Cross Lake Te Anau by boat to reach a living cave system adorned with thousands of native glowworms — one of the only active glowworm caves in the South Island, discovered just 60 years ago and visited by very few cruise passengers.
What to expect
A scenic 30-minute boat crossing of Lake Te Anau sets the tone — the Forbes Mountains reflected in the water, no roads, no buildings in sight. At the cave entrance, your DOC-licensed guide leads you through a series of water-carved limestone chambers where the roar of an underground river fills the air. The experience culminates in a short punt ride in total darkness beneath a living constellation of Arachnocampa luminosa glowworms — the same species that illuminates Waitomo, but in a setting with a fraction of the crowds. Guides contextualise the Māori significance of the caves and the extraordinary recent geology of this still-forming system.
Good to know
Te Anau township is the departure point — transfers from Milford Sound wharf take approximately 2 hours by road; this excursion is best suited to itineraries where the ship remains in Fiordland through the afternoon or where Te Anau is a dedicated stop. Tours depart multiple times daily; book the earliest slot. Flat shoes and a light jacket are recommended inside the cave.