Harrison’s Cave reopens after 16-month hiatus

By Marlon Madden

Tucked away in the rural parish of St Thomas is one of Barbados’ most treasured gems – Harrison’s Cave.

Surrounded by lush but well kept vegetation, the island’s wonder, which was closed for the past 16 months, came alive with activities once again when it was reopened last Friday welcoming scores of locals and tourists to a revamped experience.

Upon entering the location, visitors were met by courteous and experienced staff members who assisted with the signing in process.

Once sanitised and an acceptable temperature reading was taken, guests were ushered to the staircase or elevator to make their way down to the cave for the signature tram tour.

In the welcome area, visitors had the opportunity to learn more about the cave and its history before they boarded the tram. I was among 16 people on the sixth tour for the day, each of us sitting in our “bubble” (or among our own group) on the tram. There are currently between six and eight tours per day, which officials are hoping to increase to about 20 once the COVID restrictions are eased.

My tour guide was vibrant and knowledgeable Brandon John Wick Atherley, who did not skim on the history of the cave or shy away from getting the visitors involved.

This was not my first time exploring the cave, but it felt that way as I again soaked up the running streams and magnificent formation of stalactite and stalagmite rocks.

From time to time my imagination wondered as I thought about what it could have been like exploring the cave prior to it being officially opened to the public in November 1981.

Those thoughts would occasionally be jolted back to the present by some of the entertaining comments or history shared by Atherley along the approximately one-hour journey.

The deepest part of the cave from the surface is about 165 feet, and the entire cave is at least 2.3 kilometres long, with much of its stalagmites still growing. Almost 40 years since its official opening Harrison’s Cave continues to mesmerise and be a major hit among tourists and locals.

One family of seven, who was visiting from the US, told Barbados TODAY they extended their trip by one week in order to do the tour. The location was initially scheduled to reopen on Friday, July 2, but was delayed by a week due to the passage of Hurricane Elsa.

Marc Melville, Chief Executive Officer of Chukka Caribbean Adventures, the new operators of the cave, said based on the first day of activities, the location still “has the appeal”.

Melville, who personally welcomed visitors to the cave on its first day of reopening, said he was pleased that locals who have not visited the location in decades decided to do so once again.

Once the exploration of the cave was completed, individuals had the opportunity to have a meal and drinks at the bar and grill. They were also able to pick up a gift at the gift shop.

Several upgrades are planned for the location, including the highly anticipated Eco-adventure Park, which will consist of several exciting features.

Among those features will be a freefall platform, a suspension bridge, bird aviary, dry slide, challenge course and nature trail, children’s play area, an interactive green monkey experience, canopy zipline, a gully swing, an adventure zone and an infinity edge pool.

Most of this development is to be completed by the first quarter of next year.

Once the location is again able to host larger numbers, special functions such as weddings, will once again be allowed.

Harrison’s Cave is but one of the island’s many attractions.Marsha Alleyne, Chief Product Development Officer with the Barbados Tourism Marketing Inc. (BTMI), said she was upbeat about the prospects for the attractions across the island.

She welcomed the planned development, saying this was good for the overall tourism product.

“A lot of them are thinking about some innovative and exciting things to do. There are a lot of product offerings to come on stream, we are seeing some new activity and we are seeing a lot of twinning where people are getting together – different attractions are working with each other to create almost an inclusive package as opposed to one opportunity. I think that is very good for product development in Barbados,” Alleyne said.
marlonmadden@barbadostoday.bb