Te Anau Glowworm Caves Tour: Lake cruise and underground caves

Drift beneath glowing worms in an underground cavern, then cruise back across the lake

The Te Anau Glowworm Caves tour combines a scenic lake cruise with an underground cave experience in a limestone cavern system on Lake Te Anau's western shore. You board a luxury catamaran, cruise across the lake to Cavern House, then descend into darkness to watch thousands of glowworms suspended above you. The tour runs about two hours, includes tea and coffee, and suits all fitness levels. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Te Anau Glowworm Caves

• Arrive 20 minutes early to check in
• Take scenic cruise on Lake Te Anau
• View glittering glowworms in underground caves

Stops and time spent at each 2 stops

1. Te Anau Glowworm Caves Entry included 2h 15m
2. Lake Te Anau passing by

What’s included

• The tour includes a scenic cruise across Lake Te Anau on the luxury catamaran Luminosa.
• entry to the Te Anau Glowworm Caves and the underground cave drift.
• and complimentary tea and coffee.

Times

• Monday 09:00 10:15 11:30 12:45 14:00 15:15 16:30 17:45 20:15 21:30
• Tuesday 09:00 11:30 12:45 14:00 15:15 17:45 19:00 20:15 21:30
• Wednesday 09:00 10:15 11:30 12:45 14:00 15:15 17:45 20:15 21:30
• Thursday and Saturday 09:00 10:15 11:30 12:45 14:00 15:15 16:30 17:45 19:00 20:15 21:30
• Friday 09:00 10:15 11:30 12:45 14:00 15:15 16:30 19:00 20:15 21:30
• Sunday 09:00 10:15 11:30 12:45 14:00 15:15 16:30 17:45 19:00 21:30

Before you book

Group Up to 72

Live guide English

Meeting point and pickup No hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Book up to 1h before

Ages Adult (16 and older) · Child (5 to 15 years) · Infant (under 5): free

Cancellation and refunds Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund. It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Good to know

Low physical effort Infant seats available Pets welcome Public transport nearby Infants must sit on laps

Operated by RealNZ

Prices and times updated today

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The experience

The day starts with a cruise across Lake Te Anau on the Luminosa, a luxury catamaran that carries you from the town to Cavern House on the western shore. The boat ride itself is the first part of the experience: the lake spreads wide and the surrounding mountains frame the water. Once you reach the cavern entrance, a guide leads you into the underground system where the real shift happens: the lights dim, the sound of rushing water fills the space, and then you board a small boat for the silent drift through the cave.

In the darkness, thousands of glowworms cling to the cavern ceiling, each one a pinpoint of light. They're not stars or reflections. They're living creatures suspended above the water, and the guide explains what you're seeing as you float beneath them. The boat moves slowly enough that you can take in the scale of the cavern and the density of the glow. It's a quiet moment, almost meditative, before the return journey.

After the cave, you board the Luminosa again for the return cruise across Lake Te Anau. Complimentary tea and coffee are served during the day. The whole experience runs roughly two hours from start to finish. You'll need to arrive 20 minutes before your scheduled departure time to check in, and children under 16 must be booked with at least one adult. The tour is led by a live guide in English and is designed for all fitness levels: no special equipment or physical demands beyond boarding the boats.

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 15 years); Infant (under 5): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What exactly are glowworms and why do they light up in the Te Anau caves?

Glowworms are the larval stage of fungus gnats native to New Zealand. They produce light to attract prey to their sticky silk threads, which hang from the cave ceiling. In the darkness of the cavern system, thousands of them create the luminous effect you see from the boat.

How long is the boat ride across Lake Te Anau to reach the caves?

The scenic cruise on the Luminosa catamaran carries you across Lake Te Anau to Cavern House on the western shore. The full tour, including the cave drift and both boat journeys, takes approximately two hours.

Do I need to swim or get wet during the glowworm cave tour?

You don't swim. You board a small boat inside the cavern and drift silently through the underground system. The boat keeps you dry while you float beneath the glowworms.

What's included in the tour price, and what should I bring?

The tour includes the lake cruise on the Luminosa catamaran, entry to the glowworm caves, and complimentary tea and coffee. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you'll need to arrange your own transport to the departure point. Arrive 20 minutes early to check in.