Practical
Plan your Te Anau caves visit
Where to check in, what to wear, what the camera rule covers, who the tour suits and how the cruise-and-cave trip fits a day in Te Anau.
Book the glowworm caves ↗Quick answer
Check in at the lakefront visitor centre, 85 Lakefront Drive, Te Anau. The tour combines a lake cruise, a guided cave walk and a small boat in a glowworm grotto, and takes about 135 minutes. Wear non-slip shoes without heels, and a warm layer. Cameras cannot be used inside the cave, and the tour is not suitable for wheelchair users or infants.
Where to check in
The booking says to check in at the visitor centre at 85 Lakefront Drive, Te Anau, and that is also the meeting point it gives. The town sits on the eastern shore of the lake, and the trip begins with a cruise across the water, so the lakefront is the start. Your confirmation shows the check-in time for your date, and this site gives none. Look up current directions on the day.
What to wear
The operator advises non-slip shoes or boots, a waterproof jacket and a warm fleece or sweater, and gives the cave temperature as 8 to 12 degrees Celsius. The booking asks for comfortable shoes, insect repellent and weather-appropriate clothing. It also says the tour is not suitable for anyone wearing heeled shoes. Sunscreen and sunglasses are also on the operator's list.
Fitness and access
Expect to duck at low cave entrances and to use steps; the booking asks for a reasonable level of agility. It marks the tour as unsuitable for wheelchair users and people with limited mobility. The operator says there is significant bending at the cave entrance and steps throughout, and that the tour may not be suitable for everyone. If you are unsure, contact GetYourGuide before you book, not on the day.
The camera rule
The operator says photography and video filming are not permitted inside the cave, and the booking lists cameras under what is not allowed. You may bring a camera for the cruise and the grounds. The operator says flash affects the glowworms and visitors' adjustment to the dark, and that the rule exists so every guest sees the glowworms at their best. Treat a phone as a camera, because the rule covers photography, not one device.
Children
The operator sets no minimum age and says children are welcome, but the trip may not be ideal for younger guests, and parents should judge whether their child can handle the silent boat ride. The booking says the tour is not suitable for infants. A silent grotto in complete darkness suits children who are curious about animals and comfortable with the dark, and one reviewer called it excellent for all ages.
Food and drink
Complimentary tea and coffee are included. The booking says light refreshments are available to buy at the building by the cave entrance and on the cruise. It does not describe a meal, so plan your own for before or after. What is on sale on a given day is not something this site can promise.
Fitting it into a day
About 135 minutes covers the whole trip, lake cruise there and back included, so it sits comfortably in half a day around Te Anau. The booking is flagged as likely to sell out, so book before you fix the rest of the plan. A separate guide looks at pairing it with a longer Fiordland day, and notes that an all-day fiord cruise leaves little room for anything else.
If plans change
On tickets booked through GetYourGuide you can cancel free until 24 hours before, and reserving lets you pay later. The terms for your date appear at checkout, and the confirmation carries anything particular to it. This site is an independent guide and cannot change a booking, so changes go through GetYourGuide.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I check in?
At the visitor centre on the lakefront, 85 Lakefront Drive in Te Anau. Your confirmation gives the check-in time.
What should I wear in the caves?
Non-slip shoes, a waterproof jacket and a warm layer, says the operator, who gives the cave temperature as 8 to 12 degrees Celsius. No heeled shoes.
Can I bring my camera?
Only for the cruise and the grounds. Photography and video are not permitted inside the cave, says the operator.
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