New Zealand The Waitomo Glowworm Cave is one of the top natural wonders of New Zealand’s North Island. A large but not enormous cave system, Waitomo is famous for being the only known home to the Arachnocampa Luminosa, more commonly known as the glow worm. Their presence in the cave causes the certain places along the ceiling to glitter like tiny stars in one of nature’s … [Read more...]
PUERTO PRINCESA RIVER CAVE
Philippines The Puerto Princessa Subterranean River is arguably the world’s most impressive cave-river system. It is possibly the longest subterranean river, and is navigable by small boats through large sections. An extension of the Cabayugan River, it flows through one of the world’s largest cave chambers and ultimately out into the the West Philippine Sea. The caves are … [Read more...]
MULU CAVES
Malaysia The Mulu Caves are home to the Sarawak Chamber, the largest single cave chamber in the world. It is also one of the largest cave systems on Earth, with several other near-record setting features. Located beneath Mount Mulu, it is part of a geological system that extends to magnificent rock formations on the surface. The Mulu Caves are located in Gunung Mulu … [Read more...]
REED FLUTE CAVE
China Reed Flute Cave is one of China’s signature natural attractions. Named for the reeds which grow outside of its entrance (and which are used to make flutes), it is China’s best known and most visited cave systems. It is known, among other things, for its spectacular underground lake, as well as a small role it played during World War II. It is uncertain how long ago … [Read more...]
MAJLIS AL JINN CAVE
Oman The Majlis al Jinn Cave, the ‘gathering place of the jinn’ (or genies), is a small cave system that consists of only a single gigantic chamber. Looking like something out of the stories of the Arabian Nights, the enormous chamber was the second largest in the world at the time of its discovery. It is big enough and high enough that daredevils have based jumped into it. … [Read more...]
JEITA GROTTO
Lebanon The Jeita Grotto is one of the largest cave systems in the Levant and home to the largest known stalactite in the world. Inhabited in ancient times, the Jeita caves were forgotten by the world for millennia before being rediscovered in the 19th century. It is now one of the most popular tourist destinations in Lebanon. There is evidence of human habitation in and … [Read more...]
SKOCJAN CAVES
Slovenia The Skocjan Caves is one of the most extensive cave systems in Europe and home to the largest cave chamber on the continent. Consisting mostly of a subterranean canyon, this cave is still being carved out by running water (and is known to flood during periods of substantial rain). The caverns are part of the Skocjan Caves Regionial Park which is a UNESCO World … [Read more...]
EISRIESENWELT ICE CAVES
Austria The Eisriesenwelt, or ‘World of the Ice Giants’, is the world’s largest ice cave and one of the most visited caves in Europe. A limestone cave with a semi-permanent frozen layer of ice, it is one of the wonders of the Austrian Alps, and a popular day trip from the city of Salzburg. Due to temperature issues and dangers, the cave is only open in the summer … [Read more...]
FINGAL’S CAVE
Scotland Fingal’s Cave is possibly the world’s most famous sea cave. Located on the west coast of Scotland, it has a place in Galiec mythology that is related to the Giant’s Causeway in Ireland. The cave has appeared in numerous works of fiction, and it has been immortalized in music. One of the natural treasures of Scotland, it is a hugely popular tourist destination, … [Read more...]
CAVE OF THE CRYSTALS
Mexico The Cave of the Crystals, an extension of the famous Naica Mine, is one of the most unique places on Earth. It is home to a veritable forest of immense cave crystals, some of the largest ever discovered. Only known since the year 2000, this magnificent cave is unfortunately not open to the general public, though scientific exploration is ongoing. The Naica Mine is an … [Read more...]
