Private Tours At The Okohua Glowworm Cave At Waitomo In New Zealand

Private tours

a personalised tour

Looking for something truly personal? Our private tours offer exclusive access to the spectacular Okohua Glowworm Cave, with the flexibility to tailor the experience to your interests, pace, and sense of adventure.
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Whether you're passionate about glowworms, fascinated by limestone formations, want more black water rafting, keen to learn about the cave's geology and history, or simply want more time to soak up the atmosphere, your guide will create an experience that's uniquely yours.

With no other guests to accommodate, you'll enjoy a relaxed, personalised adventure through one of New Zealands most spectacular private caves.

Your private tour can be customised to include :

More time exploring your favourite parts of the cave
Flexible departure times and tour duration
A stronger focus on glowworms, geology, or local history
A faster-paced adventure or a more relaxed experience
Enjoy an extended soak in our cedar hot tubs
Celebrate birthdays, proposals, family gatherings or special occasions

Enquire now

Private Tours At The Okahau Glowworm Cave At Waitomo In New Zealand.

Private tours are also a great way for any avid photographers to be able to capture the experience.

what to expect

tour features

Private tours are completely modifiable to create your dream caving experience. We can tailor the duration, intensity, features and anything else you'd like to see more or less of.

Catering, both underground or above can be organised.

Private tours are also a great way for any avid photographers to be able to capture the experience. Glowworms require long exposure shots and this is the perfect way to ensure you can capture this unique experience.

exclusive

a private experience

Experience the Okohua Glowworm Cave with your own private group and guide.

tailored trip

create your dream caving experience

Focus on key parts of the experience that peak your interest. Whether that's more addrelaine, more sightseeing, or a photography adventure.

flexibility

design a schedule to suit you

Set your own departure and duration times for your adventure.

Book a Okahua Glowworm Cave Group Tour at Waitomo in New Zealand.

FAQs

Frequently asked questions

How many people can go?

We have six visitors per guide, with a maximum of 12 people per trip.

Is there helicopter access?

Yes, there is a helicopter landing area.

Can I do a shorter or longer trip?

Yes, the trips can be tailored to what you'd like to see and how long you'd like to be underground for, as well as the time of departure.

Is catering available?

Catering for both underground and above ground is able to be organised.

Can I take photos?

Yes absolutely. We have a guide who can take iPhone photos underground, otherwise if you have your own photography gear, this can be taken by a guide in a dry bag and we can organise a specific photography tour.

How fit do I need to be?

You'll need a moderate level of fitness for the adventure! The tour involves walking, climbing, crawling, swimming, and navigating uneven terrain.

Still have questions?

Contact

Person wading in clear cave water shining a bright flashlight on rock formations.

Learn about The Waitomo Experience Safety and Regulations. You can also view our Risk Disclosure Statement on this page too. Your safety is our top priority.

Person creating a large water splash inside a dark cave with textured rock walls.

Experience the Okahua Glowworm Cave Group Tour at Waitomo in New Zealand with The Waitomo Experience.

Man and woman relaxing in a wooden hot tub on a deck surrounded by lush green trees under blue sky.

Person wearing a wetsuit and headlamp climbing rock walls inside a narrow, dark cave.

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Customer testimonials

Don't hear it from us, hear it from the explorers who’ve been underground.

"The Waitomo Experience was my first time adventuring underground into a cave, I was left speechless. There was excitement from start to finish that exceeded all my expectations. From floating down the river admiring the picturesque environment, to being surrounded by thousands of glowworms I couldn't get enough.

Vaughan our guide was not only friendly but also highly skilled, offering knowledge and great customer service.Would highly recommend."

Dom Barker

"What an incredible day out in Waitomo! This caving tour was the perfect mix of adventure, fun, and personal touches. The small group size made the whole experience feel really special. No crowds, no rush, just fully immersed in the moment.

Our guides were legends! warm, knowledgeable, and full of great stories. We climbed, splashed through water, explored hidden corners of the cave, and learned heaps along the way. The gear was in great condition, clean and comfy, and the cherry on top was a relaxing soak in the hot tub afterwards.

If you’re looking for a unique, well-run experience that goes beyond the usual tourist trail - this is it."

Anastasia N

"The experience was amazing. Absolutely love it! The guide was super caring, professional and knowledgeable. He knew everything about the cave and the glowworms. The limestone formations in the cave were stunning. It felt like walking into another world and it felt so unreal. My favourite part was sitting on the tube and floating beneath the galaxy of glowworm. It was like stargazing. Even it was winter time, the wetsuit provided was warm enough. And they were so considering that we had a little break during the adventure and hot drink was served. I enjoyed the hot shower and cedar hot tub at the end as well. Best adventure ever! Highly recommend!"

Wingby Cheung

"Absolutely amazing experience! Our guide, Vaughan, was fantastic—he took the time to explain the rock formations, the glowworms, and shared some really interesting facts along the way. It never felt rushed, and we got to fully take in the incredible beauty of the cave. Some sections involved crawling through tight spaces, which made it even more exciting, but there were also easier routes for those who weren’t feeling as adventurous. The main site is in a stunning location with breathtaking views, and the hot tub at the end was the perfect way to relax and enjoy the view. Would highly recommend!"

"One of the best experiences I have done in NZ. They are only new and I was lucky enough to be one of the first! Great guides, amazing caves, the glowworms were 5 star alone and even hot tubs!! A absolute must do in Waitomo!!"

"There’sa reason this experience has nothing less than 5 stars cause it truly lives up to the hype (and more). This was such a phenomenal experience for us as a group to explore caving and get closer to nature" 2026

Dwara Vikram

"We absolutely loved our tour! I've been caving before, but this experience felt much more personal and engaging. Our guide Vaughan provided great insights into the formations, and we had the freedom to explore at our own pace. The tour was well-suited for different caving abilities, making it enjoyable for everyone. Must do!"

"Most beautiful experience. Staff are welcoming and full of great banter and knowledge of the caves. Glowworm tour was amazing and will definitely be coming back! Thanks heaps guys, you were awesome."

Rhys lewis

"Best thing I’ve done in New Zealand and better than the other cave experiences I’ve done - if you’re thinking about it just do it"

Nick Royston

trees planted:

0000

Kaitiakitanga (the Māori concept of guardianship and protection of the land and natural resources) is something we take seriously at The Waitomo Experience.

The Okohua cave lies on a fourth generation family farm that has planted thousands of native trees. For every booking that comes through for the Okohua Cave, we plant a native tree. We developed this initiative to always give back to Papatūānuku (mother earth) and protect our natural asset for generations to come.