Water activity

Waitomo Caves: Labyrinth Black Water Rafting Experience

Water activity

Waitomo Caves: Labyrinth Black Water Rafting Experience

Activity provider: THL - Waitomo Caves Group
Likely to sell out

From US$ 93.04 per person

Likely to sell out

Join the original Waitomo black water rafting tour. Explore the Ruakuri Cave on an exhilarating underground adventure that involves climbing, black water tubing, floating, and leaping over cascading underground waterfalls.

About this activity

Free cancellation
Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
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Covid-19 precautions
Special health and safety measures are in place. Check your activity voucher once you book for full details.
Duration 3 hours
Check availability to see starting times.
Live tour guide
English

Experience

Highlights
  • Float down the underground river in rubber tubes while admiring the glowworm displays above
  • Jump into cascading underground waterfalls, reflecting the glowworms above
  • Enjoy a hot shower and complimentary snacks after your tour
  • Journey safely through the stunning underworld with experienced, trained guides
  • Marvel at the stalactites and stalagmites that decorate the cavern walls
Full description

Float down an underground river, slip into fast waters, jump off a small waterfall and take in the magic of the glowworm grotto of Ruakuri Cave on this Black Labyrinth adventure. Put on your gear and learn from professionally trained guides that will take you ziplining, rafting, and caving. 

Check in for your black water adventure in Waitomo. Get all your equipment and instructions from your guide before you begin the subterranean journey. Leap over cascading waterfalls and weave and climb through a glowworm-studded wonderland.

After an energized trip, float serenely down the underground river. Enjoy the glow worm show on the vaulted limestone galleries up above. Ride a stream that twists and turns through a canyon, and tumble down a hidden waterfall and rock slide before emerging into the sun-dappled Waitomo forest.

The rafting base is located a short distance outside Waitomo Caves village. This is the booking and assembly point for all black water rafting expeditions. It is also the home of the Long Black Cafe, where you'll find delicious food, coffee, and friendly Kiwi service. 

Includes
  • 3-hour tubing experience
  • Guide
  • Use of equipment (tubes, wetsuits, boots, and helmets)
  • Shower facilities
    Not suitable for
    • People over 264 lbs (120 kg)

    Select participants and date

    Participants

    Date

    Meeting point

    Meet your guide at The Legendary Black Water Rafting Co, Waitomo Homestead, located just before the Waitomo turn off.

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    Important information

    What to bring

    • Swimwear
    • Towel

    Not allowed

    • Cameras

    Know before you go

    • If you are late or miss your scheduled tour time your ticket(s) are forfeited and non-refundable
    • New bookings will incur the full tour cost and due to high demand and limited capacity tours are subject to availability
    • You must check in 30 minutes before my tour starts
    • Participants must be 12 years or older and weigh at least 45 kilograms
    • All tours are subject to availability. Pending available time slots, your tour time may be different to the one requested
    • Water temperature is 10-14 degrees celsius (wetsuits and footwear are provided)
    • Cameras and GoPro's cannot be taken on this tour
    • There is a maximum of 12 participants per tour and a minimum of 2 participants required for the tour to run
    • The Waitomo Caves are located 195 kilometres from Auckland and round-trip transport from Auckland is not included
    Customer reviews

    Overall rating

    4.8 /5

    based on 386 reviews

    Review summary

    • Guide
      4.9/5
    • Transportation
      4.8/5
    • Service
      4.7/5
    • Organization
      4.8/5

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    It was a fun and exciting experience, navigating the underground river in pitch blackness and seeing lots of glow worms. What I didn’t expect was that it was not a rafting experience at all- we each had a small inner tube to sit in for the floating. Much of the time was spent actually walking in the rocky river, carrying our tubes, not being able to see the depth of the water or where the rocks were. For me it was somewhat difficult to always maintain my balance on the rocks. There was no rafting- just inner tubing. But then to lie back in an inner tube caravan and look up at the glow worms in the dark was really cool.

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    March 25, 2023

    A brilliant way to explore the Wiatomo Caves and see the glow worms. We had a very friendly and informative guide (Bex) who made our experience really enjoyable. All equipment and wetsuits provided and the transportation between sites was well arranged. Would definitely recommend!

    March 25, 2023

    The trip was great! Our tour guides were very entertaining and made us feel comfortable climbing and walking through the dark caves. We were a small group of only 9 people which made it a very personal experience. The guides took pictures during the trip which they emailed us afterwards for free.

    March 25, 2023

    Product ID: 140739