Mike's review
Clearwater Cave was spectacular. The exploration history is what makes the background especially interesting. The public show cave is one entrance into a system that cavers have continued mapping since 1978.
From the source
Clearwater Cave is an active river cave inside Gunung Mulu National Park. During the 1977-1978 Royal Geographical Society expedition, Berawan guide Usang led cavers Dave Brook, Phil Chapman and Martin Laverty to the large arched entrance above the Clearwater River resurgence. That began a series of surveys that continues today.
Later expeditions connected Clearwater to Wind Cave and other passages beneath Gunung Api. The Mulu Caves Project reported more than 268 kilometers of surveyed passage after its 2025 expedition, placing Clearwater among the longest cave systems in the world. Its lower levels carry a fast underground river, while older passages remain higher in the limestone.
Supporting sources: Legacy import provenance, Mulu Reunion Events Programme, Clearwater Cave
Plan your visit
Hours
- Mon
- —
- Tue
- —
- Wed
- —
- Thu
- —
- Fri
- —
- Sat
- —
- Sun
- —
Clearwater Cave is visited through scheduled Gunung Mulu National Park tours. Boat transfers and cave access depend on weather, river levels and safety conditions.
Features & amenities
What to expect
- Indoor + outdoor
What to bring
- Water
- comfortable shoes
- sun protection
- rain layer
Good to know
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Guide required
- Moderate
Tags
In my guides
Where Clearwater Cave comes up in my writing.
More near here
Other pins within walking distance of Clearwater Cave.
Planning Gunung Mulu
The rest of my Gunung Mulu saves, on the city's planning pages.