Water activity

Waitomo Caves: Labyrinth Black Water Rafting Experience

Activity provider:THL - Waitomo Caves Group
Water activity

Waitomo Caves: Labyrinth Black Water Rafting Experience

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

From US$ 103.07 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
Reserve now & pay later
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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
  • Children under 12 years
  • People over 264 lbs (120 kg)
  • People under 99 lbs (45 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
  • Video recording

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 453 reviews

Review summary

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

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Star rating:

My boyfriend and I were not sure if we should do the normal tour through the caves or the black water rafting. We talked to some friends and they told us all to do rafting so we did it and it was the best thing ever! It was such a great experience in the dark caves just seeing the light from the glowworms, all in all unbelievable. I would recommend it 100%

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March 28, 2023

Magnificent to say the least. Our guides stated that for those interested they could take people to off route areas of narrow spaces and cool climbs, so of course we were the only ones who took them up on it and wow it was a fast paced and beautiful detour. After that it was still all the 9 yards with the glow worms like stars in the night and jumping off high rocks into the river pools.

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March 23, 2023

Great experience with great guides but be prepared to be soaking in the wet suites for about 25 minutes before entering the cave due to safety instructions and transport. This is the only issue I had with the tour: you have an at least 20 minutes ride to and from the cave in a (because of the kind of the activity) moldy van. If that is no problem for you and you have no fear of darkness, small spaces and can see properly then this is the tour for you. Seeing the gloworm larvae in their natural habitat was amazing!

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March 6, 2023

Product ID: 140739