:: Black Water Rafting - Waitomo Caves ::

Even though the name infers a crazy adrenalin based activity with images of navigating waterfalls and speeding rapids in pitch black, the trip is actually a combination of caving, glow worm viewing and floating underground in an inner tube tyre! This is not really an adrenalin junkie activity but more one for all ages which is really active and fun – however its not recommended for people who are scared of the dark, claustrophobic or don’t like the idea of jumping backwards off a waterfall in the dark – be prepared to get water up your nose!

The capital of Black Water Rafting is at Waitomo Caves below Hamilton on the north Island. There are now a variety of operations that run trips into the caves but we went with the original Black water rafting company.

The Trip

The tour started with everyone being kitted up with wetsuits, boots and helmets. There were 8 people in our group and we had two guides with us Angus and Lou. Both were really friendly and helped to get us kitted up easily even with the language barriers of some of the tour group! We had heard complaints that at some Black Water Rafting outfits the wetsuits were in bad shape and stank but we find the ones here okay although its never nice putting on a wet wetsuit. It was clear from the start that both guides had a love for caving and it was nice to see , as some companies these days are in it only for the backpacker’s money. First the customary tourist photos -funnily enough they used our own cameras to take them rather than have a professional photographer do it and then flog us them after!

We were then all piled into the back of a van and taken up to the caves. This 10 minute drive can be a killer as wearing a wetsuit can be rather uncomfortable and hot when your not in the water –it may have been better to have the gear to put on at the caves themselves but then you’d have to build the office up there! (none of the other operators are on site at the caves so this is a problem for all) We recommend not doing your wetsuit up fully and not putting your hat on although be prepared to get cold very soon!

Next was getting the tyres to fit our bums and a quick jump off a jetty for a water test. We were never left hanging around and we think this was because of the small group size which was good. Next a walk up to caves through the bush which was nice although by this time we weren’t half sweating and not really appreciating it!

We then clambered down into the caves and everybody introduced themselves –this worked well in a small group and got you used to the dark and caves. Then it was the main section of a couple of hours of clambering, wading and floating through caves and passages, jumping backwards off waterfalls and seeing some amazing glow worms along the way!

Then we floated down the river back to the van and were taken down to the main office. Here hot showers, bagels and soup were waiting which was really great as you get cold in the caves. We then had a sit down and chat with both guides. We must say here that this is a rare thing which we really enjoyed –some operators work like a conveyor belt but our guides were happy to spend the time and talk to us rather than treating us like a number.

Conclusion

Overall this is not an adrenalin activity as the name suggest but a more fun way to see glow worms and try your hand at caving. We did feel at times there was more clambering than floating, which was the best part, however I have done this activity before after heavy rain and I remember there being more floating so that is probably the best time to go. The guides were excellent as was the group size and the addition of bagels and soup at the end makes the half day event cost effective. If you’re looking for more adrenalin then the guide recommended we should do the 5 hour trip which involves abseiling and a death slide in the dark –that’s for the next review! Also included in the price were free tickets to the glow worm museum which is worth a visit while your waiting to start your tour.