Black Water Rafting Safety
Your safety is our team's top priority. Please watch our safety video below before booking an underground adventure with us.
Here at the Lengendary Black Water Rafting Co. safety is at the forefront of our operations. Read on to find out how to help us, help you to keep safe whilst on the adventure of a lifetime.
To take part in our Black Water Rafting experiences and to avoid dissapointment you must first fit into the following guidelines:
- Minimum weight requirement of 45kg
- Minimum age requirements: At least 12 years of age for our Black Labyrinth experience & at least 16 years of age for our Black Abyss experience
Both of our experiences operate in an underground environment where there is fast running water, natural obstacles, uneven terrain and darkness.
Secondly, before we head underground you must be able to do the following whilst wearing a wetsuit & gumboots:
- Step up to 50cm unaided
- Climb onto an object 1m high unaided
- Climb a ladder unaided
- Walk uphill for 10 minutes
We encourage you to consider your physical abilities and pre-existing medical conditions before booking. Some conditions may prevent you from participating. If you have any of the following, please contact our team for further guidance before booking:
- Epilepsy
- Diabetes
- Pregnancy
- Heart conditions
- Head injuries
- Spinal injuries
- Recent or regular dislocations
- Artificial limbs
- Serious mobility issues
- Neurological disorders
- Serious visual or auditory impairment
In order for us to do our best to keep you safe whilst underground, it is essential you make us aware of any conditions that may put you at risk during the experience. Depending on the severity of these conditions, we reserve the right to refuse entry onto the tour to ensure your and other guests safety
Photography and filming
We know you would love to capture your experience but for the safety of all guests taking part in the experience, cameras and/or GoPros are strictly prohibited. Our guides will capture epic photos along the way which will be available for you to view and purchase when we are back at base.
The ultimate underground experience and the most fun you’ll have in the dark!
An adventure like no other, Black Water Rafting is a must-do on your bucket list and is guaranteed to get your adrenaline pumping. Head 80 metres below ground, explore an underground river, jump off waterfalls and float below a sky of glow worms, all whilst exploring one of New Zealand’s most diverse cave systems. What are you waiting for?
Compare Experiences
Black Labyrinth
The Black Labyrinth is the original Black Water Rafting adventure and will take you on a tubing exploration around the cave. You’ll enter the cave through a hole in the rock and be straight into the underground waters. With your tube on hand throughout the tour, you’ll float under a sky of glow worms, slide into fast-flowing water, and jump off not-too-high waterfalls. Allow 3 hours for this tour. Learn more about the Black Labyrinth.
Black Abyss
The Black Abyss is for those that want to get their adrenaline pumping a little bit more and see everything the cave has to offer. This adventure starts with an exhilarating abseil into the cave. You’ll then be hooked up to a zip line and get to fly through the pitch-black cave. Next, you’ll pick up your tubes, and after jumping into the water, you’ll float beneath a sky of glow worms and through the underground river. From climbing up waterfalls to crawling through holes, the Black Abyss truly gives you the maximum cave experience. Allow 5 hours for this tour. Learn more about the Black Abyss.
What can I expect?
Once you’ve checked in, it’s time to meet your guides, and you’ll figure out quickly that you’re in good hands. Our guides are some of the friendliest and most passionate cavers, and they know the cave like the back of their hands. They’ll get you kitted out in a wetsuit, rubber boots and helmet before taking some pre-cave team photos for you.
Then it’s time for a practice run. If you’re doing the Black Labyrinth, this means perfecting jumping into the water in a tube. If you’re doing the Black Abyss, you’ll get to practice basic abseiling skills ahead of your 35-metre abseil into the caves.
Then it’s time to head into the caves. For team Black Abyss this means getting rigged up and doing an exhilarating abseil into the cave depths. Of course, your guide will be there to keep you safe and take some photos. You’ll then be hooked up to a zip line and proceed to fly through the pitch-black cave.
For both tours, it’s time to get in your tubes and raft the underground river below a sky of glow worms. You’ll also get to raise your adrenaline levels and jump off a few waterfalls. For those on the Black Abyss, you’ll have extra time to explore the cave tube-free, including climbing up waterfalls and floating through the caves. Guides will be on hand with sweet treats throughout both tours to keep your energy levels up.
Once your tour is over, you’ll head back to base, remove your caving gear and enjoy a well-earnt hot shower and soup to warm up. The photos your guide took on your tour will be available for purchase after the tour, so check them out here!
Who is Black Water Rafting for?
The Black Labyrinth is the original Black Water Rafting tour and an excellent choice for those a little nervous. On the other hand, the Black Abyss is ideal for those seeking extra adrenaline and wanting to maximise their underground exploration. You must be at least 45kg for these tours, 12 years or older for the Black Labyrinth, and 16 years or older for the Black Abyss tour.
No prior caving experience is needed, however, both tours require a moderate fitness level and operate on difficult terrain. We ask that you come with energy and enthusiasm and be ready to push yourself slightly out of your comfort zone. We promise it’ll be worth it.
Do I need to book in advance?
With a maximum of 8 people per tour on the Black Abyss and 12 people per tour on the Black Labyrinth, booking as far in advance as possible to avoid disappointment, especially during the summer season is advisable. Tours can be booked online here.
What do I need to bring and wear?
All the caving equipment you’ll need, a helmet with a headlight and a thick wetsuit with rubber boots, is provided upon arrival, so all you need to bring is yourself, swimwear and a towel. The cave water temperature sits around 10 to 14 degrees year-round, so getting a travel-sized shower gel for the hot showers waiting for you once you leave the cave and some warm clothes to put on afterwards is also advisable.
How long should I spend in Waitomo?
Waitomo has tonnes to offer and is a great weekend destination. Book a night at the Waitomo Homestead Cabin's, and explore the famous Waitomo Glowworm Caves and Aranui Cave. On foot, you can even check out the cave you’ve just rafted through, Ruakuri Cave. Waitomo isn’t only underground; spend some time soaking up the sunlight and exploring the countless free walks and natural attractions in the area.
The Legendary Black Water Rafting Co has a Safety Management System audited and certified by OutdoorsMark against the Safety Audit Standard for Adventure Activities.
