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Posted on 01/30/2023

Caves and Caverns

A Cave New World: Explore Eleuthera's Coolest Caves & Caverns

Visitors keen to experience all that's awesome about Eleuthera Island must sometimes be willing to see beneath the surface - literally.

Eleuthera has some of the coolest caves, caverns, and cenotes in the Caribbean. Composed primarily of limestone, these underground systems feature spectacular stalactite and stalagmite formations, columns, draperies, skylights, and chambers.

If you're up for a bit of adventure on the rocks - this is your chance!

Eleuthera Caves' History & Ecology

The indigenous Lucayan Arawak people believed the caves and blue holes within these karst landscapes were a gateway to the afterlife. Some even buried their dead in these sacred spaces. Remains dating as far back as 800 AD have been found by archeologists as recently as 2017 - in Preacher's Cave, Hatchet Bay Cave, and in other smaller caverns that dot the island.

Historians believe Spanish pirates and privateers also used these subterranean spots to temporarily stash their stolen treasures. And in the 1600s, we know that Preacher's Cave provided shelter and sanctuary to shipwrecked Puritans.

But humans are far from the only - or even first - creatures to venture into these underground hollows. From prehistoric times until roughly 1,000 years ago, scientists say Eleuthera's caves were home to crabs, tortoises, rock iguanas, skinks, parrots, crows, rodents (specifically hutias), and bats. LOTS of bats. These fauna likely co-existed for a time with the earliest human inhabitants, but most local populations ultimately went extinct. Today, the caves still house a handful of bat, plant, micro-fungi, tiny crustacean, and insect species.

Read on for more on Eleuthera's most popular cave conquests, as well as tips for What to Know if You Go from the team at Eleuthera Vacation Rentals.

Hatchet Bay Cave

Hatchet Bay, a winding, 1-mile-long, three-tier, vaulted cave, is probably the island's most well-known. It has many stalactite & stalagmite formations, and two entrances accessible from nondescript spots on the Eleuthera countryside.

While pinpointing the entrances can be a bit tricky, the underground terrain is relatively easy, and you're unlikely to get lost. (Hiring a guide is your best bet if you have any concerns.)

Unfortunately, there's a fair amount of graffiti in some areas, mostly midway through the second level. Of interest though: Some of that scrawling dates back to the 19th century.

Preacher's Cave

Preacher's Cave (near the also-popular Sapphire Blue Hole) is an historic cave that was once a Lucayan burial ground & gathering place. It also sheltered English Puritan settlers who shipwrecked in the Devil's Backbone reef in the 1640s.

A large skylight is prominent at the main entry, with several smaller openings throughout. Carvings of the colonists are seen on walls along the stone-carved steps that lead to the spot that served as a sanctuary - with seats, a pulpit, and places for religious texts and artifacts. (Hence the name, Preacher's Cave.) The settler's marked their presence with a stone entrance plaque. Sermons continued at Preacher's Cave for at least a century after their arrival.

Visitors enjoy exploring the cave itself, but also swimming, snorkeling & picnicking at the adjacent beach & nearby Sapphire Blue Hole.

Cathedral Cave

Cathedral Cave is smaller than others on Eleuthera, but worth a stop!

You'll find it south of Rock Sound, across from Queen's Highway, behind the ocean hole. It's a short, rocky trail to the entrance, and an easy ladder descent.

Unlike most of the other caves, Cathedral Cave lacks the speleothems (those statuesque stalactites, stalagmites, and other structures formed by thousands of years of water mineral deposits). Still, it's a stunning sight, with tentacle-like tree roots that cascade down the interior, filtering gold bars of light to the lower level. Visit on a sunny day, and you can probably leave the flashlight behind.

Ten Bay Cave (AKA: Bat's Cave)

Ten Bay Cave is a sizeable Eleuthera cave structure with at least six entrances and seemingly endless twists, turns & chambers.

Wooden ladders allow for easy descent/ascent, with several skylights and thick, winding tree roots roping down to the cave floor. Take care: The terrain here is a bit more challenging than in the other caves.

It's also nicknamed "Bat's Cave" for a reason - and no, it's not a reclusive superhero with a sweet car. It's home to several colonies of leaf-nosed bats. Warning: Your nose will alert you to their presence before your eyes do. The smell of bat guano in some spots can be intense, so take heed if your olfactory system is super sensitive. It's still an interesting spot worth exploring, just be prepared.

Honorable Mentions

Eleuthera has many smaller caves & caverns dotting the island. Some are only a single room, but still pretty cool - especially if caving is your jam or you have a bit of time before whatever's next on your agenda.

Other Eleuthera cave honorable mentions include:

  • Smuggler's Cave
  • Driftwood Cave
  • Gale Hole
  • Rum Bottle Cave
  • Goat Cave

What to Know if You Go Caving in Eleuthera

If you're planning an Eleuthera cave expedition, the main things to keep in mind:

  • Wear appropriate shoes. Closed-toed, good grip sneakers or hiking boots are probably best. There are ladders, slippery steps, uneven terrain, small holes, etc.
  • Bring at least two lights. Flashlight, head lamp, maybe one of each. It's too easy to get lost if you lose all your lights sources.
  • Take water. Even if you don't plan on staying too long or venturing too far, bring more water than you think you need. Climbing, ducking, sliding, stepping - it's exercise, and there are no drinking fountains.
  • Don light clothing. The temperature in the caves is pretty consistently mild - not too hot, not too cold. You should be fine in shorts or light pants & thin t-shirt.
  • Hands-off. Oil from your skin can cause permanent damage to formations in the caves.
  • Respect the bats. If you spot a sleeping bat, don't shine a light on it or otherwise try to disturb it. Disrupted sleep cycles can harm their survival odds, and they're important to Eleuthera's ecosystem.
  • Bring your bug spray. Inside the caves, the mosquitos aren't too bad. However, sometimes swarms like to hang out at the entrances.
  • Know your limits. If you have physical limitations or health conditions that might make it difficult or dangerous to crouch, climb, slide, step, walk, or navigate confined/underground spaces, please think carefully about how much you can realistically and safely do.
  • Go in a group. It's never a good idea to venture into a cave alone. Also if you're able, inform someone outside your group where you're going and when to expect you back.
  • Hire a local guide. Safest and smartest way to explore the caves of Eleuthera: Hire a local guide. Our trusted go-to is Jim Jordan of wild-studies.com. Founded in 1991 by Jim and his son Reade, Wild Studies provides cool, informative, safe, eco-educational adventures of Eleuthera's caves and reef systems. Contact Jim at (242) 359-7424 or via email at jimdjordan46@gmail.com.

Have more questions? AT Eleuthera Vacation Rentals, we love to help our guests make the most of every moment! Email inquiries@eleutheravacationrentals.net.