Georgia Tokos Cave

Tokos Cave is one of the most unusual hidden spots along the coast north of Batumi. A dark tunnel beneath the railway tracks opens into a small, lush gorge where a waterfall drops between dense vegetation. The contrast between the almost completely dark tunnel and the bright green scenery beyond creates a natural frame and makes this location particularly interesting for photography. And trust me when I say unknown: Literally everyone passed the tunnel along the beach, and nobody went in!

The tunnel itself is the key to the composition. Shoot from inside and use its dark walls as a natural frame around the waterfall, creating a strong sense of depth and discovery. A wide-angle lens works best to include the curved tunnel entrance, stream, and surrounding vegetation. The dynamic range between the dark interior and bright exterior can be extreme, so expose for the highlights or consider bracketing several exposures. A tripod can also be useful if you want to smooth the flowing water while keeping your ISO low.

Park at Petra Beach and walk north along the shoreline. Continue until the beach becomes rockier and look for the dark tunnel passing underneath the railway tracks. Walk through the tunnel, and the waterfall is waiting on the other side. Depending on recent rainfall, water levels and the rocks along the approach can make the walk slippery, so wear suitable shoes. The entrance is easy to miss from the beach, which is exactly why this spot still feels surprisingly hidden.