Glow Worm Caves Tour: Cruise Ship Express Experience

Paihia

Experience the enchanting Glow Worm Caves and breathtaking waterfalls on this express tour in the Bay of Islands. Perfect for cruise ship passengers looking for a memorable day trip.

Duration: 2 hours, 30 minutes

Cancellation: 24 hours

learn more

Highlights

Kawiti Glowworm Caves - Following a bus ride to the caves, a guide from the Waiomio Glow Worm Caves will welcome you and lead you on a 40-minute tour. During the tour, you’ll marvel at the glowing sights of the Glow Worms and learn about the history of the caves’ discovery.

What's Included

All Admission Fees

Additional Information

Join us on a fantastic tour from Paihia out to the mesmerizing Glow Worm Caves!
The ‘Express Tour’ is tailored especially for Cruise Ship Passengers who are seeking a memorable experience during their day ashore.
This immersive tour promises not only a glimpse of the awe-inspiring Glow Worm Caves but also a deeper appreciation for the charm and beauty…

Location

Bay of Islands isite Visitor Information Centre

Marsden Road

Outside the I-Site Bay of Islands - please wait by the wooden dolphin. If you are off a Cruise Ship - Take the free shuttle bus into town and the meeting point is right there.

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings

4.4

(31 Ratings)

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 star

Jackie_g

Apr 24, 2025

An interesting experience - This was an enjoyable trip in a small, comfortable bus. The driver, Rebecca, was very easy to find, she gave some nice commentary as we drove, and we got to see a little of the countryside along the way. The drive to the caves was about 30 minutes. Once we got to the caves, there were bathrooms available. A guide took us through the caves which took about 35-40 minutes. She gave good explanations about what we were seeing and the glow worms were interesting to see. I have difficulty walking but the path through the caves is all on boards with a non slip mat on top of the boards. We were given lanterns to use as we walked. There are railings throughout the caves except for about 10 feet in one flat spot. There are a few stairs but there are railings. This was a worthwhile trip to do once, especially since the glow worms are apparently only found in this part of the world.

Review provided by Viator

Reba_s

Apr 23, 2025

Don’t miss the Glow Worms Cave - Everything about this tour was enjoyable and Rebecca, our tour guide, was the best. She gave us a ton of information about the history of the local area and the 30 minute ride in a very comfortable van was through beautiful green mountains. The glow worms in the cave exceeded my expectations and were truly amazing to see.

Review provided by Viator

Whitesarahj

Apr 22, 2025

It is a small family... - It is a small family owned property about 30 min from Paihai. Nice low key way to see the glowworms.

Review provided by Viator

Brenda_l

Mar 23, 2025

The van that picked us up... - The van that picked us up was so nice and also roomy. The driver was very informative and knowledgeable about the area. The lady that gave the tour knew so much about the history and made it fun. The caves were amazing and you could get a close up view of the glow worms.

Review provided by Viator

John_d

Mar 1, 2025

Glow Worm Trip - Great trip. The glow worms are amazing to see. We enjoyed the entire tour as there was beautiful scenery as well.

Review provided by Viator

Chika_y

Feb 14, 2025

Great Value Tour - It was a great value tour that allowed us to see the highlights of the Bay of Islands! Our guide, Rob, was very kind and provided various explanations and suggestions, making the half-day tour very enjoyable. The glowworm cave was also incredibly beautiful, so if you visit the Bay of Islands, I highly recommend joining this tour.

Review provided by Viator

Chrissy

Jan 11, 2025

Lots of glow worms! So fun and memorable! - The tour was great. Pick-up location was easy to find. The driver was friendly and knowledgeable. He gave us a bunch of interesting facts about the area along the way to the caves. (He was also a speedy driver so we got to the location quickly.) The tour to see the glow worms was magical. So cool to see all of the glow worms in the cave. The tour was roughly 30 minutes only - and there were lots of crowds (as it was a cruise ship day)… but they were very organized. The wooden path inside the cave wasn’t too hard to navigate with the guide - despite the large size of the groups (roughly 30+ in each group). Highly recommend the experience. The tour started around 10am and we were back in Paihia a little after noon (well before the estimated 1pm end time) - so we had plenty of time to enjoy the rest of the area on our own. Really enjoyed this tour!!

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Svetlana_z

Jan 10, 2025

Very nice minibus and a... - Very nice minibus and a driver ( unfortunately, not sure, but think his name was Kevin) and an interesting and informative excursion

Review provided by Viator

Pernilla

Jan 10, 2025

Special but over priced - Interesting experience but short relative to price point. My kids enjoyed it. Likes the guidance. The tour bus driver gave interesting NZ info to pass the time in the bus.

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Onair66032368842

Apr 19, 2025

Glow worms caves - Bay of Islands - Booked the night before as there was a slot available. Got a text message from Chloe at 9.10am cancelling due to not meeting minimum participants. The tour was at 10am. Also tour itself is $50pp. Trip advisor charging $155pp for bus ride there and tour.

Review provided by Tripadvisor

Check Availability

From $94

up to 15 guests

1 - Adult