Likely to sell outFree cancellation
From Auckland: Spellbound, Waitomo Glowworm Cave Small Group Tour
- 8–9 hours
- Free cancellation up to 24h before
- Guided in English
- Instant confirmation
Highlights
Discover New Zealand’s wonders with our Spellbound Glowworm Cave and Explorer Tour. Perfect for nature lovers and adventure seekers, this tour offers a blend of bioluminescence and natural beauty that will captivate you. Begin your adventure with our expert guide leading you through mesmerizing caves. Learn about fascinating geological formations and history as you marvel at stunning stalactites and stalagmites. Step into the enchanting Glowworm Grotto, where thousands of glowworms illuminate the cave with their magical light. Enjoy a serene 20-minute boat ride, gazing up at lights resembling a starry night sky. Gain insights into the glowworms' life cycle and ecological significance from your knowledgeable guide. This unique tour is ideal for those wanting an up-close experience with the glowworms and photography enthusiasts, as there are no restrictions on photos in the caves. Experience all this as part of a small, intimate group of only 11 guests.
Inclusions
What's included
- An english speaking tour guide
- Bottled water
- Snacks
- All Fees and Taxes
- Complimentary pick up and drop off from Auckland CBD
- Fully Guided Small Group Tour
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Coffee and/or Tea
- Admission to a fully guided 180 minutes experience of the Spellbound Glowworm Twin Caves
What's not
- Breakfast
- Dinner
- Lunch
Itinerary
Embark on your expedition from the largest city in New Zealand. As we set out, your guide will kick off the day's adventures, laying the groundwork for an enthralling exploration. Proceed with a picturesque drive to the Waitomo region, winding through the scenic New Zealand countryside on the way to the Spellbound Glowworm Caves. Travel journey time from Auckland to Spellbound Caves is approximately- 2 hours, and 30 minutes
Embark on the unforgettable Spellbound Glowworm Cave & Explorer Tour in Waitomo. This unique adventure offers an up-close encounter with enchanting glowworms and a journey through breathtaking caves, perfect for nature enthusiasts and adventure seekers. Begin your journey with an expert guide through spellbinding caves. Learn about geological formations and the history of these natural wonders. Marvel at stunning stalactites and stalagmites as you navigate fascinating passages. Enter the captivating Glowworm Grotto, where thousands of glowworms illuminate the cave with bioluminescent light. Glide silently on a small boat, gazing up at sparkling lights resembling a starry night sky. Gain insights into glowworms' life cycle and behavior from your knowledgeable guide. Soak in the peaceful ambiance and capture stunning photographs of the natural landscape. Benefit from a personalized experience with our small group tours, ensuring a more intimate and immersive adventure.
Recharge with a delectable lunch at a local eatery in Otorohanga (suggestions will be provided by your guide), savoring regional flavors. (Lunch is not included in the tour price)
Reflect on the day's adventures during a leisurely drive back to Auckland, relishing the memories of both the enchanting Caves and the captivating glow worms 3 hours travel time back to Auckland Hotel Drop-off: Conclude your day with a convenient drop-off at your Auckland hotel/accommodation
Cancellation
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts, for a full refund.
Reviews
4.9
- 5229
- 45
- 32
- 20
- 12
Ratings come from 238 reviews collected by our booking partner. They are travellers' own words, in the order they were written — never reordered to flatter the experience.
Showing reviews written in English.
5Glo Worm Day Trip
Pickup and driver Syeve wete just lovely. Froendly and knowledgable. Really funny too. Spellbound Fin was the best. I wasn't feeling great so Fin still took the tour but was looking out for me. That level of service by all is just outstounding. Thankyou for an amazing day.
5Great experience
The experience itself was great but our tour guide Steve gave it a personal touch. Can’t fault the organisation or pick up
5A Must-Do!
This experience was better than we expected. Not only do you get great, non-rushed cave time, the glow worms are beyond interesting and beautiful. You also go through a second cave system (without glow worms) that is really cool as well. The guide at the cave was knowledgeable and passionate about the caves and their history. Our guide that drove us from Auckland to the caves (Jaime) was kind, funny and helpful, giving great commentary about the areas we were traveling through. He even had helpful recommendations on what to do and where to eat for the rest of our stay in Auckland. Highly recommend this tour - the drive to and from the caves was just as stunning as the caves themselves. The small tour group sizes are also appreciated. Don't hesitate - book it! (But also bring a warm jacket....the caves are chilly!)
5A Magical Experience with a Wonderful Guide!
Our guide, Jason, was so kind and thoughtful that even traveling with a child who doesn't speak English, we were able to enjoy the tour with complete peace of mind. The glowworms seen from the boat were so beautiful and magical—it was truly an unforgettable experience. Thank you so much, Jason, for giving us such a wonderful day!
5The Tour is fantastic! We...
The Tour is fantastic! We left Auckland at exactly 7:45am had our breakfast along the way around 9am and finally arrived at our destination around 11am. It's amazing experience to see in reality those glowworms while riding the boat in total darkness on the first cave and we enjoy as well walk inside the second cave. At around 2pm we have our lunch at Waitomo and head back to Auckland and we're in our Hotel at 6pm. Our driver and tour guide is very knowledgeable and keep us abreast of our tour as well as NZ events and history.
5A very unique experience.
It wasn’t too strenuous. I've never seen anything like it before. The cave guide and Driver were both excellent. The van was new and comfortable.
Know before you go
- Pickup
- Pickup is included for everyone.
- Ticket type
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Group size
- Up to 11 travellers
- Operated by
- Expedigo Tours and Travels Auckland
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- You do need to be able to walk for at least 40 minutes at a time over gentle terrain and pathways. We do not climb or crawl anywhere in our caves. There are no stairs in our caves. For those with mobility concerns, you will need to step up 40cm into and out of a transit van and down 40cm into and out of our raft. We do not take wheelchairs or walking frames. If you are concerned or unsure if your fitness is adequate, please contact us.
How it compares in Waitomo
- Its from-price is 55% above the median of the 13 experiences we list in Waitomo.
- It is longer than most of them.
- By number of reviews it ranks 4 of 13.
- The operator lists free cancellation on it.
About Waitomo
Waitomo is a village in the King Country, on limestone hills riddled with caves, where glow-worms light the cave ceilings.
Waitomo sits in rolling sheep country in the northern King Country of the North Island, about an hour's drive south of Hamilton. The name comes from Māori words for water and hole, and the limestone hills under the farmland are riddled with caves. In the best known of them, the Glowworm Cave, boats glide beneath a ceiling dotted with the blue-green lights of a glow-worm found only in New Zealand.
Top-ranked sights in Waitomo: Ruakuri Cave.