Caving in Southeast Asia
Visit & Follow my YouTube channel
Caving – There are so many caves to be explored in southeast asia, here are my tips, favourite destinations and travel guides
My interest in Caving started around forty years ago during my first foray into Southeast Asia.
Where Have I Been Caving in Asia?
In the 1990’s I moved to Thailand and got seriously involved in scuba diving. I, and some like minded buddies, found some small ocean caves to dive into at Phi Phi Islands. After I stopped diving, I continued dry caving in many areas of Southeast Asia: Thailand, Laos, Vietnam and , to a lesser extent, Cambodia.
Megaworld Asia’s Top 5 Caving Destinations
These are my top 5 caving destinations in Southeast Asia, caves that I have personally explored. Below you will find my own youtube videos following me on my favourite caving adventures. There are also caving travel guides below for you to download and keep with lots of valuable information including, maps, tips, suggested hotels and more so you can start planning your own caving adventures.
Khammouane Province, Laos
Vang Vieng, Laos
Phong-Nha National Park, Vietnam
Mae Hong Son Province, Thailand
Krabi Province, Thailand
Megaworld Asia’s Tips, Must Haves & Recommended Equipment for Caving
Safety equipment:
A caving helmet with an attached headlamp is an essential requirement. This should be a hard plastic or fiberglass helmet, similar to a rock climbing helmet, with hooks for securing a headlamp. Note: a Go-pro attachment on the top of the helmet is also a good idea for attaching a powerful light for video work.
Rubberised (neoprene) boots with hard soles for wet caves. A lot of caves have a water flow (rivers or streams) even in the dry season.
Water bottle, compression shirt and cargo pants.
Hiking boots (such as Salomons) for dry caves.
Dry bag backpack (minimum 40 litre) such as the Stream Trail brand.
Spare dry bags for camera gear. Many caves have areas where you need to wade or swim.
Fluorescent marker tape for indicating the direction out. This is a must have if going into long caves which are largely unexplored.
Caving gloves to protect the hands. Caves are full of jagged limestone rocks.
A first aid kit with bandaids and antiseptic (such as Betadine) for cuts and scrapes.
Lights:
A headlamp (with spare batteries). This enables you to have light and move through the caves hands free.
Powerful handheld lights (Fenix or Nitecore). These are a must have for doing good quality video in a cave.
Camera gear:
High resolution video camera (4k) with low lux rating, such as the Sony AX700.
Full frame hybrid camera which is good in low light, such as Canon R6 Mk2.
Multiple flashes for large volume caves.
A Tripod, for getting long exposure shots without a flash.
Best Times Of Year To Go Caving In Southeast Asia
Due to the changing seasons, I prefer to visit Thailand, Laos and Cambodia between November and May. For Vietnam I prefer January to August.
Caving Helmet
Rubberised (neoprene) boots
Hiking boots
Dry bag backpack
Flourescent marker tape
Caving gloves
First aid kit
Water Bottle
Rechargeable Headlamp
High Powered Flashlight
Hiking Longs Cargo
Compression Shirt
Downloadable Caving Guides for Southeast Asia
I’ve written many travel guides specifically for some of my favourite caving destinations in Southeast Asia following my own personal adventures and experiences, including Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam & Myanmay. The caving guides below contain lots of info to enable you to plan your trip including direct links to google maps, travel and accommodation, activities, videos, car rentals and more.
Please enjoy them and I hope they help make your caving adventures and experiences even more satisfying.
-
NEW Vietnam – Saigon’s War History
$3.00 -
NEW – Indonesia – Java
$3.00 -
NEW – Indonesia – Bali
$3.00 -
Malaysia – Mulu National Park
$3.00 -
Vietnam – Phong-Nha National Park
$3.00 -
Laos – The Rock Viewpoint
$3.00 -
Cambodia – Kampot & Battambang
$3.00 -
Vietnam – Ha Long Bay
$3.00 -
Vietnam – Lake Ba Be
$3.00 -
Thailand – Tak Province
$3.00 -
Thailand – Khao Sok National Park
$3.00
Megaworld Asia’s Caving Do’s & Don’ts
Here’s a few tips I have picked up along the way…
Do employ the services of local guides: When visiting caves which are considered adventure caves – no lighting or pathways – it’s always better to use a local guide. Note: Adventure companies such as Oxalis in Vietnam, and Green Discovery in Laos, specialise in caving adventures and will provide experienced caving guides for the price of your caving tour.
Do use solid footwear (not flip flops) when going into caves: Even in what is considered the dry season, caves can still have slippery surfaces. Avoid the potential for a fall injury by using footwear which will give you some grip, and ankle support, on the surfaces inside the cave.
Do have a proper flashlight (torch) for illumination inside dark caves: A light on a mobile phone isn’t a torch. Use a headlamp to enable hands free climbing and stability.
Don’t go into an adventure cave (undeveloped) solo: Always use experienced local guides for exploring undeveloped caves.
Don’t go into an adventure cave without the necessary equipment: This is to ensure your safety and to avoid the potential for injury.
Don’t go into an adventure cave at the wrong time of the year (rainy season): Doing this has a high risk of fatality due to flash flooding.
Don’t go into caves in which repelling is a requirement: Only do this if you are properly trained and have the correct equipment.
Will I need a guide?
Yes, if it’s an adventure cave (no lighting and undeveloped for tourism). If it’s a show cave (internal lighting, directional signage, and a solid pathway throughout) then a guide isn’t essential.
Are there entrance fees?
At developed cave sites (for tourism) there is normally an entrance fee. For adventure caves, as part of a caving tour, the fee will be included in the tour price.
Will internet /phone service be available?
What type of supplies should I take?
For a single day trip: drinking water, and snacks such as biscuits and chocolate bars. Something which is high energy but lightweight.
For extended trips (overnight): The cave tour companies will provide food and drinking water. However, you can still take the high energy snacks mentioned above.
Follow my Adventures
Cambodia
Indonesia
Laos
Malaysia
Singapore
Thailand
