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Tours/Waitomo/From Auckland: Spellbound, Waitomo Glowworm Cave Small Group Tour

From Auckland: Spellbound, Waitomo Glowworm Cave Small Group Tour

4.9(241)Waitomo8–9 hours
VIATOR4.8(103)TRIPADVISOR5.0(138)
From Auckland: Spellbound, Waitomo Glowworm Cave Small Group Tour
From Auckland: Spellbound, Waitomo Glowworm Cave Small Group Tour
From Auckland: Spellbound, Waitomo Glowworm Cave Small Group Tour
From Auckland: Spellbound, Waitomo Glowworm Cave Small Group Tour
From Auckland: Spellbound, Waitomo Glowworm Cave Small Group Tour
+18 photos
From Auckland: Spellbound, Waitomo Glowworm Cave Small Group Tour
From Auckland: Spellbound, Waitomo Glowworm Cave Small Group Tour
From Auckland: Spellbound, Waitomo Glowworm Cave Small Group Tour
From Auckland: Spellbound, Waitomo Glowworm Cave Small Group Tour
From Auckland: Spellbound, Waitomo Glowworm Cave Small Group Tour
From Auckland: Spellbound, Waitomo Glowworm Cave Small Group Tour
From Auckland: Spellbound, Waitomo Glowworm Cave Small Group Tour
From Auckland: Spellbound, Waitomo Glowworm Cave Small Group Tour
From Auckland: Spellbound, Waitomo Glowworm Cave Small Group Tour
From Auckland: Spellbound, Waitomo Glowworm Cave Small Group Tour
From Auckland: Spellbound, Waitomo Glowworm Cave Small Group Tour
From Auckland: Spellbound, Waitomo Glowworm Cave Small Group Tour
From Auckland: Spellbound, Waitomo Glowworm Cave Small Group Tour
From Auckland: Spellbound, Waitomo Glowworm Cave Small Group Tour
From Auckland: Spellbound, Waitomo Glowworm Cave Small Group Tour
From Auckland: Spellbound, Waitomo Glowworm Cave Small Group Tour
From Auckland: Spellbound, Waitomo Glowworm Cave Small Group Tour
From Auckland: Spellbound, Waitomo Glowworm Cave Small Group Tour
From Auckland: Spellbound, Waitomo Glowworm Cave Small Group Tour
From Auckland: Spellbound, Waitomo Glowworm Cave Small Group Tour
From Auckland: Spellbound, Waitomo Glowworm Cave Small Group Tour
From Auckland: Spellbound, Waitomo Glowworm Cave Small Group Tour

At a glance

Duration
8–9 hours
Price from
$187 / person
Location
Waitomo
Rating
4.9 / 5 · 241 reviews
Languages
EN
Group
Small group, up to 11
Cancellation
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
Hotel pickup
Available
Confirmation
Instant
Ticket
Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Operator
Expedigo Tours and Travels Auckland

Description

Discover New Zealand’s wonders with our Spellbound Glowworm Cave and Explorer Tour. Perfect for nature lovers and adventure seekers, this tour offers a blend of bioluminescence and natural beauty that will captivate you. Begin your adventure with our expert guide leading you through mesmerizing caves. Learn about fascinating geological formations and history as you marvel at stunning stalactites and stalagmites. Step into the enchanting Glowworm Grotto, where thousands of glowworms illuminate the cave with their magical light. Enjoy a serene 20-minute boat ride, gazing up at lights resembling a starry night sky. Gain insights into the glowworms' life cycle and ecological significance from your knowledgeable guide. This unique tour is ideal for those wanting an up-close experience with the glowworms and photography enthusiasts, as there are no restrictions on photos in the caves. Experience all this as part of a small, intimate group of only 11 guests.

Schedule & prices

Runs
Every day
Start times
9 times a day, 6:00 AM–9:00 AM
Next available
Sat, Oct 10
Adult (ages 15+)
$187
Child (ages 0–14)
$143

In demand: 246 of the next 270 departures are already sold out.

From the operator’s live schedule on Viator, checked Oct 7.

Tour Options

From Auckland: Spellbound, Waitomo Glowworm Cave Small Group Tour

Pickup included

Itinerary

Auckland Central
165 min

Embark on your expedition from the largest city in New Zealand. As we set out, your guide will kick off the day's adventures, laying the groundwork for an enthralling exploration. Proceed with a picturesque drive to the Waitomo region, winding through the scenic New Zealand countryside on the way to the Spellbound Glowworm Caves. Travel journey time from Auckland to Spellbound Caves is approximately- 2 hours, and 30 minutes

Waitomo Glowworm Caves
Admission included165 min

Embark on the unforgettable Spellbound Glowworm Cave & Explorer Tour in Waitomo. This unique adventure offers an up-close encounter with enchanting glowworms and a journey through breathtaking caves, perfect for nature enthusiasts and adventure seekers. Begin your journey with an expert guide through spellbinding caves. Learn about geological formations and the history of these natural wonders. Marvel at stunning stalactites and stalagmites as you navigate fascinating passages. Enter the captivating Glowworm Grotto, where thousands of glowworms illuminate the cave with bioluminescent light. Glide silently on a small boat, gazing up at sparkling lights resembling a starry night sky. Gain insights into glowworms' life cycle and behavior from your knowledgeable guide. Soak in the peaceful ambiance and capture stunning photographs of the natural landscape. Benefit from a personalized experience with our small group tours, ensuring a more intimate and immersive adventure.

Otorohanga
30 min

Recharge with a delectable lunch at a local eatery in Otorohanga (suggestions will be provided by your guide), savoring regional flavors. (Lunch is not included in the tour price)

Auckland
165 min

Reflect on the day's adventures during a leisurely drive back to Auckland, relishing the memories of both the enchanting Caves and the captivating glow worms 3 hours travel time back to Auckland Hotel Drop-off: Conclude your day with a convenient drop-off at your Auckland hotel/accommodation

What's included

Included
An english speaking tour guide
Bottled water
Snacks
All Fees and Taxes
Complimentary pick up and drop off from Auckland CBD
Fully Guided Small Group Tour
Air-conditioned vehicle
Coffee and/or Tea
Admission to a fully guided 180 minutes experience of the Spellbound Glowworm Twin Caves
Not included
Breakfast
Dinner
Lunch

Pickup Locations & Times

- If your accommodation is not yet confirmed, we suggest selecting The SkyCity Hotel for now—you can update it later if needed! - We offer convenient pick-ups from selected hotels. If your location isn’t listed, simply choose the nearest available option and meet us there. - Pick-ups start up to 20 minutes before the scheduled departure time. Please be ready and waiting outside by then for a smooth start. - Pick-up locations are planned based on each tour and may vary by day. If there are any changes to your pick-up spot, please let us know in advance. - Our guides make multiple stops and may arrive within a 10-minute window. To keep the tour on schedule, we recommend being ready 5–10 minutes early, as we are unable to wait for late arrivals. - As our hotel pickups operate from downtown CBD, guests located near the airport or South Auckland can be picked up from The Sebel, Auckland Manukau at 16 Lakewood Court, Manukau City Centre, Auckland 2104,

Traveller Ratings

Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor

4.9
241 reviews
5
231
4
5
3
2
2
0
1
3

Important Information

  • Specialized infant seats are available
  • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
  • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
  • You do need to be able to walk for at least 40 minutes at a time over gentle terrain and pathways. We do not climb or crawl anywhere in our caves. There are no stairs in our caves. For those with mobility concerns, you will need to step up 40cm into and out of a transit van and down 40cm into and out of our raft. We do not take wheelchairs or walking frames. If you are concerned or unsure if your fitness is adequate, please contact us.

Cancellation

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

1+ days before100% refund
0–1 days before0% refund

Frequently asked questions

How long does this tour take?

From Auckland: Spellbound, Waitomo Glowworm Cave Small Group Tour lasts about 8–9 hours. The itinerary has 4 stops.

How much does this tour cost?

Prices start at $187 per person for this Waitomo experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There is 1 booking option, so the final price depends on the option you choose.

What days does this tour run?

According to the operator’s current schedule, it runs every day, with 9 departures a day between 6:00 AM and 9:00 AM.

How much does this tour cost for children?

Children aged 0–14 pay from $143, adults from $187.

Does this tour sell out?

It can: 246 of the next 270 departures are already sold out, so booking ahead is a good idea.

Can I cancel this tour for free?

Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes, pickup is offered. - If your accommodation is not yet confirmed, we suggest selecting The SkyCity Hotel for now—you can update it later if needed! - We offer convenient pick-ups from selected hotels. If your location isn’t listed, simply choose the nearest available option and meet us there. - Pick-ups start up to 20 minutes before the scheduled departure time. Please be ready and waiting outside by then for a smooth start. - Pick-up locations are planned based on each tour and may vary by day. If there are any changes to your pick-up spot, please let us know in advance. - Our guides make multiple stops and may arrive within a 10-minute window. To keep the tour on schedule, we recommend being ready 5–10 minutes early, as we are unable to wait for late arrivals. - As our hotel pickups operate from downtown CBD, guests located near the airport or South Auckland can be picked up from The Sebel, Auckland Manukau at 16 Lakewood Court, Manukau City Centre, Auckland 2104, Pickup points include Holiday Inn Express Auckland City Centre by IHG, M Social Hotel Auckland.

What languages is this tour offered in?

The experience is available in EN.

Is this a private or a group tour?

It is a small-group experience with a maximum of 11 participants.

Is the tour suitable for children?

Specialized infant seats are available

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

You do need to be able to walk for at least 40 minutes at a time over gentle terrain and pathways. We do not climb or crawl anywhere in our caves. There are no stairs in our caves. For those with mobility concerns, you will need to step up 40cm into and out of a transit van and down 40cm into and out of our raft. We do not take wheelchairs or walking frames. If you are concerned or unsure if your fitness is adequate, please contact us.

Reviews(241)

Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor

L
Ludwig_F
September 26, 2026 · via Viator
There isn’t photography allowed and it should also be advertised

The image used in your advertisement is AI . It is ver misleading to the customers which I don’t find ethically accurate

H
HereIcome
September 22, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
A Must-Do!

This experience was better than we expected. Not only do you get great, non-rushed cave time, the glow worms are beyond interesting and beautiful. You also go through a second cave system (without glow worms) that is really cool as well. The guide at the cave was knowledgeable and passionate about the caves and their history. Our guide that drove us from Auckland to the caves (Jaime) was kind, funny and helpful, giving great commentary about the areas we were traveling through. He even had helpful recommendations on what to do and where to eat for the rest of our stay in Auckland. Highly recommend this tour - the drive to and from the caves was just as stunning as the caves themselves. The small tour group sizes are also appreciated. Don't hesitate - book it! (But also bring a warm jacket....the caves are chilly!)

Operator response

Thank you so much for such a thoughtful review! We’re really happy to hear the experience exceeded your expectations. The Spellbound caves are such a special place, and we love that you enjoyed both cave systems and had plenty of time to take it all in without feeling rushed. We’ll definitely make sure Jaime sees this. He’s great at making the drive part of the experience too, sharing stories about the places you pass and helping guests get their bearings in New Zealand. We’re glad his recommendations were useful for the rest of your stay as well! And yes — that warm jacket is definitely worth bringing! 😄 Thank you for choosing Expedigo, appreciating the small-group experience and recommending us. We really appreciate it.

R
R1666PTannas
September 17, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Glo Worm Day Trip

Pickup and driver Syeve wete just lovely. Froendly and knowledgable. Really funny too. Spellbound Fin was the best. I wasn't feeling great so Fin still took the tour but was looking out for me. That level of service by all is just outstounding. Thankyou for an amazing day.

Operator response

Thank you so much for such a lovely review! It really means a lot to hear that you had such a great day with us. We’re so glad Steve made the journey from Auckland enjoyable. He’s a great person to have on the road and we love hearing that his friendly nature, knowledge and sense of humour came through. We’ll definitely share your kind words with him. And thank you for mentioning Fin as well. We’re especially happy to hear that you felt looked after while you weren’t feeling your best. Our guides really do care about making sure everyone is comfortable and able to enjoy the experience, so it’s lovely to know that Fin went that extra step for you. We’re also thrilled you enjoyed Spellbound — it’s such a special experience, and we agree that the caves and glow worms are something quite different from the usual Waitomo experience. Thank you again for choosing Expedigo and for recognising the team. We’re lucky to have people like Steve and Fin looking after our guests, and feedback like yours makes all the effort worthwhile. We hope you’re feeling much better now and that you left New Zealand with some very happy memories of your day with us.

8
853beckyh
September 17, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Great experience

The experience itself was great but our tour guide Steve gave it a personal touch. Can’t fault the organisation or pick up

Operator response

Thank you so much for taking the time to write this! We’re so glad you had such a great day with us. It’s lovely to hear that Steve looked after you so well on the drive and kept you entertained along the way. We’ll definitely pass this on to him — I’m sure he’ll have a good laugh knowing his sense of humour got a mention too! And we’re really happy to hear that Fin looked after you in the caves, especially as you weren’t feeling 100%. That’s exactly the kind of care we want our guides to give our guests, so it means a lot to hear that you felt looked after. We’re also so glad you enjoyed Spellbound. It really is a special experience, and having the time to properly enjoy the caves and glow worms makes such a difference. Thank you again for choosing Expedigo and for your lovely words about the team. We really appreciate it, and we hope you’re feeling much better now. It was a pleasure having you with us.

A
Amanda_M
September 16, 2026 · via Viator
A Must-Do!

This experience was better than we expected. Not only do you get great, non-rushed cave time, the glow worms are beyond interesting and beautiful. You also go through a second cave system (without glow worms) that is really cool as well. The guide at the cave was knowledgeable and passionate about the caves and their history. Our guide that drove us from Auckland to the caves (Jaime) was kind, funny and helpful, giving great commentary about the areas we were traveling through. He even had helpful recommendations on what to do and where to eat for the rest of our stay in Auckland. Highly recommend this tour - the drive to and from the caves was just as stunning as the caves themselves. The small tour group sizes are also appreciated. Don't hesitate - book it! (But also bring a warm jacket....the caves are chilly!)

Operator response

Thank you so much for such a thoughtful review! We’re really happy to hear that the experience exceeded your expectations and that you enjoyed having plenty of time to explore the caves and take in the glow worms. We’ll definitely pass your kind words on to Jaime — he’ll be so pleased to hear that you enjoyed the journey, his commentary, and his recommendations. We love that you also enjoyed the drive itself; there’s so much beautiful scenery along the way! Thank you again for recommending us and for choosing Expedigo. It was a pleasure having you with us, and we hope you have the chance to explore more of New Zealand on your next visit.

D
DayTrip672470
August 31, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
A Magical Experience with a Wonderful Guide!

Our guide, Jason, was so kind and thoughtful that even traveling with a child who doesn't speak English, we were able to enjoy the tour with complete peace of mind. The glowworms seen from the boat were so beautiful and magical—it was truly an unforgettable experience. Thank you so much, Jason, for giving us such a wonderful day!

Operator response

Thank you so much for such a lovely review! We’re really glad you and your family had such a great day with us. It’s especially nice to hear that Jason made you feel comfortable and looked after throughout the tour. We know travelling with a child who doesn’t speak English can sometimes be a little challenging, so we’re really happy you could just relax and enjoy the experience. And yes, the glowworms really are something special — seeing them from the boat makes the whole experience feel even more magical. We’ll definitely share your kind words with Jason. Thank you again for choosing to travel with us, and we hope we get to welcome you and your family back to New Zealand one day.

R
Reynaldo_O
August 27, 2026 · via Viator
The Tour is fantastic! We...

The Tour is fantastic! We left Auckland at exactly 7:45am had our breakfast along the way around 9am and finally arrived at our destination around 11am. It's amazing experience to see in reality those glowworms while riding the boat in total darkness on the first cave and we enjoy as well walk inside the second cave. At around 2pm we have our lunch at Waitomo and head back to Auckland and we're in our Hotel at 6pm. Our driver and tour guide is very knowledgeable and keep us abreast of our tour as well as NZ events and history.

Operator response

Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience! We’re really glad you had such a great day at Waitomo and enjoyed both the glowworm boat ride and exploring the second cave on foot. It’s such a special experience seeing the glowworms in complete darkness. We’re also happy to hear you enjoyed the journey itself and found your guide’s knowledge and updates about New Zealand interesting. We really appreciate you choosing our small family business and hope you take home some wonderful memories of your time in New Zealand.

C
Compass36853398115
August 25, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
A very unique experience.

It wasn’t too strenuous. I've never seen anything like it before. The cave guide and Driver were both excellent. The van was new and comfortable.

Operator response

Thank you for taking the time to share your experience with us! We’re really pleased to hear you found the tour comfortable and not too strenuous, and that you enjoyed seeing something so unique for the first time. We’ll be sure to pass your kind words on to both the cave guide and your driver — it’s wonderful to know they helped make the day enjoyable. We’re also glad you found the new van comfortable for the journey. As a family-run business, we truly appreciate your support and hope to welcome you back again.

M
Maps587018
August 16, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
A Beautiful Tour Made Easy and Fun

A super worthwhile experience! The caves were beautiful, guides (both in the van and in the caves) were super knowledgeable and entertaining, and the convenience of being picked up in downtown Auckland and not needed to worry about transportation was perfect.

Operator response

Thank you so much for taking the time to leave us such a lovely review. We’re really glad you felt the day was worth it. The Waitomo caves are such a special place, and we love hearing that you enjoyed not only the caves themselves but also the guides who helped bring the experience to life. We’ll definitely pass your kind words on to the team — they’ll be very happy to know their knowledge and sense of humour made the day even more enjoyable. And yes, that’s exactly what we hope to make easy for our guests — you can start your day in Auckland, jump in the van, sit back and enjoy the journey without having to worry about driving, directions, parking or organising everything yourself. Thanks again for choosing Expedigo and spending the day with us. We hope you had a fantastic time in New Zealand and took home some great memories.

R
robertgeekee928
August 12, 2026 · via Viator
Excellent tour, must see

An impressive tour throughout! Our driver, Jamie, the cave tour operators, Kirin and Shane, were very knowledgeable, friendly, and accommodating. The Waitomo cave glowworms are a must see!

Operator response

Thank you so much for the lovely review. We’re delighted to hear you had such a great experience from start to finish. Jamie, Kirin and Shane will be so happy to hear that you found them knowledgeable, friendly and accommodating. And we couldn’t agree more — the Waitomo glowworms really are something special. We hope to welcome you back again for another adventure in New Zealand.

$187/ person
4.9(241)
Duration8–9 hours
LanguagesEN
ConfirmationInstant
Check availability on Viator →
Booked and paid on Viator.com
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

No booking fees from Excurgo
Payment and confirmation are handled by Viator
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Excurgo earns a commission from Viator when you book through this link, at no extra cost to you.

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