Combos

Te Anau Glowworm Caves & From Te Anau: Doubtful Sound Wilderness Cruise

4.5/5(204)

Justin R

Family

Verified booking

Last week

This tour has it all, a perfect length cruise down the picturesque lake with some commentary from time to time about interesting locations or historical facts. A small forest walk through moss laden trees and across a babbling stream. Videos about our little 'stars' of the show, the glow worms. Caving, I was nervous I would be claustrophobic but it was fine, felt safe and well guided all the way. In my personal opinion you can't skip this if you visit Te Anau.

Christophe C

Group

Verified booking

2 days ago

An exhilarating boat ride, breathtaking views, and an immersion into the world of glowworms that was as astonishing as it was magical—all in the company of very friendly guides.

Margaret S

Couple

Verified booking

Jul 2026

This was a great way to experience Doubtful Sound, all the staff and crew of boats and coaches were friendly, helpful and humorous. They were all very knowledgeable and informative which made the trip a pleasure. The scenery was stunning, the views were incredible and the Sound itself beautiful and very quiet. The view of the Tasman sea rolling into the mouth of the Sound was worth the visit.

Kyden A

Couple

Verified booking

Jul 2026

The Te Anau glow worm tour is a 100% must do! From the quick boat trip over to the caves with views of all the surrounding mountains, to the cave walk through and little boat inside the cave to see the worms in the dark, I couldn't recommend it anymore. We loved it!

Lynette S

Family

Verified booking

Jun 2026

The cruise across the lake is lovely and relaxing. The tour guides are friendly, helpful and very knowledgeable. Going through the cave in the boat is magical and wonderful for all ages.

Anne-britt B

Group

Verified booking

May 2026

This was a return visit for us after our honeymoon 15 years ago. The crew of the boat through to the tour guides were all friendly and knowledgeable. And the tour through the caves was a fun experience. We enjoyed it just as much a second time! There are stairs along the sturdy walkways, but it's an easy walk for most .. only two low spots that require ducking quite low, but nothing too arduous.

Link Fiordland's glowworm caves with Doubtful Sound in one combo, combining Lake Te Anau and fiord cruises for two standout water adventures.

At Te Anau Glowworm Caves, cruise Lake Te Anau, explore the caverns and river with an expert guide, then enjoy a guided forest walk in a small group.

From Te Anau, ride a coach to Manapouri, cross Wilmot Pass, join Lake Manapouri and 3-hour Doubtful Sound cruises with a nature guide and hot drinks.

Plan Glowworm Caves one day and Doubtful Sound the next, with one combo ticket covering cruises, guides, coach legs, plus tea and coffee on board.

Te Anau Glowworm Caves Guided Tour

Glowworm Caves tour

Return cruise across Lake Te Anau

Expert guide

Small-group tour, max 14 guests

Forest walk

Complimentary tea and coffee

From Te Anau: Doubtful Sound Wilderness Cruise

Full-day Doubtful Sound Wilderness tour

3-hour Doubtful Sound cruise

Lake Manapouri cruise

Knowledgeable nature guide

Coach transfers from Te Anau to Manapouri

Coach trip over Wilmot Pass

Complimentary tea and coffee

You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.

204 reviews
How do we collect reviews?
These ratings include verified reviews from both Headout guests and our trusted partners who operate this experience locally. All reviews come from real travelers who've taken this experience.
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Guests from Australia, United States, Germany and over 15 countries have loved this experience
What our guests say
Justin R
Family
Verified booking
Last week
This tour has it all, a perfect length cruise down the picturesque lake with some commentary from time to time about interesting locations or historical facts. A small forest walk through moss laden trees and across a babbling stream. Videos about our little 'stars' of the show, the glow worms. Caving, I was nervous I would be claustrophobic but it was fine, felt safe and well guided all the way. In my personal opinion you can't skip this if you visit Te Anau.
Christophe C
Group
Verified booking
2 days ago
An exhilarating boat ride, breathtaking views, and an immersion into the world of glowworms that was as astonishing as it was magical—all in the company of very friendly guides.
Gerry S
Couple
Verified booking
Last week
The cave tour, the approachable and knowledgeable guides. The system usd to keep the groups flowing between activities was like a well oiled machine
Johann G
Couple
Verified booking
Last week
The silence and the pitch darkness in the caves.
Kyden A
Couple
Verified booking
Jul 2026
The Te Anau glow worm tour is a 100% must do! From the quick boat trip over to the caves with views of all the surrounding mountains, to the cave walk through and little boat inside the cave to see the worms in the dark, I couldn't recommend it anymore. We loved it!

Discover two of Fiordland's natural highlights in one combo, from the glowworm-lit chambers of Te Anau to the remote waterways of Doubtful Sound. Explore underground caves on a small-group guided tour, then journey across lakes and rainforest-covered mountains before a 3-hour cruise through one of New Zealand's most secluded fiords.

Getting started

Begin at the RealNZ Te Anau Visitor Centre at 85 Lakefront Drive. Check in for each experience using your mobile voucher and photo ID, and follow the operator's instructions for your scheduled departure. The Glowworm Caves tour starts with a cruise across Lake Te Anau, while the Doubtful Sound Wilderness Cruise includes travel to Manapouri, a lake crossing, and a coach journey over Wilmot Pass. The two tours can be scheduled on different days.

What to expect

Te Anau Glowworm Caves Guided Tour

Cruise across Lake Te Anau: Travel to the Cavern House on the western shore, where informative displays introduce you to the caves and their formation.

Explore the glowworm caves: Follow your guide through passages shaped by an underground stream and discover chambers illuminated by hundreds of glowworms.

Walk through native forest: Learn about Fiordland's local flora and fauna on a guided forest walk, then enjoy complimentary tea or coffee.

Enjoy a small-group experience: Explore with a maximum of 14 guests for a more personal guided visit.

Doubtful Sound Wilderness Cruise

Cruise across Lake Manapouri: Take in views of the surrounding mountains before continuing by coach through native rainforest over Wilmot Pass.

Discover Doubtful Sound: Set off from Deep Cove on a 3-hour cruise past steep forested slopes, cascading waterfalls, and secluded waterways.

Look for native wildlife: Watch for bottlenose dolphins, New Zealand fur seals, and Fiordland crested penguins as your nature guide shares insights into the region's ecology and history.

Enjoy onboard comforts: Sip complimentary tea or coffee and use interpretation sheets available in English, German, French, Spanish, and Japanese.

What to bring

Doubtful Sound Wilderness Cruise

Pack a waterproof jacket, warm sweater/fleece jacket, and non-slip shoes/boots for a weather-ready kit; who knows when the skies might decide to be moody?

Bring along sunscreen, sunglasses, personal medication, and an insect repellant for the experience.

Te Anau Glowworm Caves

It is recommended to wear non-slip shoes or boots, a waterproof jacket, and a warm sweater or fleece jacket.

It is advised to carry sunscreen, sunglasses, and insect repellent.

What's not allowed

Te Anau Glowworm Caves

Photography and video filming are not permitted inside the cave.

Accessibility

Te Anau Glowworm Caves

This experience is not suitable for wheelchair passengers or those wearing heeled shoes.

A reasonable agility level is necessary as some bending is required due to low cave entrances, and steps are involved.

This experience is not suitable for infants.

Doubtful Sound Wilderness Cruise

Due to the multi-leg journey and floating wharf access, guests will need to have a reasonable level of mobility.

Additional information

Doubtful Sound Wilderness Cruise

The cruise vessel is subject to change without notice.

As this is a day-long experience, it is recommended to bring a packed lunch or order a lunch box from the Manapouri café.

Your voucher will be emailed to you shortly.

Display the voucher on your mobile phone with a valid photo ID at the starting point.

Please check your final voucher for the starting point details & specific instructions.