Most Beautiful Caves in the World

Due to the current coronavirus pandemic, many are not so eager to travel. As more countries begin to open up to tourists, you may be feeling wary of visiting cities with populated streets and crowded museums.

Have you considered an empty, isolated space that houses bats instead of people? There are hundreds of beautiful caves all over the world, from popular cave systems in national parks to underwater caves that are only accessible by scuba diving.

Strap on your spelunking gear for a deep dive into some of the world's most beautiful and magnificent caves.

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Beautiful Caves in the World

1. Marble Caves, Chile

The Marble Caves in the Patagonia region of Chile are one of the most beautiful natural sites in the world. The crystal-clear water of the glacial Lake General Carrera reflects off the cavern walls, turning them a bright turquoise.

These caves are only accessible by boat and are best seen between September and February when the glacial ice melts into the lake.

2. Eisriesenwelt Ice Cave, Austria

The Eisriesenwelt Ice Cave is located in Werfen, Austria and is the largest ice cave in the world. Before its official discovery in the late nineteenth century, locals refused to enter the cave because they believed that it was the entrance to hell. Today, visitors in the summer can tour the cave and see the Great Ice Embankment, a massive ice formation inside the cave walls.

3. Skocjan Cave, Slovenia

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Skocjan Cave in Slovenia is recognized worldwide as an important geologic and historic site. It is one of the largest underground canyons in the world and features unique and beautiful rock crystal formations that can be seen by a lit pathway that runs along the walls of the cavern.

4. Mendenhall Ice Caves, Alaska

The Mendenhall Ice Caves are part of a 12-mile long glacier in the Mendenhall Valley near Juneau, Alaska. Visitors must be fairly active to see these beautiful blue ice caves: they are only accessible by either kayaking to the edge of the ice, or by a four-mile hike through the snow followed by a glacier trek. 

5. Veryovkina Cave and Krubera Cave, Georgia

Veryovkina Cave in Georgia is the deepest-known cave on Earth and is still being explored, with the last expedition taking place in 2018. This cave is not yet open to visitors, but travelers in Georgia can tour the nearby Krubera Cave, which is the second-deepest cave in the world and features crystal formations and frozen turquoise pools. 

Famous Caves in the World

From references in classic literature to posts from your favorite Instagram influencer, there are many famous caves around the world that are always worth a visit. 

1. The Blue Grotto, Italy

The Blue Grotto on the Island of Capri in Italy is one of the most famous caves in the world. Known for its stunning turquoise waters, the cave is very popular among tourists to Capri. Because the entrance is so small, it is only accessible by rowboat during low tide.

2. Fingal’s Cave, Scotland

Fingal’s Cave is located on Staffa, an uninhabited island in Scotland. The cave is mostly famous due to its presence in famous art and literature, including mentions by poet John Keats and rock band Pink Floyd. Travelers can see the cave’s high arched entrance from aboard a sightseeing cruise or, in calm conditions, from the shore surrounding the cave. 

3. Sudwala Caves

Formed about 240 million years ago, the Sudwala Caves in South Africa are the oldest known caves in the world. The caves have a rich history, from being used as a fortress by the Swazi heir Somquba during the nineteenth century to storing ammunition for the Boers in the Second Boer War. 

4. Saalfeld Fairy Grottoes, Germany

The Saalfeld Fairy Grottoes in central Germany are well-known for their colorful mineral formations. Deemed “the most colorful cave grottoes in the world”, these caves are reminiscent of something in a storybook. Guided tours are available, or you can choose to explore these magical caverns on your own. 

5. Waitomo Glowworm Caves, New Zealand

One of the top tourist attractions in New Zealand, visiting Waitomo Glowworm Caves is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Tours can take you through the caves via rowboat, where visitors can see the glowworms lighting up the walls of the cave. Visitors to Waitomo can participate in a variety of other activities, including water rafting, hiking, and learning about the region’s vibrant cultural history. 

Most Beautiful Underwater Caves in the World

Scuba divers rejoice-- there is an endless number of stunning underwater caves to explore. From the Gulf of Mexico to South Asia, travelers to these tropical destinations can see some of the most beautiful sea caves in the world. 

1. Great Blue Hole, Belize

The Great Blue Hole is a marine sinkhole off the coast of Belize. This isn’t a cave in the traditional sense, but it is a stunning destination for those wanting to see a unique natural sight in a tropical location. It is an especially popular spot amongst scuba divers, but it is also beautiful when seen from a boat.

2. Kuredu Caves, Maldives

The Kuredu Caves in the Maldives are a very popular destination for recreational scuba divers. They are located off the coast of some of the best beaches in the Maldives. Divers can see green sea turtles, eagle rays, parrot fish, and other tropical sea creatures in these underwater caves. 

3. Ginnie Springs, Florida

The underwater caverns in Ginnie Springs, Florida are known for their crystal clear water and are a great setting for people looking to go water rafting, inner-tubing, and swimming in the warm tropical waters. The springs are open 24 hours a day and are lit up in the evenings for tourists to swim on warm summer nights. 

4. Piccaninnie Ponds, Australia

Piccaninnie Ponds in Australia is recognized by conservationists as a wetland of international importance because of its abundance of wildlife and natural wonders. The primary attraction of the park is known as The Cathedral, a massive underwater cavern made of white limestone. 

Most Beautiful Caves in the United States

From California’s gold country to the Appalacians, the United States is filled with geologic wonders. Wherever you are in the country, there is likely a beautiful cave to explore. 

1. Mammoth Cave National Park

Located in central Kentucky, Mammoth Cave National Park is home to the largest cave system known in the world. Visitors to this popular World Heritage Site can go on ranger-guided tours of some of the massive caverns, including “wild” tours where visitors can crawl through tunnels and explore the less-developed areas of the cave using handheld lamps for guidance.

2. Kartchner Caverns

Kartchner Caverns State Park in Arizona is famous for a show cave that contains 2.4 miles of underground passages open to the public. The caverns are so well-hidden that they were only discovered about 50 years ago. In addition to the caves, the park features several beautiful hiking trails and some of the best stargazing in the country. 

3. Natural Bridge Caverns

The Natural Bridge Caverns in Texas are located next to a drive-through wildlife safari park and near the city of San Antonio, so visitors to the caverns will have plenty to do on their trip. The caverns offer a variety of guided tours on top of several surface attractions such as a ropes course and fossil mining. 

4. Carlsbad Caverns

The Carlsbad Caverns are located in the Guadalupe Mountains in New Mexico. Visitors can take a guided tour or explore the caves on their own. The historic downtown Carlsbad offers several options for accommodation and dining during your visit. 

5. Antelope Canyon

Antelope Canyon in Arizona is extremely popular amongst photographers for its impressive scenery. Best seen during the summer, the warm red, spiraling sandstone walls of this canyon are one-of-a-kind. Antelope Canyon is only accessible via guided tours; some options include photography tours or hiking tours. 

6. Black Chasm Caverns

The Black Chasm Caverns are located in Northern California’s Gold Country and are surrounded by lakes, rivers, and hiking trails. An especially exciting destination for children, there are many family-focused activities such as “gold panning” and an above-ground Labyrinth. 

Most Beautiful Caves in Mexico

Mexico is a treasure trove of natural wonders, from white sand beaches to mountain ranges. The Yucatan Peninsula is a particularly beautiful area of Mexico to explore. Most notably, it features several cenotes, which are underwater caves made of limestone and popular for swimming and spotting wildlife.

1. Cenote Dos Ojos

Cenote Dos Ojos in Tulum is the most popular cenote, welcoming thousands of tourists every year for snorkeling, swimming, and scuba diving. It is one of the largest underwater cave systems in the world. If you see something flying around above your head, don’t panic-- the cave has the nickname of “bat cave” for the massive population of bats living in the caverns, but they’re entirely harmless. 

2. Crystal Cave

The Crystal Cave in the state of Chihuahua, Mexico contains some of the largest natural crystals ever found. Due to the vulnerability of the crystal formations and ongoing scientific research, the caves can only be seen through private tours under direct professional supervision. 

3. Cenote Chac Mool 

Cenote Chac Mool is a very popular spot for scuba divers and cave divers in Tulum, Mexico. Divers can see coral, sealife, and even some fossils at the bottom of the cave. This cave is located near the beautiful Playa del Carmen and is part of a large cave system that draws visitors from all over the world. 

4. Loltun Cave

Loltun Cave is located on the Yucatan Peninsula. It is famous for containing paintings that are attributed to the Mayan civilization. Archaeologists believe that the Mayans used the cave for shelter and extracted clay from its walls to make tools. This is a great visit for travelers who love history or anyone who wants a glimpse into what life might have been like thousands of years ago.

5. Gran Cenote

The Gran Cenote is a limestone cavern in the Riviera Maya. Its crystal clear waters attract visitors from all over the world. The water is so clear that you don’t need a deep dive in order to see the sea life; this makes it a popular spot for families and anyone who prefers swimming or snorkeling to scuba diving. 

Most Beautiful Caves in Canada 

Canada is paradise for anyone who loves the outdoors, and the most beautiful caves in Canada are located in some of the world’s best spots for hiking and enjoying nature. 

1. Sarlacc’s Pit

Officially named Wells Gray Park Cave, Sarlacc’s Pit was given its nickname in reference to the Sarlacc creature from the Star Wars franchise. It was only officially discovered in 2018; it had always been covered with snow and ice year-round, but the changing climate caused the blanket of ice to melt.

Visitors to Wells Gray Provincial Park can get a glimpse of the massive cave entrance while enjoying the waterfalls, mountains, and wildlife of the park. 

2. Midland Ice Caves

The Midland Ice Caves are located in Norton, New Brunswick. In the winter, visitors can get to the caves via snowmobile and explore using snowshoes. In the summer, hikers can easily access the caves on several hiking trails. As the ice never melts, this destination is popular year-round. 

3. Horne Lake Caves

The Horne Lake Caves are located on beautiful Vancouver Island in British Columbia. There are a variety of tour options to explore this cave, including a ropes-course style tour guided by a professional. Visitors can also opt to explore the cave independently on any of the self-guided trails.

4. Cody Caves Provincial Park

Cody Caves Provincial Park in the Selkirk Mountains in British Columbia features an expansive cave system in a beautiful setting. Hikers and rock climbers will love exploring the cave system and the surrounding area, which offers hundreds of miles of hiking trails and several hot springs.

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