Glow worm Caves

[31 cents]

I will be on HAL Westerdam and in Waitangi (Bay of Island) port on Nov. 20, 2022.  I would love to go the the Glow worm Caves, but so far I haven't had any luck.  I was told by one company in Waitangi that it was too far away since we are only  in port from 7:00-2:00.  ANy suggestions?

Penny

[Belmont Babe]

Yes, it is too far away. About 10hrs round trip. 494 kms  so 5 hours at the legal speed limit of 100km/h.

Edited June 29, 2022 by Belmont Babe
Additional info.

[Belmont Babe]

57 minutes ago, Belmont Babe said:

Yes, it is too far away. About 10hrs round trip. 494 kms  so 5 hours at the legal speed limit of 100km/h.

The trip is do-able of you're docking in Tauranga, about 2 hrs each way, or Auckland about 2.5 each way. But you'd really want to be in port all day to allow time to visit the caves ( about 2 hours).

[NSWP]

Did the caves many years ago on a driving tour of NZ. Well worth seeing, but as you would realise you can only see certain things from the ship. Land based tour is the way to go. 

[Jean C]

If you stop at Auckland ships normally have a tour to the caves - absolutely well worth seeing, so good the glow worm ceiling looks fake at first glance!

[arxcards]

3 hours ago, Belmont Babe said:

The trip is do-able of you're docking in Tauranga, about 2 hrs each way, or Auckland about 2.5 each way. But you'd really want to be in port all day to allow time to visit the caves ( about 2 hours).

I would agree. The previous 2 days have you in Tauranga and Auckland, each for a full port day. Tauranga would be the easier of the two.

[Sallyandtex]

11 hours ago, 31 cents said:

I will be on HAL Westerdam and in Waitangi (Bay of Island) port on Nov. 20, 2022.  I would love to go the the Glow worm Caves, but so far I haven't had any luck.  I was told by one company in Waitangi that it was too far away since we are only  in port from 7:00-2:00.  ANy suggestions?

Penny

We did a tour to Kawati caves from Bay of Islands a few years ago. They met us at the ship dock. Maybe look on web for travel times.

[OzKiwiJJ]

The Waiomio (Kawiti) glowworm caves are quite close to Paihia but with the Bay of Islands being a tender port plus such an early departure time it could be tricky. The guided tours are every 30 minutes, and take 45-60 minutes. However that doesn't include transfer time from the Waitangi wharf and back, about 25 minutes each way. The place doesn't open until 9am. I suggest contacting them directly to see if they can help. 

https://www.kawiticaves.co.nz/

[31 cents]

Thank you all that replied.  It looks like my best bet would be with the cruisse ship from Auckland, but so far there is nothing scheduled.  I'll just wait and see.

[Aus Traveller]

We went on a Princess tour to the Waitomo glow-worm grotto from Tauranga. It was a very long drive - 3 hours each way (going from memory). The grotto was lovely, but the people on the tour felt that the highlight was lunch at a local farmhouse. I wouldn't recommend this tour because of the time that has to be spent travelling.

 

We had visited Waitomo many years ago when we were driving on a  land tour.

[Duck Creek]

Hi 

did a HAL cruise just before lock down

We were also in this port from 7am to 2pm

Did the this cruise ship tour 

 

GLOW-WORM CAVE & PUKETI KAURI FOREST

Went to the Kauri Forest and then the caves

There was only one cave but it was a good to just be able to see the glow worms.

This was the Kawiti Cavern that wasnt far away

I think HAL had another one that just did the Glow worm cave.

See if either of these are offered for your cruise

 

Edited July 3, 2022 by Babsjo
add

[Aus Traveller]

The Waitomo glow-worm grotto is filled with water and visitors go through on a boat propelled by poles similar to a gondola in Venice (although the boat isn't like a gondola 😁). The glow worms look lovely in the dark grotto. However, I still doubt that it is worth six hours' driving time to see (three hours each way).

[31 cents]

On 7/3/2022 at 1:34 AM, Aus Traveller said:

The Waitomo glow-worm grotto is filled with water and visitors go through on a boat propelled by poles similar to a gondola in Venice (although the boat isn't like a gondola 😁). The glow worms look lovely in the dark grotto. However, I still doubt that it is worth six hours' driving time to see (three hours each way).

yes, I think you are correct.  Thanks.