater Rafting tour. You will jump off two small waterfalls (highest is 1.5 meters), float on a tube underneath an impressive display of glowworms and navigate through the cave’s natural streamway. All participants must be at least 12 years old and weigh at least 45kgs. The Black Abyss is the ultimate 5-hour Blackwater Rafting tour. Abseil 35 metres into the cave and zipline across a river under a grotto of glowworms. You'll then float on a tube through the caves' natural streamway. All participants must be at least 16 years old and weigh 45kgs. An average level of fitness and mobility is required for both of our tours. It is important to understand that these tours take you into a completely natural cave environment. Please understand that your guides have final discretion of whether you will be able to participate on our tours.
Tour Options
Itinerary
The Legendary Blackwater Rafting Co., is the check-in point for both of our Blackwater Rafting tours. From here, your guides will take you to go get geared up for your tour. Free lockers are available for your belongings.
Both of our Blackwater Rafting Tours take you through our glowworm-studded Ruakuri Cave. For those on the Black Labyrinth tour, you can expect to spend up to an hour and a half inside of the cave system. On the Black Abyss tour, participants will spend up to three hours inside the cave.
You'll arrive back at The Legendary Blackwater Rafting Co., once you've completed your tour. Hot showers and hearty soup are available for you, free of charge.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Your safety is our team's top priority.
- You must check in 30 minutes before the tour departs at 585 Waitomo Caves Road, Waitomo Caves
- All Participants for the Black Abyss must be at least 16-years-old and weigh at least 45kgs.
- All Participants for the Black Labyrinth must be at least 12-years-old and weigh at least 45kgs.
- Due to high demand and limited capacity if you miss your scheduled tour time your ticket(s) are forfeited and non refundable. New bookings will incur the full tour cost and are subject to availability.
- Water temperature sits at around 10-15 degrees Celsius.
- We require a minimum of two participants for a tour to operate - if you are the only participant confirmed, you may be asked to amend your tour time
- The Black Labyrinth (3-hour tour) does NOT include the abseil and zipline.
- Customers do not need to be able to swim, but these tours are best suited for those who are comfortable with at least standing in fast-moving water.
- Cameras and personal devices are not allowed on these tours
- Bring swimwear & a towel - we'll supply the rest!
- We ask those who have serious medical problems to contact us before booking onto our tours.
- Please understand that your guides have final discretion of whether you will be able to participate on our tours.
Reviews(435)
Incredible activity, my husband and I had the best time. The guides were great, appreciated the very clear instructions throughout the tour.
Excellent guides!!! Really cool experience, the belaying was awkward and we weren't able to execute well but other than that it was awesome. The hot showers at the end are a great idea but they were way too scalding hot to actually shower.
What an incredible experience! The Waitomo Caves exceeded all our expectations. The glowworms created a magical atmosphere, and the guides, Luke and Scuba took very good care of us, making safety their top priority. From Peter & Olivia, Singapore
A fun way to discover the cave and see the glowworms. It was a unique experience. The hot shower and the soup afterwards were very pleasant.
This Black water rafting was unforgettable experience. Floating through the underground caves beneath thousands of glowing glowworms was truly magical. Amazing guides.
Great fun and good safety focus! The guides were well trained and encouraging everyone, with good tips to stay warm in the dead of winter!
I did the Abyss Tour and it was absolutely amazing! I haven't found an excursion like this anywhere in the world; definitely worth flying halfway around the world for. They have so many surprises and activities in the cave for you to do! A must stop if you visit New Zealand! The caves they offer are filled with wonders no where else in the world.
This was awesome! Our guide, Ellen, was knowledgeable and funny. She adapted to the needs of our group quickly and made the experience that much better. We saw Glowworm from right away scattered around and then once we got deeper into the cave we saw them in larger groups. It was magical!
Our black water rafting experience with Waitomo Cave Tours was absolutely unforgettable! The entire five-hour tour was perfectly paced, adventurous, and so well run from start to finish. Our guides, Mitch and Ollie, were fantastic. They made us feel completely safe and secure throughout every part of the journey, even during the more adventurous sections. Their energy, professionalism, and clear instructions gave us total confidence the whole time. Along the way, they provided warm drinks and snacks, which was such a thoughtful touch and really helped keep everyone comfortable during the experience. Seeing the glowworms in this way was truly magical and something we would highly recommend to anyone visiting Waitomo Caves. If you’re considering it — don’t hesitate. This is hands down one of the best ways to experience the glowworms and an absolute highlight of our trip!
Our black water rafting experience with Waitomo Cave Tours was absolutely unforgettable! The entire five-hour tour was perfectly paced, adventurous, and so well run from start to finish. Our guides, Mitch and Ollie, were fantastic. They made us feel completely safe and secure throughout every part of the journey, even during the more adventurous sections. Their energy, professionalism, and clear instructions gave us total confidence the whole time. Along the way, they provided warm drinks and snacks, which was such a thoughtful touch and really helped keep everyone comfortable during the experience. Seeing the glowworms in this way was truly magical and something we would highly recommend to anyone visiting Waitomo Caves. If you’re considering it — don’t hesitate. This is hands down one of the best ways to experience the glowworms and an absolute highlight of our trip!
