Harrison’s Cave

Harrison’s Cave

Harrison’s Cave is one of the most famous attractions in Barbados. It is a unique natural phenomenon, an amazing gallery of stalactites hanging from the cave’s vault and stalagmites intricately growing out of the ground. Crystal clear underground waters form waterfalls and deep emerald lakes.

History

The cave had been known about since the 18th century, but several expeditions to the central mountainous part of the island failed to find and explore it. Harrison’s Cave remained an unsolved mystery until 1970.

Danish speleologist Ole Sorensen, at the invitation of the Barbados National Trust, along with Tony Mason and Allison Thornill, began exploring the cave. They were tasked with exploring, mapping the cave and assessing its potential. Since 1974, the Government of Barbados has initiated and funded improvements to the cave to attract tourists. The cave was opened to the public in 1981.

Inside the cave

The entrance to the cave begins with a tunnel named after Noel Boyce, one of the pioneers of the construction team. A guided streetcar takes visitors through the extensive cave system to the lowest point of its level. Here it is possible to get off the streetcar and walk to the amazing beauty of the waterfall, which fills the underground lake with clear water.

The length of the cave is at least 2.3 kilometers. On the way of the tourist streetcar galleries of stalactites and stalagmites replace each other. By geological standards, the growth of stalagmites in the cave is considered very fast – every year they add to the growth “on the thickness of a sheet of paper”. The largest hall has about 15 meters in height.

Tourists

Harrison’s Cave is an entire underground world, a tour of which lasts an hour or an hour and a half – depending on the method of transportation. In the first case, visitors are taken around the cave complex on a special cart, and in the second case they go around the caves on foot. In both cases you will have to wear helmets and follow safety rules. And the guide will tell you all about stalactites, stalagmites, miniature underground waterfalls and lakes – among them there are very picturesque ones. A walking tour is more entertaining, though a bit tiring. Don’t forget to insulate yourself – it’s not as hot underground as it is on the surface.

The tourist center has souvenir stores, an exhibition of artifacts found by archaeologists on the territory of Barbados, there are restaurants and bars.

By the way, on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays there are so-called “ecotours” – it is a dive underground for four hours. During the walk you can see bats and familiarize yourself with the flora of the cave.

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Harrison’s Cave’s opening hours are.09.00 to 16.00.

Tours

Tram tour of the cave:Daily at 08:45 and 13:45; duration 1 hour.

Eco-adventure tour (adults and children over 16):Daily at 09:00 and 12:00; duration – 4 hours.

Cost

USD 30 / 1 person

Tram tour of the cave:

• Adults (Barbados citizens) – 25.25 USD
• Adults (foreign nationals) – $30.30 USD
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• Children (Barbados citizens) – 12.62 USD
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• Children (foreign nationals) – 15.15 USD

Eco Adventure Tour:

• Adults – 101 USD

Address

Welchman Hall, St. Thomas, Allen View, Barbados

How to get there

Grantley Adams International Airport – 25 kmBridgetown City – 12 kmBuses depart from Bridgetown every 30 minutes