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Ruakuri Cave Guided Tour
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Up to 24 hours before the experience starts

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Highlights

  • Join a 1.5-hour tour of Ruakuri Cave, exploring impressive rock formations and the magical glow of thousands of glowworms.
  • Stroll through wheelchair-friendly routes featuring beautiful limestone formations, underground rivers, and iconic sites such as The Drum Passage and The Pretties.
  • Listen to engaging Māori legends and fascinating facts shared by guides descended from the original Māori explorers of the cave.

Your Experience

Sail through an underground wonder on a tranquil boat ride beneath thousands of glowworms on a 45-minute tour of Waitomo Glowworm Cave, guided by an expert guide and surrounded by the cave’s beauty.

Getting started

Your ticket includes a 1.5-hour guided tour of Ruakuri Cave. Arrive 30 minutes early to check in and join your group before heading to the cave entrance.

What to expect

  • Guided cave walk: Begin your journey by descending the spectacular spiral entrance into Ruakuri Cave, a solar-powered underground wonder shaped by nature over millions of years.

  • Stunning limestone formations: See delicate shawl-like limestone formations, crystal tapestries, and explore notable sites including Holdens Cavern, The Drum Passage and The Ghost Passage.

  • Glowworms up close: Experience thousands of glowworms illuminating the cave, and learn about their fascinating life cycle on this magical subterranean tour.

  • Accessible and sustainable: Enjoy a fully wheelchair- and stroller-accessible path throughout the cave and visitor centre, both powered by 100% renewable energy.

  • Engaging storytelling: Hear fascinating stories about the cave’s history, geology, and Māori legends from knowledgeable guides descended from the original explorers.

Inclusions

  • 1.5-hour guided tour of Ruakuri Cave
  • English-speaking guide of Maori descent

This product offers multiple ticket options. Some items above (like transfers or fast-track access) may only apply to specific options — confirm what's included when you select yours.

Ticket Delivery

  • Your voucher will be emailed to you shortly.

  • Display the voucher on your mobile phone with a valid photo ID at the meeting point.

  • Please arrive at the meeting point 30 minutes before the scheduled time of your visit to avoid any delays.

Meeting Point

  • Meet your guide at Ruakuri Visitor Centre

  • Address: 204, Tumutumu Road, Waitomo Caves 3985, New Zealand

Get Directions to the Meeting Point

Cancellation Policy

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts.

Frequently asked questions

Clear answers to the most common questions travelers ask before booking this experience.

Booking FAQs

Bring a warm jacket as the cave can get cool. When you visit, make sure you've got a credit card or your phone set up for contactless payments (like Apple Pay or Google Pay).

Large backpacks are not allowed inside the cave. Smoking, food, drink or litter are not allowed inside the cave. Pets are not allowed inside the cave.

This experience is wheelchair and pram/stroller accessible. Please note that the wheelchair and pram/ stroller should not exceed a width of 65cm due to the narrow passageways in the cave.

Photography and video are permitted in selected areas of the cave.

Reviews

4.7 (356 reviews)

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