Places to visit in Waitomo Caves

Top Things to Do in Waitomo Caves, New Zealand

Places to Visit in Waitomo Caves


Book these experiences for a close-up look at Waitomo Caves.


Top Attractions in Waitomo Caves

These rankings are informed by traveller reviews—we consider the quality, quantity, recency, consistency of reviews, and the number of page views over time.






From quick jaunts to full-day outings.


*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.

What travellers are saying

  • budd44
    Southampton, UK27 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Highly recommend the Ruakuri cave experience our guide lydia was great very informative . Well worth it . I would not recommend the glow cave boat trip not worth it saw more Glow worms in Ruakuri it did not help as our guide was had to
    understand . The caves were really amazing and you do a fair bit of walking not a problem to us but those with limited mobility maybe a problem ,
    Written 31 January 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Julia @Scrumptious Solent
    Southampton, UK2,354 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Surprisingly great tour! We booked the Waitomo caves trip and this tour was included in the combo ticket booked by our travel agent. It’s a small group tour of about 20 people which takes around ninety minutes. You walk down an amazing spiral into the caves and the tour guide then leads you through the various caves. You see glowworms on this trip and also people floating through the cave rivers on inner tubes!

    The time passed really quickly and the guide had lots of interesting facts about the caves history and structure to pass on.

    You visit about 1.5km of the total 5km cave length and the experience is really impressive!

    Make sure you visit the toilets at the reception centre before crossing the road and descending the path down to the cave entrance.

    Unlike the Waitomo caves you CAN take photos on this trip!
    Written 18 March 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • C L
    12 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    The Footwhistle private cave tour was amazing. The guide was super friendly, super informative and also super knowledgeable. The glow worms in the cave were a mind blowing experience and even better it was just me and my wife, no crowds. I can't praise them enough and the tour was worth the price. Truly the experience of a lifetime!
    Written 16 February 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Liz_Mo1982
    Auckland Central, New Zealand125 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Still barrier where slip below where old platform was. Can still get full view of waterfall. Large high and wide waterfalls.
    Worth the long windy drive. Also check out the other 2 local short walks nearby only a few minutes drive away from.
    Written 16 March 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Go55921154885
    3 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Great place to visit, almost prehistoric. Can imagine a pteradactyl flying through the middle of it.
    Written 29 December 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Moises07
    Tampa, FL52 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Do this walk as the sun sets so you can appreciate the beauty then do a second loop in full darkness so you can see hundreds of glow worms. This is a very safe walk with board walks, and railings. Still use caution as you look around.
    Written 3 January 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • TomWV12
    Charleston, WV73 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Kyle led our four person tour down into the cave. His family owns the cave. It is amazing to see the glowworms and hear Kyle describe them. The cave is completely dark until Kyle turns on some dim lights or shines his flashlight. Afterwards Kyle prepares tea in a small covered area with tables and chairs. Highly recommend this tour!
    Written 15 January 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Season
    1 contribution
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Friendly staff. She is so welcome for all the guests. A nice experience here too. 10/10. You won’t disappoint
    Written 10 August 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Ateia M
    1 contribution
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    I went in with my partner and his family from Fiji the woman who greeted us had such a wonderful energy and beautiful service really loved every bit of our time in there the tour of the muesem was amazing can’t wait to come back again.
    Written 5 July 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Liz_Mo1982
    Auckland Central, New Zealand125 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Small cave full of stalagmites. The track from road has quite a few steps and the steps take you down to bottom of the cave. As indicated by others good to have a torch - phone torch works fine - to see the stalagtites in the cave.
    I wouldn’t make journey just to see this cave but worth seeing if out this way already for the natural arch and Marokapa waterfall
    Written 1 May 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Jeanette M
    Cairns, Australia475 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    You can start this 1 hour walk across the street from the Glow Worm Caves (ask a local) and finish it in the village. The trail meanders through farmland and up to the top of the esrstwhile 'Pa' (Maori for 'fortress') which dominates the general area. Of course the early Maori selected this elevated site to keep an eye on the surrounding area. This is an easy walk and a fun way to go from your last cave visit back to town.
    Written 6 December 2019
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Jessica G
    3 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    This was so awesome and fun!!
    The guides were amazing and explained everything very clearly the entire time.
    There wasn’t one part of this experience that wasn’t fun or enjoyable. I especially loved jumping off the waterfalls!
    Highly recommend this experience!
    Written 14 March 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Frequently Asked Questions about Waitomo Caves


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