Jamaica Information

Jamaica Deep Down

Most people will automatically associate Jamaica with the idea of sun, holiday, beach, and reggae music. But those whose hobby is cave exploration know that the island, with its amazing geological formations, is a great place to go for spelunking. Less experienced explorers can choose a guided tour, where they will be accompanied by staff who are well acquainted with the caves.

One of the truly wondrous places, especially suited for the beginning spelunker is the one called the Caves of Nonesuch. Situated on a coconut plantation, this place is actually one multi-chambered cave. Walkways, stairs, and railings facilitate access and movement, and the generous lighting makes it easy to see all the interesting parts. In spite of these facilities that clearly target inexperienced cave enthusiasts, seasoned spelunkers and explorers interested in geology and native history are also likely to find points of interest. The admission price, including a tour of the exquisite gardens nearby, is $8 ($3 for children under 12).

Those interested in the study of fossils will find a lot to do here. The Caves of Nonesuch host ancient fossils - according to some, these date as far back as the birth of the island. Fossilized remnants of marine life could provide valuable information as to the way this piece of land was formed. Some traces of the Arawak civilization complement the set of attractions in this cave, along with the usual mineral deposits in the form of stalagmites and stalactites, characteristic of caves.

But Jamaican caves are not all explorer-friendly. The ones in Cockpit Country, for instance, are quite challenging and it is advisable that you explore them with a guide's assistance. There are over seventy caves in the area. Among them, Windsor Caves are a special attraction for many spelunkers. In addition to the range of interesting geological formations, these caves also host a variety of wildlife, including bats.

The tours you can choose from at Cockpit Country Adventure Tours vary according to your skill level. If you're a beginner, you might want to try the Rock Spring Cave, where you'll gradually descend into the cave to a depth of 1.5 miles. If you're an experienced cave explorer and enjoy challenges, you could try other tours such as Quashie River Sink Cave, where you'll have to go down by rope to get to a large area with ancient fossils.

Besides its mineral attractions such as the quartz and limestone formations, Peace Cave in Cockpit Country is also of historic interest. It was one of the caves that once sheltered the Maroons, freedom fighters who obtained their right to autonomy from the British. There are annual rituals organized here in celebration of these people.

Being formed mainly of limestone, Jamaica has plenty of caves just waiting for you to explore them. Even if you've never tried it before, after seeing these places you might discover your passion for spelunking.

Jamaica Information

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