Adventure Caving

An adventure not for the faint-hearted. A journey to an unforgettable, extreme wilderness environment.

Adventure Caving is expedition-style caving like no other – Abseiling, climbs, waterfalls, crawls and squeezes punctuate your journey in a wild cave system. For the truly adventurous and fit, Adventure Caving is an experience that will test you physically and mentally. An incredible journey into the exclusive world of sport caving.

NZD $1150 (1-2 people) / $575 per person thereafter – fit active adults only with strong mental attitude (16 years & older)

Key Information

• Must have a good level of fitness
• Full mental commitment required
• Allow 5-6 hours return from our Charleston Base
• Suitable for 16 years and over only
• Swimwear and a towel required
• Trips depart 9am or 11.30am Summer (October to April – Daylight Savings Time) and 10:00 am Winter (May to September)
• High energy snacks provided
• We photograph your trip with free downloads

About the Activity

Fully equipped with specialised caving suits, harnesses, lights, helmets and wetsuits, your adventure begins at our base in Charleston. Te Tahi Cave is a short drive on a remote bush road into the West Coast Wilderness, to a wondrous region punctuated by dolines and caves. Your playground for the next 5 hours.

Following safety briefings and practice, you’ll enter Te Tahi via a 40m / 130 ft abseil, a breath-taking vertical shaft. The last of daylight fades as you begin to work your way back towards the surface via the network of passages below. With your experienced guide and our specialised equipment to rely on, you will scramble, crawl, climb and abseil to reach and follow the active waterways of Te Tahi.

The rushing streamway awaits and you’ll learn to chimney, bridge and climb the waterfalls to traverse upstream.  On wriggling through the last fun filled squeeze, the cave opens up to a large, welcoming series of chambers with one final climb to daylight and a spectacular hidden exit.

This adventure is suited to fit, capable adventurers who have a real desire for a complete sport caving experience. All equipment is provided including high-energy snacks to help you power through. You’ll receive your own personalized digital image set from the many photos your guide will take along the journey.

For those who desire something a little less extreme, check out our award winning Underworld Rafting or GlowWorm Cave Tour adventures