Adventure

Waitomo Caves Black Abyss Ultimate Caving Experience

Adventure

Waitomo Caves Black Abyss Ultimate Caving Experience

Activity provider: THL - Waitomo Caves Group

From US$ 181.24 per person

Test your limits with this thrilling caving tour at the Waitomo Caves. Abseil into the Ruakuri Cave, zipline through a gallery of illuminating glowworms, and climb underground waterfalls.

About this activity

Free cancellation
Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
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Covid-19 precautions
Special health and safety measures are in place. Check your activity voucher once you book for full details.
Duration 5 hours
Check availability to see starting times.
Live tour guide
English
Small group
Limited to 8 participants

Experience

Highlights
  • Test yourself on an ultimate caving adventure in the Waitomo Caves system
  • Abseil down a 35-meter drop into the dark depths of the cave of Ruakuri
  • Zipline through a gallery of illuminating glowworms and climb waterfalls
  • Enjoy a hot shower and complimentary hot soup and bagels after your tour
  • Journey safely through the stunning underworld with your trained guides
Full description

Go on the ultimate caving adventure at the Waitomo Caves. Satisfy your inner adrenaline junky on this guided tour into the depths of Ruakuri Cave. Zipline through otherworldly glowworms, and splash through underground waterfalls.

Check-in in Waitomo where your guide will ensure you are properly equipped and offer some technical instruction before you descend into the underground network of the Waitomo Caves. 

Practice abseiling with your guide to ensure you feel confident before abseiling down 35-meters into the seemingly bottomless black depths of the glowworm-studded Ruakuri Cave.

Descend deeper with a flying fox zipline that passes through an area that is abundant with glowworms. Prepare to be awed by stunning stalactites and stalagmites that decorate the cavern walls as you traverse through the dark water. 

Enjoy adrenaline-fueled fun as you clamber down, float through the canyon, and scramble up waterfalls before resurfacing into daylight. At the end of your exhilarating journey, enjoy a hot shower, hearty soup, and a bagel. 

End at the Long Black Café, a great place to sit back, relax and enjoy the high energy atmosphere as excited visitors depart and arrive from their various expeditions. Internet access and merchandise are also available at this point. 

Includes
  • 5-hour black water caving experience
  • Abseiling techniques training
  • Use of equipment (tubes, wetsuits, boots, helmets, abseiling devices, and safety equipment)
  • Hearty soup and bagel
  • Complimentary hot shower
    Not suitable for
    • People with low level of fitness
    • People over 209 lbs (95 kg)

    Select participants and date

    Participants

    Date

    Meeting point

    584 State Highway 3, Waitomo 3977, New Zealand.

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    Important information

    What to bring

    • Swimwear
    • Towel

    Not allowed

    • Cameras

    Know before you go

    • If you are late or miss your scheduled tour time your ticket(s) are forfeited and non-refundable. New bookings will incur the full tour cost and due to high demand and limited capacity tours are subject to availability
    • You must check in 30 minutes before the activity departs
    • Participants must be 16 years or older and weigh at least 45 kilograms
    • A moderate level of fitness required for this tour
    • All tours are subject to availability
    • Water temperature is 10-14 degrees Celsius, so wetsuits and footwear are provided
    • A minimum of 2 participants is required for the tour to run
    • The Waitomo Caves are located 195 kilometers from Auckland and round-trip transport from Auckland is not included
    • Cameras and GoPro's cannot be taken on this tour
    Customer reviews

    Overall rating

    5 /5

    based on 61 reviews

    Review summary

    • Guide
      4.9/5
    • Value for money
      4.7/5
    • Service
      4.9/5
    • Organization
      4.8/5

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    Star rating:

    Great tour with great guides. Abseiling is definitely not for the faint of heart or for those with a fear of heights. But we wouldn't describe the tour through the cave as black water rafting. Run very relaxed through waist-high water or float in a ring through the cave. You also climb through some very narrow passages. But you have a great view of the fireflies.

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    February 14, 2023

    This was a wonderful adventure. Becky was an amazing guide who made the trip. She was kind, patient, knowledgable about the cave and genuinly interested in sharing the experience. I am almost 60 and traveling with my 21 year old daughter. This adventure had all the adrenaline that we needed and enough exploring to feel the awe of the cave and "glow worms".

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    February 28, 2020

    Don’t miss this!

    What an awesome experience, both exciting, a little challenging and beautiful. Professional guides who helped to make you feel safe and well looked after. The only negative, but quite irritaring, was that we were not provided with towels for the shower after the tour and that there were no showergel or soap. For that price it should be included...:(

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    March 6, 2019

    Product ID: 140742