Exploring caves in Barotrauma is one of the most rewarding—and dangerous—activities in the game. These underwater caverns offer a rich supply of minerals and plants needed for crafting, as well as being the sites of monster nests and key mission objectives. However, each cave type brings its own set of deadly hazards that can wipe out an unprepared crew. This guide will walk you through each major cave type, how to identify them, what dangers to expect, and how to navigate them safely.

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Ice Caves

Found primarily in the Cold Caverns or as Abyssal Islands, Ice Caves are among the more accessible cave types. These caves usually contain smaller, less threatening monsters and are good sources of minerals and harvestable plants. Parts of the cave may be blocked off by icy barriers, which can be cleared with a plasma cutter.

Beware of jagged ice shards and large ice pillars. Getting too close results in serious harm—20 laceration, 20 bleeding, and up to 0.5 seconds of stun. You can navigate around them or cut them down with a plasma cutter to avoid injuries.

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Rock Caves

These caves can spawn in every biome and are visually defined by their plain, rocky appearance. What makes them especially dangerous are the small green gas vents scattered throughout. This gas rapidly depletes your oxygen levels, putting you at risk of suffocation if you linger. The only reliable defense is to avoid the gas and carry extra oxygen tanks.

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Crystal Caves

Spawning in both the Cold Caverns and Great Sea, Crystal Caves contain a wealth of resources and hostile creatures. What sets these caves apart are the jagged crystal formations growing from the cave walls. Like the hazards in Ice Caves, these also deal 20 laceration, 20 bleeding, and a 0.5 second stun. They too can be removed with a plasma cutter, making navigation easier and safer.

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Mushroom Caves

Exclusive to the Aphotic Plateau, Mushroom Caves are colorful and filled with bioluminescent coral and fungus, creating one of the most visually striking environments in the game. But beauty can be deceiving. Bright green mushrooms will expand when approached and explode, dealing 5 explosive damage, 15 burn, and up to 1 second of stun within a 3-meter radius. These can be destroyed at a distance with a plasma cutter.

The cave is also filled with nearly invisible floating spores that slowly increase psychosis over time. The longer you stay inside, the more hallucinatory effects you’ll experience, including phantom noises and flickering lights.

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Forest Caves

Appearing in the Europan Ridge and Aphotic Plateau, Forest Caves are dense and overgrown with thick, branch-like structures that dramatically slow down movement. Without an underwater scooter, navigating these can be painfully slow. Toxic gas vents can also spawn beneath the branches, compounding the threat. Between the terrain and the gas, it’s critical to come prepared with extra oxygen and mobility aids.

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Bioluminescent Caves (Hallucinogenic Caves)

Found in the Great Sea and Hydrothermal Wastes, these caves are lit by glowing hard and soft coral that illuminate the entire area without the need for external light. While this makes exploration easier, it comes at a cost—your character will constantly accumulate the hallucination affliction.

This affects your camera view and overlays strange visual effects, making navigation disorienting. Though not immediately dangerous, prolonged exposure can be unsettling and distracting during high-risk operations.

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Abyssal Islands

These rare structures spawn deep in the abyss and often hold the rarest and most valuable resources in the game, including dementonite, physicorium, fulgurium, incendium, and parallaxis. Occasionally, standard minerals may appear too. You’ll need to explore the island’s surface and interior to extract all its resources.

Abyssal Islands can feature any of the above cave variants, adapting their hazards and visuals accordingly. While the rewards are great, so are the risks. The Abyss is home to the largest and most lethal monsters in the game, and you’ll be operating in extreme pressure and darkness. Come prepared with upgraded suits, weapons, and a sturdy submarine.

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Volcanic Vents

These extreme hazards only appear at the very bottom of the abyss. If your submarine descends too far or sinks accidentally, volcanic vents will deal catastrophic damage. They pierce through your hull with 10 structural damage and superheat the surrounding water. Any character caught near them will take 20 burn damage rapidly. Avoid the bottom at all costs unless specifically equipped for abyssal navigation.

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Exploring these caves is as much about preparation as it is about bravery. Each type poses unique challenges, from explosive mushrooms to brain-bending hallucinations and extreme pressure environments. Bring the right gear, use your tools wisely, and always watch your oxygen. With practice and planning, even the deadliest cave systems in Barotrauma can become a source of power, wealth, and progression.

Until next time—cut clean, mine smart, and don’t breathe the spores.