Wind Cave Nature Reserve, Bau, Sarawak – half-day adventure

While on our holiday at Bau of Sarawak, we explored Fairy Cave in the morning and headed to the Wind Cave Nature Reserve in the afternoon.

This article specifically focuses on what we saw at Wind Cave. We have written a separate article about our trip to Fairy Cave, which you can read here.

Wind Cave Reserve is well-maintained and clean. Well-maintained public toilets are available before entering the cave, as no toilets are inside. We arrived on time, around three o’clock, since the reserve closes at 4:00 pm.

There are four cave trails. We have planned to explore the Cave Bat Trail from the visitor center, then move on to the Riverview Trail and return to the Jungle Trail. Finally, we will explore the Fossil Trail before exiting the reserve.

The cave houses various species of bats, particularly a large population of dusky fruit bats, as shown on the signboard.

1. Cave Bat Trail

Inside the Cave Bat Trail was a spectacular sight of bats flying through the roof of the cave passage and at the cave roof. Our tour guide shone a torchlight on them, and we captured some clear photographs. There are also black nest swiftlets in the cave.

A small stream flows through this area, making it a little damp, allowing some small plants to grow on the cave wall.

We switched on our headlamps since it was pretty dark inside. Staying on the wooden boardwalk was wise, as off the designated path can be dangerous.

As water seeps through the limestone, it dissolves the rock, creating intricate patterns of rock formation. There are several viewpoints where we can pause and identify what the shapes and figures of the rock formations resemble.

2. Riverview Trail

As we walked deeper into the cave, we entered the Riverview Trail. There is a small stream that meanders the boardwalk. Also, we found some unique rock formations known as scallops on limestone. 

This type of formation is an indicator of water flow in limestone caves. Scallop formations are formed when water flows over the surface of limestone and dissolves the calcium carbonate. They are always deepest at the end from which the water is flowing. The size of the scallops varies with the speed of the water flow. Slow-moving water produces widely spaced large scallops, while fast-moving water produces smaller, more closely spaced ones.

We followed the boardwalk with yellow reflective stickers. Eventually, we reached the end of the cave passage, where the small cave stream had joined with the Sarawak Kanan River, a tributary of the Sarawak River.

We felt a refreshing breeze from the opening as we explored the cave passages. The cave is believed to be named Wine Cave after the wind that blows through it. The locals also call it Lubang Angin, which means Wind Cave.

During our tour, we also came across some single-leaf monophyllus plants. 

This part of the cave was quite damp, and we could see water dripping from the top.

3. Jungle Trail

After completing the River Trail, we proceeded to the Jungle Trail. We planned to find a large plant called Amorphophallus brachyphyllus, but unfortunately, it was not in season. These plants are exclusive to the limestone and are endemic to the region. They undergo several stages of growth, alternating between leaf and flower cycles, and therefore bloom very infrequently.

However, we did come across a few plants with large leaves that had colorful mosses growing on them. These leaves had been there for a long time and remained undisturbed.

4. Fossil Trial

We visited the Fossil Trial before returning to Wind Cave’s entrance. The cave has low, flat roofs; we can see many fossils. 

These ancient mollusca fossils, including gastropods and bivalves, indicate that the limestone in the area was formed under the sea around 170 million years ago. 

Finally, we concluded our tour by returning to the cave entrance.

Further Information on Wind Cave

a. Where is Wind Cave located?

The Wind Cave Nature Reserve is situated on a limestone hill of Bau District, Sarawak, Malaysia, approximately 5 kilometers from Bau town, a former gold mining settlement, and 48 kilometers from Kuching. The reserve is a network of underground streams and an unlit long plank walk comprising three primary passages totaling 560 meters.

b. How much is the admission fee?

The reserve is open from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm every day except Tuesdays, and the entrance fee is RM 5 for non-Malaysian adults and RM 1 for Malaysians. The last entry or cut-off time is by 3:00 pm.

c. What do you need to bring during your visit?

You should wear sturdy footwear with a good grip, as the floor can be slippery. Besides, bring a flashlight or headlamp since the cave’s interior is unlit. It’s also a good idea to wear a light jacket or sweatshirt as it is cold inside and bring drinking water to stay hydrated.

d. How long it takes to complete the tour?

It is recommended to allocate approximately an hour to walk inside the cave. However, the duration of your visit will depend on your pace and interests. 

e. What other places can you visit that are near Wind Cave?

If you plan to take a day tour of the Bau District, you can visit three more places. First, you can explore the Fairy Cave, which is located in this area. You can read an article about the cave to learn what you can expect to see there. Second, you can visit the Bao Ling Shan Temple, where a Buddha statue is said to have drifted into the sea and reached the temple after the tsunami. Lastly, you can check out the Rock Maze Garden, which features rock formations in various shapes, including mini pinnacles.

We use Brighton Travel & Tour Sdn Bhd to organize our trip. A few months ago, they also planned a trip for us to the other places in Sarawak, covering Bario, Miri, Mulu, and Niah. Also, check out our recent articles about the best places to eat in Kuching!