Kawiti Caves, Kawakawa: Hours, Address, Kawiti Caves Reviews: 4.5/5
Kawiti Caves
Kawiti Caves
4.5
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
About
Suggested duration
1-2 hours
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We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
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Attractions
9 within 10 kms

Limestone Creek Glow Worms Caves
9
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Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
454 reviews
Excellent
333
Very good
96
Average
15
Poor
6
Terrible
4
Des J
Hamilton, New Zealand48 contributions
The cave is amazing with its glow worms and our guide was informative and entertaining. We a lot about glow worms and the local history
Written 3 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
rachandwes
Tauranga, New Zealand21 contributions
Great tour. The tour guides were knowledgable and engaging. Great atmosphere and family run business. Interesting history and cultural information. Who knew glow worms are only found in New Zealand and Australia! The short walk back over the top was neat too. We enjoyed a picnic here too before heading back on our way.
Written 11 January 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Janine M
New Plymouth, New Zealand13 contributions
Family
Great tour. Really well set up experience. Knowledgeable guide and great coffee available plus clean toilets. Caves were awesome. Good value for money tour. Glad we stopped in.
Written 30 December 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Compass553439
1 contribution
An excellent experience for us and our 6 year old. Our guide was knowledgeable and funny. Even though the end part of the cave system was under renovation, the half hour tours was just right. We spent some time outside in the surrounding areas, very beautiful.
Written 22 December 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
annieskilling
Ellerslie, New Zealand25 contributions
Couples
Unfortunately, due to flooding we couldn’t enjoy the full experience but what we saw was so worthwhile. The full experience included a native bush walk assessable from the top of the cave which had been blocked. Our guide (a member of the original family) was interesting and knowledgeable. And the spectacular glowworms looked like a miniature version of the Milky Way!
Written 25 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
D R and P B
Christchurch, New Zealand1 contribution
Family
Truly an awesome sight. A full galaxy of glow worms above our heads. It was amazing. Our tour guide was a super friendly chap, very knowledgeable on the caves history.
Written 15 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
beautmusic
Dargaville, New Zealand39 contributions
Quite costly for a shortish tour but worth it if you've got the discretionary dollars. This 30-minute walk into the caves (the full walk through to the other side wasn't available due to flooding) gave us plenty of opportunity to see the glowworms and cave formations and to hear all the interesting stuff the tour guide (whose grandfather opened the caves to the public in the 1940s) told us. The kids (2 and 6) were a little scared when we had to turn off the torches and a bit bored listening to the tour guide in the dark, but the grownups absolutely loved it. An added bonus is that it's unspoilt and not too busy and the location is wonderful, with a walk available up the hill where you can view the limestone exteriors.
Written 9 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Rachael M
Wellington, New Zealand8 contributions
Family
Our family loved this experience. So interesting and fun to do. Well worth the trip. Family run and a real treasure
Written 7 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Kiwiana13
Christchurch, New Zealand59 contributions
Family
While touring Northland we decided to stop at the Kawiti caves to see the glow worms. This is a whānau run operation, as our guide Summer explained - this cave is on land held by her whānau for hundreds of years.
We waited in the picnic area for the tour to start and were entertained by a few cheeky piwakawaka that seemed almost tame, they came so close.
Summer guided us through the caves, explaining the features of limestone and the glow worm lifecycle. The three main caverns have varying numbers of glow worms; the most spectacular is the middle cavern- the Milky Way. We could see the glow worms up close by the light of the lanterns provided. At the end of the tour Summer sang a beautiful waiata in the Milky Way cavern- such a magical experience!
At the end of the cave tour, we explored the bushwalk.
Overall this was well worth the entry price!
We waited in the picnic area for the tour to start and were entertained by a few cheeky piwakawaka that seemed almost tame, they came so close.
Summer guided us through the caves, explaining the features of limestone and the glow worm lifecycle. The three main caverns have varying numbers of glow worms; the most spectacular is the middle cavern- the Milky Way. We could see the glow worms up close by the light of the lanterns provided. At the end of the tour Summer sang a beautiful waiata in the Milky Way cavern- such a magical experience!
At the end of the cave tour, we explored the bushwalk.
Overall this was well worth the entry price!
Written 3 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Di_M38
Lower Hutt, New Zealand32 contributions
We really enjoyed seeing glowworms close up and hearing about this precious and sacred place from our guide. It really is a privilege to be able to visit the cave on private land and to hear about how it was discovered. Currently, the passage right through the cave to the other entrance is inaccessible due to flooding and slips on that hillside. However, this did not diminish the experience at all. There are so many glowworms and as you move further into the cave they get brighter and brighter. The raised walkway was very well maintained and made this a very safe experience for the semi dark conditions. We really enjoyed this wonderful taonga.
Written 12 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Laura Porteous
Auckland Central, New Zealand20 contributions
Hi there, are you able to go through the cave without a guide? Thanks
MLA6011
Perth, Australia12 contributions
Definitely not but well worth paying for the experience. Just ensure that it is not a day when a cruise ship is is the Bay of Islands as you possibly will have less time in the cave and it isn't as personal in a big group. When you book online it is fairly obvious by the increased number of tours on those days.
CrisMarmotte
Perpignan, France35 contributions
Bonjour, est il possible de faire la visite avec une poussette ou en portant des bébés aux bras? nous avons des jumeaux de 17 mois....merci
MatiasRFernandez
Montevideo, Uruguay421 contributions
Hola,
Sin duda el carrito de bebé no está apto para ese paseo, tienes que llevarlos en tus brazos. Es un lugar 100% oscuro donde apenas se usan las lámparas. Incluso te recomiendo llevar abrigo para los niños dado que ahí dentro puede estar frío y húmedo.
Espero haber ayudado & buen viaje
rcapurso
North Las Vegas, NV3 contributions
I have a tendon injury in my ankle and this trip is listed in my upcoming cruise itinerary as strenuous,
could you give me any idea why? I would really like to see the glow worm caves and am able to walk
if it's not too many stairs or steep inclines. Thank you for your help,
Barrovian134
Shifnal, UK32 contributions
I need both knees replacing and found it no problem at all. There a few steps and low hanging rocks but nothing too bad. Worth the pain.
danielakorem
Hertzlia448 contributions
1) I'll be on a cruise ship.
2) Is it easy to find you on Paihia wharf?
3) Can I pay cash?
4) Thanks
Anuj P
1 contribution
how can i get there using public tranportation from Paihia? It seems that getting there costs more than admission to the place?
waiomioglowworms
Northland
Hi there , thanks for your inquiry. Our caves are located 18 kilometres from the Paihia wharf. There are shuttle tour services that leave from Paihia wharf to our caves, they can be booked through the Bay of Islands I-Site email paihia@fndc.govt.nz or phone +64 9 4027 345. We run tours throughout the day from 9am to 4pm, and tours usually leave every 20 minutes. Hope to see you soon, kind regards, Kawiti Caves
Cath B
Gold Coast, Australia
Hi - we are booking through Royal Caribbean cruises and they have a warning that it could be strenuous - ie. wondering if the walk is suitable - we are late 50's and of moderate fitness but one of us has a dodgy neck - so not able to look up for long periods - do you think it would be ok? Also how many steps/steep hills etc.
waiomioglowworms
Northland
Our tour will follow a 200m long wooden boardwalk inside the caves. There will be approx 40 steps up and down, with one step ladder with handrails approx 14 steps long. We have handrails all the way through. When you exit the caves you will follow the bushwalk back to the office. This usually takes 5-10 mins. It is 350m long with approx 100 steps up and 150 steps down, it is steep in places.
We walk at a slow walking pace, throughout the caves and we have a number of guides on tour who can bring you back through the caves if you are finding the first stairway difficult.
If you find the initial stairway fine but do not feel you can walk through the steep bushwalk, we offer our cruise ship bus groups the option of returning at the end of the our through the caves(less steps) at the end of the tour .We offer this option to the entire group, and usually we will have 2-3 people who return this way.
We would recommend good walking shoes(running shoes) and a warm jumper. If you have any more queries please let us know, kind regards, Kawiti Caves
Joanna W
South Coast, St. Thomas
How do we get here from Bay of Islands? We are on a cruise and don't want to go on a cruise ship tour?
waiomioglowworms
Northland
thanks for your inquiry. Our caves are located 18 kilometres from the Paihia wharf where the cruise ship tender docks. There are shuttle tour services that leave from Paihia wharf to our caves, they can be booked through the Bay of Islands I-Site email paihia@fndc.govt.nz or phone +64 9 4027 345. We run tours throughout the day from 9am to 4pm, and tours usually leave every 20 minutes. We can get busy during the middle of the day, so if you get into shore in the early morning, you might like to come straight to the caves, we'd love to show you through. Hope to see you soon, kind regards, Kawiti Caves
Karen S
Mill Creek, WA7 contributions
For those of you who have visited both the Kawiti Caves and the Waitomo Caverns, which would you choose if you could only visit one of them? Thanks!
Frequently Asked Questions about Kawiti Caves
- Kawiti Caves is open:
- Sun - Sat 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
- We recommend booking Kawiti Caves tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 7 Kawiti Caves tours on Tripadvisor
- According to Tripadvisor travellers, these are the best ways to experience Kawiti Caves:
- *Popular Cruise Ship Tour* Bay of Islands and Glow Worm Caves Small-Group Tour (From $213.25)
- Bay of Islands Highlights Tour - With Glow Worm Caves (From $213.25)
- Bay of Islands Shore Excursion: Sightseeing with Kawiti Glowworm Caves (From $177.06)
- Giant Kauries and Tiny Glow Worms - Bay of Islands Tour (From $355.41)
- Kakapo 21 Day New Zealand Small Group Tour (From $11,972.22)
- Hotels near Kawiti Caves:
- (13.62 km) Chalet Romantica
- (14.13 km) Allegra House
- (13.78 km) Decks of Paihia Luxury Bed and Breakfast
- (14.22 km) Abri Apartments
- (13.42 km) Tarlton's Lodge
- Restaurants near Kawiti Caves:
- (14.27 km) Third Wheel Coffee Co.
- (14.28 km) Terra Restaurant
- (13.25 km) Omata Estate Vineyard
- (13.79 km) Tipsy Oyster Tapas & Bar Restaurant
- (14.24 km) Letz Cafe