The Waitomo Caves are a world-famous network of underground limestone caves located in the Waikato region of New Zealand’s North Island. Formed over millions of years, these caves feature stunning stalactites, stalagmites, and an underground river system.
The caves are famous for their magical glowworms (Arachnocampa luminosa) — unique to New Zealand — that illuminate the caverns, creating a breathtaking starry-sky effect inside the dark caves.
Waitomo Caves attract visitors from around the globe for their natural beauty and unique experiences, including:
Glowworm-lit cave ceilings creating a starry sky effect
Waitomo Caves are best known for their glowworms (Arachnocampa luminosa), which create a magical, starry-sky effect on the cave ceilings. They’re also famous for limestone formations, including stalactites and stalagmites, and adventure experiences like black water rafting.
The caves began forming over 30 million years ago from fossilised marine life that compacted into limestone. Water slowly eroded the rock over time to create the caves we see today.
‘Waitomo’ is a Māori word that translates to “water entering a hole” – a reference to the way water flows into the cave systems.
The glowworms in Waitomo are unique to New Zealand. They emit a natural blue-green light to attract prey, creating an unforgettable, glowing canopy inside the caves.
Yes. The caves are located on Māori land and hold cultural and spiritual significance. Many of the tours are operated in partnership with local Māori communities.
There are over 300 known limestone caves in the Waitomo region, though only a few are open to the public.
There are glowworm boat tours for all ages, walking tours through limestone chambers, and adventure tours like black water rafting, abseiling, and ziplining through the cave systems.
Yes. While the Glowworm Cave is the most famous, other caves like Ruakuri and Aranui each offer unique experiences — Ruakuri for adventure tours and wheelchair accessibility, and Aranui for its rich limestone formations and fossils.
