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Harrison’s Cave Barbados (Visitor’s Guide)

ByMelissa

Most people come to Barbados for the beaches, but this small Caribbean island offers so much more than that! For a fun and easy adventure, visit Harrison’s Cave in Barbados, one of the island’s most iconic tourist attractions.

If you visited caves before and you think that crawling through underground passages is just not for you, think again. Harrison’s Cave is very accessible, with an option to attach strollers and wheelchairs to the electric tram, so everyone gets a chance to visit! I only wish the tour is longer!

Here’s everything you need to know about visiting Harrison’s Cave Barbados, from how to get here to what to wear.

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About Harrison’s Cave in Barbados

The first mention of Harrison’s Cave dates back to the 1700s when it was discovered and named after Thomas Harrison, who owned the land where it is located. 

Interestingly, the cave was difficult to access it was forgotten over time, only to be rediscovered in the 1970s! 

It took over 10 years of work and significant investments from the Barbados government to prepare the complex cave system for tourists.

Today, this once-inaccessible cave is one of the most popular and unique tourist attractions in Barbados, and you can easily explore the fascinating rock formations by taking a tram tour through the winding tunnels.

A really cool thing about Harrison’s Cave in Barbados is that it’s always changing! The stalactites and stalagmites are always evolving, so the cave won’t look exactly the same if you visit it years apart.

Exploring Harrison’s Cave – What It’s Like

At the start of the tour, you’ll watch a short informative video about Harrison’s Cave and how the island of Barbados was formed. After the film, you’ll head to the electric tram is. With a quick stop to grab a safety helmet. 

You’ll ride on the tram on a smooth, lit-up path, passing stalagmites and stalactites. It’s so cool! You go 2km underground! And your guide is telling you all about the history of the cave and even points out the original way they used to enter the cave.

They keep the lights dimmed and even turn off the lights momentarily so you can see how dark it really is inside. It reminded me of when we turned off our headlamps inside Nivida Cave in Panama, and all you see is pitch black.

The tram stops inside a room where you’ll have a few minutes to get off and take photos. They host weddings in this room from time to time. There’s a small waterfall there. 

And the second stop is a taller waterfall! My favourite stop on the tram tour! I wanted more time to admire it all. So cool to see a waterfall underground in a cave! 

Then you slowly make your way back out of the cave, taking a slightly different route to end up at the same start point.

It’s an easy adventure tour that you won’t want to miss on your trip to Barbados. One of my favourite things I did.

Best Time to Visit Harrison’s Cave

Given that Harrison’s Cave is underground, the weather doesn’t really affect your experience. You can visit year-round and have a great time. 

I found it pretty cool that the ceiling drips more when there has been rain in the past few days. You can see exactly how all the stalagmites and stalactites were created.

It’s also a great activity if you want to avoid the strong noon sun after spending one too many days sunbathing.

Hours & Entrance

The cave is not open all day, so you’ll have to plan your Barbados itinerary accordingly. The first tram tour departs at 9 am and the last at 2:40 pm. You have to book a specific time slot for visiting! We visited in off-season, so it was easy to be slotted into the next available tour upon arrival.

The signature tram tour costs from $57 USD, but the eco-adventure park managing the cave offers other fun activities on the property, including ziplining, that you might consider. 

If you’re visiting as part of an organized tour, the entrance fee is usually included.

How to Get to Harrison’s Cave

There are 3 ways to get to the cave: driving, by bus, or on a tour.

The cave is located in the center of the island, so it’s easy to reach regardless of where you’re staying.

By Driving 

The easiest way to get around Barbados is by driving. The island is small, and you can reach the cave in about 30 minutes from all over the island. The road signs are clear and Google Maps works perfectly. Keep an eye out for potholes as the country roads to Harrison’s Cave have quite a few of them.

By Bus

I explored Barbados without a car on my second trip to the island, so I took a bus to Harrison Cave. To get to the Cave, you’ll take bus 4 from Princess Alice Terminal towards Sturges. 

The bus stays on the main road, so you’ll have to walk for about 5 minutes to the entrance. Your driver will tell you which stop to exit if you let them know where you are going when you get on the bus.

If you plan to visit the cave on Sunday, keep in mind that there are fewer buses than during the week. I had to wait forever when I wanted to go back to the city. Luckily, it was the only thing on my itinerary that day.

By Tour

Joining a tour is the easiest way to see the cave if you want to visit several tourist attractions in Barbados in 1 day, and you’re not renting a car.

Most Barbados island tours have a stop at Harrison’s Cave, as it is one of the most popular things to do in Barbados and is easy to integrate into most itineraries.

3 Best Harrison’s Cave Tours

Harrison’s Cave Tram tour is organized by the company managing the cave, and it’s included in your entry ticket. In fact, the only way to visit the cave is on the tram tour, and you can’t explore the underground tunnels on your own.

But it is worth checking out organized tours if you need transportation to the cave or want to visit several attractions on the same day.

Barbados Harrison’s Cave Visiting Tips 

1. Check Opening Hours

The cave is not accessible all day, as tram tours run from 9 am until 2:40 pm, so plan your visit accordingly. You’ll have to pick a specific time when booking your ticket and be there at least 30 minutes before the tour starts. 

2. Don’t Bundle Up As the Cave is Not Cold

I was expecting the cave to be cold, being underground, but it was actually warm and humid. You don’t need to bundle up or bring a jacket. Simply wear whatever you’re wearing that day.

3. Harrison’s Cave Eco Park is an Entire Adventure Complex

Depending on how many days in Barbados you have, you might want to stick around the adventure park after your cave tour. You can try ziplining, and there’s also a pool. These additional activities are not included with the basic ticket, so you’ll have to pay extra. 

What to Wear to Harrison Cave 

  • Closed-toed shoes 
  • Whatever you’re wearing that day

The cave is surprisingly warm, so you don’t need a jacket to stay warm. The floor can be wet and muddy, so keep that in mind when picking footwear. You’ll wear a helmet while in the cave, so style your hair accordingly.

There are lockers on-site if you need to store your belongings.

Harrison’s Cave Barbados Review & Final Thoughts

Harrison’s Cave in Barbados, named one of the “7 Wonders of Barbados”, is well worth visiting, even if you’re short on time. I thought it’d be too touristy, but it was really fun! 

The rock formations were impressive, and it was so cool when they turned off all the lights and we were sitting in complete darkness.

One downside is that I wish the Harrison’s Cave Tram tour is longer, so we could spend more time in the cave and admire its beauty longer. As you’re sitting in the tram for 90% of the tour, you can’t explore at your own pace. You only get a few minutes at each of the dedicated stops for photos and take it in, but I’d still go again.

Next soft adventure activity? Try swimming with turtles in Barbados!

Travelling to Barbados? Read more:

Melissa is the founder of My Beautiful Passport. A Canadian who has explored 15+ countries on 4 continents, she enjoys combining adventure and affordable luxury. Through sharing her own experiences, travel tips, and destination itineraries, she helps others plan their unique adventures whether it be at the beach, in the city, or in the mountains.