The Best Place In The World To See Glow Worms Is A Majestic Cave Adventure In New Zealand

There's something magical about a living creature that glows in the dark. Fireflies are the most common, as these bioluminescent bugs can be seen flitting around the night on six continents. But one of the most arresting creatures is Arachnocampa luminosa, or the New Zealand glow worm, which emits a blue-green light. This glowworm is technically a "fungus gnat," and while a single specimen doesn't look like much under a microscope, a colony of glow worms spread across a dark rock-face looks downright galactic. Arachnocampa luminosa are distinct from the glow worms you'd find in the United Kingdom — which are a variety of beetle — and they can only be observed in this remote corner of the world. You could easily add this tour to a list of New Zealand experiences you must encounter in your lifetime. 

How do you see these creatures up-close? The best known habitat for these unique insects is the Waitomo Cave system on New Zealand's North Island, about a 2.5-hour drive south of Auckland. There are a variety of ways to explore the caves, from walking tours and boat rides through the underground grotto to more adrenaline-pumping excursions like black water rafting.

The go-to tour operator is The Legendary Black Water Rafting Co., and you can book a guided excursion through Viator. Thanks to the seasoned guides and refined system, you don't have to be an expert spelunker to navigate the Waitomo Caves. Guests are outfitted with helmets, headlamps, footwear, and wetsuits before venturing into the water with inflatable donuts. Groups of up to 15 scramble through the dark, negotiating a rocky path and passing through one limestone chamber after another. Waters spill through the pitch-blackness, and explorers float down certain stretches of these subterranean rivers. The centerpiece of this expedition is the presence of glow worms, which form elaborate constellations across the rocky ceiling. This introductory tour is called The Labyrinth and is suited to participants 12 years and up.

For more ambitious cavers, there's The Black Abyss, a five-hour descent into the caves. No prior experience is necessary, but the journey is more physically demanding and covers more complex ground; you'll rappel into a deep hole, squeeze through narrow fissures, fight a powerful current, and ascend underground waterfalls. Because of the rougher environment, Black Abyss guests must be at least 15 years old. Small wonder this tour ranks as one of the most thrilling adventures in New Zealand.

Rest assured that the folks at The Legendary Black Water Rafting Co. know what they're doing, and guides are prepared for any kind of emergency situation. That said, there are some things to know about these tours before you go: First, all explorers should weight at least 100 pounds in order to sign up. The office is cashless and tours book up quickly, so it's best to reserve your spot online in advance. You should bring your own swimwear and a towel, as well as any toiletries you'd like to use in the on-site showers after the experience. (Cavers get grimy, even when they're covered in waterproof neoprene.) 

One thing you won't have to pack is lunch; the tours end with hot soup and bagels. The black water rafting tours cater to a wide range of ages and abilities, but intrepid adventurers require a reasonable level of fitness. As a more relaxing alternative, consider a tour through the Ruakuri Cave, which is wheelchair accessible and suitable for strollers. Thrilling and biologically unique, Waitomo is another reason you should travel to New Zealand now.