Steeped in history, the Waitomo Caves are worth a visit for all but for the adventurous types The Black Water Rafting Company offers the most popular experiences. An adventure like no other, Black Water Rafting is New Zealand’s maximum-adrenaline bucket list activity, guaranteed to put a smile on the face of every like-minded adventure traveller.
During their 3 or 5 hour experience you will abseil 80-metres through an ancient rainforest into the depths of the caves before embarking on an epic journey of zip lining and rafting in tubes through underground rapids. This fully-guided experience will see you crawling through caves, jumping off cascading waterfalls and floating on your tubes below the famous glowworms, all whilst exploring one of New Zealand’s most diverse cave systems.
This is a true adrenaline junkie’s dream-trip but for the less-adventurous types however you might be wondering whether Black Water Rafting is for you. Luckily, they offer two tours to choose from so there really is an underground adventure for everyone. ‘The Black Abyss’ is for the more adrenaline enthused adventurer while the ‘Original Black Labyrinth’ is a slightly more chilled version and will only take 3 hours vs the 5 hour Black Abyss.
Check in & meet your guides. After checking in you’ll meet your expert guides, who will help you gear up and teach you the basic abseiling and tubing skills you’ll need in the cave.
Gear up and undergo safety checks & learn abseil & tubing skills
It’s then time to abseil 35 metres into the depths of Ruakuri Cave.
The fun doesn’t stop there though, next your guide will connect you to a zip line and you’ll fly through the pitch-black cave, beneath a sky of glow worms.
Affer a quick snack, it’s time to collect your tube and jump into the water, where you’ll float below a living sky and raft underground rapids.
Your guides will then send your tubes to the top of the cave and you’ll be free to climb over rocks and up waterfalls, and float through fast-flowing waters using the buoyancy of your wetsuit. You really will test your limits on this unforgettable journey.
Once your tour finishes, warm up with a long-awaited hot shower and head back to the Waitomo Homestead.
Limited Availability :
Open daily
Check in 30-minutes before departure
Allow 5 hours for the adventure
Additional tours available over Summer
Cancellation Policy
(09/08/21)
Cancellations or changes to your booking must be made by phone to the Discover Waitomo office at least 24 hours ahead of the booked experience. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours of the booked experience occurring are 100% non-refundable. Cancellations made prior to 24 hours of the booked experience occurring are refundable. In the case of a cancellation where a refund is allowed, the refund will be made to the card used in the original transaction method.
Cancellations or changes by operator
(09/08/21)
Discover Waitomo reserves the right to cancel bookings as a result of health and safety concerns, weather conditions, or unforeseen events or circumstances. In the event that your experience is cancelled by the operator, you will be entitled to a 100% refund of your purchase.
All bookings must be reconfirmed 48 hours in advance by contacting your tour provider directly using the contact information listed on your tour voucher.
You may either re-schedule directly with the supplier or you can email our support team on [email protected] and include your voucher number, name of product you booked, planned departure date and your contact details. Once you’ve emailed us, you can drop us a line at +61 2 5633 1149.
Yes, we do have open dated/flexible tickets available. Most tour vouchers are valid for 12 months from date of purchase, however please be aware that you may be subject to supplier price fluctuations. All ticket validity is specified on the tour voucher. If you are unsure of the validity of your voucher, just ask one of our wonderful staff.
If you need help with an existing booking please email us at [email protected], if your enquiry is urgent please follow up your email with a quick call on +61 2 5633 1149 so we can help you.
We endorse the recommendation of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade that all travellers take out travel insurance. If you already have travel insurance, please understand that it is your responsibility to ensure that your travel insurance covers you for all of the adventure style travel you have booked with us.
World Nomads travel insurance policies offer coverage for more than 150 activities. Get a quote, make a claim, or buy or extend your policy while on the road.
Absolutely, we understand that paying off a big trip in one go isn’t always that easy. We offer flexible payment plans to suit all types of travellers with zero interest or fee’s (minimum $100AUD deposit required).
Most tour vouchers will specify if your trip is BYO however we recommend asking your tour provider if your trip is BYO when you reconfirm your booking 48 hours prior to departure.
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