Wind Cave, Kuching (A day of adventure and dark tunnel)

The Wind Cave Nature Reserve is 48km from Kuching and 5km from Bau town (known also as Gold Mining Town), or about 45 minutes drive from Kuching City Centre.  The

Wind Cave Nature Reserve covers 6.16 hectares. The Wind Cave is believed to have got its name from the cooling breeze blowing continuously through the cave. The Wind Cave’s main features include stalagmites, stalactites, and pillars which form when these two join together, a large population of Dusky Fruit Bats and also thousands of Black Nest Swiftlets nesting in the cave, and their nests, made almost entirely from the swiftlets’ glutinous saliva, can be seen adhering to the nooks and crannies of the upper cave wall s well as 14 species of bat. Squirrels, shrews and a variety of birds can be found along the river and the limestone hill. Black nest swiftlets can be seen and heard inside the cave. A 1000-metre plankwalk runs throughout the length of the cave, so it is easy and safe to explore, although the interior of the cave is unlit and therefore a flashlight is essential (the forestry department try to keep original atmosphere to not disturb the habitat of the bats and swiftlet), however, the yellow reflective sticker lining the route for safety precaution of visitors and will guide you well inside). Unlike Fairy Cave, the Wind Cave is made up of three unlit tubular passages.

How to Go:

Sarawak Transport Company bus No. 2 travels to Bau hourly from 6am to 6pm. From Bau bus terminal you can board bus No. 3A that plies along Bau–Bidi Road hourly from 6am-6.30pm - ask the driver to let you off at the Wind Cave junction, from where it is 10-15 minutes walk to the Nature Reserve. Alternatively, a number of Kuching tour operators offer tours to the Wind Cave, often combining it with other attractions in the area such as Serikin Town (at Sarawak / Kalimantan Barat border- 45 minutes away) and Fairy Cave, only 15 minutes away. 

Opening Hours and Admissions:

The cave is open from 8.30pm to 4.30pm. Admission is RM 5 for non-Malaysian adults and RM 1 for Malaysians.

The Wind Cave and Passages:

The Pebble Beach and Sungai Sarawak Kanan River:

After through the dark tunnel and fascinating passage of the Wind Cave, you may refresh yourself by drive another 3 minutes to reach the origin of Sarawak River, the Sarawak Kanan River and the close-up encounter with  Squirrels, shrews and a variety of birds that could be found along the river and the limestone hill, and a a number or rare species in the surrounding limestone forest. Amongst the small to medium sized trees and shrubs are some very rare palms, including Arenga pinnata (called Inyok in the local Bidayuh language), Arenga undulatifolia (Opip in Bidayuh) and the gigantic Calamus ornatus (Wi jelayan in Bidayuh).

p/s: All photos taken using Camera phone (Samsung Galaxy Note 3)