Book Ruakuri Cave Tours

Budget-friendly Waitomo Glowworm Cave tour with boat ride & stories from Māori guides.

• Everything you get: A 45-minute guided tour of the Waitomo Glowworm Cave led by an English-speaking guide of Māori descent. Explore majestic limestone formations, then sail along the Waitomo River beneath shimmering glowworms.
• Why choose this: It’s Waitomo at its most iconic; thousands of glowworms overhead, a serene underground boat ride, and a guide sharing tales passed through generations, all in one magical 45-minute tour.
• Upgrades: Choose the 1.5-hour Ruakuri Cave tour for a longer, accessible underground walk, or the full-day Waitomo Caves tour from Auckland with transfers for a more immersive cave experience.

Inclusions Waitomo Glowworm Caves Guided Tour

• 45-minute guided tour of Waitomo Gloworm Cave

• English-speaking guide of Maori descent

• Waitomo River boat ride

Ruakuri Cave Guided Tour (as per option selected)

• 1.5-hour guided tour of Ruakuri Cave

• English-speaking guide of Maori descent

Offbeat Waitomo Glowworm Cave Small-Group Guided Tour (as per option selected)

• 3.5-hour guided tour of Waitomo Glowworm Cave

• Exclusive access to a private cave system on a family farm

• Expert local guide

• Small group of up to 8 people

• Safety equipment & warm clothing

• Snack & hot drinks

From Auckland: Waitomo Glowworm Cave Guided Tour (as per option selected)

• 45-minute guided tour of Waitomo Gloworm Cave

• Round-trip hotel transfers from Auckland CBD

• English-speaking guide/driver

• Waitomo River boat ride

• Snacks & water

What to bring

• Wear non-slip shoes as the cave floors are wet and slippery.
• Bring a warm jacket as the temperature of the cave can be cool.
• When you visit, make sure you've got a credit card or your phone set up for contactless payments (like Apple Pay or Google Pay).

What's not allowed

• Photography and videography are strictly prohibited in the Waitomo Glowworm Caves.
• Smoking, food, drink or litter are not allowed inside the cave.
• Pets are not allowed inside the cave.

Accessibility

• This experience is suitable for guests with reasonable mobility, with well-maintained paths and sturdy handrails throughout. However, it is not accessible for wheelchairs or prams/strollers.

Short on time? Enjoy a 3-hour black water rafting adventure with expert guides.

• Everything you get: A 3-hour underground rafting experience through Ruakuri Cave, including tubing along the river, floating beneath thousands of glowworms, and navigating gentle rapids. Expert guides provide safety gear and training before you begin. Warm up afterward with a hot shower and complimentary soup.
• Why choose this: Ideal for thrill-seekers short on time, this tour delivers the essence of black water rafting without the longer physical commitment. You’ll still get the glowworms, the tubing, and the underground river excitement, all packed into a more manageable adventure.
• Upgrades: Choose the 5-hour black water rafting adventure for a longer, more challenging experience packed with extra activities like abseiling, ziplining, and waterfall climbs.

Inclusions Black Water Rafting

• 3-hour black water rafting tour at Ruakuri Cave

• Rafting & tubing at Ruakuri Cave

• Expert guide

• Safety briefing, training & equipment kit (footwear, tubes, wetsuits, helmets, abseiling devices)

Black Water Rafting, Ziplining & Abseiling (as per option selected)

• 5-hour black water rafting tour at Ruakuri Cave

• Ziplining, abseiling & tubing at Ruakuri Cave

• Expert guide

• Safety briefing, training & equipment kit (footwear, tubes, wetsuits, helmets, abseiling devices)

What to bring

• Bring your towel, swimwear, shower gel, and shampoo for the adventure.
• When you visit, make sure you've got a credit card or your phone set up for contactless payments (like Apple Pay or Google Pay).

What's not allowed

• Camera equipment, tripod, selfie sticks, and GoPro are strictly prohibited in Ruakari Cave.
• Guests aged under 12 years and under 45kg and over 130kg are restricted from participating in this experience.
• Smoking, food, drink or litter are not allowed inside the cave.
• Pets are not allowed inside the cave.

Accessibility

• The experience is not accessible for wheelchair users, pram/stroller users, people with mobility issues, people with back and neck problems, and guests who don't have a moderate fitness level or are too small.

Additional information

• Facilities: Lockers, changing rooms, hot showers.
• This experience operates only with a minimum of 2 guests.
• No prior caving experience is needed. However, a good level of fitness is required.
• You do need to be comfortable in the water. However, swimming is not a necessity. You will have a floating tube and expert guides for this experience.
• Your guide will take photos of you on your tour, which you can purchase after the tour.

Wheelchair-friendly Ruakuri Cave tour with glowworms, limestones, & guides of Māori descent.

• Everything you get: A 1.5-hour guided tour led by an English-speaking Māori guide. Enter via the accessible spiral entrance into a solar-powered cave. See shawl-like limestone formations, glowworms, and key spots like Holdens Cavern and The Drum Passage. Enjoy photo opportunities and hear Māori legends and glowworm facts.
• Why choose this: This is Waitomo’s most accessible and immersive walking tour, combining breathtaking geology, glowworm wonders, and rich Māori legends in one unforgettable experience.

Inclusions

• 1.5-hour guided tour of Ruakuri Cave

• English-speaking guide of Maori descent

What to bring

• Bring a warm jacket as the cave can get cool.
• When you visit, make sure you've got a credit card or your phone set up for contactless payments (like Apple Pay or Google Pay).

What's not allowed

• Large backpacks are not allowed inside the cave.
• Smoking, food, drink or litter are not allowed inside the cave.
• Pets are not allowed inside the cave.

Accessibility

• This experience is wheelchair and pram/stroller accessible. Please note that the wheelchair and pram/ stroller should not exceed a width of 65cm due to the narrow passageways in the cave.

Additional information

• Photography and video are permitted in selected areas of the cave.

Skip the crowds on a small-group tour with private cave access, gear & warm drinks.

• Everything you get: A 3.5-hour guided cave adventure with an expert guide, exclusive access to a private cave system on a family farm, a small group of up to 8 people, gear and clothing provided (thermals, fleece, shorts, boots, helmet), and complimentary photos, hot drink, and a snack after your tour.
• Why choose this: This isn’t your standard Waitomo cave tour. No handrails, no artificial lights, no paved paths, perfect for active travelers seeking an intimate, off-the-beaten-path experience.

Inclusions

• 3.5-hour guided tour of Waitomo Glowworm Cave

• Exclusive access to a private cave system on a family farm

• Expert local guide

• Small group of up to 8 people

• Safety equipment & warm clothing

• Snack & hot drinks

What to bring

• When you visit, make sure you've got a credit card or your phone set up for contactless payments (like Apple Pay or Google Pay).

What's not allowed

• Large cameras and tripods are not allowed on this experience.
• This experience is restricted for guests under the age of 12 years and over the weight of 120kg (264.55lb).

Accessibility

• Elderly guests or those with mobility issues are restricted from participating in this experience.
• This experience requires a reasonable level of fitness as it involves 2 hours of hiking to get to Waitomo Glowworm Cave, including climbing over boulders, walking up hills, and wading through streams with rocks underfoot.

Additional information

• Facilities: Shower.
• Caving equipment includes thermals, fleece jumper, shorts, gumboots, socks, helmet & headlamp.
• Guests under the age of 16 years must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Perfect for LOTR fans, see Hobbiton & Waitomo on a day tour with expert guides & drinks.

• Starting point: Begin your day with pick-up from your Auckland CBD hotel, followed by a scenic drive through the Waikato region with photo stops along the way.
• Everything you get: Round-trip hotel transfers from Auckland CBD with an English-speaking driver/guide, a 2.5-hour guided Hobbiton Movie Set tour including a complimentary drink at the Green Dragon Inn, a 45-minute guided Waitomo Glowworm Cave tour with a boat ride along the underground Waitomo River, and snacks and water.
• Sights covered: Hobbiton Village, Hobbit Holes, The Mill, Double Arched Bridge, The Green Dragon Inn, Waitomo Glowworm Cave, underground limestone formations, glowworm-lit grotto, and scenic Waikato countryside.
• Why choose this: Waitomo Glowworm Cave with expert guidance for an unforgettable small-group experience.
• Upgrades: Choose a private tour if you want to explore at your own pace. Or select a shared tour with lunch to enjoy a relaxed, all-in-one day without worrying about meals.

Inclusions

• Full-day tour of Hobbiton Movie Set & Waitomo Glowworm Cave

• Round-trip hotel transfers from Auckland

• 2.5-hour guided tour of Hobbiton Movie Set

• 45-minute guided tour of Waitomo Glowworm Cave

• Small shared or private group tour (as per option selected)

• English-speaking guide/driver

• Boat ride at Waitomo Caves

• Complimentary beverage at the Green Dragon Inn

• Lunch (as per option selected)

• Snacks & water

What to bring

• Bring your towel, swimwear, shower gel, and shampoo for the adventure.
• When you visit, make sure you've got a credit card or your phone set up for contactless payments (like Apple Pay or Google Pay).

What's not allowed

• Camera equipment, tripod, selfie sticks, and GoPro are strictly prohibited in Ruakari Cave.
• Guests aged under 16 years and under 45kg are restricted from participating in this experience.
• Smoking, food, drink or litter are not allowed inside the cave.
• Pets are not allowed inside the cave.

Accessibility

• The experience is not accessible for wheelchair users, pram/stroller users, people with mobility issues, people with back and neck problems, and guests who don't have a moderate fitness level or are too small.

Additional information

• Facilities: Lockers, changing rooms, hot showers.
• This experience operates only with a minimum of 2 guests.
• No prior caving experience is needed. However, a good level of fitness is required.
• You do need to be comfortable in the water. However, swimming is not a necessity. You will have a floating tube and expert guides for this experience.
• Your guide will take photos of you on your tour, which you can purchase after the tour.

Glowworms shining above, winding caves awaiting below—two Waitomo tours, one ticket.

• Everything you get at Ruakari Cave: Take New Zealand’s longest guided cave walk on a 1.5-hour-long tour. An English-speaking Māori guide leads you through spiral tunnels, underground rivers, and ancient limestone formations.
• Everything you get at Waitomo Glowworm Caves: Hop on a 45-minute guided tour of the Waitomo Glowworm Caves led by an English-speaking guide of Māori descent. Cruise by boat beneath a ceiling illuminated by thousands of glowworms.
• Why choose this combo: See two sides of Waitomo: a boat ride under a sky of glowworms and a walk through the spirals of Ruakuri Cave. It’s double the adventure, and you’ll save 3% while you’re at it.

Inclusions Ruakuri Cave

• 1.5-hour guided tour of Ruakuri Cave

• English-speaking guide of Maori descent

Waitomo Glowworm Cave

• 45-minute guided tour of Waitomo Glowworm Cave

• English-speaking guide of Maori descent

• Waitomo River boat ride

What to bring

Ruakari Cave

• Bring a warm jacket as the cave can get cool.
• When you visit, make sure you've got a credit card or your phone set up for contactless payments (like Apple Pay or Google Pay).

Waitomo Glowworm Cave

• Wear non-slip shoes as the cave floors are wet and slippery.
• Bring a warm jacket as the temperature of the cave can be cool.
• When you visit, make sure you've got a credit card or your phone set up for contactless payments (like Apple Pay or Google Pay).

What's not allowed

Ruakari Cave

• Large backpacks are not allowed inside the cave.
• Smoking, food, drink or litter are not allowed inside the cave.
• Pets are not allowed inside the cave.

Waitomo Glowworm Cave

• Photography and videography are strictly prohibited in the Waitomo Glowworm Caves.
• Smoking, food, drink or litter are not allowed inside the cave.
• Pets are not allowed inside the cave.

Accessibility

Ruakari Cave

• This experience is wheelchair and pram/stroller accessible. Please note that the wheelchair and pram/ stroller should not exceed a width of 65cm due to the narrow passageways in the cave.

Waitomo Glowworm Cave

• This experience is suitable for guests with reasonable mobility, with well-maintained paths and sturdy handrails throughout. However, it is not accessible for wheelchairs or prams/strollers.

Additional information

Ruakari Cave

• Photography and video are permitted in selected areas of the cave.

A 1-hour intimate Aranui Cave tour through smaller chambers with stunning limestone & Māori legends.

• Everything you get: A relaxed 1-hour guided tour through quiet, smaller chambers. Walk through Ruakuri Scenic Reserve to Aranui Cave’s hidden entrance. See delicate limestone formations in soft pinks, caramels, and whites, plus massive stalactites. Small-group access with photo permissions, while your guide shares Māori stories and geology.
• Why choose this: This is Waitomo’s most tranquil and photogenic cave tour, perfect for explorers and photographers seeking a peaceful, intimate setting away from the crowds.

Inclusions

• 1-hour guided tour of Aranui Cave

• English-speaking guide of Maori descent

What to bring

• Bring a warm jacket as the cave can get cool.
• When you visit, make sure you've got a credit card or your phone set up for contactless payments (like Apple Pay or Google Pay).

What's not allowed

• Smoking, food, drink or litter are not allowed inside the cave.

Accessibility

• This experience is not wheelchair accessible.

Additional information

• Photography and video are permitted in the cave.

See Waitomo caves, Te Puia geysers, & Rotorua city highlights on a small-group day tour.

• Starting point: Start with hotel pickup in Auckland CBD, then enjoy a 2.5-hour scenic drive through South Auckland and the Waikato region.
• Everything you get: Round-trip hotel transfers from Auckland CBD with an English-speaking guide, a 45-minute guided Waitomo Glowworm Cave tour with a boat ride along the Waitomo River, and complimentary snacks and water.
• Sights covered: Waitomo Glowworm Cave, underground limestone formations, glowworm-lit grotto, scenic Waikato countryside, and a stop at Waitomo Homestead for shopping or refreshments.
• Why choose this: See New Zealand’s rare Arachnocampa luminosa glowworms, explore stunning limestone caves, and sail silently on an underground river, all with expert commentary and comfortable round-trip hotel transfers from Auckland.
• Upgrades: Extend your Waitomo Glowworm Cave experience with a Hobbiton Movie Set tour, complete with a complimentary beverage at Green Dragon Inn.

Inclusions

• 45-minute guided tour of Waitomo Gloworm Cave

• Round-trip hotel transfers from Auckland CBD

• English-speaking guide/driver

• Waitomo River boat ride

• 2.5-hour guided tour of Hobbiton Movie Set (as per option selected)

• Complimentary beverage at Green Dragon Inn (as per option selected)

• Snacks & water

What to bring

• Wear non-slip shoes as the cave floors are wet and slippery.
• Bring a warm jacket as the temperature of the cave can be cool.
• When you visit, make sure you've got a credit card or your phone set up for contactless payments (like Apple Pay or Google Pay).

What's not allowed

• Photography and videography are strictly prohibited in the Waitomo Glowworm Caves.
• Smoking, food, drink or litter are not allowed inside the cave.
• Pets are not allowed inside the cave.

Accessibility

• This experience is suitable for guests with reasonable mobility, with well-maintained paths and sturdy handrails throughout. However, it is not accessible for wheelchairs or prams/strollers.

Explore Waitomo Glowworm Caves on a guided day tour with round-trip hotel transfers from Auckland.

• Starting point: Start your day trip with hotel pickup in Auckland CBD and a comfortable drive through the scenic Waikato region.
• Everything you get: Full-day, small-group tour led by an English-speaking guide. Includes round-trip hotel transfers from Auckland CBD, 45-minute Waitomo Glowworm Cave tour with a boat ride beneath thousands of glowworms, 1.5-hour guided Te Puia Geothermal Park tour, and a 20-minute Rotorua city highlights drive.
• Sights covered: Waitomo Glowworm Cave, Te Puia Geothermal Park with Pōhutu Geyser and geothermal craters, Māori Arts School, Rotorua city highlights including Lake Rotorua, Government Gardens, Whangapipiro, Blue Baths, plus scenic Waikato countryside.
• Why choose this: Experience New Zealand’s glowworm caves, geothermal landscapes, Māori culture, and Rotorua’s scenic landmarks, all in a single, expertly guided, small-group adventure.

Inclusions

• Full-day, small-group tour of Waitomo Glowworm Cave, Rotorua, & Te Puia

• Round-trip hotel transfers from Auckland CBD

• 1.5-hour guided tour of Te Puia Geothermal Park

• 45-minute guided tour of Waitomo Glowworm Cave

• 20-minute guided driving tour of Rotorua city highlights

• English-speaking guide

• Waitomo River boat ride

• Kiwi bird-watching

• Snacks & water

What to bring

• Wear non-slip shoes as the cave floors are wet and slippery.
• Bring a warm jacket as the temperature of the cave can be cool.
• When you visit, make sure you've got a credit card or your phone set up for contactless payments (like Apple Pay or Google Pay).

What's not allowed

• Photography, videography, smoking, food, drink or litter are not allowed inside the Waitomo Glowworm Cave.
• Oversized items including bikes, surfboards and your pet are not allowed on this tour.

Accessibility

• The Waitomo Glowworm Cave is suitable for guests with reasonable mobility, with well-maintained paths and sturdy handrails throughout. However, it is not accessible for wheelchairs or prams/strollers.

Additional information

• Children under the age of 7 must be in a child safety seat, as per the legal requirement in New Zealand.
• Children aged 14 and under must be accompanied by an adult aged 18 or over on this tour.

A 5-hour Ruakuri Cave adventure; zipline, abseil, tube with expert guides & full gear.

• Everything you get: A 5-hour black water adventure through Ruakuri Cave, including a 35m abseil, ziplining beneath glowworms, tubing through underground rapids, climbing waterfalls, and floating on fast-flowing waters. Expert guides provide gear, safety tips, and support. Snacks included, plus a hot shower and soup at the end.
• Why choose this: This isn’t just one activity; it’s a multi-adventure underground journey. Abseil, zip, tube, and climb through a glowworm-lit cave with expert guidance for an unforgettable, adrenaline-filled experience.

Inclusions

• 5-hour black water rafting tour at Ruakuri Cave

• Ziplining, abseiling & tubing at Ruakuri Cave

• Expert guide

• Safety briefing, training & equipment kit (footwear, tubes, wetsuits, helmets, abseiling devices)

What to bring

• Bring your towel, swimwear, shower gel, and shampoo for the adventure.
• When you visit, make sure you've got a credit card or your phone set up for contactless payments (like Apple Pay or Google Pay).

What's not allowed

• Camera equipment, tripod, selfie sticks, and GoPro are strictly prohibited in Ruakari Cave.
• Guests aged under 16 years and under 45kg are restricted from participating in this experience.
• Smoking, food, drink or litter are not allowed inside the cave.
• Pets are not allowed inside the cave.

Accessibility

• The experience is not accessible for wheelchair users, pram/stroller users, people with mobility issues, people with back and neck problems, and guests who don't have a moderate fitness level or are too small.

Additional information

• Facilities: Lockers, changing rooms, hot showers.
• This experience operates only with a minimum of 2 guests.
• No prior caving experience is needed. However, a good level of fitness is required.
• You do need to be comfortable in the water. However, swimming is not a necessity. You will have a floating tube and expert guides for this experience.
• Your guide will take photos of you on your tour, which you can purchase after the tour.