Waitomo Glow Worm Caves in Auckland
Auckland, New Zealand

Waitomo Glow Worm Caves

Outty Ranking 74 4.7 · 53 traveler reviews7 hoursFrom $169

Pick your date

Highlighted days have spots open. Grey days are sold out or not running.

September 2026

SMTWTFS

Loading live availability

Who is going?

Adults

Age 13 and over

2

Children

Age 12 and under

0

Select a highlighted day to see live departure times and the exact price for your group.

From, per person$169
View availability on Viator

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.

Instant mobile ticketSpots available today

Outty Ranking

74/100

Strongly Recommended. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

4.7/5

Based on 53 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is Waitomo Glow Worm Caves worth booking?

Waitomo Glow Worm Caves is a 7-hour experience in Auckland, New Zealand, from $169 per person. It scores 74 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended, based on a 4.7/5 rating across 53 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
74 / 100
Rating
4.7/5 (53)
Duration
7 hours
From
$169 per person

Witness the magical beauty of the Waitomo Glowworm Caves on an unforgettable journey from Auckland. Enjoy complimentary pick-up and drop-off from one of four main hotels in Auckland CBD, followed by a scenic 2.5-hour dri

What you get

    About this experience

    Witness the magical beauty of the Waitomo Glowworm Caves on an unforgettable journey from Auckland. Enjoy complimentary pick-up and drop-off from one of four main hotels in Auckland CBD, followed by a scenic 2.5-hour drive through South Auckland and the picturesque Waikato countryside, with photo and comfort stops along the way. Upon arrival, enjoy free time to browse the Gift Shop or purchase refreshments before beginning your one-hour guided tour through the famous Waitomo Glowworm Caves. Learn about the fascinating history of the caves, unique limestone formations, and the native Arachnocampa luminosa glowworms that illuminate the underground chambers. Complete your experience with a peaceful boat ride along the underground Waitomo River, gliding silently beneath thousands of shimmering glowworms. Afterwards, relax on the scenic return journey to Auckland, completing a remarkable day filled with natural beauty, underground wonders, and unforgettable New Zealand scenery.

    What's included

    Included

    • Professional Driver / Guide
    • All taxes, fees and handling charges
    • On-board WiFi
    • Bottled water
    • Snacks
    • All entry tickets & guided tours
    • In-vehicle air conditioning
    • Complimentary pick-up and drop-off from most Auckland CBD hotels

    Not included

    • Lunch
    • Gratuities

    What you'll see and do

    1. Waitomo Glowworm Caves

      - Guided tour at Waitomo Glow Worm Caves including boat ride

      60 minutes here · Admission included

    Where it starts and ends

    Meeting point

    Auckland

    Meeting point

    Auckland

    Meeting point

    Auckland

    Meeting point

    Auckland

    Hotel pickup

    No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.

    Ends at

    Returns to the starting point

    Ends at

    Returns to the starting point

    Ends at

    Returns to the starting point

    Ends at

    Returns to the starting point

    Before you book

    Cancellation
    For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
    Languages
    en
    Ticket
    Mobile Only
    Runs on
    Every day
    Group size
    Up to 15 travelers per booking
    Operated by
    Auckland & Beyond Tours

    Know before you go

    • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
    • Specialized infant seats are available
    • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
    • Children must be accompanied by an adult
    • Infant seats must be requested at least 24 hours in advance (extra charges apply)
    • A minimum of 2 people is required for the tour to operate

    Photos

    Waitomo Glow Worm Caves in Auckland, photo 2Waitomo Glow Worm Caves in Auckland, photo 3Waitomo Glow Worm Caves in Auckland, photo 4Waitomo Glow Worm Caves in Auckland, photo 5Waitomo Glow Worm Caves in Auckland, photo 6Waitomo Glow Worm Caves in Auckland, photo 7

    What travelers are saying

    Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 52 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

    The guide

    10 mentions

    Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.

    Knowledge and storytelling

    5 mentions

    Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

    Organization

    2 mentions

    Pickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.

    Traveler reviews

    52 verified traveler reviews for Waitomo Glow Worm Caves. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

    5 star
    44
    4 star
    3
    3 star
    3
    2 star
    0
    1 star
    2
    Sort
    Baohan_T · June 2026

    As someone who wanted to...

    As someone who wanted to see the glow warm caves without driving myself and wasn’t interested in the hobbiton movie set, I am glad to find this tour as majority of other tour combine sites which increases the price of the tour. Our tour guide throughout the tour was also quite informative and was fun to listen throughout the long drive. My favorite fact was learning that cows (you see them all the time on the green hills on the side of the road) will form a single file line whenever they want to get milked and each cow will go to their own designated spot in line every time.

    via Viator

    f1r25yondH15pe · May 2026

    Interesting, just a bit too long for us

    The Caves were very interesting. Though I use a cane, I did manage to get through them ok. There are some great photo ops here. The tour was 2 - 2 1/2 hrs long and to be honest, we found it a bit too long, and thought that perhaps 1 1/2 hrs would be long enough. It would be nice if there were options for shorter tours, however the guide was very informative and kept it interesting just the same.

    via Tripadvisor

    Wendie_B · April 2026

    Waitome worm cave tour

    Excellent company and driver. He knew the sites and gave great information about the other sites to see on a trip to Auckland

    via Viator

    Leslie_B · April 2026

    There are several steps...

    There are several steps involved when going through the cave. There are plenty of hand rails and the tour guides would probably help you navigate the steps

    via Viator

    SoumyaG111 · March 2026

    Wonderful Hobbiton & Glowworm Caves Tour

    We had a wonderful experience with Auckland & Beyond Tours visiting Hobbiton and the glowworm caves. Our guide Raymond was fantastic — knowledgeable, professional, and very friendly. He shared interesting stories along the way and made the entire day run smoothly. We were traveling with a toddler, and the trip was still very comfortable and manageable. Raymond was patient and accommodating, which made the experience stress-free for our family. The day was well organized, the transportation was comfortable, and we got to see two incredible places in one trip. Highly recommend this tour for anyone visiting Auckland!

    via Tripadvisor

    Good to know

    Duration
    7 hours
    Free cancellation
    Up to 24h before
    Minimum age to book
    All ages
    Availability
    Bookable today
    Runs on
    Every day
    Price range
    $169 to $420
    Hotel pickup
    No pickup, meet at start point
    Booked in 30 days
    19
    Verdict
    Strongly Recommended

    Why this scores 74

    The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.

    Traveler sentiment (30% weight)80
    Review evidence (18% weight)59
    Booking momentum (14% weight)52
    Value for money (12% weight)100
    Listing quality (10% weight)85
    Local standing (8% weight)43
    Booking flexibility (8% weight)100

    Waitomo Glow Worm Caves: questions travelers ask

    Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Auckland.

    How much does Waitomo Glow Worm Caves cost?

    +

    Prices start at $169 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Auckland usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.

    How long does Waitomo Glow Worm Caves take?

    +

    Plan for about 7 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Auckland is not rushed.

    Is Waitomo Glow Worm Caves worth it?

    +

    It holds an Outty Ranking of 74 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.7/5 across 53 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Auckland, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.

    Can I cancel or reschedule Waitomo Glow Worm Caves?

    +

    Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.

    Is Waitomo Glow Worm Caves suitable for kids and families?

    +

    Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 7-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.

    How far in advance should I book Waitomo Glow Worm Caves?

    +

    Around 19 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Auckland can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.

    What should I bring or wear?

    +

    Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Auckland and add a light layer if any part of the 7-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.

    Where does Waitomo Glow Worm Caves start and how do I get there?

    +

    The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Auckland within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.

    What are the best things to do in Auckland?

    +

    On Outty we rank every Auckland experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Hobbiton & Waitomo Caves Guided Day Trip from Auckland incl lunch, Hobbiton Movie Set Small Group Tour with Cheeky Kiwi Travel, Hobbiton & Waitomo Glowworm Caves Tour with Lunch from Auckland. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.

    When is the best time to visit Auckland?

    +

    Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.

    How many days do you need in Auckland?

    +

    Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.

    Do I book through Outty or through the operator?

    +

    Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.

    Ready to lock in your spot?

    Pick a date, choose your group, and see the exact price for Waitomo Glow Worm Caves.

    Pick your date