We embarked on a two-hour journey from Tauranga to the famous Waitomo Adventures in New Zealand, full of anticipation for an exciting experience. However, upon arrival, I was dismayed to realize that I had mixed up the booking date – our reservation had been two days earlier! My initial frustration and fear that our money might be lost were quickly alleviated.

From the moment we stepped into the reception area, it was clear that Waitomo Adventures is a family-run business. The lovely lady at the reception was incredibly helpful and understanding. Despite my mistake, she managed to schedule us for a replacement tour later that afternoon – at no extra cost!

What followed exceeded all our expectations: We received an exclusive “VIP” tour, just the two of us with a guide (Joel). This personal and friendly service was simply fantastic. The descent into the depths was thrilling, but our guide was calming and incredibly kind, making the experience even more enjoyable.

Once we reached the bottom, we were greeted by a breathtaking scene in a vast canyon and cave. As we continued our journey, the guide led us into a pitch-dark cave. Following his instructions, we turned off all our lights, and just a minute later, we experienced one of the most magical moments of our lives: Glowworms illuminated the cave all around us. This sight was so touching and emotional that it will remain etched in our memories forever.

This tour was worth every cent, and we will definitely repeat it on our next visit to New Zealand. A huge thank you to the team at Waitomo Adventures for this unforgettable experience!

Best wishes from Germany,
Marco and Janosch <3

I had found this outing my per chance. We ended up planning our entire trip around the limited dates available to go on this tour. We had 2 guides, while nice, they were very quiet and that set the tone for the outing. More energy was definitely needed.
We were not allowed to bring cameras, phones or go pros. While I understand the camera and phones, you could drop them and they will be submerged. There was no reason not to have a chest strapped go pro. This seems counterintuitive for them as well. Families like to take and pictures. Pictures that are posted and shared on social media only help a business. The staff had a camera and would take a picture if you asked them, but this felt like an inconvenience.
You wear a thick wet suit, it was cold at times, you will be nearly completely submerged at different points. The caving and walking/climbing against the current for hours was tiring and exciting. You mobility it limited to do the wet suit and that you boots (they provide) are frequently weighed down with water. I slipped multiple times. Once out of the cave there is an uphill hike, you are exhausted by this point. Back at the start the staff prepares a nice dinner under the stars. We thoroughly enjoyed it.