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Interested in taking the tour to the glow worm caves of Te Anau? I have a full review of my experience below.
As a Queenstown local and someone who’s explored New Zealand to its fullest, I’m no stranger to glow worm caves. After hearing about how great the Te Anau tour was, I needed to see for myself. Is it worth the price? What does it include?
Keep reading for my breakdown of this tour to the Te Anau glow worm caves to help you decide if it’s right for you!
Which Te Anau Glow Worms Cave Tour did I go on?
Normally before I book an experience, I’ll do a bunch of research about different tour options before I decide on one. The thing is, there’s actually only one tour – this tour that goes to the glow worm caves in Te Anau!
It has 460+ perfect 5-star reviews, so I was pretty confident booking it! But what makes this tour so great?
Well first off, the only way you can get to the caves is by boat, so the fact that you start this tour off with a 45-minute scenic boat ride across Lake Te Anau had me hooked from the get-go. Honestly, the boat ride could have been its own tour with how fun and knowledgeable the guides were and how incredible the sights were. On top of that, they offer free coffee and tea. If you ask me there’s nothing better than hot coffee, amazing views, and a crisp New Zealand breeze!
A quick note on the boat ride (and caves) is that regardless of the time of year you visit, it’s still chilly. Bring a jacket and maybe even a warm hat to stay comfortable.
After making it to the docks on the other side of the lake, we began a short nature walk into the caves themselves. On the way, our guides explained the life cycle of glow worms and why they glow in the first place. I won’t bore you with the exact science, but it’s from the combination of oxygen and a chemical they naturally produce, which I found super interesting. Fun fact, glow worms turn into a type of fly that only lives for three days.
The caves are super cool on their own and with a river running through them, the damp environment is perfect for these little guys to do what they do best, grow and glow! I loved that in order to see them up close we had to get into a small paddle boat and go deeper into the cave. It made the whole thing feel like an amusement park ride. With the cave illuminated by the magical blue glow of thousands of worms, I couldn’t help but think to myself “This is why I love New Zealand!”.
After spending a short time admiring the glow worms, we made our way back to the boat and cruised back. I couldn’t believe how quickly 2.5 hours had passed!
Book the exact tour I took here to guarantee your spot!
What I loved about this tour
The glow worms!
This is an obvious one, but I still had to say it!
Seeing glow worms in person is an experience where words and pictures do no justice. It’s like being in a scene from a Disney movie. There are few places in the world where you can see such a natural spectacle which makes this one of my number one New Zealand bucket list items. It’s an adventure you don’t want to miss!
Taking a cruise on Lake Te Anau
Equally stunning as the glow worms but in a different way, the boat ride to the caves offers a look at the dramatic beauty of New Zealand I love. Mountains with snow-capped tops, massive trees hugging the shoreline, and the deep blue of the lake all combine for an unforgettable cruise. I’m from Canada and I have to say, this makes a strong contender for one of the most beautiful areas in the world.
The informative guides
A tour is only as good as its guides and if the glow worms knew they had such great people showing them off every day, I’m sure they would be pleased! Seriously though, I take a lot of tours so I know what makes good guides and ours were excellent. The perfect combination of funny and informative, they knew when to tell our group something interesting and when to let us sit and enjoy the show.
It’s short and sweet
In total, this tour only takes 2.5 hours and has multiple start times of 10:15 am, 2 pm, 4:30 pm, and 7 pm making it easy to work into any schedule. This is a big deal for someone like me since I usually like to do multiple things in a day if I can. You can even book it a few minutes before it starts since there’s always room!
Free cancellation options
Any experience that offers free cancellation automatically gets major brownie points from me. This tour is no different and with Viator’s great cancellation policy, I love that it’s easy to book it in advance online and then cancel for a full refund if need be.
Fantastic reviews
When a tour has over 600 raving reviews, you know they’re doing something right. And after taking this one myself I can confirm it’s an amazing experience! And the reviews from other people back it up as well. You can read all the recent reviews here or check out a couple from other travelers below:
“This is an absolute must! No words can describe how beautiful the caves and glow worms are! It was just incredible and super fun! Getting there was part of the excitement and the little boat to navigate through the cave was awesome!”
“I have been to a few caves and this one was very different to the others I have visited. It was amazing to have a river flowing under us and there was even an amazing waterfall inside. The glow worm part of the tour was an added bonus and was very special. The boat trip across the lake was also beautiful!”
Ready to book? Reserve your spot easily here!
What I didn’t like about this tour
There are more worms in the summer, but I visited them in the spring
While I still saw tons of glow worms and the experience was incredible, I couldn’t help but wonder how much better it would have been during the summer (December to March). This is definitely one of those things that if timed right is more of a spectacle. However, glow worms are a year-round event, so the upside to seeing them in spring (or fall or winter) is it’s less crowded.
We didn’t have as much time in the caves as I would have liked
While I will be the first to praise how short and sweet this tour is, I will also be the first to say that this means less time seeing glow worms. The cruise there and back makes up over half of the experience with only about 30 minutes in the caves.
I personally didn’t mind this and was satisfied, but it was obvious others on the tour didn’t feel the same way. It didn’t ruin it by any means, but it’s one of those things where it would have been nice to have a little more time.
Can’t take photos of glow worms
This came as a bit of a shock to me at first, but after finding out why it made sense. Glow worms are incredibly sensitive to light and the flash photography needed to properly capture an image of them would disrupt their growth. This is what the guides told me anyway and I believe them.
I’ve been on other glow worm tours that let you take photos, but they never turn out anyway so not taking photos on this tour wasn’t a deal breaker. It’s just kind of a bummer if you have a good camera that you want to put to use!
Related Read: Driving to Te Anau? My road trip guides for the drive from Christchurch to Te Anau or Queenstown to Te Anau have all the best stops!
What is included/not included on this tour?
Included with your ticket is the boat ride there and back to the caves, several fantastic guides, coffee or tea, and of course seeing the glow worms! Everything you need for a great adventure.
However, transportation is not included to the docks where the boat launch is, so you will need to find your own way there and back from your accommodation. If you do need help deciding on a hotel, I have a guide on where to stay in Te Anau with ideas!
Would I go on this Glow Worms Tour from Te Anau again?
Yes, I absolutely would!
From start to finish, this tour exceeded my expectations and was everything I was hoping for. Scenic boat rides, incredible guides, and of course, loads of glow worms.
Considering that this is the only tour that can take you to the glow worm caves in Te Anau they go above and beyond to make it as magical as possible. It’s easy to see why it’s so highly rated!
Related Read: Now that you’ve seen glow worms, chase some waterfalls with my list of the best waterfalls on the South Island!
Other Activities to do While You’re in Te Anau
Seeing glow worms is just one of the many fun things to do in Te Anau! So if you’re looking to fill your itinerary, keep reading. I’ve highlighted some of my favorite activities below.
- Explore Milford Sound – You can always drive from Te Anau to Milford Sound, but there are also tours available. One of the most popular and affordable is this Nature Cruise of Milford Sound, which covers all transportation from Te Anau, the scenic boat ride, and lunch.
- Go jet boating – With close proximity to awesome rivers, jet boating is one of my favorite activities here! This tour will have you jetting down the Waiau River at speeds of up to 80 km (50 mi) per hour. Your driver will also perform high-speed spins and sharp turns before bringing you across stunning Lake Manapouri, where you will hop off for a guided walk.
- Hike Kepler Track – One of the best hikes in New Zealand is the Kepler Track, a 3 to 4-day loop that follows the shoreline of both Lake Te Anau and Lake Manapouri. If you don’t have the time or interest to do the full-length version, opt for this shortened guided Heli-hike tour and see these sights from high above.
- See Doubtful Sound – More remote than Milford Sound, a visit to Doubtful Sound is a chance to see untouched beauty. You MUST take a tour to access it, which is why I recommend this Doubtful Sound Wilderness Day Cruise. It includes a spectacular 3-hour cruise on a catamaran where you can see the beauty of this area and maybe even spot dolphins, seals, and penguins!
- Eat at Miles Better Pies – There are several awesome restaurants in Te Anau. But when you’re visiting New Zealand, you have to try its famous pies! One of the best places to do this is at Miles Better Pies. This place is a bit of an establishment, and my personal favorite pies are the Lamb and the Thai Chicken Curry.
Where to Stay in Te Anau
Although only a small town, Te Anau boasts lots of amazing places to stay. I’ve stayed here plenty, so to help you out, I’ve rounded up my favorite options for each budget.
Luxury – $$$
The Fiordland Lakeview Motel and Apartments offers everything from studios to 3-bedroom townhouses. These are fully equipped apartments, and some have magnificent views of the lake as well as access for those with limited mobility. The property also has laundry, BBQ facilities, free parking, and a car wash. These accommodations are quiet, clean, and super spacious – perfect if you like privacy and comfort.
Prices typically start around $300 NZD/night when you book a few months in advance.
Mid-range – $$
Aden Motel is just a 2-minute walk from Lake Te Anau and a 15-minute walk to the city center. They have studio,1 bedroom, and 2 bedroom apartments that are absolutely beautiful. It’s an eco-friendly property with a playground (and a big trampoline!), BBQ, and lovely gardens. The staff are super friendly, and the units stay nice and warm in the wintertime.
For the price, it’s the best value place in town, and I’ve seen prices as low as $189 NZD on Booking.com.
Budget – $
For budget travelers, you can’t beat staying at the Te Anau Lakeview Kiwi Holiday Park & Motels. It’s perfect for those on a road trip in a campervan or motorhome and has budget rooms available. They offer studios, bungalows, and private rooms with views of Lake Te Anau and the mountains. Some units come with private cooking facilities and balconies. Rooms are clean, showers are hot, and the whole property feels like a giant park. Prices start at $68 NZD and you can reserve your room online.
If you’re a social traveler, Lakefront Backpackers is another good budget option, and they have dorm beds and private rooms. Staying here also feels like you’re in a park, although you’re just a 5-minute walk from town. They offer indoor/outdoor kitchen facilities, BBQ, laundry, free unlimited WiFi, storage, and a movie room to relax after a long day exploring Doubtful Sound. Dorms start at $39 NZD, and private rooms at $98 NZD. You can book your stay on Booking.com or through Hostelworld.
Renting a Car, Campervan, or Motorhome in New Zealand
Let’s face it, you’re going to need wheels to get around New Zealand. Although a small country, buses between destinations are infrequent and expensive. Plus, some of the best experiences you can have in NZ are on road trips!
You have three options when it comes to getting wheels in New Zealand; a car, a campervan, or a motorhome. Here’s what you need to know about each and where to get them:
- Car – A normal car is the cheapest rental vehicle you can get in New Zealand. It’ll get you around to all of the best destinations with ease. The only downside to a car is that you will need to stay in hotels or Airbnbs during your travels (no camping.) The easiest place to rent a car in New Zealand is on Discover Cars where you can compare cars, companies, prices, features, and more very easily.
- Campervan – A Campervan is a large van that has a bed and a small kitchen in the back. It’s what most budget travelers use for traveling around New Zealand since it allows you to camp comfortably and for free (most) nights. Campervans are best for couples or solo travelers who are happy to live in a small space. You should also love the outdoors and camping…and be prepared for an adventure of a lifetime! My favorite campervan rental company is JUCY because they have a huge selection of campervans to choose from, plus multiple pick-up/drop-off locations. You can browse JUCY’s campervan selection online here. Alternatively, you can easily compare all campervans available in NZ on Motorhome Republic here.
- Motorhome – A motorhome is larger and more comfortable than a campervan. Many motorhomes will comfortably sleep 6 or more people – perfect for a family visiting New Zealand. Motorhomes are the most expensive option, but with one you won’t ever need to stay in a hotel and you’ll save money that way. My top choice for a motorhome company is Star RV because they have beautiful motorhomes at affordable prices. You can check prices and availability for Star RV motorhomes online here. Alternatively, you can use Motorhome Republic to search all motorhomes in NZ. For more detailed info, read my complete guide to renting a motorhome in New Zealand!
EXCLUSIVE DISCOUNT CODE: I’ve managed to snag a discount code for 5% off for my readers if you book your campervan or motorhome through JUCY or Star RV! Simply click here to select your JUCY campervan, or click here to select your Star RV motorhome, and then use the code DTRAVEL25 at checkout to get 5% off – it’s that easy!
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance!
If you’re looking to save money on travel insurance, I currently use and recommend SafetyWing. I’ve been using their coverage since 2018 and they’ve had my back when I needed emergency flights and got sick overseas.
SafetyWing is one of the cheapest providers out there and covers everything from medical costs to lost luggage, travel delays, and emergency flights. A huge difference I’ve found between them and other companies is that they let you take out a policy AFTER leaving your home country. I’ve also found it handy that it’s a monthly payment rather than a lump sum and you get a refund for unused time.
SafetyWing has helped me out in some scary situations before and their affordable coverage has given me peace of mind. Read my full review on if you should get travel insurance in NZ for more info!
Thanks for reading!
Taking the tour to see the glow worms in Te Anau is worth adding to your itinerary! I loved seeing the glow worm caves – it reminds me of a twinkling night sky. I hope this review was helpful as you plan your own trip here.
For more help with all things New Zealand, have a look through all my blogs about Te Anau or the entire South Island section. I’ve explored this country in-depth and love sharing my tips. If you have any questions, let me know!
5 Types of Milford Sound Tours from Te Anau (The BEST Tours & Cruises)
50+ EPIC Things to do on the South Island, New Zealand (By a Local!)