Discover the Top 11 Best Caves in All of Hawaii

There is something just something so spectacular and special about caves. There are so many different types, including underwater caves! Hawaii also has no shortage. This lovely state is a prime location for hiking, diving, rock climbing, and cave exploration, which can include a little bit of all. Follow along to discover the top 11 best caves in all of Hawaii.

Mermaid Caves

The first cave on our list is the Mermaid Caves in Oahu. It’s a beautiful cave, which can be difficult or dangerous to reach. Although generally safe, the tide can fill the cave quickly. Also, swim in the cave’s pool at your own risk. This lovely spot isn’t supervised by lifeguards.

The Mermaid Caves look like something out of a movie. The water is turquoise, clear, and sparkling. Shells also surround the cave and water. This lovely page, although a popular spot in Oahu, is also considered a hidden gem and secret. Finding it is more difficult than it seems.

Thurston Lava Tube

Another excellent top-rated cave in all of Hawaii is the Thurston Lava Tube in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. This 500-year-old lava cave is a unique experience. To get to this stunning lava cave, you need to walk through a dazzling forest filled with wildlife. Some animals you may see in the national park are scarlet honeycreepers, the Hawaii ʻamakihi, and Hawaiian petrels.

While walking on the trail to the lava tubes, keep your hands to yourself. Respect the forest’s fragile environment. Practice leaving no trace, which includes not taking anything from the site. It can be dark inside of the caves. Experts recommend bringing a flashlight. However, the lava tube is lit every day from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Fern Grotto

The Fern Grotto is another breathtaking cave in Hawaii. It’s located in Kauai and has a rich cultural and geographic history. To get to the grotto, you need to take a boat on the Wailua River. This beautiful lava rock grotto is a romantic and picturesque spot covered in vibrant and lush ferns.

Hana Lava Tube

Another lava tube to make our list of the top best caves in all of Hawaii is the Hana Lava Tube. These unusual winding caves were likely formed about 900 years ago. It’s a family-friendly tourist attraction where you can walk into the lava tube using a path. Although generally safe and good for kids, you should use closed-toed shoes with grip as the floor can be wet and slippery.

The Hana Lava Tube is cool with temperatures ranging from 66 and 72 °F. Self-guided tours are available for a fee. When entering, visitors are provided with a flashlight. This unique cave is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Kaumana Cave

The Kaumana Cave is another jaw-droppingly beautiful cave in Hawaii. This stunning cave is on the island of Hawaiʻi. The nearest city is Hilo. This cave is also one of the most recently formed lava tubes on the island. The Kaumana Cave was formed in 1881 as lava flowed from Mauna Loa, a large volcano in Hawaii. Mauna Loa is up to 1 million years old. This shield volcano is active and its last eruption was in December of 2022.

The Kaumana Cave is moderately challenging to explore. It’s important to keep in mind that some parts of this cave are on private property. This cave is also 2.026 miles long and is part of a 25-mile-long lava tube.

Spitting Cave

Have you ever heard of the Spitting Cave? The Spitting Cave on Oahu, Hawaii is a popular jumping spot. This thrilling and lovely cave pushes the water out with force, which is a sight to see. There is no parking to get to this cave. Instead, it’s accessible through a neighborhood. Although a popular cliff-jumping spot, be aware that there is a lot of danger. A few people have drowned and sustained injuries from plunging the 70 feet.

Kula Kai Caverns

It’s hard to see inside the Kula Kai Caverns. These lava tubes are near South Point. The caves are over 1,000 years old. One of the best ways to explore this cavern is to take a guided tour with a professional. The cavern is dark inside, which can be confusing. A few different excursions are available. The easiest path in the Kula Kai Caverns is the Lighted Trail Tour. It takes about an hour to complete and has 75 stairs to enter the cave. For more daring adventurers, there is the Crawl Tour. During this tour, visitors, crawl and climb through narrow passageways in the caverns. For the crawl tour, lights, gloves, helmets, and knee pads are included.

Kilauea Caverns of Fire

The Kilauea Caverns of Fire is another excellent Hawaiian cave. Although not as popular as others on this list, it’s well worth a mention. The Kilauea Caverns of Fire is a cavern with a lot of history. This system likely formed about 400 to 500 years ago. Three tours are available and reservations are encouraged. The simplest tour is the Walking Tour which takes about an hour to complete. It’s a guided tour with natural stairs and uneven footing. No open-toed shoes are allowed.

The other tour is the Adventure Tour, which is for more intermediate and skilled cave explorers. In this tour, expert guides take visitors on a more challenging route. The tour is three hours long and does require some climbing and crouching, but no crawling. Last but not least is the most unique tour, the Day in the Cave option. With this option, you can pay to spend all day exploring the Kilauea Caverns of Fire slowly.

Bubble Cave

Continuing our list of the top best caves in all of Hawaii is the Bubble Cave in Maui. It’s an underwater cave with excellent diving opportunities. There are a few ways to access the Bubble Cave. You can either start from Makena Landing Park or 5 Graves. To get to the cave, you need to first pass the ancient burial sites. The Bubble Cave is easy to miss and is around many other caves and openings. You can spend hours here exploring and viewing sea life. Sea turtles are common in and around Bubble Cave.

Shark’s Cove

Shark’s Cover is a gorgeous and rocky tidal pool and snorkeling site on Oahu’s world-famous North Shore. This lovely area is a great place to see fish, sea turtles, and crabs. It’s also one of the best shore diving spots in the world. Although considered safe, the shore is rocky, not sandy, so prepare with caution. It’s best to use shoes when climbing or exploring. This lovely tidal pool is home to many caves, perfect for intermediate and expert divers. The water is crystal clear, but dark when entering the caves. Plan with time as the caves can be hard to navigate with many openings and dead ends.

Waikapalae Wet Cave

Last but not least is the Waikapalae Wet Cave. This hidden gem is a shallow cave that is easy to access. You can find this lovely wet cave in Haena State Park. A reservation is required to enter the state park and cave. The Waikapalae Wet Cave was formed as waves carved openings in the large rock. Swimming or drinking the cave’s water is not recommended. The water may contain leptospirosis, a deadly bacteria.