1 / 3Te Anau Glowworm Caves
📍 Te Anau, Southland
A magical half-day outing for families whose kids can handle sitting quietly in the dark. Loved for the boat ride across Lake Te Anau, the galaxy of glowworms, and guides who keep it interesting.
Cooler experience than we expected because of the cave. The boat ride over was very pleasant and a great way to enjoy the scenery around. Once you arrive they prep you for the cave experience, we were the first small group to go into the cave. I didn’t know what to expect - the cave was very cool and you get to see a waterfall inside of it. The experience on the boat is dark, pitch black dark. You can clearly see the dots of the worms glowing which was cool, felt like I was looking at little stars. I purchased a nice sweater at their gift shop and a cute tic-tac-toe board with little sheep that I love.
🏆 Family Action Verdict
This is a lovely half-day outing if your kids can handle sitting quietly in total darkness - the boat drifting under a ceiling of glowing worms is genuinely magical, and the guides keep the lake ride and cave walk interesting.
ℹ️ What to Know Before You Go
💬 What Families Are Saying
View all reviews →1,447 Google reviews
Irini Prifti
“Cooler experience than we expected because of the cave. The boat ride over was very pleasant and a great way to enjoy the scenery around. Once you arrive they prep you for the cave experience, we were the first small group to go into the cave. I didn’t know what to expect - the cave was very cool and you get to see a waterfall inside of it. The experience on the boat is dark, pitch black dark. You can clearly see the dots of the worms glowing which was cool, felt like I was looking at little stars. I purchased a nice sweater at their gift shop and a cute tic-tac-toe board with little sheep that I love.”
Clem
“A breathtaking encounter with nature. The most important tip for this tour is to follow the guide’s instructions and allow your eyes to fully adjust to the darkness. Once you do, the "galaxy" of glowworms above you is absolutely stunning. It was fascinating to see these creatures up close and learn about their lifecycle and the cave’s geology from the knowledgeable guides. The boat trip across Lake Te Anau to reach the caves is a beautiful bonus.”
Anthony Warthold
“A very relaxing and interesting experience. The boat ride was very good and they explained some local history and features. Our guide for the caves had a great sense of humor and was really good at explaining the cave structure and how the glow worms live. It was nice to get a hot cup of tea at the end of the tour and the presentation was very informative. We highly recommend doing this activity 👍🏻”
Zoomer2001
“Great adventure! The glow worms were super bright in the darkness. The boat inside the cave was definitely my favorite part. Pack a rain jacket or something warm because it is chilly inside and drops of water will fall on your head.”
Reviews from Google
Overview
You start with a boat ride across Lake Te Anau (worth it just for the scenery), then head into the caves where guides prep you before it goes pitch black. Let your eyes adjust and the ceiling turns into a galaxy of glowworms - genuinely quiet-in-awe stuff. The guides are knowledgeable and funny, which helps keep kids engaged on the walk. Bring a warm layer and insect repellent; it gets chilly and the sandflies can find you.
