Not all caves are creepy, just like what you see in horror movies. There are also beautiful caves where you can lie down and relax without worrying about monsters, and Rangko Cave is one of them. Rangko Cave is a limestone cave with a natural blue pool inside. It’s a hidden gem in Labuan Bajo. What a sweet surprise for travelers! To get the best out of your trip, this Rangko Cave travel guide will help you prepare for the best travel experience.
Location
Just like its name, Goa Rangko or Rangko Cave is located in Rangko village near Labuan Bajo in Gusung Island. Around this area, you can also continue your trip to see the Komodo Dragons on Komodo Island and enjoy snorkeling and diving on Rinca Island and Padar Island.
How to Get There
Firstly, take a flight from Bali to Labuan Bajo, then continue your trip by motorcycle for the cheapest option or by car if you prefer a more convenient way, to the Rangko Village. It will only take less than 45 to 50 minutes. The roads are mostly paved with a few steep hills. The traffic is not as packed as that of in big cities, so you can sit and enjoy the view.
You can choose to ride the scooter on your own or with a guide. It definitely saves quite a lot of money if you ride on your own, around IDR 400,000 compared to IDR 1,1 million with a guide. If you decide to rent a car, make sure that it doesn’t cost more than IDR 500,000.
Once you arrive at the fishermen village, there are two transportation options: taking a boat or walking through a bridge on foot. If you’re in the mood for taking a challenge, walk through the bridge will be the right option for you because of its challenging trek. The bridge is long and made of wood that connects to the pier. While walking down the bridge, look down to the sea and witness the clear view of the magical underwater world, decorated with various fishes and colorful corals.
If you take the boat crossing, it’ll cost you around IDR 200,000 to IDR 300,000 for a boat with five people capacity for a round trip. Invite more friends to your trip so that you can split the cost.
Step off your boat, and let’s walk to the cave! It takes only 15 minutes by foot from the shoreline. Once you enter the cave area, always watch your step since the path passes through the forest and slippery cliffs.
Spend IDR 50,000 for entry to the cave. It doesn’t cost you an arm and a leg to experience such a beautiful gift of nature, right?
When to Visit
Rumor says that it’s best to visit Rangko Cave during low tide before the sun sets, around 12 pm to 3 pm. The best lighting comes at 2.30 pm and fades from 3.30 pm onwards. During those ‘golden hours’, the sun shines through the mouth of the cave, hits the surface of the clear blue seawater inside, and illuminates the whole cave with a greenish-blue glow. So, enjoy your time during the golden hours to have the best swim and dive experience in the most beautiful natural private pool in Indonesia.
What to Find and to Do
When you enter the cave, you’ll find many stalactites which are caused by natural process. The stairs down to the pool are quite steep and slippery once they’re wet, so always hold a grip to the edge and keep your balance.
Below the stalactites is a natural pond of clear greenish-blue sea water. The water is so clear that you can see what’s under, including the stalagmites and the fish. Once in a while, bats enter the cave. However, no worries, they won’t do you any harm.
Enjoying your time inside the cave means you can snorkel, swim, and take pictures of the cave. However, you’re not allowed to litter nor to pee inside the pool. Respect nature!
Unlike other tourism spots swarmed by people during holidays, Rangko Cave remains a hidden gem for travelers. Enjoying your time in the cave feels like having a private pool.
Tips
A Rangko Cave travel guide will not be complete without some tips at the end. First, wear your swim gears and waters shoes to avoid slipping. Second, haggle the boat price! It’s even better if you bring local friends with you and let them handle the haggling thing. Third, bring food and supplies because it’ll be a long and challenging journey. Fourth, always have your sunblock ready as you’ll be walking and swimming outdoor.
So, those are the Rangko Cave travel guide that will help you get the best out of your trip. Have a wonderful holiday!
