⛑️ Black Water Rafting in Waitomo - New Zealand's Biggest Gap Year - Backpacking Guide New Zealand

[@NZPocketGuide]

So what do you think of the Black Labyrinth tour? What else is on your New Zealand bucket list? Let us know!

[@barbaraweht9210]

The Black Labyrinth tour was an amazing one of a kind experience! I loved every minute. Even the chocolate covered marshmallow fish we ate down in the caves was a nice touch :)... Also, the evening before, we arrived at the Glow Worm Tour late and we were lucky to have the nicest guide stay on and gave our group a private tour... and I must say it was one of the most beautiful breathtaking experiences of my life... it was the glow worms that drew me to New Zealand to begin with!! I would have loved to have visited the South Island, maybe in the near future. Your country nature's paradise and people are amazing!!!!

[@ottant]

I did it 23 years years ago, was an amazing experience and watching your video after a long time is like living again those sensations. Freezing water but it was worth it, big time!

[@NZPocketGuide]

@@ottant Awesome! Who did you do it with?

[@ottant]

@@NZPocketGuide OMG it was a long time ago, I think the hostel Juno Hall organized or at least they facilitated to arrange the tour. Fantastic memories of your beautiful country!!

[@NZPocketGuide]

@@ottant Nice one! It is such a good tour indeed :)

[@viiperbiite]

I’ve never done anything like this and I’m terrified but it does look cool

[@NZPocketGuide]

Absolutely, diving into Black Water Rafting is a thrilling leap outside the comfort zone! With a good guide, you’ll be in safe hands and might just find it exhilarating. It’s all about the adventure and making unforgettable memories. For more tips or to share your experience, check out our community on patreon.com/nzpocketguide. Happy rafting

[@barbaraweht9210]

I did this last month and it was awesome!! Highly recommend it. The glow worms (magots really) are epic!!

[@NZPocketGuide]

Hahaha LOVE the fact that you call them maggots! What a stunning tour, thanks for sharing your experience Barbara! What else did you do in Waitomo?

[@kiwilauren]

I've never done the Black Labyrinth but I did the Black Abyss in 2010, and I might opt to do the Labyrinth next time for something different. I love the clip at the end - nice save, Robin!

[@NZPocketGuide]

It is a real adventure, you will love it! It is one of our most memorable day for sure!

[@taiiv7947]

I'll have to check this out, good save on the sheep also Robin.

[@NZPocketGuide]

Haha that was a goat I think, crazy climber, not so good when left arriving on top though... Oh man, it is crazy to watch back a few month old episodes, I feel our videos have changed so much since then!

[@bretlenhart8280]

Did this in 2014. Amazing.

[@NZPocketGuide]

So cool you got to experience Black Water Rafting! It's definitely one of those unforgettable adventures. If you're thinking about more thrilling experiences or revisiting NZ, our Patreon at www.patreon.com/nzpocketguide has loads of tips and personalized advice in our weekly group calls and secret Facebook group. Maybe it's time for another epic adventure!

[@andg3886]

Nice video, was there back in 2003 and this brought back some good memories.

[@NZPocketGuide]

cool! What tour did you do in 2003?

[@shidagul]

I did this April 2023 it was amazing

[@NZPocketGuide]

that's awesome! Did you get to see some glowworms?!

[@hoodz246]

I'm planning to go next week but I just wanted to have a rough idea on what I'm signing myself up with. The video really helped with that. Ps: i love the end of the video about the baby sheep

[@NZPocketGuide]

Thanks for the kind words ;) You will have so much fun next week!!!!!

[@raffs9934]

At the start of the video you put “waitomo, Waikato” you should have put “waikato, king country”

[@NZPocketGuide]

Good call!

[@eavening4149]

You went water spelunking...when it was raining? So dangerous; in my area, the caves flood during the rain.

[@NZPocketGuide]

Very true, we only followed the guidance of our experienced guides that were monitoring water levels carefully :)

[@tansrb]

hello! i'm going next month and was wondering what do we wear underneath the given wetsuits?

[@NZPocketGuide]

You need to wear your bathing suit :) Have fun! Tell us how you liked it!

[@fritzjames2]

How cold was the water? Were you uncomfortable at all during the tour?

[@NZPocketGuide]

Not at all :) Although the water is rather cold, the wet-suits provided are super thick and kept us warm and toasty all the way ;)

[@stabun101]

Did you see a lot of glowworms in comparison to the glowworm caves?

[@NZPocketGuide]

Hey there :) You will see more glowworm during the Waitomo cave tour (check our video on that too -> kzbin.info/www/bejne/e3yniap-aJ2Wl6c) but when black water rafting it is just more epic of an adventure :) Are you planning to do this tour?

[@chahem]

choose 1 between this and river surfing in queenstown

[@NZPocketGuide]

Black water rafting is a bit more exceptional I think but this is only one girl's opinion :)

[@蕭啟斌]

hi I want to make sure if a gopro is allowed to use? today I am refused to go to the cave with my gopro 8 , even i can fix it on my helmet?

[@NZPocketGuide]

As far as we know, it is forbidden to take cameras during a black water rafting tour :(

[@MrHada007]

Can you take a GoPro with you?

[@NZPocketGuide]

Not that we are aware of. We had to get a special media authorization to do so.

[@angieli2822]

What happens if you jump into the water backwards and you fall off??? Sorry my friend was just wondering because we are planning to go next week and we're pretty young (12 and 13)

[@NZPocketGuide]

It is really not deep and you are wearing helmets, you'll be fine ;)

[@raffs9934]

It’s like, 13+

[@amyliawikasa4816]

hi guys, which one is more worth doing the black Labyrinth or the black Abbys? I am planning to do the water rafting and have seen both videos! the black abbys looks really cool and much more fun however the part when you were climbing through waterfall is definitely something I will be struggling to do.

[@NZPocketGuide]

Hey Amylia! Black Abyss is the more adventurous one yet the guides are really helpful and tell you what to do, for instance at the waterfall they showed us how to climb it guiding us with each step :) We have a full comparison of the trips here -> www.backpackerguide.nz/what-is-the-best-black-water-rafting-tour-in-new-zealand/

[@deepakgoyal3795]

@@NZPocketGuide you've mentioned cameras aren't allowed. How was this video shot? Does the Blackwater Rafting Company provide video shooting, editing too alongwith photos?

[@NZPocketGuide]

@@deepakgoyal3795 we had to make a special request and get special training in order to bring our cameras along on the tour. They do, however, take photos with a waterproof camera for people to buy photos at the end of the tour :)

[@ewamelon1344]

How deep was the water? Could you simply stand in there?

[@NZPocketGuide]

It is not that deep, you can stand in most places, probably only one or 2 spots where you can't touch the floor. Plus, keep in mind that we did this tour right after torrential rainfalls so the water level were quite high. It's a very safe tour. Are you looking for your next adventure?

[@ewamelon1344]

Yes, I'm going to NZ soon and I was reading about the Waitomo Adventure Tours. Did you have to swim in there or it was just rafting/floating on the tyre?

[@NZPocketGuide]

Nice one! Nah there is no crazy swimming to do, it is mostly floating/walking all the way.

[@razashah2087]

🤪😁

[@NZPocketGuide]

What do you think, Raza? Are you going to try black water rafting?