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Animal Flower Cave, Barbados

Animal Flower Cave, Barbados

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To the untrained eye, rocks appear solid and unyielding, but time tells a different story. Over thousands of years, water patiently sculpts even the roughest surfaces, giving rise to otherworldly subterranean landscapes. Nestled along the northern coast of Barbados is a prime example: a sea cave celebrated for its dramatic rock formations, sweeping ocean views, and the peculiar critters that call it home.

By: Omri Westmark

Date: 00:43 20.02.25

Last Update: 00:43 20.02.25

Caves Nature Barbados North America & The Caribbean

Throughout Barbados one can find multiple caves, each with its own distinct geological features. The island, which is made primarily of limestone, has a landscape shaped by the relentless force of water over millennia.

For instance, Harrison’s Cave is a well-known tourist attraction boasting underground streams and towering stalactites. But at the northernmost point of the island, another cave offers an entirely different experience. Situated at North Point in the parish of St. Lucy, Animal Flower Cave is the only accessible sea cave in Barbados. Unlike inland caves formed by rainwater dissolving limestone, this one was carved out by ocean waves pounding the cliffs.

Discovered in 1750 by a Welsh naturalist and later explored via its seaward entrance in 1780, the cave sits about six feet above the current high tide level. Geological studies suggest that Barbados is rising at approximately an inch every thousand years, meaning the cave was originally formed at sea level.

The cave’s name comes from its unusual inhabitants: sea anemones, locally known as “animal flowers.” These small marine creatures resemble delicate underwater blooms, their tentacles swaying in the pools of water that dot the cave floor.

When disturbed, they retract swiftly, a defensive mechanism that helps them avoid predators. While once abundant, their numbers have since declined, and visitors today may only see a few scattered within the pools.

Reaching the cave requires descending a steep staircase crafted from coral, installed in 1912. Once inside, visitors find themselves surrounded by smooth rock walls, whose surfaces shaped by centuries of water movement. The cave’s floor is a medley of ancient coral and limestone, estimated to be up to half a million years old.

One of the site’s highlights is a natural rock pool, where visitors can take a dip when the waters are calm. The cave is perhaps most famous for its large openings, often called “windows,” that frame sweeping views of the surrounding ocean, with waves crashing against the rugged coastline. On rare occasions, particularly during winter months, humpback whales can be spotted in the waters beyond.

The site can be visited solely via guided tours, which provide insight into the cave’s history, geology, and ecosystem. Tours are available daily, weather permitting, as rough seas can sometimes make entry impossible. Above ground, the surrounding cliffs offer panoramic vistas of the Atlantic Ocean. Nearby, a restaurant and a smattering of knickknacks stalls, though visitors should be aware that some of the touts can be quite aggressive.