Waitomo: Black Water Rafting & Glowworm Caves 3–5 Hours
Float beneath glowworms in New Zealand's underground river
You tube through a glowworm-lit cave on the North Island, jumping small waterfalls on the three-hour Black Labyrinth or abseiling and ziplining on the five-hour Black Abyss. Wetsuits, helmet, and all safety gear are supplied. A hot shower and soup follow your return. Minimum age is 12 (Black Labyrinth) or 16 (Black Abyss), and you must weigh at least 45kg and be comfortable in moving water.
Options for this experience
2 optionsStep-by-step itinerary
Blackwater Rafting and Cave Exploration
- Check in at Legendary Blackwater Rafting Co.
- Get geared up for the tour
- Raft through glowworm-studded Ruakuri Cave
- Return to Legendary Blackwater Rafting Co.
- Enjoy hot showers and hearty soup
What’s included
All equipment (wetsuits, helmet, boots, tubes, safety gear, and abseiling devices for the Black Abyss), a hot shower after your tour, hearty soup, snacks, and abseiling techniques training (Black Abyss only). Free lockers are provided for your belongings during the tour.
Times
- Monday and Tuesday 09:00 09:30 12:00 12:30 13:00 13:30 14:30 15:00 15:30 16:00
- Wednesday to Sunday 09:00 09:30 12:30 13:00 13:30 14:30 15:30 16:00
Before you book
Operated by THL - Waitomo Caves Group
Prices and times updated today
Traveler reviews
The experience
The glowworms hang above you like a ceiling of stars, except they're real and you're floating underneath them on a rubber tube in water that's 10 to 15 degrees Celsius. The Black Labyrinth is the three-hour version. You jump off two small waterfalls (the highest is 1.5 meters), tube through the Ruakuri Cave's natural streamway, and come back up to the surface with your legs numb and your head still underwater. The Black Abyss stretches it to five hours and adds an abseil down 35 metres into the cave and a zipline across a river before you hit the water. Both tours run from The Legendary Blackwater Rafting Co. on Waitomo Caves Road, and you need to check in 30 minutes early.
The water is moving, so you don't need to be able to swim, but you do need to be comfortable standing in a current and not panicking when the cave narrows. Age and weight matter: the Black Labyrinth takes anyone 12 and up who weighs at least 45 kilograms, while the Black Abyss is 16 and up only. Your guides have the final say on whether you can go. They know the cave better than anyone and they're not taking chances. You'll wear a wetsuit, helmet, and boots (all supplied), and the cave itself is completely natural, which means it's cold, it's dark except for the glowworms, and it's not a theme park version of anything.
After you climb out, there's a hot shower waiting and a bowl of hearty soup, both free. Your belongings go in a locker at the check-in point, so you're not carrying anything into the water. Cameras and phones stay behind. You won't be taking photos, which means you're actually present for the glowworms instead of filming them. The whole thing (gearing up, the cave time, the shower) takes the duration of the tour plus maybe 45 minutes either side. If you're the only person booked, they might ask you to shift your time so there are at least two of you. That's how they keep the groups small and the experience real.
Is this one for you?Right for anyone who wants to see glowworms in their natural cave habitat without needing swimming skills. Just comfort in moving water and a moderate fitness level. The Black Labyrinth takes three hours total. The Black Abyss takes five, so plan your day around the duration and the 30-minute early check-in.
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Top questions
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.
Do I need to be able to swim?
No. You float on a tube, so swimming ability is not required. You do need to be comfortable standing in fast-moving water.
How cold is the water?
Water temperature is around 10 to 15 degrees Celsius. You wear a full wetsuit, boots, and helmet for warmth and safety.
What's the difference between Black Labyrinth and Black Abyss?
Black Labyrinth is three hours: you jump two small waterfalls and tube through the cave. Black Abyss is five hours and adds a 35-metre abseil and a zipline across a river. Black Abyss requires age 16+. Black Labyrinth is 12+.
Can I bring my phone or camera?
No. Cameras and personal devices are not allowed on the tours.
What happens if I'm late?
You must check in 30 minutes before departure. If you miss your scheduled time, your ticket is forfeited and non-refundable. New bookings cost the full price and depend on availability.
Is there a minimum group size?
Yes, a minimum of two participants is required for a tour to operate. If you are the only person booked, you may be asked to change your tour time.
What fitness level do I need?
An average level of fitness and mobility is required. The guides have final discretion on whether you can participate based on the natural cave environment and conditions on the day.
What's included in the price?
Wetsuits, helmet, boots, tubes, abseiling devices (Black Abyss only), safety equipment, a hot shower, soup, and snacks are all included. Abseiling training is included on the Black Abyss tour.
Where do I check in?
Check in at The Legendary Blackwater Rafting Co., 585 Waitomo Caves Road, Waitomo Caves. Arrive 30 minutes before your tour departure time.
Can I leave my belongings somewhere safe?
Yes. Free lockers are available at the check-in point for your belongings while you're on the tour.
Waitomo: Black Water Rafting & Glowworm Caves 3–5 Hours
3h–5h · EN
from NZ$ 199 per person
≈ US$ 114 in your currency
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