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Water activity

Te Anau: Glowworm Caves Guided Tour

4.7  / 5
697 reviews
Activity provider:RealNZ
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Water activity

Te Anau: Glowworm Caves Guided Tour

Activity provider:RealNZ
4.7  / 5
697 reviews
Likely to sell out

From £58.05 per person

Likely to sell out
Eco-certified
This activity, attraction, or activity provider has been certified eco-friendly by a third-party agency. GetYourGuide works with organizations from all over the world to bring you tours and activities that support sustainable practices.

Enjoy a cruise across Lake Te Anau to the Murchison Mountains’ network of natural caves. Explore an underground world of sculptured rock, underground waterfalls, and a silent hidden glowworm grotto.

About this activity

Free cancellation
Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
Reserve now & pay later
Keep your travel plans flexible — book your spot and pay nothing today.
Duration 135 minutes
Check availability to see starting times.
Live tour guide
English
Welcoming travelers since 2017

Experience

Highlights
  • Enjoy a return scenic cruise on Lake Te Anau
  • Admire the glow worms in pitch black darkness
  • Learn about rock formations, cave networks, and Maori legends
  • View limestone passages with whirlpools and underground waterfalls
  • Learn about the unique flora of the region on an optional forest experience
Full description
Experience a mysterious underground world of rushing water before drifting in darkness beneath the luminous shimmer of hundreds of glowworms.  Your trip to the Te Anau Glowworm Caves begins with a cruise to the western shores of Lake Te Anau. At the entry to the caves, view the informative displays and learn about this geological wonder before you head underground. On the tour of the caves, your friendly guide will point out the highlights and share their knowledge of the caves and its history. This underground world is astonishingly beautiful. The caves are 12,000 years old which by geological standards is still very young and they are still being carved out by the force of the river that flows through them. The result is a twisting network of limestone passages filled with sculpted rock, whirlpools and a roaring underground waterfall. Deep inside the caves, beyond the roar of the water, you will be taken by small boat into a silent hidden grotto inhabited by thousands of glowworms, unique to New Zealand. In the subterranean darkness, they produce a glittering display that is nothing short of extraordinary.
Includes
  • Beautiful scenic cruise across Lake Te Anau to the caves entry point
  • Guided tour through the caves
  • Complimentary tea and coffee
  • Various language handouts in English, German, Portuguese, Japanese and Chinese
Not suitable for
  • People with mobility impairments
  • Wheelchair users

Select participants and date

Participants

Date

Meeting point

Visitor Centre, 85 Lakefront Drive, Te Anau, New Zealand.

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Important information

What to bring

  • Comfortable shoes
  • Insect repellent
  • Weather-appropriate clothing

Not allowed

  • Cameras

Know before you go

  • Please note that a reasonable agility level is necessary as some bending is required due to low cave entrances and steps being involved
  • This tour is not suitable for wheelchair passengers or heeled shoes
  • This tour is not suitable for infants
  • Light refreshments are available to purchase from the Cavern House and on the cruise. Complimentary tea and coffee are available at Cavern House
Likely to sell out

From £58.05 per person

Reserve now & pay later to book your spot and pay nothing today
Reserve now & pay later to book your spot and pay nothing today
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Customer reviews

Overall rating

4.7 /5

based on 697 reviews

Review summary

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

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M
Marc – Germany3 December 2023 – Verified booking
The group was quite large and unfortunately there weren't as many fireflies in the cave as expected, but the organizer can't do anything about that. The actual boat ride into the cave was short. A little longer to enjoy would have been nice. The explanations about the cave, waterfall... were great.
Helpful?
G
GetYourGuide traveler – United Kingdom27 November 2023 – Verified booking
Enjoyed a blustery trip across the lake and an entertaining presentation about the life cycle of the local glow worms The boat ride is what sets this trip apart - everyone has to be silent and phones and cameras are banned. The only lighting comes from the glow worms themselves It was great!
Helpful?
M
Maria – Italy25 November 2023 – Verified booking
Very interesting and stunning tour! Recommend to do it. Te Anau glowworm cave tour it's worth much more than the busy Waitomo glowworm caves on North Island (they are too expensive and touristic). At the beginning of the tour you do a nice boat tour on Lake Te Anau. Then you walk inside the cave, which is very interesting, get informed about the cave itself and the glowworms. After you do a boat ride to admire the fascinating glowworms in complete dark and silence - simply WOW!! Tour is definitely worth the money!
Helpful?

Product ID: 126038

  • New Zealand
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