Tag Archives: caves

Dive the World’s Most Stunning Caves

Pitch black. Trapped. Tethered by a thread. Cave diving is a physically demanding sport with considerable risks. For this reason, people believe that cave divers have to register the cold scorch of fear every now and then in order to feel truly alive.

For most underwater explorers, however, cave diving has little to do with an adrenaline rush. There are many reasons why people would want to journey through the deepest and darkest paths of the underworld. While few animals can actually survive inside underwater caves, the ones that can tend to look more like animals plucked from the pages of science fiction novels. The caves are also otherworldly scattered with water-worn rocks that look like they’ve been placed in front of carnival mirrors.

cave diving

Underwater caves are living history – places that few get to experience. Extremely technical, requiring a level of underwater proficiency and control much greater than most other forms of diving, when you emerge from the darkness, from the unknown, you feel fulfilled and are ready to “just keep swimming”—no matter what life throws your way. There are hundreds of thousands of underwater caves in the world, and we’ve rounded up five of our favorite. Get ready to swim, scuba dive, and spelunk—if you dare.

 

Bubble Cave – Maui, Hawaii

One of the Hawaiian Islands’ most unique diving destinations, Turtle Town—a sanctuary for Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles, considered guardian spirits by some ancient Kanaka Maoli—is sometimes referred to as five caves, sometimes as five graves. Its Bubble Cave is located on a small, semi-protected rock cove off Makena Road. “You’ll walk by a small graveyard (with seven graves that we counted and probably more in the faint lava rock outlines),” says Andrew Doughty, the author of Maui Revealed: The Ultimate Guidebook.

Once you reach the shoreline you’ll see the entry point: two rocky fingers. Missed by most divers on their first attempt, the Bubble Cave’s opening is low and wide at a depth of about 15-20 feet right along the shoreline. An ancient lava tube, it extends 50 feet back and ends in a large cave that holds roughly five divers.  “[The Bubble Cave’s] air pocket…is sealed, and the ocean’s surge constantly changes the pressure, causing your ears to flux and cloud of pressure-induced haze to form and dissolve instantly with every surge. Real cool.” A non-technical dive—where you don’t have to worry about decompression issues or narcosis—its in relatively shallow water, less than 40 feet deep. So, you’ll be able to encounter spotted moray eels, frogfish, white tip sharks, puffers, and octopus.

 

Piccaninnie Blue Lake – Wye, Australia

Piccaninnie Blue Lake, affectionately called “Pics”, is a freshwater marvel unlike any other in Australia. Created by erosion, it’s fresh, crystal clear, and cool—almost always 58°F.  Designated as a Ramsar site on December 21, 2012, it supports a number of nationally threatened species, from the orange-bellied parrot to the Australasian bittern. Every year more than 20,000 people visit this nature reserve to snorkel at the Chasm: a 115 foot-deep walled underwater canyon that continues on into a very narrow restriction at the bottom called the ‘Cork Screw’.

Underwater explorers prefer the Cathedral, a monolithic underwater chamber with pure white, scalloped limestone walls. A mecca for divers, you can literally look 90 feet down and see the clouds in the blue sky above. Though, you’ll want to dive before monsoon season, which generally lasts from December to March, because rain causes sediment runoff that affects visibility. After a series of non-qualified diver deaths, you’ll also need a permit to book your one-hour time slot.

 

Emergence Du Ressel – Marcilhac-sur-Célé, France

One of the primer cave diving locations in the world, France has over 20,000 underwater caves. Starting in the bed of the River Céle,  the Emergence Du Ressel  (Emergence of Ressel) is its most famous cave and a reference in the world of cave diving. Nearly 500 feet in length, the cave splits into two tunnels with a cross-section that’s at least the size of a double-door garage.  The first tunnel stays shallow at 32 feet while the second tunnel drops repeatedly to a depth of around 60 feet. Roughly 1,000 feet from the entrance, the two passages rejoin—making an almost 5-mile round trip—and then impressively plummet 150 feet. While water flow decreases and visibility increases, the dive becomes increasing technical and the water hovers at only 54°F. The whole trip is a serious expedition that’s only been made by a few people. Even if you can’t complete the five to six-hour dive, on your return trip you’ll be welcomed by a beautiful green light at the cave’s entrance.

 

Cenotes Dos Ojos – Quintana Roo, Mexico

One of the most extravagant diving sites in the Yucatan peninsula, the Cenotes Dos Ojos (meaning “two eyes”) is made up of two 230-feet sinkholes connected by a 1,300-foot passageway—the world’s deepest underwater cave passage.  Discovered in 1986, the Cenotes Dos Ojos is part of the world’s largest underwater cave system and is the Riviera Maya’s most filmed and photographed cave. A cavern full of crystal clear water and glittering stalactites where the light plays hide-and-seek and the temperature is a toasty 77°F, the Cenotes Dos Ojos has achieved cult status. One of its most interesting features is its pools of air that resemble puddles of mercury. Though, it does have a dark-side: a 10,000-year-old, pitch black bat cave that was once used by Mayans for ritual human sacrifices.

 

Merritt’s Mill Pond – Marianna, Florida

Wedged between rocky slopes, beds of eelgrass, and moss-draped cypress trees, Merritt’s Mill Pond has turquoise waters, making it a waterway unlike any other in Florida. It may have produced state and world-record breaking redear sunfish, but the four-mile, man-made lake is also a cave diver’s paradise that’s popular with underwater explorers because it’s open 24/7, year round. Located just east of Marianna, it’s fed by the Jackson Blue: a limestone cave close to 5,000 feet in length that many divers consider the most beautiful cave they’ve ever seen.  Low-flow, it still pumps out roughly seven-million gallons of water per day.

Roughly 500 yards from it are the Twin Caves that have a 60-foot opening called the “Subway Tunnel.” Accessible only by boat, its first jump is claustrophobic and only recommended for divers with good buoyancy while the second can easily be silted out.

Three hundred yards from the Twin Caves is the “Hole in the Wall”.  After dropping 80 feet from a large chimney, you’ll find two caves—one upstream, one downstream. In the winter, it’s usually submerged underwater. The Hole in the Wall is also home to Georgia blind salamanders and Dougherty Plain cave crayfish. Merritt’s Mill Pond has four other caves: Shangri-la (Sidemount), Indian Wash Tub, Gator Hole, and Hidey Hole.

7 Must-See Caves in the U.S.

Hidden below ground throughout the United States are entire worlds. There are an estimated 45,000 caves in the United States. Formed over thousands of years, some are full of history—famous spots where outlaws once hid—while others are still being discovered. All are home to natural wonders and some to a few man-made ones including dance floors and hotels. Whether you’re an expert at spelunking or simply want to do something a little different on your next weekend escape, here are seven U.S. caves you can plan a getaway around.

 

Carlsbad Caverns, New Mexico

Carlsbad caverns

With more than 200,000 square miles stretching throughout three U.S. states and into Mexico you could spend a few weeks exploring the Chihuahuan Desert. Head to the New Mexico part of the desert where you can take in the wildlife and blooming cactus above ground while hiking on a few miles of trails, but don’t forget to make time to go below ground. Known as Carlsbad Caverns, more than 119 caves lie under the desert.  Stare in wonder at the natural limestone chamber that makes up a large part of the caverns.

 

Oregon Caves National Monument and Preserve, Oregon

Oregon caves
Credit: NPS Photo

Go to Oregon Caves National Monument and Preserve for a romantic weekend. Yes, you read that right. The preserve and marble caves within the lush Oregon forest are home to a historic chateau making it an ideal weekend escape. Hike the outskirts of the cave system before heading inside for a tour.  Adrenaline seekers will want to sign up for the off-trail caving tour. You get outfitted with a headlamp before trained guides teach you how to fit through tight spaces as you go spelunking through the caves.

 

Meramec Caverns, Missouri

Photo: el-toro on Flickr
Photo: el-toro on Flickr

Missouri is home to more than 6,000 caves but if you can only spend a day or even half a day visiting one make it Meramec Caverns. Rumored to have been the second to last stop along the Underground Railroad and used by Jesse James as a hideout, stepping down into the Meramec Caverns will transport you into the past. Take a guided tour and learn about the creation of the Caverns’ ancient limestone wine table and seven-story mansion. End your day with a meal at the on-site restaurant, or, if you have more time you can camp at designated spots nearby.

 

Wind Cave National Park, South Dakota

Wind Cave National Park boxwork formation
Wind Cave National Park boxwork formations

Gaze in wonder at the unique boxwork formation inside South Dakota’s Wind Cave. Tiny, skinny pieces of calcite hang off the walls and ceilings of the caves creating a honeycomb pattern that is both mesmerizing and a little spooky. While there are other caves throughout the world that have boxwork formations, these caves are home to the majority of them. After you’ve had your fill below ground, take time to explore the above ground areas of the park, home to wildlife including bison and elk.

 

Polar Caves, New Hampshire

Photo: Adam Tucker on Flickr
Photo: Adam Tucker on Flickr (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

More than 50,000 years ago receding glaciers created nine granite caves in the White Mountains. Known today as the Polar Caves, the area is a favorite summertime spot for families. Take your time exploring them during a self-guided tour but make sure to leave plenty of the time for the destination’s other activities. Explorers can take a stab at the rock climbing wall or sluice mining and young (or young at heart) visitors will love the animal petting zoo and the maple sugaring house.

 

Indian Caves, New York

inwood hill park new york
Photo: Erin Johnson on Flickr (CC BY-NC 2.0)

Yes, there are caves in Manhattan. You simply need to know where to look. Inwood Hill Park is perhaps New York City’s most overlooked park and it’s also its most magical. Winding walkways break up the roughly 196 acres of wilderness that compose the park. It’s here you’ll find the Shorakapok Preserve, home to the last remaining salt marsh in Manhattan, and the park’s Indian caves,  natural rock hangs used for centuries as the summer camp of the Wiechquasecks. Visit in June and learn the history while listening to drumming and watching dancers during the annual festival that celebrates the park’s history.

 

Craighead Caverns, Tennessee

craighead caverns
Photo: Brent Moore on Flickr (CC BY-NC 2.0)

Hidden at the bottom of a cave in Tennessee is the largest underground lake in the U.S. As you descend into the cave, tour guides point out the Craighead Caverns’ rooms while talking about the caverns’ vast history from use by the Cherokees to soldiers in the Civil War to the development of a dance floor for public use in the 1900s. But it’s once you reach the lake that the adventure really begins. Glass-bottom boats bring visitors around the lake for views unlike anything you’ve ever seen before.