Harrison’s Cave, Barbados

March 29th 2013

Harrison's Cave, Barbados

Harrison’s Cave is a limestone cavern in the geographical middle of Barbados, formed as the island itself was made – by tectonic and volcanic action – about 60,000 years ago. It was discovered as early as the 18th century, but only excavated and turned into a tourist attraction in the 1970s. Set in botanical gardens, you take a rickety golf-cart-like carriage into the bowels of the cave for a short tour.

Harrison's Cave, Barbados

Harrison's Cave, Barbados
Harrison's Cave, Barbados

Harrison's Cave, Barbados
Harrison's Cave, Barbados
Harrison's Cave, Barbados

Harrison's Cave, Barbados
Harrison's Cave, Barbados

Each area was given a name based on what it resembles. This is the Great Hall, said to resemble a cathedral with the congregation gathered, and the Altar with two ‘figures’.

Harrison's Cave, Barbados
Harrison's Cave, Barbados

Given 30,000 years or so, calcium drip deposits will make this a full column.

I’m glad we did go to see it as it’s quite spectacular down there, but I didn’t much like the slightly tacky resort built around it (obviously geared around the coachloads of tourists that I’m sure it sees) yet the museum and tour itself were a bit on the stingy side. It was $35 Barbadian (about £12) for the tram tour that lasted only about 35 minutes and went forward and back again on the same track so you saw all the same areas twice. Anyway, it was still worth seeing for the creepy/awesome factor.

Comments (1)

  • Barbados Property

    April 5th 2013 at 8:22 pm

    Wow, your photos came out MUCH better than mine ever have inside Harrison’s Cave – very impressive! I’ve always found there is something Jurassic Park-esque about the whole Harrison’s Cave complex :) I have been tempted to try the walk-around tour as well, where a guide will take a small group of you on foot through pools and crawl spaces…

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