Visit New Zealand: Waitomo Glowworm Caves

The only time photos are allowed - at the end of the tour!

We visited the Waitomo Glowworm Caves after a Ruakuri Cave Tour.

For me, the Waitomo Glowworm Caves Tour was overall disappointing.

Unfortunately, despite an amazing few minutes in a boat ride to witness thousands upon thousands of "glowworms" in a completely dark cave, that was the only highlight for me.

From the moment we arrived, we were surrounded by hundreds of hundreds of people waiting for their tours.

Hundreds of people get herded through the Waitomo Glowworm Caves each hour. A single guide leads 30+ guests into the cave, and no one really pays attention to the guests, as there were numerous tourists grabbing onto the stalactites and touching parts of the cave, despite the tour guide saying it was not allowed.

We were rushed through various points throughout the cave, as the guide quickly went over stalagmites, stalactites, and glowworms.  Despite how the guide said that they truly treasure the cave and take preservation seriously, I personally think they would be better off limiting the amount of guests visiting at a time to indeed preserve the cave and its natural wonders.  Less people would mean less impact on the cave, and more time to truly explain the history of the cave and its formations.

You're not even allowed to take photos in the cave at all, probably because of the sheer amount of people who are in the cave at a time. The tour is 45 minutes long. Allowing and waiting for guests to take photos would probably add another 15-30 minutes on top of that. The only photo allowed was at the end of the tour.

I was disappointed in the visit, but if you are short on time and all you want to see are the glowworms at the end, you'll be satisfied, as it truly is a spectacle like no other.

I would highly recommend the Ruakuri Cave Tour instead, however. You won't see as many glowworms, but you do get to take photos, and the tours are much more intimate (it was just my family of 5 on our tour) and un-rushed.

Waitomo Glow Worm Caves
39 Waitomo Village Rd

Waitomo Caves, Otorohanga 3943, New Zealand
 +64 7-878 8228

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Visit New Zealand: Ruakuri Cave

While planning our trip to New Zealand, we knew we wanted to see the glowworms.  We decided to book two different tours, one of which was the Ruakuri Cave Tour.

This approximately two-hour tour will take you through the amazing Ruakuri Cave to get up close and personal with spectacular formations.

The spiral entrance itself is pretty amazing, and once you enter Ruakuri Cave, you are treated to some amazing stalactite and stalagmite formations

It's pretty incredible how a single drop of water can produce such beautiful structures over thousands and thousands of years.

The different textures and colors, all created by nature, were quite a sight to see!

At times it was a bit trepidatious walking beneath jagged and pointed limestone formations.  Careless and selfish visitors have tarnished and even broken off parts of the cave, but be forewarned - there is absolutely no touching of any parts of the cave or you could be fined!

Other features of the cave looked graceful, such as the crystalline drapes (or bacon, as some have called them!).

Our guide did a fantastic job in explaining how the stalactites and stalagmites formed, as well as telling stories behind different parts of the cave.

The Mirror Pool was one of my favorites. It's also known as Gollum's pool (from Lord of the Rings fame!).

Another highlight was being able to see the glowworms.  The glowworms are actually maggots (glowworms sound so much nicer!).

Gloworms are actually suspended from a sticky fiber of mucus, which attracts food.  Once the guide turns on the lights, you'll be able to see these interesting, and somewhat pretty filaments.  

You're able to take photos of the glowworms at Ruakuri Cave.  It was quite difficult, as you can tell by my photo below, but if you have an amazing camera you should be able to capture spectacular photos.

At the end of our tour, upon our ascent up the spiral, our guide went into song.  It was such an enchanting and, dare I say - spiritual, end to an amazing tour through Ruakuri Cave!

Ruakuri Cave

205 Ruakuri Rd

Waitomo 3985
+64 7 878 6219

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