Bat Cave (Gua Kelawar) , Langkawi

 

You will need to take a boat to reach the cave. The cave is part of the Kilim Geopark and also shown as part of the Kilim Geopark Tour .

After you get off the boat, there is an wooden footbridge that goes through mangrove swamps and right into the Bat Cave. The cave is so named because of the large population of Malaysian Fruit Bats that reside here. The guide or the boatman will give you a flashlight before you enter the cave. It is quite dark and creepy inside .

As you enter the section of the cave with high ceiling (some 10 meters head clearance), you will get a feel that there are lot many living creatures inside. You won't see them until you point the flashlight towards the ceiling and will be awestruck seeing so many black bats hanging from there and looking at you .

In fact some will fly right over your head and make screeching sound. Don't worry they are harmless. I am told that there are over 1000 bats that roost at the Bat Cave. They have chosen this dark cave area because the temperature and the humidity inside suits them. There are three different species of bats that exist in the cave and feeding mainly on fruits .

As you walk over the footbridge which goes through the cave with an inside length of about 100 meters, you are asked to keep silence, not smoke and not to flash the light too much into the eyes of the bats as that would be harmful for them . The footbridge goes right through the cave and comes out at the opposite side in the open. As you walk along, look at the dramatic limestone formations in the cave. In one such formation, the stalactite hanging from the ceiling and the stalagmites rising from the floor have joined and formed a massive single column .

There are formations that have taken structures and shapes of various creatures. Another such formation looks like a snake, it is also known as the living stalactite. You will see water dripping out of the mouth of the snake .

How to reach Bat Cave 
You can take a boat from the river jetty of Tanjung Rhu, or from the Kilim Jetty located at the north eastern edge of Langkawi. You will need to take taxi to come to the jetty. The Bat Cave is also covered as part of the Kilim Geopark & Mangrove Tour. The cave is located quite close to the Kilim Jetty. So if you plan to visit only the cave, then take a short boat ride from the Kilim Jetty which will be cheaper and easier .