Tickets for the Waitomo Caves

Tickets for the Waitomo Caves

Cancellation Cancellation with conditions

You would like

Discover caves with unique formations
Take a boat ride under a ceiling of glow worms
Your guide's explanations of the site's history and geology
The diversity of underground landscape

Essential information *

Duration
45 minutes , 2 hours 45 minutes

Languages

English

Opening hours
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

* All details will be sent to you upon reservation.

Description

Take an underground tour of New Zealand's most famous caves!

Located in the heart of the Waikato region, the Waitomo Caves form a vast underground network shaped by thousands of years of erosion. Your guided tour will take you through more than 250 meters of impressive galleries and limestone formations. You'll start at the cave's upper entrance, through a narrow passageway that leads to the Tomo, a deep limestone shaft. You'll then discover several remarkable rooms, including the Cathedral, known for its acoustics, the Banquet Hall, the Organ and the Catacombs.

The highlight of your visit will be the boat ride through the Glowworm Grotto. You'll sail silently through the darkness, while thousands of glowworms clinging to the walls illuminate the grotto, creating a natural spectacle akin to a starry sky.

Throughout the tour, your guide will explain the history and formation of these caves, as well as their importance to the Maoris, who first discovered them.

If you wish to extend your exploration, you can choose a combined tour including Ruakuri Cave (see options).

Departure place

Options

During your booking, you will be asked to choose the length of your tour : 

  • 45 mins : Waitomo Caves tour only (including the glow worm cave)
  • 2hrs 45 mins :Visit Waitomo Caves (45 min) and Ruakuri Cave (2h)
     
  • Ruakuri Cave offers a diversified spectacle, with its spiral entrance, underground waterfalls, narrow lanes of water, and a variety of other attractions;underground waterfalls, winding lanes, lacy limestone and stone, deep crevices… You'll also wander the narrow, dimly-lit alleys above the black water of the Huhunui River.

Good to know

  • Availability: daily (except in exceptional cases)
  • Starting point: Visitor Center, Waitomo
  • Schedules: departure every 30 minutes from 9am to 5pm (last departure at 3pm for Waitomo + Ruakuri tours)
  • You are asked to arrive at the Visitor Center 15 minutes before the tour departs
  • Photography is not permitted on the Waitomo caves tour
  • Only the Ruakuri cave is accessible to wheelchair users
  • The activity includes some walking, so we recommend that you bring suitable footwear and a warm jacket

Price includes

  • Guided tour of Waitomo caves
  • Ruakuri cave tour (only for the 2h45 or 3h30 tour)
  • Accompaniment and anecdotes from a specialized guide

Price doesn’t include

  • Transport to the sight
  • Tips (optional)
  • All other extras

Reviews

4

Customers also look