Exploring Ancient Cave Art and a Hidden Underwater Cave in Indonesia | Caves of Sulawesi #5

In this episode of DiveSAGA, we travel deep into South-East Sulawesi, Indonesia, exploring a landscape where ancient human history and extreme cave diving intersect. We begin on Muna Island, home to some of the world’s oldest known cave art, including hand stencils in Liang Kabori and nearby sites such as Liang Metanduno, where cave paintings date back at least 67,800 years. Along the roadside, we even find stalagmites being sold as cultural objects used in local traditions. From there, we continue our expedition with local diver Chaca toward a very different kind of cave: La Ode Panu, a flooded anchialine cave beneath the island, known for its long passages, white limestone formations, and crystal-clear water. Inside the cave, we explore: - Wide underwater galleries with striking white limestone walls - A visible halocline where fresh and salt water meet - Ancient geological formations including stalactites and stalagmites - Clues of human activity such as pottery fragments and shells - The effects of light absorption underwater creating deep blue tones - A 600m fully explored cave system with complex navigation and T-junctions We also explain how light behaves underwater, why caves appear blue, and what makes anchialine cave systems so unique. This dive is part of a larger Caves of Sulawesi series, where each episode reveals a different cave system across Indonesia’s underwater world. Filmed on the Sony FX3, this episode captures one of the most visually striking cave environments of the series so far. CHAPTERS: 00:00 Introduction & Previous Episode Recap 01:29 The Cave Paintings of Liang Kabori 04:55 Dive Site Set-up at La Ode Panu Cave 07:07 Starting the Cave Dive 08:15 Why the Caves Appear Blue 11:27 Halocline and Petrified Clam Shell 15:05 Amazing Cave Decorations 16:58 Post-Dive & Next Episode Preview 📍 Locations featured: Baubau, Sulawesi, Indonesia Muna Island Liang Kabori cave La Ode Panu cave system Join this channel to support our SCUBA productions and get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkADALL6YXv8sMv2JCO8sXw/join DiveSAGA ✨ All Access Members get: 🔊 Member shout-outs 🚩 Production Photos and status updates 🎶 Access to the DiveSAGA Soundtrack 🧪 Access to the SCUBA SCIENCE scripts 📄 Acces To DEEP DIVE Exclusive videos 🎙️ Listen and subscribe to the DiveSAGA Dive Debrief Podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1iTLkmYKdCeqUdGxj2XmVr Please visit my website to get more information: http://www.divesaga.com/ 🔔𝐃𝐨𝐧'𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐮𝐛𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐛𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐲 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐥 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐮𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬. https://www.youtube.com/@DiveSAGA/?sub_confirmation=1 ✅ Important Links to Follow 📰 Read SAGA MAGAZINE https://www.divesaga.com/magazine 📖 Get the BOOK "Career in SCUBA" https://amzn.to/32kpaja 🔗 Stay Connected With Me. Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/divesaga Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/divesaga TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@divesaga Website: http://www.divesaga.com/ 📩 For business inquiries: info@divesaga.com ============================= 🎬Suggested videos for you: ▶️ https://youtu.be/Tj7atB9hllc ▶️ https://youtu.be/hLb7Yx23VTQ ▶️ https://youtu.be/TiLmFTtY6C4 ▶️ https://youtu.be/9z8W5Sox3_A ▶️ https://youtu.be/6x1k0Vw1LX0 ▶️ https://youtu.be/G3cY0QT2cSE ▶️ https://youtu.be/PnFPiF_g2QI ▶️ https://youtu.be/Oe3OlP6Z8-s ▶️ https://youtu.be/RljqOptI0HM ▶️ https://youtu.be/6FbJCPFEVVA ▶️ https://youtu.be/AEQY2Re4Bpk ▶️ https://youtu.be/b3kQ17JCR6w ▶️ https://youtu.be/3syjvLOaz5M ▶️ https://youtu.be/JEptbzSKCxY ▶️ https://youtu.be/QhbRgP2RIWc ================================= ⚠️ As always in cave diving environments, training, safety and teamwork are critical. This expedition takes place in a fully overhead environment with no direct surface access. It is not meant as instruction. ✅ About Dive SAGA - Scuba diving. Welcome to Dive SAGA, your destination for world-class scuba diving adventures and education. Led by award-winning SCUBA instructor trainer Nick Derutter, this channel explores the depths of our planet through the lens of history, science, and travel. From cave diving, technical and wreck diving to ice diving and more, Dive SAGA is built for passionate divers. Whether you're a beginner dreaming of your first dive or an experienced diver looking to refine your skills, you'll find value in every episode. Dive SAGA features expert equipment reviews, career insights for aspiring dive professionals, and immersive footage from some of the world’s most breathtaking underwater locations. For Business inquiries, please use the contact information below: 📩 Email: info@divesaga.com 🔔 Love scuba diving, shipwrecks, and deep-sea adventures? Hit subscribe for expert tips, gear reviews, breathtaking footage, and epic dive stories. https://www.youtube.com/@DiveSAGA/?sub_confirmation=1