Cathedral Cave

Cathedral Caves are a highlight for visitors to The Catlins. Located in cliffs at the northern end of pristine Waipati Beach, they have attracted international interest for their length - the two sea-formed passages together measure just on 200 metres - and their impressive height, up to 30 metres.

They were named by Thomas Hocken who noted how the caves reverberated noise and their resemblance to European cathedrals. The cave access road gate is open during summer - October to approx mid April and only accessible when conditions are safe - see Cathedral Caves website for opening times.

History of Cathedral Cave The local people of El Nido and even those before, perhaps the ancient Tagbanwa tribe, have known about these caves for centuries, using them as navigational markers, sources of freshwater, and even as burial sites. Legends and myths have been woven into the very fabric of Cathedral Cave.

Archaeologists from the University of the Philippines found Neolithic tools and human remains. The main attraction of the cave is the second chamber called Divine Room. It was transformed into a church, because it is spacious and has an opening allowing the sunlight to enter the huge chamber.