Caves have always been a fascination for us humans - from the primordial man who determined his dwelling within this hollow geological structure to the explorers and adventurers, such as the well-remembered Indiana Jones who sought treasures and thrills in the belly of the earth. Among the caves that exist in the world, one can note the sea caves - those located between high cliffs, where seawater is swallowed up and mixed in the rock formations - as one of the most beautiful and interesting types.
A visit to a sea cave is an attraction that guarantees sights that aren’t seen every day. Get to know the 10 most beautiful sea caves in the world so you can pick which ones to add to your vacation wish list.
At a height of 21 meters and a depth of more than 64 meters, this cave is unlike anything else you will see. Fingal's Cave, located on the uninhabited island of Staffa on the coast of Scotland, was created from thousands of hexagonal basalt pillars that joined together. The beauty of this cave and the magnificent design that nature has given it leave its mark on everyone who has visited here - including the members of Pink Floyd, who even named one of their earlier songs after the cave. It’s worthwhile to visit this wonderful sea cave and to see it closely because it is certainly an unusual sight.
These extraordinary caves, situated at the foot of the Patagonian Andes mountain range, on a peninsula in the center of General Carrera Lake with Argentina and Chile on it, can only be reached by boat or kayak. This isolated natural wonder formed more than 6,200 years ago, with the clear sea waters surrounding the magnificent marble walls of the cave allowing its visitors to clearly witness the amazing and the beautiful rock formations and the special colors reflected here. The best time to visit is during sunset and sunrise, as the sun's rays caress the walls of the cave and make the sight unforgettable.
This charming cave, located near a small fishing village on the southern coast of Portugal, is one of the most popular destinations in the country. Tourist boats that reach it fill up quickly here, so if you’re planning on making the trip it is highly recommended to register in advance for a tour so as not to miss out. If you are very adventurous and a good swimmer, then when the tide is low you can even swim into the cave itself. When you reach it you can take a long breath and relax on its shore with the sun shining on the water around you - peace and pleasure are guaranteed.
The caves in Ayia Napa, about 80 meters long, are full of hidden gemstones, tunnels, bridges and other geological formations that you can easily discover while strolling on the beach when the tide is low. In the vicinity of the caves, there are quite a few attractions such as scuba diving, snorkeling, fishing and for the brave among us - jumping from the high cliffs into the sea.
Like other sea caves mentioned on this list, the Admiral's Arch of the distant Kangaroo Islands has also been formed, shaped and carved in the rock due to more than thousands of years of powerful ocean erosion. Natural stalactites hatch from the ceiling of this great cave, and if you make the long journey to visit it and see this wonder with your own eyes - you may even spend some quality time with friendly sea lions and seals who occasionally vacation on this island. Also, the promenade leading to this striking cave has breathtaking views.
The luxurious Hawaiian Islands are undoubtedly a desirable vacation destination for many of us, so you’ll surely be happy to hear that among the other beautiful and unique landscapes you can see there are also sea caves in the long and exotically named national park. The clear water between these cave walls makes them a perfect place to rest, relax and rejuvenate, especially after walking down the long path leading to them. You can visit the caves at all hours of the day, but the best time to do this is from 11 am to 1 pm, when the sun glistens gracefully on its walls.
Between the island of Phuket and southern Thailand is the Phang Nga Bay, which is dotted with monoliths and towering limestone cliffs that abound in the caves carved from the stone over the years. So if you come to the area, don’t miss out on the opportunity to see these beautiful caves, and if the bay seems familiar to you, it might be because you’ve already seen it in the movie "The Man with the Golden Gun" from the James Bond series, Where Bond swims in its waters.
This is perhaps the only sea cave complex that has its own dedicated website, but that’s because it’s not only a beautiful natural site but also a major attraction in this part of the US. These caves - located in front of the beaches of Florence, can be reached only by the elevator in the attraction’s souvenir shop, but when you stand there and watch the thousands of sea lions lying in groups on the rocks of this great cave, you will realize that the journey was worth it. Therefore, the best time to visit is during the winter months, when the cave is full of sea lions.
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