Cueva de Orda (Ordinskaya)

Underwater gypsum cave

Russia · Orda, Perm Krai, western foothills of the Urals

Profundidad: 5–40 mNivel: Technical (Cave Diver, cold water and drysuit)All year round; the water stays at around 4 °C

The largest underwater gypsum cave in the world and the longest cave in Russia: some 5.1 km of passage, of which about 4.8 km are flooded. It contains the longest sump in the former Soviet Union, at 935 m. Enormous chambers up to some 76 m wide alternate with extremely tight squeezes. The mineral ground filters the water so thoroughly that visibility exceeds 45 m.

Depth

5–40 m

Recommended level

Technical (Cave Diver, cold water and drysuit)

Current

None

Access

From land, through the entrance beside the Kungur River; the equipment has to be lowered down

Best time

All year round; the water stays at around 4 °C

Plan your dive

Best time: All year round; the water stays at around 4 °C

Did you know

El yeso se disuelve deprisa, así que las paredes son blancas y el paisaje cambia de forma continua. La combinación de agua a 4 °C, paredes cortantes y galerías laberínticas la sitúa entre las inmersiones en cueva más peligrosas del mundo; el centro de espeleología subacuática que la gestiona exige acreditación previa. Existe una leyenda local sobre 'la Dama de la Cueva', una figura de blanco que se supone protege a los buceadores.

Sources consulted: Wikipedia (Orda Cave); PADI Blog; Koox Diving; dive.site; drardiving.com