Waitomo Guides — Which Cave, What It Costs, When to Go
Planning guides for Waitomo: which of the three caves is worth your ticket, what one actually costs, how long to allow, when to go and what to wear underground.
Glow Worms by Kayak: The Rotorua Night Paddle, Not Waitomo
The glow worm kayak trip is in Rotorua, two hours from Waitomo: a dusk paddle into small lakeside caves, stars if it is clear. From US$126, ages 5 and up.
Read guide →Where to See Kiwi Near Auckland, and on the Road to Waitomo
Wild kiwi are 90 km north at Tāwharanui; captive ones are at Auckland Zoo. Driving to Waitomo? The Ōtorohanga Kiwi House is 15 minutes from the caves.
Read guide →When to Go
The glowworms are there every day of the year and the caves are always the same temperature. What changes is how many people are in your boat.
Read guide →Is It Worth It?
Ten minutes of boat inside a 45-minute tour, two hours from Auckland. Who should absolutely go, and who should genuinely skip it.
Read guide →Black Water Rafting, Compared
Float the same glowworm river the boat tour passes over. Black Labyrinth is 3 hours and a waterfall jump; Black Abyss is 5 hours and starts with an abseil.
Read guide →What a Waitomo Ticket Actually Costs
NZ$81 adult for the Glowworm Caves, with no booking premium. Every Waitomo cave and combo price, and why pre-booking is not optional.
Read guide →What to Wear Underground
The caves hold a steady cool temperature whatever the weather above. Closed shoes, a warm layer, and what changes if you are black water rafting.
Read guide →Which Waitomo Cave Should You Actually Book?
Waitomo has three show caves at NZ$81 to NZ$116. One of them has no glowworms at all. Which to book, by what you actually want from the hour.
Read guide →Want the glowworm boat sorted first? See the 45-minute cave tour →