Diver Sets Deepest Underwater Cave Record in Macedonia
Bartłomiej Pitala reached a depth of 338 meters in the Vrelo Cave, surpassing the previous record by 26 meters.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Swimming
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Explorer Bartłomiej Pitala set a new world record by reaching a depth of 338 meters inside the Vrelo Cave in North Macedonia. This achievement surpasses the previous cave diving record of 312 meters set by Xavier Méniscus in 2024.
Why it matters
The expedition team's ability to navigate deeper into the Vrelo Cave system highlights advancements in underwater exploration technology and safety protocols. This dive marks a significant shift in the known limits of human cave exploration.
The dive to 338 meters sets a new record, eclipsing the previous cave depth of 312 meters by 26 meters. The team successfully explored 150 meters of additional passages while managing 30 staged bail-out cylinders for safety.
The players
Bartłomiej Pitala
He is a professional cave diver who successfully navigated to a record-breaking 338-meter depth in Vrelo Cave.
Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova
She is the current President of North Macedonia who met with the expedition team following their historic dive.
Xavier Méniscus
He is a French cave diver who previously held the underwater cave depth record of 312 meters.
The details
Pitala utilized a complex setup involving a Liberty backmount, two sidemount closed-circuit rebreathers, and two Seacraft Ghost DPVs to complete the nine-hour mission. The expedition team of 15 divers also installed a 9-meter-deep habitat for support during the dive into the Matka Canyon system.
Timeline
10-17 October 2026: Vrelo 2026 expedition conducts exploration.
18 October 2026: President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova meets the team.
21 October 2026: Depth record reported.
Season Trajectory
This achievement resets the benchmark for deep cave exploration, marking the most significant breakthrough in the sport since 2024. The success positions the Vrelo Cave system as a primary focus for international expeditions attempting to test the limits of human endurance and technical gear.
The use of advanced rebreathers and staged bail-out cylinders establishes a new technical standard for deep-cave logistical planning. Enthusiasts can track these metrics to understand the current safety requirements and gear configurations necessary for extreme depth attempts.
The takeaway
This record-breaking expedition demonstrates how specialized equipment and precise logistical support allow divers to explore previously inaccessible underwater environments. Advancements in rebreather efficiency continue to redefine the boundaries of human capacity in extreme conditions.
Further reading
Explore more records and developments in the world of Swimming.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Divernet.
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