Unique Adventures: Waitomo (Why-toe-moe) Caves

Tube in a cave with glow-worms

 

As I’ve mentioned before, I love caves, and take many opportunities to see them.  In New Zealand, there is a particularly rare cave experience.

It is called Black Water Rafting, but what it is is tubing in the dark in a cave, jumping off waterfalls inside the cave and floating in the dark watching glow worms on the ceiling!

This wonderful experience happens in Ruakuri (Roo-uh-coo-ree) Cave. It starts with getting a briefing and practicing connecting all the tubers together in a chain for floating in the underground river, getting on hard hats and wet suits, and then continues with getting into the freezing cold water and floating into the cave in a train of tubers.

It is for most ages and athleticism levels as you mostly float and are cold.

At the end, you get some hot soup and a shower.  Bring warm clothes to wear until you really warm up.

Sorry, no pictures, it’s very dark and my waterproof camera wasn’t up to the task.