Te Anau Glowworm Cave Tour
- Journey into the fascinating Te Anau Glowworm Caves on this half day tour
- Explore the caves' complicated limestone passages, whirlpools, and an underground waterfall
- Ride a small boat and visit a grotto that’s inhabited by thousands of glowworms
- Discover this geological wonder safely with your English-speaking tour guide
- Check out other Real NZ products [here] https://www.realnz.com/en/experiences/ including rafting, the world famous Earnslaw and experiences to Milford and Doubtful Sounds
What to Expect from Te Anau Glow Worm Caves Tour
Hop on a scenic cruise vessel and travel to the Glowworm Caves of New Zealand's Lake Te Anau on this half day tour! With your English-speaking tour guide, explore its complex limestone passages, see its many whirlpools, and marvel at its roaring underground waterfall. Learn about this relatively-young geological waterfall including its fascinating history. The tour concludes on a boat ride that will take you to a hidden grotto where thousands of glowworms live. Be amazed by the unique and natural glow that they display.





Reviews
Reviews summaryWorth the journey to have a look at the glow worms in pitch black darkness. The boat ride is about 45 mins each way. The walk into the cave wasn't that far as highlighted. The guides were excellent and friendly, providing entertaining explanations on the cave and the glow worms.
This trip exceeded our expectations! it was an amazing and unusual opportunity to go deep inside a cave system and observe glowworms. It was well organised and informative with small groups of 12 people being taken by a guide into the cave on a small boat. Our guide, Lucy, was excellent - she spoke clearly so everyone could hear, and was interesting and knowledgeable. The boat trip to and from the caves was also enjoyable and the views of Lake Te Anau were beautiful - we were lucky to have perfect weather! I would definitely recommend the Glowworm Cave Tour. It’s not allowed to take photos inside the caves, so the pictures are only of the journey to and from the caves..
Great experience seeing the glowworms in the cave. Took a cruise across Lake Te Anau to reach the glow worm cave. After some walking in the cave, we took a small boat in the cave to see the glow worms. It was amazing seeing them so up close.
A fantastic experience! I recommend choosing the sunset time so you can enjoy the sunset, daytime, and nighttime views from the boat. Although you can't photograph the fireflies, they are truly spectacular. Hot drinks are provided after the firefly viewing.
After checking in at the pier, we took a boat to the island. We happened to choose a time close to sunset, and the scenery from the boat was incredibly beautiful. You could walk to the outdoor area of the boat to enjoy the views. Upon arriving at the island, we were briefly divided into groups, and then each group was led away to be briefed on the precautions for entering the cave. The cave's topography was very unique and eye-opening, but be aware that some areas require you to bend or duck your head and protect your head for safety. There will be water on the ground, and no photos are allowed inside. It's recommended not to take anything out and to hold onto the handrails tightly to avoid slipping. When entering the cave by small boat, you need to be very quiet and eliminate all light sources. If you have any electronic devices that emit light, it's best to put them away before entering the cave. Inside, you can't see anything except the fireflies. Keep your bag zippers closed. After seeing the fireflies, we went to a small cabin for an explanation of their habits, which was excellent. However, after this, you need to head straight back to the boat. The overall experience was great, but the time spent on the island felt a bit rushed, which was a shame. If you need to use the restroom, it's recommended to go after seeing the fireflies, while everyone is in the cabin getting drinks, otherwise, you won't have enough time. On the way back at night, you can see a sky full of stars from the boat, making for a very beautiful and memorable experience.
Take a boat from the pier and there will be a brief explanation. Afterwards, we took a boat into the cave. Everyone held their breath. The surroundings were filled with flickering blue light. It was quiet and mysterious. There will be hot cocoa afterwards, which is a highly recommended itinerary.
This is the must-do experience when coming to Te Anau. I quite enjoyed it! The boat ride was scenic and informative. When we arrived to the caves, we were split into smaller groups, which made sense given the cave boat's small size. I took one star away because I think I enjoyed the cave itself more than the glowworms. They were cool, but seeing them with your own eyes in the darkness doesn't match the advertising. I know that it's advertising and the photos have to look as appealing as possible, but I was under the impression the worms would glow like stars. They were still pretty bright though!
Seeing the fireflies was shorter than expected, but it was still beautiful. If you're afraid of the dark, don't go in. There's a lot of sand, so remember to wear long sleeves and pants. No photos are allowed inside.
The fireflies are different from those in Taiwan. The blue lights are really dreamy in the dark cave, but there are not as many as you might think. Also, it is not very easy to take photos, so girls can dress casually. The key is to wear long sleeves and long pants to avoid being bitten by the insects.
A great experience. I strongly recommend that you must participate if you have the opportunity to come to the South Island. You can exchange your tickets at the ticket gate and take a boat to the glowworm cave. You can also have a clear understanding of the entire ecology👍
Good to know
What To Wear:
- Non-slip shoes or boots
- Waterproof jackets and warm sweaters or fleece jackets
What To Bring:
- Sunscreen and sunglasses
- Insect repellent
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