The Glowworm Grotto You Can Paddle Through
No, your eyes aren’t playing tricks on you, and yes, this is 100% real: in New Zealand, there’s a cave where millions of glowworm lights turn the ground in a galaxy you can paddle through.
Welcome to Waitomo Glowworm Caves, in New Zealand where your canoe ride becomes more than just a canoe ride, it becomes a cosmic journey.
Stars, tiny and glowing
Glowworms, or Arachnocampa luminosa, stick to the ceiling of the cave. They sing a soft, blue, light. Like a real living, breathing Milky Way, but better. Like we said, no space debris and better acoustics.
It’s quiet. It’s magical. If you listen closely, the faint sound of nature hums a river underground.
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A Canoe Ride Through a Cosmic Tunnel
The tour is soft. They paddle you on a canoe and you glide through the water while your guide whispers to you the stories of the glow worms and the histories of the region.
It’s a peaceful experience, intensely meditative and if you are like me, you are a big kid feeling like you are in a space adventure Star Wars scene. As we said, lightsabers are not included.
Fun Fact: They’re Actually Pretty Tiny
Each light up larva is approximately the size of a grain of rice. Individually, they’re not much. But together, they’re a mind-blowing attraction. Millions of larva light up the entire ceiling, creating a one of a kind galaxy. This is a fully natural light show with no chemicals involved!
These glow worms are not stars. Because they won't burn out. They are also very sensitive so no flash photography or you might ruin their disco.
Fun Thought
What would you tell your friends after this weekends plans?
"I didn’t go to a planetarium last weekend… I went underground and paddled through the stars.”
This story makes people a little jealous and they begin to wonder what they did over the weekend.
💬 Would you trade a night out in the city for a cosmic canoe ride in the middle of a glowing cave? Come experience The Glowworm Grotto You Can Paddle Through!
