English
The Vrelo underwater cave in Matka Canyon has become the deepest explored underwater cave in the world, after an international team of cave divers reached a record depth of 338 meters during the “Vrelo 2026” expedition. This achievement set three world records, and the cave has now taken the top spot on the global list, surpassing sites such as Font Estramar in France and Elefante Bianco in Italy.
According to the “Vrelo” Cave Diving Club, an international team of 15 divers from Macedonia, Poland, and Italy explored the cave to a record depth of 338 meters between October 10 and 17—51 meters deeper than the previously explored depth of 287 meters. In doing so, world records were set in three categories: the deepest cave explored by a human, the deepest cave dive, and the deepest open-water dive.
In addition to reaching new depths, the expedition discovered two previously unknown underwater channels, significantly expanding the map of the cave system. In total, more than 150 new meters of cave passages were explored, further enriching our understanding of the complex underwater system at Vrelo. The first newly discovered passage is located approximately 300 meters from the cave entrance at a depth of 33 meters and is about 100 meters long, while the second was discovered at a depth of 170 meters and connects to the cave’s main deep-level passage.
During the expedition, in addition to investigating the cave’s depth, diving teams from Poland and Macedonia discovered two more previously unknown passages, which altered the cave map and the total length of the cave. In speleology, a cave’s length is calculated by including all its passages. Beyond the length added by the newly explored depth of 51 meters (from 287m to 338m), the new passages explored during this expedition add over 100 meters—amounting to a total of 150 meters of newly explored cave. In cave diving, these new passages are of exceptional importance due to the complexity of the entire underwater cave system. The first newly explored passage, located 300 meters from the cave entrance at a depth of 33 meters, is approximately 100 meters long; it terminates at a depth of 10 meters, where it joins the final branch that was explored back in 2000. “The second channel lies at a depth of 170 meters and spans 30 meters in length; at the 185-meter mark, it joins the main channel—previously the only deep-water passage to have been explored,” state representatives from the “Vrelo” Speleo-Diving Club.
The record-breaking dive was performed by Polish cave diver Bartłomiej Pitala, with the entire operation lasting nine hours. His safe return was monitored by 12 safety divers stationed at various depths within the cave, while a coordination team—supported by medical and rescue personnel—was deployed on the surface.
“The final dive, which set the record, lasted nine hours and was meticulously planned and organized. Twelve safety divers were positioned at various locations and depths—staggered over time—to ensure the safe exit of Bartłomiej Pitala. The diving team and first-aid units were managed by a surface support team. Throughout these nine hours, several assets remained on standby: a hyperbaric chamber staffed by specialists in treating decompression sickness; the Ministry of Interior’s helicopter unit; the ‘Tigar’ Special Anti-Terrorist Unit’s diving teams—equipped with speedboats and specialized transport vehicles; and an ambulance,” the “Vrelo” Speleo-Diving Club notes. The results of the “Vrelo 2026” expedition in the Vrelo underwater cave in Matka Canyon—during which three new world records were set—will be announced tomorrow at a press conference at the base camp.