Underground Tours in Waitomo at a glance
- Our pick: Waitomo: Private Glowworm Cave Tour & Small-Group Adventure, NZ$ 219 per person (3h 15m, 4.98★ · 483).
- Top rated: Private Waitomo Glowworm Cave Tour: Small group, untouched caves, NZ$ 1,199 per group (3h, 5.00★ · 56).
- Best value: Waitomo Glowworm Caves boat tour: Under thousands of lights, NZ$ 85 per person (45m, 4.37★ · 1,281).
Price per person across the 6 options priced per person: NZ$ 85–NZ$ 309 (median NZ$ 122). With 100+ reviews: 5 of 7.
Of the 7 options: 7 with live guides in English, 7 with free cancellation, 3 with instant confirmation, 1 with hotel pickup, 4 kid-friendly, 1 private and 3 bookable last-minute.
How we rank: quality, number of reviews, availability, booking conditions and relevance to the topic. In the comparison table, our top 3 comes first. Prices are per person, except options priced per group: that price is for the whole group, and the per-person figure assumes the group is full. “Top rated” = the highest score among options with at least 50 reviews.
Underground Tours in Waitomo
Based on each operator's calendar. Confirmed when you book.
7 options
Waitomo Glowworm Caves boat tour: Under thousands of lights Glide silently by boat through Waitomo Glowworm Caves on a 45-minute guided tour with a local guide. Every day · 33 start times, 08:30 to 18:00 · From age 4 ★ 4.37 (1,281 reviews) Duration: 45m Live guide: EN ✓ Free cancellation. from NZ$ 85 per person
Waitomo: Private Glowworm Cave Tour & Small-Group Adventure Step into Waitomo’s private caves with a local guide, scramble over boulders, see glowworms up close, and enjoy tea after your small-group caving tour. Every day · 09:30 and 13:30 · From age 12 ★ 4.98 (483 reviews) Duration: 3h 15m Live guide: EN ✓ Free cancellation. from NZ$ 219 per person
Waitomo: Ruakuri Cave Glowworms & Spiral Entrance 90 Minutes Ruakuri Cave in Waitomo: 90-minute guided tour through glowworm chambers, limestone formations, and underground rivers. Daily 9am–3:30pm. Includes local guide, wheelchair accessible. Every day · 16 start times, 08:30 to 16:30 · All ages ★ 4.79 (203 reviews) Duration: 1h 30m Live guide: EN ✓ Free cancellation. from NZ$ 122 per person
Auckland to Waitomo: Glowworm Cave Boat Tour & Small Group Small-group glowworm cave tour from Auckland with 20-minute boat ride through Waitomo Caves. Includes pickup, guide, snacks, 3 hours each way. Max 11 guests. Every day · 06:45, 07:45, 08:15 and 08:45 · Hotel pickup · All ages ★ 4.92 (255 reviews) Duration: 8h–9h Live guide: EN ✓ Free cancellation. from NZ$ 309 per person
Waitomo: Black Water Rafting & Glowworm Caves 3–5 Hours Tube through Ruakuri Cave under thousands of glowworms, jump small waterfalls, and abseil 35m (Black Abyss option). Wetsuits, hot shower & soup included. Ages 12+. Every day · 10 start times, 09:00 to 16:00 · From age 16 ★ 4.84 (444 reviews) Duration: 3h–5h Live guide: EN ✓ Free cancellation. from NZ$ 199 per person
Private Waitomo Glowworm Cave Tour: Small group, untouched caves Three-hour private glowworm cave tour in Waitomo with guide, all gear provided, and thermal clothing included. Mon–Sat · 09:30 and 13:30 ★ 5.00 (56 reviews) Duration: 3h Live guide: EN ✓ Free cancellation. from NZ$ 1,199 per group
Aranui Cave Waitomo: 1-Hour Guided Tour of Delicate Formations Guided tour of Aranui Cave in Waitomo with experienced local guide. Explore stalactites, stalagmites and flowstones in the smallest and most delicate. Every day · 10:00, 11:30, 13:00 and 14:30 · From age 4 ★ 4.31 (39 reviews) Duration: 1h Live guide: EN ✓ Free cancellation. from NZ$ 85 per person
All 7 options, side by side
✓ 2026-11-14| Option | Price | Duration | Rating | Days and times | Guide languages |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waitomo: Private Glowworm Cave Tour & Small-Group AdventureOur pickGroup of up to 8 | NZ$ 219 per person | 3h 15m | 4.98★ · 483 | Every day · 09:30 and 13:30 | English |
| Private Waitomo Glowworm Cave Tour: Small group, untouched cavesTop ratedPrivate | NZ$ 1,199 per group up to 8 people · ≈ NZ$ 150 per person if 8 go | 3h | 5.00★ · 56 | Mon–Sat · 09:30 and 13:30 | English |
| Waitomo Glowworm Caves boat tour: Under thousands of lightsBest value | NZ$ 85 per person | 45m | 4.37★ · 1,281 | Every day · 33 start times, 08:30 to 18:00 | English |
| Waitomo: Ruakuri Cave Glowworms & Spiral Entrance 90 Minutes | NZ$ 122 per person | 1h 30m | 4.79★ · 203 | Every day · 16 start times, 08:30 to 16:30 | English |
| Auckland to Waitomo: Glowworm Cave Boat Tour & Small GroupGroup of up to 11 · Pickup offered | NZ$ 309 per person | 8h–9h | 4.92★ · 255 | Every day · 06:45, 07:45, 08:15 and 08:45 | English |
| Waitomo: Black Water Rafting & Glowworm Caves 3–5 HoursGroup of up to 12 | NZ$ 199 per person | 3h–5h | 4.84★ · 444 | Every day · 10 start times, 09:00 to 16:00 | English |
| Aranui Cave Waitomo: 1-Hour Guided Tour of Delicate Formations | NZ$ 85 per person | 1h | 4.31★ · 39 | Every day · 10:00, 11:30, 13:00 and 14:30 | English |
By what you need
- Private (1): Private Waitomo Glowworm Cave Tour: Small group, untouched caves (NZ$ 1,199 per group)
- Small groups (up to 15) (3): Waitomo: Private Glowworm Cave Tour & Small-Group Adventure (NZ$ 219 per person) · Auckland to Waitomo: Glowworm Cave Boat Tour & Small Group (NZ$ 309 per person) · Waitomo: Black Water Rafting & Glowworm Caves 3–5 Hours (NZ$ 199 per person)
- With pickup (1): Auckland to Waitomo: Glowworm Cave Boat Tour & Small Group (NZ$ 309 per person)