We decided not to do the North Island glowworm tour because of time restraints but found ourselves with some time in Te Anau and opted to take this tour at the last minute with RealNZ. The tour starts at the waterfront in Te Anau and includes a fast and fun boat ride across the lake. We found the tour amazing - as much for the cave experience as for the actual glowworms. Each group of 12 shared a guide (thanks Sophie from SC!) and the trip in the caves up to the glowworm cave was informative and the cave dramatically lit and stunning. Once at the glowworms we sat in a boat silently as the guide pulled it through the cave on a chain in absolute darkness. No one was allowed to talk and you are not allowed to take photos or video inside the glowworm part of the tour. Instead you enjoy the experience old school - with your eyes and ears open! The worms themselves are the larva stage of an insect and they "fish" for flying gnats using a sticky hanging fishing line and then gobble up what they catch. They exude a truly eerie blue colour and are in patches across the entire ceiling of the cave. It's a bit like seeing the stars on a clear night but deep in a cave. No one seemed to feel claustrophobic on our trip and certainly we did not feel that way. A magical experience. Glad we saw it!

When we arrived for our booked tour time, we were scolded by staff because they said they tried to reach us to change our tour to an earlier time slot. We hadn't gotten that message and questioned if we would still go out. They said they would but we were the only ones on the tour. Shortly after that, two others showed up and said they had booked that time the day before. Based on that initial encounter, we were concerned the tour would be awkward and unwelcoming. That was not the case! The tour was fantastic. All other staff and the experience was great. From the boat captain, skipper, tour guides - absolutely everyone was great! Neat experience! And the stars in the dark sky on the boat ride back was absolutely stunning!

Didn’t tour with Realnz, and the boat leaves from Te Anau waterfront. 30 mins to the caves where you are divided into groups of 12. Our group didn’t caves first and then a nature walk and a video. You walk in the caves first, having to duck a little at the beginning. Then you take a boat ride to see the glow worms further into the caves. It’s very dark, obviously, and the glow worms are fantastic to see. Mobility would be a slight issue and you need to be able to accept the pitch black cave environment. It’s very well run and you are back in Te Anau in just over 2 hours. Such a cool thing to see…..a must do if you are in town.

A fab 2.5hr overall experience, starting and ending with a 25min catamaran cruise across the lake. Group split up into groups of 11 or 12 & each given an enthusiastic, knowledgeable guide. Into the cave systems you go with dramatic rushing water & underground waterfalls. Then the main event, actually seeing the glow worms in all their glory including a dark and wonderfully quiet boat ride up and down one of the cakes so you can get really close to them and be fully immersed in the experience. Once out the cave a short nature walk concludes with some complimentary hot drinks & a brief presentation on glow worms before heading back to Te Anau. A worthwhile experience!

The glow worms themselves are not the main event in my opinion, but I highly recommend this excursion. First, we had a wild ride across the lake with spectacular views even with fog. There is an interesting explanation before entering the cave. Do not expect an American style tour. Underground, it is narrow and you walk over a roaring underground river on a metal walkway in parts. In other parts, you have to duck down around overhangs. It is pitch black and silent in the cave with the worms, and you have 12 people shoulder to shoulder in a small dory. You have to entirely trust your guide to get you back to the light. A few people who were claustrophobic turned away. Even for the adventuresome, it is a bit tense, but that is what made the tour so extraordinary. Great experience.

This is a brilliant experience with several openings every day. It began with a scenic cruise across Lake Te Anau during which a member of the crew gave a commentary about the lake, the surrounding National Park and the Glowworm Caves. On arrival we were split into groups – Talia, our excellent guide took us aside for an information setting – the sand flies were persistent – so glad we had bug spray! After the introduction and safety briefing about the low ceilings we walked into the cave. It was very loud with the water flowing through the cave below the walkway. Talia shouted her information at each highlight spot, erosion tubes, the striations of sandstone and limestone, glowworms ‘webs’, until we reached the ‘silence’ section – from here on no talking. We boarded the punt to float to the best viewing place – the glowworms were awesome – magical! The punt returned to the dock and we walked out – was that a zebra? What colour were the glowworms? We had a complimentary hot drink and watched an information video back at the visitors centre then it was back on the boat for the return to Te Anau. This is a fascinating experience – do go – you will be amazed!

Very funny walk, we loved the whole family. Start with a 30-minute boat ride to reach the cave. Then a brief introduction. The cave part is tremendous, a stunning darkness where fluorescent worms are seen Worth it

Great tour with our teen/adult kids. We took the 4:30 boat ride across the lake to the caves. It was a wet, foggy day so despite our cheery guides history of the area it was hard to see much on the 20 min. ride over to the caves. We were taken in groups of 12 thru the caves 250 meters. The glow worms were amazing & our last 50 meters by boat were the best. It was like the night sky illuminating with stars all the glow worms. I loved the swirling water. A magical tour. Bring plenty of wet weather gear. Alex our cave guide told us it rains over 300 days a year in the area. So fun, we would definitely go back.

This was an absolutely amazing tour. The ferry ride was comfortable, but the guides leading us into the caves were great! They were very friendly, knowledgeable, and patient. But the highlight was going into the cave and seeing the glowworms. We could even begin spotting them right after entering the cave. The cave was amazing with the steams, waterfalls, and glowworms. Even my young child, who normally doesn't like the dark, was completely fine in absolute darkness since he was so mesmerized by the glowworms. I definitely felt this was a good value and a good reason to spend a day in Te Anau. Since we entered the cave in groups of 12, it never felt packed. Highly recommend!

Te Anau Glowworm caves are a must for every visitor to Newzeland/South islands. It is a fascinating experience and value for money. Take a 2.5 hours trip from theTe Anau lake on a cruiz . You are taken ina group of 12 and the experience in exhilarating. The history of caves and the waterfall is worth listening to. Dont take this trip if you have claustro-phobia ( fear of Darkness). No filming/ camera or mobile phone allowed to take photos. There is a short documentary as to how the Glowworm lives and catches its prey. It is interesting. Every one young to old can enjoy this trip.