Day Cruise & Glowworm Caves with RealNZ
Highlights & inclusions
1. Select date
May 2026
2. Select participants
What you can expect
Combine the Doubtful Sound Wilderness Day Cruise with a visit to the Te Anau Glowworm Caves for an unforgettable experience in Fiordland National Park with RealNZ. Take a day cruise in the beautiful World Heritage area of Doubtful Sound and top off your adventure with the add-on of visiting thousands of glowworms in Te Anau.
Doubtful Sound Wilderness Day Cruise Your Doubtful Sound Wilderness Day Cruise with RealNZ will take you from boat, to coach and boat again for a mind blowing tour of the raw nature and abundant flora and fauna in Fiordland National Park. Board your first RealNZ cruise at Lake Manapouri and speed across the waters with stunning views of the Kepler Mountains, Turret Range and Hunter Mountains, together with informative commentary from your local RealNZ skipper. Once at the other side, jump on a coach to take the scenic drive over Wilmot Pass and admire your first glimpse of Doubtful Sound, the second largest fiord in Fiordland National Park.
Your second boat trip is a 3 hour cruise across the stunning Doubtful Sound with your friendly and knowledgeable RealNZ skipper. Discover the incredible history and culture surrounding Doubtful Sound on a luxury catamaran. Doubtful Sound is home to an abundance of wildlife, including bottlenose dolphins, fur seals and the rare Fiordland Crested Penguin, so head above deck to make the most of this experience.
Te Anau Glowworm Caves Make your trip to Fiordland National Park something to remember by visiting the awe-inspiring Te Anau Glowworm Caves with Real Journeys. Cruise across Lake Te Anau to the western shore to start your underground exploration of unusual limestone caves decorated by glittering glowworms. Your RealNZ Guide will take you on an astonishing journey through intricate underground cave networks on a small boat with views of exquisite rock formations and whirlpools. Stay as quiet as possible in your small group to view this dreamworld populated by tiny glowworms.
Learn about the fascinating history of Te Anau Glowworm Caves, ‘Te Ana-au’ named by ancient Maoris for ‘caves with a current of swirling water’, from your RealNZ guide. In 1948, Lawson Burrows searched for the Te Anau caves of legends and rediscovered the underground system lit with thousands of glowworms that you can experience today.
Location
What you need to know
- Doubtful Sound Wilderness Cruise from Manapouri
- Te Anau Glow Worm Caves from Te Anau
- Allow a full day (approx 12 hours)
- In winter months (May-Sep), please allow 2 days due to reduced tour departure times
- Doubtful Sound Wilderness Day Cruise - allow 8 hours from Manapouri
- Te Anau Glowworm Caves - allow 2.5 hours from Te Anau
- Doubtful Sound Wilderness Day Cruise from Manapouri Wharf - 10:30am in summer & 10:00am in winter
- Te Anau Glowworm Caves from RealNZ Visitor Centre, Te Anau - 10.15am, 2:00pm & 7:00pm (additional 4:30pm & 8:15pm departures in summer months)
- Operates daily all year
- Self-drive to Manapouri & Te Anau (approx 2.5 hours from Queenstown)
- Bus transfers available from Te Anau to the Doubtful Sound Wilderness Cruise for an additional cost
- Children under 5 years cannot visit the Te Anau Glowworm Caves. There is a cafe after the boat cruise on the other side of Lake Te Anau where you can wait with your infant while your partner visits the caves. You can then swap as the tour is always split into two groups
- Infant rates apply if transfers ex Te Anau are selected
- If completing this tour over 2 days, you must organise your accommodation in Te Anau between tours
- Photography is not permitted in the glowworm caves
- Bring your camera for the Doubtful Sound Cruise
- Complimentary tea and coffee is provided on the Doubtful Sound Cruise and we recommend bringing a packed lunch
- Wear warm layers for both tours, bring a warm jacket, waterproof, sunscreen/sunglasses and insect repellent
- Wear non-slip shoes for the Te Anau Glowworm Caves
- Please specify if you would prefer to complete this combo over 1 or 2 days upon booking
Recent reviews
when I made the booking, it didn't showed the blank for children under 5 (which is free of charge) so we couldn't and did not know we should make the booking for our 2 infants. When we check in on spot, we almost couldn't go for both trips. But luckly, there were 2 people didn't show and we could go at the last second. I felt very bad when waiting and our trip almost got cancled.
Fantastic, really good experience
Fabulous, new experience for a Kiwi!
Need help?
- Email us at plan@everythingnewzealand.com
- Product ID: 45691
- This experience is supplied by Te Anau Glowworm Caves Tour