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Tours/Auckland/Waitomo Glow Worm Caves

Waitomo Glow Worm Caves

4.7(53)Auckland7 hours
VIATOR4.4(10)TRIPADVISOR4.7(43)
Waitomo Glow Worm Caves
Waitomo Glow Worm Caves
Waitomo Glow Worm Caves
Waitomo Glow Worm Caves
Waitomo Glow Worm Caves
+11 photos
Waitomo Glow Worm Caves
Waitomo Glow Worm Caves
Waitomo Glow Worm Caves
Waitomo Glow Worm Caves
Waitomo Glow Worm Caves
Waitomo Glow Worm Caves
Waitomo Glow Worm Caves
Waitomo Glow Worm Caves
Waitomo Glow Worm Caves
Waitomo Glow Worm Caves
Waitomo Glow Worm Caves
Waitomo Glow Worm Caves
Waitomo Glow Worm Caves
Waitomo Glow Worm Caves
Waitomo Glow Worm Caves

At a glance

Duration
7 hours
Price from
$160 / person
Location
Auckland, New Zealand
Rating
4.7 / 5 · 53 reviews
Languages
EN
Group
Small group, up to 20
Cancellation
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
Hotel pickup
Available
Confirmation
Instant
Ticket
Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Operator
Auckland & Beyond Tours

Description

Witness the magical beauty of the Waitomo Glowworm Caves on an unforgettable journey from Auckland. Enjoy complimentary pick-up and drop-off from one of four main hotels in Auckland CBD, followed by a scenic 2.5-hour drive through South Auckland and the picturesque Waikato countryside, with photo and comfort stops along the way. Upon arrival, enjoy free time to browse the Gift Shop or purchase refreshments before beginning your one-hour guided tour through the famous Waitomo Glowworm Caves. Learn about the fascinating history of the caves, unique limestone formations, and the native Arachnocampa luminosa glowworms that illuminate the underground chambers. Complete your experience with a peaceful boat ride along the underground Waitomo River, gliding silently beneath thousands of shimmering glowworms. Afterwards, relax on the scenic return journey to Auckland, completing a remarkable day filled with natural beauty, underground wonders, and unforgettable New Zealand scenery.

Schedule & prices

Runs
Every day
Start times
6:00 AM
Next available
Thu, Oct 8
Adult (ages 13+)
$160
Child (ages 3–12)
$112
Infant (ages 0–2)
$29

Prices change with the date; the lowest is shown.

From the operator’s live schedule on Viator, checked Oct 5.

Tour Options

Waitomo Glow Worm Caves

Itinerary

Waitomo Glowworm Caves
Admission included60 min

- Guided tour at Waitomo Glow Worm Caves including boat ride

What's included

Included
Professional Driver / Guide
All taxes, fees and handling charges
WiFi on board
Bottled water
Snacks
All entry tickets & guided tours
Air-conditioned vehicle
Complimentary pick-up and drop-off from most Auckland CBD hotels
Not included
Lunch
Gratuities

Traveller Ratings

Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor

4.7
53 reviews
5
44
4
4
3
3
2
0
1
2

How it compares in Auckland

  • Starting price $160 is 53% below the typical $342 for tours of similar length in Auckland

Excurgo comparison of 887 Viator tours, recalculated daily.

Important Information

  • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
  • Specialized infant seats are available
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Children must be accompanied by an adult
  • Infant seats must be requested at least 24 hours in advance (extra charges apply)
  • A minimum of 2 people is required for the tour to operate

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 Waitomo Glow Worm Caves take?

Waitomo Glow Worm Caves lasts about 7 hours. The itinerary has 1 stop.

How much does Waitomo Glow Worm Caves cost?

Prices start at $160 per person for this Auckland 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 Waitomo Glow Worm Caves run?

According to the operator’s current schedule, it runs every day, starting at 6:00 AM.

How much does Waitomo Glow Worm Caves cost for children?

Children aged 3–12 pay from $112, adults from $160.

Can I cancel Waitomo Glow Worm Caves 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.

What languages is Waitomo Glow Worm Caves 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 20 participants.

Is the tour suitable for children?

Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap Specialized infant seats are available Children must be accompanied by an adult

Will my booking be confirmed immediately?

Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.

Is Waitomo Glow Worm Caves worth it?

Travellers rate it 4.7 out of 5 across 53 reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor; it is run by Auckland & Beyond Tours.

Reviews(53)

Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor

S
SSDelhi
August 31, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Exciting but very brief

while the logistics were very convenient, the actual tour is a brief one, with hardly 10 minutes of viewing the glow worm. I travelled from Auckland so the drive one side was over 2 hours. The snack is also basic, may be a cookie or a small packet of chips. The guide was warm and kept us entertained.

B
Baohan_T
June 22, 2026 · via Viator
As someone who wanted to...

As someone who wanted to see the glow warm caves without driving myself and wasn’t interested in the hobbiton movie set, I am glad to find this tour as majority of other tour combine sites which increases the price of the tour. Our tour guide throughout the tour was also quite informative and was fun to listen throughout the long drive. My favorite fact was learning that cows (you see them all the time on the green hills on the side of the road) will form a single file line whenever they want to get milked and each cow will go to their own designated spot in line every time.

F
f1r25yondH15pe
May 5, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Interesting, just a bit too long for us

The Caves were very interesting. Though I use a cane, I did manage to get through them ok. There are some great photo ops here. The tour was 2 - 2 1/2 hrs long and to be honest, we found it a bit too long, and thought that perhaps 1 1/2 hrs would be long enough. It would be nice if there were options for shorter tours, however the guide was very informative and kept it interesting just the same.

W
Wendie_B
April 11, 2026 · via Viator
Waitome worm cave tour

Excellent company and driver. He knew the sites and gave great information about the other sites to see on a trip to Auckland

L
Leslie_B
April 10, 2026 · via Viator
There are several steps...

There are several steps involved when going through the cave. There are plenty of hand rails and the tour guides would probably help you navigate the steps

S
SoumyaG111
March 8, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Wonderful Hobbiton & Glowworm Caves Tour

We had a wonderful experience with Auckland & Beyond Tours visiting Hobbiton and the glowworm caves. Our guide Raymond was fantastic — knowledgeable, professional, and very friendly. He shared interesting stories along the way and made the entire day run smoothly. We were traveling with a toddler, and the trip was still very comfortable and manageable. Raymond was patient and accommodating, which made the experience stress-free for our family. The day was well organized, the transportation was comfortable, and we got to see two incredible places in one trip. Highly recommend this tour for anyone visiting Auckland!

C
carolbD9912VF
February 6, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Glow Worm Caves

The driver was great. It was fun to see all of the sites and countryside outside of the city. The glowworm tour was fun and very educational.

U
U9267LOdavidh
February 4, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
These caves are a ‘Must see’

This is my 2nd visit the first being in 2017 when the caves were in flood so limited trip, but my wife’s first and she loved it. This time however there were no problems, and it’s an amazing experience. The caves here in NZ amaze me, being an ‘ex’ pot holer I have experienced many caves and formations, NZ has amazing caves. And ‘Zeplin’ our guide (his grandmother had good taste in rock bands) was just great. It’s a ‘must see’

D
dorcasw290
January 10, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Glowworm shines like the galaxy

The trip was very amazing & pleasant. It started from 7am to about 2pm. It’s worth to go to see those historical nature caves and stared at the Glowworm in the cave just like looking at the galaxy 🌌. Our tour guide DAVE was very nice, friendly and mature person with enthusiasm to share lots of information around the road or this country. He has lived in this country more than 10 years. So, as a foreigner visitor, surprisingly he has so much more could share to us. And he drives was very steady and safe. He also has prepared some snacks and water for us. I would definitely recommend for everyone who love the nature and would love to explore New Zealand.

K
Kevin H
January 8, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Very pleasant organised trip.

Dave, our driver was the ultimate driver providing extensive history and knowledge of NZ with his dulcet tones. A very relaxed kind trip. Top marks. The guide in the cave was super kind and friendly - one of the best guides I have had over many years. Kind, gentle and very knowledgeable. I can’t remember his name. Our tour started at 9.30. I would definitely recommend this trip. It’s a journey, but the final part of the glow work tour in the boat was magic. Kevin .

$160/ person
4.7(53)
Duration7 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.

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Payment and confirmation are handled by Viator
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4.7(53) Free cancellation
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