Breathtaking views don’t only come from towering peaks; the underground scenery can be surreal. Try spelunking for an otherworldly outdoor experience. From unique rock formations to waterfalls and freshwater rivers, caves allow us to discover unique geological wonders right under our feet. Ready to create unforgettable memories exploring underground caves and caverns? Here are the best spelunking destinations in the world (and don’t forget your camera because these places are magical).
Carlsbad Caverns, New Mexico, USA
Carlsbad Caverns National Park is one of the world’s best spelunking destinations, thanks to its diverse and surreal rock formations, including stalagmites, stalactites, and more. The cave system is so massive that it’s been dubbed the “Grand Canyon with a roof.” You can take a self-guided tour to walk through the passages and caverns in your own space or a ranger-guided adventure to catch a glimpse of their history.
Deer Cave, Malaysia
Deer Cave in Gunung Mulu National Park is among the world’s largest cave passages. The system is known for its picturesque calcite formations and the famous apparent face of the former US President, Abraham Lincoln, which is a natural feature. It’s also one of the world’s largest bat colonies (2-3 million), belonging to 12 species. Spelunking in Deer Cave is an unforgettable adventure.
Natural Bridge Caverns, Texas
Caving through Natural Bridge Caverns’ alien underground is one of the most memorable adventures in San Antonio. The natural reserve offers incredible adventure tours that help you navigate the impressive wonder with the help of experienced guides. The tours are divided into two: St. Mary’s Adventure Tour involves more climbing, while the Discovery Adventure Tour takes you through muddy and tight crawlways. Either way, you’ll create unforgettable memories.
Pinnacle Point Caves, South Africa
Pinnacle Point Caves is a UNESCO World Heritage site with thousands of years of history and one of the world’s best spelunking destinations. With evidence dating back over 164,000 years, it’s a perfect spot to glimpse early human occupation and behavior. The archaeological tours, which last 60-90 minutes, are a worthwhile experience.
Saalfeld Fairy Grottoes, Germany
Saalfeld Fairy Grottoes’ stalactite and stalagmite formations are surreal, so it was listed as “The World’s Most Colorful Showcaves” in the Guinness Book of World Records. Initially, the place was home to a black alum slate mine, whose underground cavities later transformed into a fascinating world of caverns. The Saalfeld Fairy Grottoes are a unique wonder you won’t find elsewhere.
Actun Tunichil Muknal, Belize
Caves were a significant part of the life of the ancient Maya, who believed they connected the people to the world of gods. Actun Tunichil Muknal (or ATM), in particular, is a complex underground system that opens up to stunning stalactites and stalagmites. The cave, a 3,000-year-old archaeological site with artifacts from the ancient Maya, is the most famous in Belize. It’s a world-class spelunking and historical adventure.
Glenwood Caverns, Colorado, USA
Glenwood Canyon is most recognized for the Hanging Lake, one of the otherworldly gems in Centennial State. Perched at the edge of the canyon is Glenwood Caverns, another fascinating natural wonder within Iron Mountain. Navigating the dark caverns allows you to marvel at magnificent formations, including stalactites and stalagmites. A Glenwood Caverns Funday Pass includes a cave tour, rides, and attractions in the Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park.
Thrihnukagigur Volcanic Cave, Iceland
Thrihnukagigur Volcanic Cave is a geological wonder with an otherworldly magma chamber. It’s the only lava chamber in the world where you can safely descend and marvel at its walls, which have colorful rock formations. Take an elevator about 198 meters down and watch the impressive display of coloration caused by a volcanic eruption. The last eruption occurred 4,500 years ago, but after it went dormant, the lava chamber disappeared instead of solidifying like the rest of other volcanoes. You can take a guided tour to enjoy a spelunking adventure of a lifetime.
Mammoth Cave, USA
Mammoth Caves, the world’s longest cave system, is known for its surreal beauty and unique variety of animal and plant life. A UNESCO World Heritage Site and an International Biosphere Region, it has a rich history dating thousands of years. Extending more than 400 miles under the earth’s surface, it’s more than a spelunking destination; it’s also an excellent spot for hiking, horseback riding, biking, and more.
Calbiga Cave/Langun Gobingob Cave System, Philippines
Also called the “Langun-Gobingob Cave System,” Calbiga Cave is among the largest cave systems in Asia and the third-largest karst formation on Earth. The incredibly vast system of 12 caves includes amazing formations, from stalactites and stalagmites to scenic rivers and waterfalls. The caves are natural habitats for various species, including bats, blind albinos, birds, and more. The cave combines spelunking with river trekking, hiking, and rock climbing within the Samar Island Natural Park.
Hang Son Doong Cave, Vietnam
Son Doong, the largest natural cave, is among the world’s best spelunking destinations. It hosts unique ecosystems with beautiful features, like huge rock formations, scenic underground rivers, ancient fossils, rare species, and more. Formed over millions of years by Khe Ry and Rao Thuong, the massive cave was founded in Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park in 1991 and guarantees some of the most unforgettable spelunking experiences.
Fingal’s Cave, Scotland
Nestled on the uninhabited island of Staffa, Fingal’s Cave is among the world’s best examples of basalt columns. The hexagonal columns were created over 50 million years ago from a lava flow. The unique geologic wonder has inspired multiple famous individuals, including Queen Victoria, who described it as “extraordinary and splendid.” You can join a guided tour to explore the cave and its surroundings.
Postojna Cave, Slovenia
Postojna Cave is one of the most popular cave systems in the world and Slovenia’s top tourist attraction. It is one of the largest karst monuments on earth and is home to various stalagmites and stalactites. The cave also hosts the endemic olm, the world’s largest troglodytic amphibian, which you can see on guided tours. These tours are suitable for all travelers, including families. You’ll also find halls and galleries underground.
Waitomo Glowworm Caves, New Zealand
If you are planning a family adventure, look no further than Waitomo Glowworm Caves, an incredibly spectacular extensive system of underground caves and rivers. Features include the Waitomo River, which winds through the caves, and beautiful stalagmite and stalactite formations. The thousands of glow worms illuminating the dark caverns create a unique, starry-like scenery, making the whole place nothing short of magical.
Mendenhall Ice Caves, USA
Alaska is known for some of the most beautiful natural wonders in the USA, but the Mendenhall Ice Caves are a surreal frozen wonder that’s more than captivating. Many previous tourists have described these caves as “otherworldly.” They are known for their striking blue color, which comes when longer light wavelengths, like orange and red, are absorbed, leaving blue shining through the ice. But it’s worth noting that while these ice caves are absolutely stunning, they can also be dangerous.
