The list below features some of the most famous sea caves in the world. These aren’t all this long but do feature unique qualities that make them both intriguing and beautiful.
Admirals Arch – Kangaroo Island, Australia
Admirals Arch is one of the most amazing attractions on Australia’s Kangaroo Island. It’s part of the “Flinders Chase National Park,” a large protected area that covers an area of 326.61 square kilometers (126.1 square miles) in the Australian state of South Australia. This magnificent sea cave was formed by thousands of years of erosion and weathering from the sea. Just like the Sea Lions Cave in Oregon, this area is also inhabited by marine animals namely fur-seals. This in combination with the beautifully natural wonder provides a remarkable sight from the specially designed viewing platform inside the cave.
Neptune’s Grotto – Alghero, Italy
Neptune’s Grotto is a sea cave located in the northwestern part of the Italian island of Sardinia. This stalactite cave was only discovered in the 18th century and has become a popular tourist attraction on the island ever since. The reason for that is fairly simple, it’s one of the most delicious caves in the world. Entering the cave isn’t as straightforward as it seems as well because its entrance is located just 1 meter (3 feet) above sea level. It can only be reached via a staircase that was cut into the cliff called the “Escala del Cabirol”. It features 654 steps down and the result at the end is breathtaking.
Fingal’s Cave – Staffa, Scotland
One of the most astounding sea caves in the world is called Fingal’s Cave and is located on an uninhabited island called Staffa. This island is part of Scotland and can be found on an archipelago known as the Inner Hebrides on the western coast of the country. What’s remarkable about this particular cave is that it’s formed from basalt columns that were erected during a lava flow in the geological epoch called the Paleocene, approximately between 66 and 56 million years ago. The sea carved these columns into one of the most fascinating natural works of art on the planet.
Cenote Dos Ojos – Tulum, Mexico
Cenote Dos Ojos is a system of caves locally known as the “Sistema dos Ojos,” a reference to the two main cenotes or “sinkholes” that have the appearance of two eyes located right next to the caves. This immense cave system has only been surveyed since 1987 and 82 kilometers (51 miles) have been mapped already. This magnificent labyrinth of magnificent caves and sea caves is located on the Yucatán Peninsula in the Mexican state of Quintana Roo. This is situated in the utmost southeastern part of the country. Apart from their magnificent appearance, the water inside the caves is also crystal clear as the rainwater is filtered through the limestone.
Apostle Island Sea Caves – Wisconsin, United States
Even though they are referred to as being sea caves, the Apostle Island Sea Caves are located on the Apostle Islands, small islands situated on Lake Superior in Wisconsin. That being said, Lake Superior is so big that it does resemble a sea. Just like the sea caves formed by the seas or oceans of the world, these caves were formed by the water of Lake Superior carving its way through the sandstone of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. The result is a combination of impressive arches, marvelous vaulted chambers, and smooth passageways.
Playa de las Catedrales – Ribadeo, Spain
Playa de las Catedrales is the popular name given to a beach called Praia de Augas Santas. This beach is filled with rock formations and caves and is located near the town of Ribadeo in the northwest of Spain on the Cantabric Coast. It’s possible to wake inside these remarkable structures, which resemble the buttresses of a cathedral and which is how they got its name, at low tide. This allows you to get a close-up view of how thousands of years of erosion have created these spectacular natural arches.
Sea Lion Caves – Oregon, United States
One of the best things to do in Oregon is to visit the largest sea cave in the United States. The cave is located about 18 kilometers (11 miles) north of the coastal city of Florence, and as the name of the cave implies, the Sea Lions Cave is inhabited by a large number of sea lions. The fact that this particular cave is located at sea level means that the seawater is still carving its way into the rocks along the Oregon coastline. The cave already has a floor area of 0.81 hectares (2 acres) and a maximum height of 38 meters (125 feet), making it an beautifully sight to behold.
