Rafting

Guided Black Water Rafting in Waitomo

Dive into the underground river systems on the Black Labyrinth tour and swim under the gentle radiance of glowworms as you learn about the stories of the limestone caves and Maori culture.

Highlights

Experience a 3-hour rafting tour inside the limestone caves as you float under a sky of glowworms.
Learn the basics of caving and gear up to weave your way around the rocks on an exhilarating journey.
Get the adventure of a lifetime while traveling through the caves, jumping off waterfalls, and floating under the radiance of the glowworms.
Get to know fascinating facts about the Maori culture from the guide sailing through the underground river system.
Dig into complimentary refreshments on board and take your time to admire the surreal beauty of the caves.

Inclusions

3-hour underground black water rafting
Expert guide
Safety equipment (footwear, tubes, wetsuits, helmets, abseiling devices)
Snack
Small group of up to 12 guests

Exclusions

Photos

Cancellation policy

You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.

Reviews

4.7

35 ratings

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David

5/5

Jul, 2024

The whole experience was awesome. My son from Australia also loved it. The hliwworm show was way better than I remembered from the last time I did it.

Alyssa

5/5

Jun, 2024

The guides were not only knowledgeable but they were also so much fun! We had a very small group and they adapted the tour to fit what we would most enjoy and took a lot of amazing pictures! The Blackwater rafting itself was so much fun, even in the winter! Exploring caves, jumping into the water, and floating through the darkness, our guides made us feel safe the whole time. Thank you, Burge and Lydia!

Rachael

5/5

Jun, 2024

The whole experience was super fun and insanely enjoyable. The guides were brilliant, the caves amazing and everything was great. Highly recommend

Dom

5/5

May, 2024

Brilliant adventure under the ground. Very well looked after, the peaceful moments drifting underneath glowworms were amazing.

Colin

5/5

Apr, 2024

Booking in was simple and quick. The girls at the front desk could smile and engage a little more.😁 As I don't spend many days in caves the experience was amazing. The tour guides were engaging and very informative, 10/10 for them.

Your experience

Introduction to Black Labyrinth rafting

Join a tour of a lifetime with the Black Labyrinth Tour, designed for everyone seeking a little adventure. This 3-hour rafting tour spends one hour underground in the company of the waves and the glowworms. Meet your English-speaking guide, and learn the basics to help you go caving smoothly. Before heading into the underground river system, get a feel of all the caving equipment needed. Grab your wetsuit, helmet, and footwear, and get a rundown on all the tubing skills you need to navigate.

Start your glowing underwater journey

Descend into the underground waters by passing through a rock hole, once you’re snug in your tube. Weave around rocks to find yourself under a blanket of glowworms for a once-in-a-lifetime adventure amid nature. Your guide will also enrich you with local legends and folklore of the Maoris and how the limestone caves came into existence. Surrounded by the soft light of the glowworm, learn about their intriguing life cycle. Take your adventure to the next level as you jump off some waterfalls (that are not dangerously high) and munch on some complimentary snacks. Create memories of a lifetime on this enchanting underwater tour.

Know before you go

What to bring

Towel
Swimwear
Shower gel & shampoo

What's not allowed

Camera equipment
Tripod
Selfie sticks
GoPro

Accessibility

The experience is not accessible for wheelchair users, pram/stroller users, people with mobility issues, people with back and neck problems, and guests who don't have a moderate fitness level or are too small.

Additional information

All participants on this tour must weigh at least 45 kg.
Guests aged 12 and under are restricted from participating in this experience.
This tour can accommodate a maximum of 12 people in 1 group.
This experience operates only with a minimum of 2 guests.
Facilities: Lockers, Changing Rooms, Hot showers.
No prior caving experience is needed.
You do need to be comfortable in the water, however, swimming is not a necessity. You will have a floating tube and expert guides.

My tickets

Your voucher will be emailed to you shortly.
Display the voucher on your mobile phone with a valid photo ID at the meeting point.
Please arrive at the meeting point 30 minutes before the scheduled time of your tour to avoid any delays.