New Zealand’s maximum-adrenaline Black Water Rafting tour
Allow 5-hour's for this adventure; you’ll abseil to the depths of the earth, zip line through a glow worm studded cave, climb underground waterfalls and tube through fast-flowing waters.
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. 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. After 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.
Compare all experiences to find the right tour for you.
Glowworms
Wet
Waterfall
Zip Line
Tubing
Essential Information
Essential Information
- 584 State Highway 3, Waitomo 3977
- 0800 228 464
- Open daily 8am - 5:30pm
- Limited Availability
- blackwater.rafting@waitomo.com
Departure Information
Limited Availability :
Open daily
Pre-Booking is Essential
Check-in 30-minutes before departure
Check-in at the Homestead 584 State Highway 3, Waitomo 3977
Allow 5 hours for this adventure
Additional tours available over summer
Closed on Christmas Day
*Some tours late in the day may finish at an alternative location, if you are impacted your guides will advise you
Preparation
- Bring swimwear & a towel
Bring shower gel and shampoo if desired, a change of clothes, a towel and your sense of adventure.
No prior caving experience needed
Reviews
FAQs
What do I need to bring on the tour? Swimwear and a towel. We will provide you with your full kit: wetsuits, socks, shoes, helmet, light and of course your black water rafting tube!
What is the check-in time and location? Black Abyss tours depart from the Waitomo Homestead, located at 584 State Highway 3. Check in is 30 minutes prior to tour departure.
How long is the tour? Allow 5 hours in total. This will include a safety briefing, getting your underground kit, drive time, training, and of course, your time under ground.
Can you take photos or video this tour? Sorry, cameras and GoPro's can't be taken on this tour. However, your guide will take photos of you on your tour, which you can purchase after the tour.
Are towels supplied for tours? Towels are not supplied, you must bring your own. However, in case you forget, we sell towels in the retail store – they’re pretty cool too!
Do you need to be able to swim to do a black water rafting tour? You do need to be comfortable in the water, however swimming is not a necessity. You will have a tube to aid you in floating as well as expert guides.
What is the minimum age for Black Abyss tours? You must be over 16 years old and over 45kg.
Do you see glowworms? Yes, you do! The entire cave is a glowworm-studded wonderland.
Do you have changing rooms and lockers? Yes, there are separate changing rooms for males and females complete with hot showers for after your underground experience. There are also lockers to safely stow your belongings while you are underground.