On my second trip to Kuching, I had more freedom to explore thanks to finally having a rental car (and someone braver than me to actually drive it). Finally, I could go further out and do the kind of day trips I’d only read about before.
One of the highlights was heading to Bau, a small town about an hour from Kuching, where we planned to visit several places. After starting the morning in the damp darkness of Wind Cave, we made our way a little further down the road to Fairy Cave.
If Wind Cave felt tiny, mysterious, and enclosed, Fairy Cave was the complete opposite — huge, light-filled, and almost otherworldly with greenery spilling out of the rock walls.
About the Fairy Cave
Fairy Cave is one of the largest limestone caves in the Bau area, about 50 km from Kuching. It rises roughly 30 meters above the ground, and visitors reach the entrance by climbing a concrete staircase attached to the cliff.
The cave itself is known for its massive main chamber, which is about 150 metres long and 50 metres wide, with shafts of sunlight streaming through openings in the roof. This light allows ferns, moss, and even small trees to grow inside, giving the cave its signature “green” interior.
The name “Fairy Cave” comes from a limestone stalagmite near the entrance that resembles the shape of a Chinese deity or fairy figure, and over the years it has become tied to local folklore and spiritual traditions (unfortunately, my eyes weren’t gifted enough to see the fairy figure).
Fairy Cave opening hours
The Fairy Cave is open from 9 AM – 5 PM every day.
Similar to the Wind Cave, there are four time slots for visiting:
- Slot 1: 9 AM – 11 AM
- Slot 2: 11 AM – 1 PM
- Slot 3: 1 PM – 3 PM
- Slot 4: 3 PM – 5 PM
You’ll need to register beforehand since each time slot is capped at 200 visitors. This can be done through the official website, or on-site by scanning the QR code at the entrance (as long as you have internet access). Outside of peak seasons, you can usually still get a spot on the day, but booking ahead is the safer choice.
Each session runs for 2 hours, though you don’t have to enter right at the starting time. For instance, if your slot is at 9 AM, you can arrive any time within that window — just remember that you’ll still need to leave by 11 AM.
Do also note that the Fairy Cave may be closed during bad weather (heavy rain, thunderstorms, lightning occurrence, or strong winds).
Fairy Cave entrance fees
- Adult: RM 1 (Malaysians) / RM 5 (Non-Malaysians)
- Senior citizen: Free (Malaysians) / RM 5 (Non-Malaysians)
- Disabled person: Free (Malaysians) / RM 3 (Non-Malaysians)
- Child (6-17 y.o.): Free (Malaysians) / RM 2 (Non-Malaysians)
- Child (below 6 y.o.): Free
How to get to Fairy Cave
Fairy Cave is about 8 km from Bau town and around 45–50 minutes by car from Kuching city center. It’s not difficult to reach, but you’ll want to plan ahead depending on how you’re traveling.
By car
If you’re driving from Kuching:
- Take the Jalan Batu Kawa–Bau Road (Route 1) out of Kuching.
- Continue straight towards Bau town.
- Once you pass Bau, follow the signboards for Gua Pari-Pari / Fairy Cave. The cave is clearly signposted on the main road.
At the cave, there’s a dedicated parking area at the base, and parking is free. On weekends and holidays, the lot can fill up, so go earlier in the day.
By public transport
There isn’t much up-to-date info online about buses to Fairy Cave, but it seems there’s now a Q08M bus running between Kuching’s Saujana Bus Terminal and Bau Bus Terminal. From Bau, you’ll still need to continue by taxi or Grab to reach the cave.
Getting a Grab for the return trip from Fairy Cave might be tricky, so it’s smarter to arrange a pickup in advance with your taxi driver before you head in. If you plan on visiting both Wind Cave and Fairy Cave in one go, the easiest and most reliable option is to hire a taxi for half a day, so you won’t have to worry about being stranded if rides aren’t available.
By tour
If you don’t want to deal with transport logistics, you can book a half-day or full-day tour from Kuching. Many local operators offer packages that include both Fairy Cave and Wind Cave, sometimes with a visit to Semenggoh National Park to see orangutans. Tours typically include transport, guide, and entrance fees.
What to expect at Fairy Cave
Your adventure at Fairy Cave begins with a four-story concrete staircase built against the rock wall. There’s no elevator, but it’s a good warmup, especially if you’re doing the morning session and your body hasn’t quite woken up.
You can also choose to climb another floor to get to the viewpoint, where you can see the surrounding greenery and mountains in the distance:
Otherwise, you can go ahead and enter the cave through this dark, narrow passage:
At the entrance, you’ll find a trail map that outlines the routes inside the cave and beyond. The cave itself is pretty straightforward. There aren’t many branches or confusing junctions to worry about.
Even if you’re the type who usually second-guesses directions (like me), the signage is clear and consistent, so it’s unlikely you’ll get lost, even if you go alone.
Once you step inside, the scale hits you. The main chamber is massive, with ceilings soaring above you. Unlike the pitch-black interior of Wind Cave, Fairy Cave is lit by natural skylights pouring in through holes in the ceiling.
These shafts of light make the interior glow, while ferns and moss thrive in the damp air. It feels like walking into a natural cathedral.
A series of wooden staircases and walkways guide you deeper into the cave. The steps are steep in some places and a bit slippery from moss and water, so good shoes are important.
While Wind Cave is generally rated as an easy walk, thanks to its relatively small size and mostly level passages, Fairy Cave is graded as easy to moderate. It’s still manageable for most visitors, but expect a bit more of a workout compared to Wind Cave.
Along the way, you’ll notice interesting limestone formations, including a fairy-shaped one that apparently gave the cave its name (I didn’t see it).
The deeper sections of the cave get darker and quieter. If you brought a torch, you can peek into corners off the main walkway and see smaller chambers and rock features. Otherwise, the main paths are visible enough in daylight or with just your phone torch.
The cave also has plenty of bat and swiftlet activity, so you may hear squeaking or see shadows fluttering above. The smell of guano is there, but not overwhelming. Because Fairy Cave is so open and well-ventilated, the smell is nowhere near as strong as in smaller, more enclosed caves. In fact, once you start moving through the main chamber, you’ll probably stop noticing it altogether.
Eventually, the path leads you up to a high platform within the main chamber, where you can pause and take in the view of the greenery against the limestone walls. Many people stop here for photos or just to catch their breath before heading back down the same way. The trail takes about 45 minutes (one way) if you’re not rushing.
For the very adventurous, there’s also the Gunung Kapor Summit Trail, which starts at the end of the Dark Trail. This hike takes you up to the top of the limestone mountain for panoramic views of Bau and the surrounding landscape.
But it’s not something you can casually walk into. You need a licensed guide and advance booking through Sarawak Forestry. It’s only recommended if you’re reasonably fit and up for a proper jungle trek (with some rock climbing). I didn’t attempt it, but if you’re fit and up for an adventure beyond the cave, it’s worth looking into.
How much time to spend at Fairy Cave
I’d say set aside about 1.5 hours to 2 hours for Fairy Cave itself. That gives you enough time to climb the staircases, wander through the main chamber, pause for photos, catch your breath, and poke around the smaller corners without rushing.
If you’re pairing Fairy Cave with Wind Cave (which most people do since they’re so close), plan a half-day trip for both, say, 3 to 4 hours in total including driving, exploring, and a short break in between.
What to wear / bring to the Fairy Cave
Fairy Cave isn’t a hardcore spelunking site, but it’s also not a place you’d want to show up to in flip-flops and shorts. The mix of steep stairs, damp surfaces, and a humid jungle environment means a bit of preparation goes a long way:
- Shoes with good grip – The staircases and cave floor can be damp and mossy. Sneakers or light hiking shoes are best. Avoid sandals.
- Comfortable clothes – Light, breathable fabrics help in the Sarawak heat. It gets slightly cooler inside the cave, but still humid. Long pants are useful if you don’t want scratches from rocks or insect bites.
- Water bottle – You’ll be climbing quite a few stairs before you even get to the cave entrance, so hydration helps. I’d say half a liter per person is fine, but bring more if you tend to sweat a lot.
- Torch / headlamp (optional) – The main chamber has enough natural light, but if you’re curious about darker nooks and side passages, a small torch is handy.
- Bug repellent – You’re still in a jungle setting, so expect mosquitoes and other flying insects.
- Small change for admission fees, equipment rentals (if any), and incidental purchases.
- Identification (MyKad/ID) to confirm eligibility for concession tickets.
- Small backpack – To keep your hands free while climbing and exploring.
If you’re planning to pair Fairy Cave with Wind Cave in one trip (which I’d recommend), you’ll definitely want that torch and maybe even a hat — Wind Cave has plenty of bats, and droppings sometimes fall from above.
Final thoughts
So, is Fairy Cave worth visiting? I’d say yes, but with the right expectations. If you’ve already been to Sarawak’s giants like Mulu or Niah, Fairy Cave won’t feel nearly as vast or dramatic. Those caves are on a completely different scale, both in size and in their cave systems.
But what Fairy Cave lacks in size, it makes up for in atmosphere, with its unique mix of sunlight, greenery, and a hint of the mystical.
For me, it was worth the stop because it gave a different perspective of Sarawak’s limestone landscapes. Plus, paired with Wind Cave and the Blue Lake, it turned into a really fun day trip out of Kuching.
👉 If you’re planning your own trip, check out my Kuching travel guide, keep an eye out for my post on how to spend a day in Bau (coming soon), and explore the rest of the blog for more destination ideas and travel tips across Malaysia.
