I did a 3 week bike tour of the South Island and later
added 2 weeks on the north island sightseeing with
my wife. The Waitomo Spellboud tour was a high point
of our north island trip. Not only was the attraction itself
wonderful, our host Peter took great pains to educate and
entertain our small group tour by explaining the history
and geography of the region/caves, the full story of the
glow worm larva and the caves they inhabit in a 2.5 hour
relaxed and interesting visit by raft and walking tour. I'd
recommend this tour as a great way of learning more
about New Zealand's geographic history.

Dennis Uyeno
San Jose, Calif. USA

I visted Waitomo on Thursday 13th March 2008. I knew i wanted to vist the glowworm caves so when the owner of the B&B where i was staying advised me that Spellbound was the best tour in town i took his advise & booked a 3 & 1/4 hour trip. I honestly think it was the best $55 i spent the whole time i was travelling around New Zealand. The tour guide was very friendly & knew alot a facts about the area & about the caves which i found very interesting. We visted 2 caves in total & in the first one we saw the glowworms from a raft ride. Hot drinks & biscuits were provided before visting the second cave where we spent approx 30 mins looking at the scenary. The biggest plus was the fact we were allowed to use our cameras inside the caves & the tour guide even emailed me some photographs afterwards in case mine were too dark. A big thumbs up from me!!

Spellbound is a fabulous experience. You get to see glow worms in all their glory. The organised trip is about 3 hours long visiting 2 caves in a small group of about 10 people with your guide, Norman...who himself is fabulous. A really great guide with a wealth of local and caving knowledge. The only way to see the glow worms...not herded around with the rest of the tourists.A boat ride in the silence in darkness. Absolutely great.Will definitely visit again

Also very kindly forwarded a set of photos by e-mail

When i first heard about visiting the Waitomo caves with the Glowworms, i was little interested. Never the less, we went to have a look to see what's this hype is all about. Belive me, this trip is marvalous!!!! You walk to the cave, get in and enter the complete darkness. And after a while your eyes gte used to the little amount of light and you start to recognice things next to you. This effect alone was interesting. But when you enter the glowworm cave by boat, the ceiling seems to change into a heaven full of stars. Outstanding. I have never seen something like that. Beside this wonder of mother nature, the stuff of Spellbound is really well informed about the glowworms and their habitat. And in addition to that really funny and friendly. Hope you will take your time there. Enjoy.