Beware: You should never explore wild caves alone or without proper gear. Consider getting in touch with a Grotto of the National Speleological Society at www.caves.org or a qualified cave club. These groups are skilled and will train you. Without sufficient knowledge, preparation, and equipment, cave exploring can lead to serious injury or death.
You might already know that there are thousands, perhaps tens of thousands of caves around the world. There are even thousands more that have yet to be discovered. When it comes to underwater caves, there may be even more than that. Due to the difficulty in exploring the deep ocean, there may be beautiful underwater caves just about everywhere imaginable.
They’re not just found on the ocean floor; they can also be found in lakes, rivers, and other bodies of water. There are quite a few underwater caves that have been documented and turned into destinations for diving or exploring. Some of the safer, more appealing ones are included here.
Whether you’re looking for a place you can explore on your next vacation or trying out scuba diving, use this list for ideas. They’re just as impressive as their above-ground counterparts and will provide some unforgettable memories.
If you haven’t checked out our first article, we covered some of the most famous underwater caves here.
Great Blue Hole, Belize City, Belize
The Great Blue Hole is an enormous underwater sinkhole off the coast of Belize and a popular destination for scuba divers. It is the world’s most significant natural formation, 400 feet deep. You’ll find towering stalactites, oxygen-less caverns, and stunning coral formations.
The crystal-clear waters make it easy to observe the region’s spectacular marine life, which includes Caribbean reef sharks, nurse sharks, giant groupers, and other species of tropical fish. The best time to visit: is November through April. And if you want to avoid crowds, plan a trip in March.
Jacques Cousteau declared it one of the world’s top five scuba diving sites, and in 1971, when he brought his ship Calypso to analyze its depths.
The expedition’s investigations confirmed that the hole was formed by common karst limestone formations, which rose to 69 feet (21m), 161 feet (49m), and 161 feet (91m) before sea levels rose. Researchers retrieved stalactites from submerged caves, thus confirming the position of that region below sea level in a former period.
Cathedral Cove Sea Cave, Coromandel, New Zealand
Although it’s located on the northeast coast of the Coromandel, Cathedral Cove is one of the most picturesque secluded beaches you’ll ever see. The naturally formed archway, calm, clear water, and golden sand make this place Instagrammable from every angle.
Cathedral Cove is famous for being featured in the movie The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian.
The cove which includes five sea caves and can only be reached by boat or on foot, is one of New Zealand’s most beautiful spots, attracting thousands every year.
Snorkeling and diving are other popular activities in the marine caves at Conway Point, where you can see seals and blue penguins. You can also visit Gemstone Bay or Stingray Bay for snorkeling and scuba diving throughout the year. The best months are May through October if you want to avoid high tourist traffic.
Cenote Dos Ojos, Mexico
Located in the Yucatan peninsula between Playa del Carmen and Tulum, this cavern-and-sinkhole system is one of the world’s most comprehensive underwater cave systems.
The Cenote is known as “two eyes” (a reference to the two pools of water) and boasts impressive stalagmites and stalactites. Discovered in 1986, its cool, pristine waters have attracted scores of snorkelers and divers yearly.
Visiting the Mayan ruins of Tulum after swimming in the pool at 75°F (24°C) is refreshing, as opposed to visiting other places where it can get hotter than that.
Cave diving can be extremely challenging and dangerous, but the unique fauna and views of the underworld make it an ambition for many divers. So few people have been inside these caves, so they are exciting destinations for cave experts worldwide.
The marine life of the Cenote includes freshwater shrimp and a few other species of colorful tiny fish. You’ll see bats hanging upside down among the stalactites, and you’ll be able to spot their droppings if they fly off while you’re swimming! The best time for underwater exploration is October through December; January through March tends *not*be peak tourist season, but it’s still great fun.
Learn more about Cenote Dos Ojos here.
Chandelier Cave, Palau
The five chambers of this cave system, which hang above like chandeliers, are one of the unique dive sites in the world. It’s famous for its remarkable stalactites.
The limestone towers that rise out of the clear waters are only part of what makes this cave so remarkable: a diverse marine life thrives in its depths, including cardinalfish, soldierfish, and colorful Mandarinfish.
In ancient times, the mushroom-shaped rock islands of Palau were formed by the upward movement of limestone reefs due to volcanic activity beneath them.
The islands’ distinctive shape results from wave and tidal action and erosion by algae-eating invertebrates.
For thousands of years, rainwater has slowly dissolved the limestone caves and passages within the islands, making them more prominent. At one time, before it was filled with water, “Chandelier Cave” was an open-air cave that received light from above rather than below.
Kuredu Caves, Maldives
Kuredu’s caves are a popular diving destination. The underwater caves boast enormous rock formations and provide an exciting playground for recreational divers.
Underwater caves house various marine life, including green turtles, balloonfish, and leaffish. Moray eels hide among the rocks as do Manta rays and angelfish swim gracefully through these dark caverns. Barracuda are also predators in this area, don’t get too close!
Divers who visit Kuredu can see stingrays near the deeper ledges of this beautiful cave, the perfect treat for your eyes! The best time to visit: Throughout the year.
The ‘Express’ in the name comes from the rapid currents that flow here sometimes fast and furious, but often changing quickly. The out reef current and channel currents each play their part in how this site is dived, adding to its variety.
The rapid changes in currents at Kuredu make it possible for divers to encounter different marine life. Under the right conditions, this site can be accessible to the most qualified divers.
Orda Cave, Perm Krai, Russia
Orda Cave is a gypsum crystal cave that runs beneath the western Ural Mountains. Its mouth lies along the shore of River Kungar, just outside Orda, a city in Perm Krai, Russia.
The cave system stretches over 3.2 miles (5.1 kilometers) with around 3 miles (4.8 kilometers) underwater. It’s one of the longest and largest gypsum caves worldwide, making it a pervasive network!
The longest siphon during the former Soviet Union, “Russia” (935 meters), can be found there. The mineral-rich area surrounding it filters the water and makes it very clear. Divers can see over 150 feet (46 m), and often make use of the visibility to take great photos.
Orda Cave, the largest underwater gypsum cave in the world, is located in Orda Village. Some are familiar with gypsum as an ingredient of plasterboard (drywall), but this extraordinary cave will surprise you.
Grotto Cave, Ontario, Canada
The Grotto, a cave in the face of an escarpment on Ontario’s Bruce Peninsula filled with strikingly blue water, has long attracted visitors.
Carved out over thousands of years at the base of a cliff by water rushing through fissures in the stone, this is one of Bruce Peninsula National Park’s most popular destinations. Visitors can reach it from the near-lake level or via a more challenging scramble up a rocky chimney off the main trail.
The cave is open to the air, and its waters are dyed a brilliant blue by mineral deposits. However, it gets its name from an underwater tunnel letting light filter through small openings on both ends of the cave’s main chamber.
The water is beautiful, but it’s also freezing. Despite this, swimmers continue to plunge into the lake regardless of its temperature.
The cave provides a welcome rest for those who are hiking, checking out the boulder beaches on the coast, or just taking in the scenery.
Chac Mool Cenote, Mexico
The entrance to the Cenote is around 100m South of Puerto Aventuras, Mexico. There are two water entries into Chac-Mool (“Long Nose” in Mayan), and both lead into the same rooms. The first room, accessed through either entry point is extensive, with much light entering from its hole above ground.
In the second room, stones have collapsed from a dome-shaped ceiling. Divers can use them to rise for air, providing an opportunity to see two levels of beautiful stalactites. Along the main opening, tree trunks reach into the water and provide habitats for creatures living beneath them.
A fantastic laser light show occurs on a sunny day at Chac-Mool Cave. Haloclines, where salt and fresh water meet, are fascinating visual effects created by the mineral content of that particular cavern.
Chac Mool is an ideal spot for novice cave divers but also offers long penetration and is home to the biggest underwater stalactite in the world.
Chinhoyi Caves, Zimbabwe
The caves are found in Makonde District, Mashonaland West Province of Zimbabwe. The nearest large town is Chinhoyi (formerly Sinoia), 9 kilometers away.
The caves are made mostly of limestone and dolomite. In the main cavern is a pool of cobalt blue water. Travelers have named it like Sleeping Pool or Chirorodziva (“Pool of the Fallen”).
The Bat Cave, a subchamber of the Dark Cave, shares an underwater passage to another room known as the Blind Cave. Diving in these caves can be done all year round, and temperatures never exceed 22-24 °C (72–75 °F), with no thermocline present.
Thermocline is a steep temperature gradient in a body of water such as a lake, marked by a layer above and below which the water is at different temperatures.
Visibility at this site is often very high, which is a definite plus. Technical divers have frequently reported a depth of 50 meters (160 ft) or more while diving on these reefs.
Experienced divers can explore under National Parks Authority supervision, while staying at the park’s small campsite.
Las Cavernas De Mármol, Chile
The Marble Caves (Las Cavernas de Marmol), caves along the Chilean-Argentine border, are among Patagonia’s most important attractions.
The caves are filled with the azure waters of Carrera Lake, which give them a great appearance. The marble walls take on different hues during the day as the sunlight changes color.
The caves are an awe-inspiring natural wonder. Nature lovers can explore the underwater caves, including La Capillaries, El Catedral, and Cueva on a boat ride or swim through them.
Dams threaten the existence of unique natural sites around the world. Environmental organizations are fighting to preserve these fantastic formations.
Winter is the best season to visit Lake Titicaca. During this time, water levels are low enough to swim through caves and admire their beautiful blue walls.
Many different factors determine the color of a cave. It depends on the season, water levels in its lake, and the light sources inside it.
Homestead Crator, Utah, USA
In Heber Valley, Utah, one of the state’s most well-kept secrets is the Homestead Resort’s geothermal hot spring. The crater formed tens of thousands of years ago as the snow melted and seeped into the ground, ultimately attracting heat by its natural heat source.
A mineral-rich layer of warm water rose to the surface, creating a beehive-shaped limestone deposit called The Homestead Crater.
The natural phenomenon is popular among visitors worldwide, who come to see it for themselves.
The mineral-rich spring water maintains a constant temperature of 90-96 degrees Fahrenheit, and you can sit back and relax while the opening at the top of the lets in the crisp mountain air and plenty of sunshine.
But don’t worry, you won’t have to fall 55 feet from the top of The Crater into its depths. A tunnel created on the side of The Crater now allows easy access.
Conclusion
Underwater caves are commonly found in limestone areas, which is why they are often extensive and easily accessible with a shallow entrance. Limestone dissolves when acidic rainwater leaks down cracks in the crust and valleys below, creating a cave system over time. The roof of the water-filled cavern eventually collapses, and this can cause flooding, landslides, erosion, or even tsunamis.
Contact between the river water above and the salt water below causes the cave to dissolve more quickly. Hopefully, you now know more about the most famous underwater caves in the world.
Before you plan any underwater caving expeditions, be sure to get proper training and diving equipment. We can guide you to a certain point, but nothing will beat having a professional prepare you in person. Good luck and please share photos of your adventure when you return!