Spellbound Ltd
Reviews
Kylee Langdon
Ranking: 9/10
We had a fantastic experience with Spellbound Glow Worm Tours!
Pete and the staff are friendly and very accomodating especially with our 2 and 5 year old children!
Loved the caves and the boat ride was a bonus!
Thanks so much!
Moira and Tom
Ranking: 10/10
Spellbound Glowworm and Cave Tours- spectacular! Nice small group and very knowledgeable guide. Best money we have spent on an activity in a long time.
shelagh gastrell
Ranking: 10/10
My family and myself visited 3 caves whilst on a 3 night stay in Waitomo. The 5 of us agreed that, for glow worm splendour, Spellbound was the best. All the caves were beautiful in different ways but Spellbound was the most magical. The bus trip, the cave walk and the boat ride, under a ceiling of glow worms, was awesome.
Peter was very knowledgeable and showed us the worms up close, describing their life cycle, diet and the reason for the glow. Our boys, aged 10 and 12 were fascinated, as were we all.
Nikki Bristol
Ranking: 10/10
Well guided tours around two Waitomo caves, the glow worm boat ride was magical. Highly recommend!
Paddy O\\\'Connor
Ranking: 9/10
We did the trip on the 19th March and both thoughly enjoyed it. Our tour guide was great with a nice sense of humour and the caves were spectacular. The operation had a really nice Kiwi down to earth feel about it and was excellent value for money.
We wish you and your Whanau all the best for the future in these trying times.
Robin Mooring
Ranking: 10/10
We had a great time on our trip to see the Glowworm caves with Spellbound. Our guide was very knowledgeable not only of the history of the caves, local lore, and science of the "glowworms," but also of my random questions regarding plants and other animals.
The experience of being in the caves and seeing the surreal glow of the "worms" in the dark, quiet place was...magical. I felt as if I were looking up at the sky and seeing new constellations.
That the Spellbound company is local and helping tourism in a more personal way, is just one more plus!
Liz Wade
Ranking: 10/10
This was an excellent trip and very good value for money. Although up to 12 people can go on each trip, we were the only two on this one at 9.00am. Norm is very knowledgeable about the area and about the caves. He ensures that you really experience the impact that Glowworms have on your sight. Nothing is rushed and the tranquil trip down the underground river under a canopy of Glowworms is quite magical. We also enjoyed the cup of tea/coffee and biscuits between trips to the caves. The second cave is also fascinating for very different reasons. It’s interesting to see the bones of different creatures who have made their way down to the caves, particularly the moa bird whose remains have been dated as over 38000 years old! This feels like a very personal and privileged tour and we are delighted to have experienced it.
Clive Williams
Ranking: 10/10
An amazing experience, from the moment we stepped into the van, Pete gave us a commentary all the way to the caves. His in-depth knowledge of the glow worms and tour of the caves is well worth every cent and we will definitely come again.
Trevor
Ranking: 10/10
This should be on your Bucket List to do once in your lifetime. The view of the glowworms is mesmerising when viewed from the boat. First Class Experience.
Pukerooster
Ranking: 10/10
A tour well done by professionals , the walks are easy , my 7 year old had no problem. The guide Zane was fantastic , well informed , with a wealth of knowledge . The time flies . Groups aren't large , max 12 , so everyone gets a great view of everything .
Being a bit unsure of what to expect , this was perfect & all you need & more . Thanks so much for making my sons day & of course ourself . 5 Stars
Linda
Ranking: 10/10
Our guide, Zane, shared his knowledge of the rich history on the region, its plants and animals, as well as descriptions of the formation and growth of the caves, the geology of the surrounding areas, the life cycle and behavior of glow worms, and much more. The walk into the glow-worm cave with was spectacular, and made more so during the magical boat ride that was like looking at the milky way at night - it was enchanting. Our tour of the dry cave with bones was different - kind of creepy but with very interesting information on the cave formation and stories that included the twice rescued cow. Zane's stories were educational, humorous, and entertaining. Our time passed too quickly. I thought this was one of the highlights of my trip to NZ. The caves as presented by Zane provided an experience that I will carry with me and share with friends.
T Alan Hatton
Ranking: 10/10
We were literally spell-bound by our Spellbound experience! From the moment we met our guide, Zane, we were entertained to a rich history lesson on the region, with descriptions of the formation and growth of the caves, the geology of the surrounding areas, the life cycle and behavior of glow worms, and much more. The ~20 minute bus ride through the magnificent countryside was a joy, the visit to the glow-worm cave with its the ride in the inflatable dinghy was spectacular, and the tour of a second, dry cave, very interesting, with a wealth of information on the various phenomena that drive the cave formation and growth as imparted by Zane that kept us enthralled. The 3+ hours passed all too quickly - this has to be one of the best tours of any kind that we have taken, and we attribute it to not only the call group size (there were only 11 of us), in keeping with the overall company philosophy, but also to the untiringly enthusiastic and knowledgable (and humorous!) Zane. If we could rate him higher than a '10', we would most certainly do so! We recommend Spellbound very highly indeed to anyone interested in having a truly exceptional experience visiting the glowworm caves in the Waitomo area.
Emile
Ranking: 10/10
Today I had a memorabele encounter with the glowworms of Waitomo. Beautiful! Also the other cave we visites. And such a friendly and well informed guide Norman is!
Sarah & Paul
Ranking: 10/10
What an amazing day...the weather wasn't all that great but this didn't matter one bit. Our guide Mangu , a local that is obviously passionate about his home town was informative, natural and not at all trying to upsell. We did two cave walks and all up it took just over 3 hours, our group was only 12 people and we had both the cave tours to ourselves. This tour isn't rushed or cramped. We have done other guided trips in Waitomo and Spellbound in my view beats the other guided tours by far as it's more personal , less busy and the company really looks after it's natural asset. We took our 5 year old daughter and it was perfectly fine for her.....just remember to take a booster seat for the van ride and maybe some snacks. Thank you for the amazing experience today.
Ella
Ranking: 10/10
Good price! Good value! Tour is fun. Small group of tour allows plenty of time to look around and take photos. Highly recommended
GODARD Tuatini
Ranking: 10/10
A perfect experience with a knowlegable guide.
Mary
Ranking: 10/10
Fantastic cave tour! Spent a lot of time in both caves. Very friendly and knowledgeable tour guide. So glad we booked with Spellbound. One of the highlights of our trip.
Ricardo Nigro
Ranking: 10/10
It is an extraordinary place to know. Natural and unique show, The guide has the knowledge and kindless that allow the visitors to enjoy each step inside the caves.
maryann de la haye
Ranking: 10/10
fabulous trip, made more special by our guide Zane, who made the experience very personal, informative and entertaining. Highly recommended, thank you
Carlos Madrid
Ranking: 9/10
Un descubrimiento maravilloso. Trato inigualable, ameno, intimo, muy profesional. Si quieres visitar las cuevas de Waitomo, este es menos turístico, con más dedicación al grupo y las cuevas son impresionantes.
An amazing surprise. Incomparable treatment, good entertainment, intimate and very professional. If you would like to visit Waitomo Caves, this tour is less touristic, more personalised attention and the caves are awesome
beryl maehe rogers
Ranking: 10/10
Tour was so interesting right from the start. to the finish. Caves were fantastic. Loved the small group of 12. Very knowledgeable guide. Just amazing the whole tour thank you Norm
Eleri
Ranking: 10/10
The Spellbound experience was the highlight of my travels in New Zealand.
The tourist benefits greatly from having a limit of 12 tourists at a time with an expert local guide
Jean-Martial MARENNE
Ranking: 10/10
Spellbound Glowworm & Cave Tours
Tour experience in March 2019
This was a stunning cave experience and we highly recommend to visit glowworm caves with Spellbound. The tours are always in small groups, so you are not disturbed by a big crowd and can really enjoy the spectacular views of the glow worms which cover the whole ceiling of the first cave. Our guide Mieke was very passionate and gave us a lot of informations all along the tour. The second cave we visited was also incredibly beautiful. Thanks again for this amazing tour.
Kris
Ranking: 10/10
Spellbound tours was recommended by a friend and our guide and experience certainly didn’t disappoint. Our guide was very knowledgeable and engaging. The glow worm caves is a must see so I would highly recommend you see it with this tour group.
Richard Taylor
Ranking: 10/10
An outstanding tour with an excellent guide (Zane). Glow worms aplenty but so much more. Cannot recommend more highly.
Jenny Hume
Ranking: 10/10
Well worth it. We had a young lady to guide us, and she explained things of interest, and answered questions, and kept us safe! Excellent view of the glowworms, and also of the stalactites. Close-up view of eels...even patted one!
geex25@gmail.com
Ranking: 8/10
The glow worm cave tour was a unique experience, made all the better by our informative and very jovial host Norm. Having only ten people on the tour made it much more personal and less rushed. For those who are avid cave fans, you might be disappointed by the caves themselves as the the formations were not as impressive as many we have seen, however the glow worms were amazing and seeing them by boat was a fantastic experience. We are glad we chose this tour.
Rob & Jan
Ranking: 10/10
Spellbound Caves Tour , Waitomo . Excellent tour , well worth the money . Norm gave us an informed commentary as we drove to the caves through beautiful countryside and inside the caves . His sense of humour involved everyone . Only 12 per group so a more intimate experience .
Definitely a must do . Highly recommend Spellbound .
Bill Lyon
Ranking: 10/10
Fantastic experience. Our 13 and 7 year old girls loved it as we did. Very knowledgeable guide and appreciated the small group (didn't feel like a cattle call).
Kristine
Ranking: 10/10
Mark was an excellent guide! Shared so much about not just the glowworm caves. A really great experience.
Ollie Bigelow
Ranking: 10/10
Great tour with Peter through 2 amazing caves. One with glowworms, which you see up close to start with, then a ride in a raft, in the dark. Amazing
Peter has a huge knowledge of caving, and was very informative. A very friendly, relaxing tour with a small group, where we could all hear Peter explaining the caves to us.
Mary
Ranking: 10/10
This was a great experience. Tour guide was great, we had a really good time. Thank you spellbound.
Annette and Jan
Ranking: 10/10
Zane, what a great tour, your passion and knowledge of the entire tour was great, flora, fauna, geology and the dazzlingly glow worms, loved the story telling also. (Thanks for the laughs)
Our bonus of only 4 visitors on our tour was a wonderful for us, thank you for your personal touch. Some great photos were taken also.
Thanks to Zane, well worth the money☺
Marg
Ranking: 10/10
An excellent trip - which included 2 wonderful, and very different, caves. We saw myriad glow worms (exceeding our expectations) and enjoyed the commentary of our highly informative, experienced - and amusing- guide.
Tara Holmes
Ranking: 10/10
This tour was fantastic! We rated the experience equal to the Great Barrier Reef in Cairns Australia. The tour guide was informative, humorous and extremely helpful. The company was recommended by a local guest house as they are locally owned and all guides are from the Waitomo area. The two cave tour was superb. The tour guide drove us to the location and gave us local stories and history as we went. He knew the caves well and was entertaining throughout. We would recommend this company although a little more expensive than others available as it has small groups and a personal touch.
Alex
Ranking: 10/10
Sweet as! Great tour, very informative, small groups, heaps of glowworms and my favorite from our guide Manu, "take your time"!! Highly recommended!
Emanda
Ranking: 10/10
This is the best tour to choose to see the Glow worms, you get to go onto private land to see the caves, so you are not at all rushed and they are the only tour to access these caves so only small groups so everyone can have a great view. After the glow worm cave you go into another cave where an easy boardwalk lets you see a very interesting cave including Moa bones. Highly reccomend
Judy
Ranking: 10/10
Lovely to be in a small group. Did not feel rushed. Very informative. Excellent experience in the glow worm cave, floating with glow worms above our heads like stars in the night sky. Other cave was also interesting and worth a visit. Highly recommended.
Vanesa De la haza
Ranking: 10/10
Really good! The guide was very friendly and the caves fantastic.
Paul from Australia
Ranking: 10/10
Our Spellbound Glow Worms Tour was FANTASTIC! I can't imagine the others can beat this friendly/professional bunch for value or quality - absolutely stunning caves, fantastic tour guide (Norm), highly informative, impressive boat experience, small group (10), over 3 hours and coffee/tea/hotchoc with bikkies thrown in, take your own pics AND they email professional pics, accommodation transfer provided. All that for just $75pp - how good is that!!!
Brad, California
Ranking: 10/10
Spellbound Waitomo Glowworm Cave Tour
What a fascinating and well run tour with a great combination of history, activity and presentation. Our guide, Hop, was not only very knowledgeable and funny, but very personable and with obvious respect for the environment and Maori custom. I am very glad we chose Spellbound over the larger and busier companies. Limiting to 12 people in a group guaranteed a personal experience. Highly recommended!
Sarah Killury
Ranking: 10/10
Brilliant tour! Small group of 9, with an extremely knowledgeable guide Norm. He was passionate and explained everything simply. Very relaxed, we even stopped mid way for a cuppa. There was no rush - the antithesis of other touristy activities we did in NZ.
Kristin Svensson
Ranking: 10/10
An awesome experience! But we were so lucky to get the BEST guide ever, Ross ! Such a good humor and you definitely understood that he has 20 years experience as a guide.
The boat trip was the best part and a breathtaking moment to see all the glowe warms light up the dark cave.
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Javier Mimbrera
Ranking: 10/10
Great half day activity in a smal group of 10. A must do in NZ but not masive and you are allowed to take pictures, not like in other caves in the area.
Judit Van lanen
Ranking: 9/10
Small group, more intimate which is lovely in that area. Beautiful caves, kids loved it.
Thomas Nolwenn
Ranking: 7/10
A small boat with few people, so we enjoyed very much our little trip in the glowworms world. A bit pricey, ($75), for just a boat tour but it was longer that with other companies. Not as impressive as you can see on the advertisement pictures, but it is still magic!
Dave Rollison
Ranking: 9/10
A great half-day tour. A small group of only 9 people (max of 12) made the trip much more interesting as the guide targeted his commentary to the composition of the group and responded to questions individually. Mid-morning coffee/tea and biscuits were an added benefit and allowed wider discussion about the location.
Jilly Crew
Ranking: 10/10
Was a great fun time. Wonderful friendly well spoken caring guide. Lots of fun and laughs along with knowledge and professionalism. Was my birthday which was made very special with this exciting experience. TX
Stephan Kirchenbaur
Ranking: 8/10
Very good trip without the hectic rush of the other tours!
Cj Bloomfield
Ranking: 10/10
A wonderful trip for all ages, particularly small children and seniors. We really appreciated the slow pace and extra time to take loads of photos.
I did a lot of price comparing and $75 for 3.25 hrs with light refreshments and 2 caves was by far the best value for money.
The little extras were nice too, like having a cuppa and bikkies in the bush and visiting a giant old eel in a creek as well as driving through farmland that had sheep running right by the bus.
Lastly, we really appreciated the small tour size at 12 Max which gave everyone time to chat with the guide and ask loads of questions. Our guide built the path we walked on in the dry cave and it was super cool to hear him talk about the process as we were walking on it.
Thank you Spellbound for the truly memorable experience. . .sitting in a cave on a (very stable) inflatable dinghy enjoying wall to wall glow-worms will stay in our minds forever.
Eline Meijer
Ranking: 7/10
Three hours, two caves. First cave is nice, not too impressive. Really cool friendly guide. Small group. Relaxing tour, guide knows a lot. Second cave had a beautiful glowworm view. Small stream. Too expensive at $75.
Ruth P
Ranking: 10/10
Excellent tour. Informative, friendly guide, small groups. Highly recomended!
villemain pascale
Ranking: 10/10
Excellent tour in illuminated worm caves; the guide is very professional and kind .We recommend Spellbound's company.
Shelley Adderley
Ranking: 10/10
We had a beautiful guided tours of the 2 caves. Our guide (Mangu) presented the glow worms and the geological phenomenon with a very good knowledge base, humour, and in a gentle way that allowed us to understand and really think about what we were experiencing. We were given many opportunities to see many other animals as well. I would recommend this tour to those who are keen to truly experience the caves, and the surrounding nature. Well worth the cost!
Abi Fielder
Ranking: 10/10
Absolutely brilliant tour!! Wouldn't fault any of it, small group and unhurried feeling, chance to really appreciate the caves and glow-worms. Friendly, knowledgeable and cheerful guide. I would recommend this over the larger more well known tour nearby after having experienced both of them, this doesn't feel crowded and rushed as that one does!
Super, thanks Spellbound!
Bram and Laura
Ranking: 9/10
We had a tour in two caves (with boat and walking). Our guide was very good, he told us a lot about caves, nature, New Zealand! He was enthusiastic and it was a personal tour.
Polly Rider
Ranking: 9/10
Intimate, beautiful tour of Waitomo Caves - especially the glowworms.
Erik Hafuer
Ranking: 10/10
Great guide, expensive.
Niko Stange
Ranking: 10/10
Spellbinding caves, great guide, nice (included) coffeebreak, more than fair prize-performance-ratio
Karen Hale
Ranking: 8/10
The walking cave beautifully lit and had a nice walkway and some interesting stories. The boat trip in the gloworm cave was beautiful, but you need to be able to sit upright on a dinghy for half hour, looking at the roof. Our guide was knowledgeable and patient with tourists who would not turn off their phones/cameras. A rustic tea time in a field was a nice touch. I wish I had known how much hiking down steep gravel paths in the hot sun there would be, it was not really '5 minutes' haha! Have your water.
MARYSE DUMAS
Ranking: 9/10
Mangu was an awesome guide, he took the time to provide some background info, not necessarily known to out of country visitors. He answered questions, no matter what the question was.
Thakns
Kyle S
Ranking: 10/10
We had a group of just my 3 friends for the tour. It was an incredible experience. Super friendly, the tour guide was like talking to an old friend. A lot of time to have your eyes adjust and appreciate the glow worm caves. Amazing.
Simon Mehlmann
Ranking: 10/10
We visited two caves with Spellbound in a group of 8 (max size is 12), and had a nice break with hot drinks and cookies between. The guide, Mangu, was funny and told us interesting stuff. The atmosphere was very familylike and not commercial at all.
Miriam Grund
Ranking: 8/10
Small groups.
Astrid
Ranking: 10/10
great experience , small group , enough time to admire the glowworms
Brian
Ranking: 9/10
Two cave tours and both were fun and interesting. We really enjoyed the boat ride in the glowworm cave. Definitely worth seeing.
Martin & Carol
Ranking: 10/10
Norm was our guide. He dealt with a very varied group in a patient, humourous but knowledgeable way. From start to finish the tour enlightened us about the people, history and the environment. Time passed very quickly and before we knew it we were back at base. It has been the best tour of our tour and we will recommend it to friends in England.
Christine & Andrew
Ranking: 9/10
The Spellbound crew were so knowledgeable and friendly. The tour group was small and personal, and meant that we had more time to see all the glow worms properly. The cave walk was also fantastic, and not something we would have done on our own. Thank you Spellbound, we had a great time.
Rob Walker
Ranking: 10/10
As well as seeing these marvelous caves and glowworms, this tour was fantastic for the friendly non-commercial aspect. Our knowledgeable guide, Norm, would not even accept a tip, such is his passion for the caves and showing them to people. Thanks. Highly recommended.
Bonnie and David Appleby
Ranking: 10/10
"Hop" was our guide and was full of historical and cultural information about the caves we visited - that coupled with his easygoing and humorous style, made our trip extremely enjoyable. The first cave we visited was in a raft, to see the Glowworms and it was simply spectacular. Hop patiently explained their life cycle and was able to answer any questions that we had. Before heading off to our next cave, he took us to the top of a hill to a lean-to shelter for a ‘tea break’ – offering biscuits and a choice of coffee/tea or hot chocolate – then gathered us up in the van and we headed off to our ‘walking’ tour of the second large cave.....once again, simply breathtaking....lots of photo opportunities and something we will never forget. Thanks Hop and all the best to you and your family!
Andreas Garbin
Ranking: 10/10
Wonderful experience, professional guide, good value for money.
Brigitte
Ranking: 9/10
Waitomo Caves, Glowworm tour.
Fam von Hattem
Ranking: 9/10
Cheap for what you get! Guide very friendly, lots of information during the tour about the history of city around and the caves.
Bodil Andersen
Ranking: 10/10
Excellent guide, great tour! Lots of glowworms.
cmhamlin
Ranking: 10/10
Amazing experience! Peter was our guide and he was loads of fun and full of great information. We were not sure which company to go with but after our tour we realized we made the right choice. Our tour was with a small group and felt it was very personalized. Our lunch break with a hot drink and biscuits was a great treat. I would recommend them to anyone looking for a great 3-4 hour tour with thousands of glow-worms.
phudgb
Ranking: 10/10
Excellent tour, our guide was superb very knowledgeable and, more importantly, very interesting and friendly. The Glow worm cave was amazing and, as promised, exclusive. We thoroughly enjoyed the tour and would happily recommend it to anyone wanting a more intimate tour.
Huw Davies
Ranking: 9/10
Small and intimate, relaxed tour. Plenty of time allowed in caves, lots of time for questions. Entertaining guide.
Michael Touzer
Ranking: 9/10
Glowworm caves, really nice trip, good guide.
Lisa Carey
Ranking: 9/10
Thoroughly enjoyed to tour in the Waitomo Caves region. Learnt a lot about the glowworms, Norm was a legend and certainly knew his stuff.
Lucy Wilde
Ranking: 9/10
Excellent guide and personalised trip with only ten people. Very relaxed and good knowledge of the caves. Not the one to go on if you are after adrenaline though!!
Preben vil Helmsen
Ranking: 10/10
Spellbound was beautiful and very very nice.
Christian Apfel
Ranking: 9/10
Good relative place - value, good guide and coffee.
Lukea
Ranking: 10/10
Intimate encounter with the glowworms and the caves. Good and friendly organisation. A great moment and probably the best way to see the glowworms in a relaxed way. Definitively recommended ! Photographs of the worms cave are difficult to shoot, but they will send you a few ones afterward ! All together a great time.
Elizabeth Gardner
Ranking: 9/10
Excellent tour suitable for all levels. Amazing caves, which are easily accessible and also very knowledgable guides. Great way to spend a couple of hours.
Fleur & Nils
Ranking: 9/10
Very well organised tour, with a wonderful guide (Louisa). The caves were very quiet and beautiful.
Dieter Mangold
Ranking: 10/10
Spellbound is a small company which did a very personal and no-so-obvious-commercial tour to the Glowworm caves.
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Rachel
Ranking: 7/10
The tour guide was good. However it was nothing special. Well organised.
Willem & Lilian
Ranking: 9/10
Great to be with a small group, with a professional guide full of passion. We saw the glowworms really close.
Lardy
Ranking: 8/10
Guide takes time to explain all about glowworms and all things in another cave.
kiwiconvert
Ranking: 10/10
Unrushed experience in a small group. Lots of time and opportunity to ask questions of our informed guide. We took our time going up and down the glowworm cave in the boat. As our eyes adjusted to the darkness, we could see more 'stars' and even our neighbour. The cup of tea between the caves was a very nice touch. Will be taking our next visitors here again!
ivanovskyv
Ranking: 10/10
Everybody strongly recommend!
It was really wonderfull tour. Glowworms shone brightly and performed us the magical night sky with stars. It was so extraodinary like a fairy tale. Sometimes I can't believe that this happens indeed.
In all caves it was really awesome to realize that a huge mass of rocks is above us and only some extramental power prevents them to come down on our heads.
piseagalba
Ranking: 10/10
This was a great trip. Our guide, Louisa, was excellent, knowledgeable and informative. We were in a nice small group with lots of opportunities to ask questions. We were not rushed and enjoyed the cup of coffee and biscuits half way through the trip. Floating down the tunnel in complete darkness (except for the glow worms of course) was a memorable experience. The photographs sent out to us by Spellbound were an added bonus and a wonderful momento of our trip.
katel86
Ranking: 10/10
Lovely trip with a slightly geeky but wonderfully charming guide.
Ralph & Marloes Meyers
Ranking: 8/10
Relaxed tour to the caves through magnificent country, millions of glowworms, visited 2 caves!
Geoff Shutt
Ranking: 9/10
Great to go underground in a small party.
Given time to get used to dark made the glowworm cave magical.
The discrete lighting in the other cave was just right, even allowing hand held photography (with SLR)
Drinks and biscuits added final touch, a great trip
Helen Evans
Ranking: 7/10
Great guide, raft trip not as exciting as they make it sound though! Beautiful caves and no other people as they go to different ones to other tour groups.
bdel1963
Ranking: 10/10
This was our best experience of a recent 11 day trip to the North Island. Excellent guide, good size group, lots of info delivered naturally, nice short walks, 2 excellent cave visits, and an unexpected cuppa and biscuits in the bush cafe. A fabulous time. Would just recommend you take a waterproof coat over something warmish.
shelleyp
Ranking: 10/10
My family of five had a very special day here. I liked that we avoided the crowds and hype of some of the more popular caves. It was low key and magical. I appreciated the time spent in darkness and quiet, the delicious tea and biscuits and Sense of humor of our guide. We did not feel rushed. A great day!
Binder
Ranking: 6/10
Very nice glowworm tour - would be even better if cameras or at least flashes were forbidden. After each flash you need a couple of minutes to see in the dark again.
Monica
Ranking: 8/10
Very nice guide, a long time in darkness.
Kurmann/Kayser
Ranking: 9/10
Excellent guide, private caves, small group, big knowledge.
Vincent
Ranking: 9/10
Small groups, tea and coffee between caves, beautiful glowworms, guide funny.
Kris
Ranking: 10/10
Waitomo - small groups, nice guide.
Pascal
Ranking: 9/10
Little but very good company.
ianbateup
Ranking: 10/10
Worth every penny. A magical trip which lasted nearly 4 hours made enjoyable by our own guide Ros.
Highly recommended
Sprangers
Ranking: 9/10
The tour with Spellbound in the Waitomo Caves was very good. A lot of information we got from the guide and also personal interest and joy.
marisraneth
Ranking: 8/10
The guide was very knowledgeable, great cave and good price. But for young people, I would go for a more adventurous trip - for more fun.
Papu
Ranking: 10/10
This was an excellent experience! Our tour guide, Norm, was very knowledgeable about the science of caves and their formations. The tour was full of fun facts and we had plenty of time to look around and take it all in. We never felt rushed and the tour felt very intimate. It was very nice that they let us take pictures of everything. At the end they even sent us some professionally take pictures of the glowworms and the cave. We would definitely recommend this tour to anyone. There was a small child on our tour and Norm made sure that he was engaged and participated. It was EXCELLENT!
Lance
Ranking: 10/10
Excellent trip for those looking for a more personal approach instead of competing with the bus loads. Nice touch with the short tea and coffee break. Ross was a great guide who answered all questions and had a laugh at the same time. Good value. Thanks
john england
Ranking: 10/10
wonderful trip, less commercial alternative to the Waitomo Experience with small group and excellent guide
snodge
Ranking: 9/10
Both caves visited on the tour are easily accessible with few stairs. Easier than the other Glow worm cave at the moment while redevelopment is going on for the visitor centre.
The chamber with the glow worms is longer and lower in height than the other Glow worm cave, however the boat is not as comfortable while you're in it being an inflatable rather than a level seated aluminium.
at one point the group walks out of the cave in the dark,just the glow worms for light, hanging on to the person in front. This is easy and interesting to do.The second cave is very interesting and different to the Aranui or Ruakuri caves in that it has a number of tomos to see and some skeletal remains.
The whole tour was well done and interesting and Norm was interested in the group and very willing to talk and answer questions.. this was a big point of difference to the other cave tours we did.
Mary Selfa
Ranking: 10/10
Great tour, really a worth see.
Thomas Rust
Ranking: 10/10
Small groups, excellent guide (Norm)!!!! Different caves, one cave by boat,one to walk, great fun, good jokes, coffee, tea, biscuits provided.
PaulR
Ranking: 10/10
This was one of the highlights of our trip to NZ. There were just 12 of us on the tour which lasted for 3 hours and included an awesome up-close experience with the glow worms. Our guide, Norm, was fantastic. He knows his stuff backwards. He kept our 10 year old and another youngster in the party engaged and involved while entertaining the oldies with his wealth of knowledge. It's an easy and comfortable experience but afterwards you feel as if you've travelled to another world and back.
SBlake
Ranking: 10/10
Really friendly guide, got what we were promised - millions of glowworms amazing to see. Great tea and biscuits, good value for money.
ToyalFrance
Ranking: 10/10
Friendly staff, its like a wonderful new world. Really enjoyed it.
NicoleG
Ranking: 8/10
Little group. Nice + friendly guide.
PeterG
Ranking: 9/10
Tour to waitomo caves, very good for that price.
ReneeA
Ranking: 9/10
The guide was funny and it was a small group.
KathM
Ranking: 8/10
Good tour of caves also walk to different cave. Lots of glow worms.
Donna
Ranking: 10/10
The is the best glowworm cave tour in Waitomo. It was a smaller group tour and we saw more glowworms than the people the bus tours go to at the advertised cave. Great guide!!
Ans
Ranking: 8/10
Good guide. While flood - not the whole tour - less glow worms - same price.
Marga V
Ranking: 10/10
Our tour was great! the guide ( Norman) had a lot of information also about the area, geology etc. Both caves were beautiful! ofcourse the one where millions of glowworms war! like twinkeling stars. The other one was interesting and nice because of the cathedral. We had a very special small group ( thats the good thing about Spellbound, small groups and personal attention)and we were singing beautiful songs with a very good acoustic! got me gooseskin!
mehunt
Ranking: 9/10
An enjoyable tour. Our guide was friendly and seemed genuinely interested in the group. We saw tons of glow worms!
lming60
Ranking: 6/10
Short...expensive. I was expecting more glowworms. Nothing to write home about.
Guide was informative and very good.
Bryony Wilson
Ranking: 9/10
Good guide.
Buys
Ranking: 7/10
Thought we'd see more glowworms.
Carole Roccia
Ranking: 10/10
Very informative. Good representative and well managed.
Valeria Barouch
Ranking: 10/10
Very good - explanations, guide, good time spent on site. Cave is beautiful.