Barbados is one of the most famous of the Caribbean islands. Known predominantly for its tropical climate, beaches, and luxury hotels, there is actually a lot more to see. One of the most popular attractions of the island is Harrison Cave. This unique experience of making your way through an island cave should certainly be part of your Barbados experience. Why is it worth your time? There are a actually a few reasons.

Located near Barbados' geographical center, the caves are inside the parish of St. Thomas. They offer an experience unlike any you will find on a tropical island. Opened to the public in 1981, these ancient wonders have quickly become the number one attraction in Barbados.

The first mention of Harrison Caves in historical documents was in 1795. Lying virtually undisturbed by people until 1976, they were "rediscovered" at that time. Today, it is a show cave that offers visitors a lighted opportunity to see a number of unique stone formations.

The caves are a whole experience. Upon arrival at the site, you can relax, have a snack, or do some shopping in a Visitors Center that is built right into a natural contour in the bedrock of the cave. From there, you will proceed into a theater for an audio and visual show that is designed to give you a history of Barbados in terms of geology. There, you will discover that the cave is one of the few living caves in the world. That means that as the waters flow and drip in the cave, they are rich enough in minerals to continue forming the cave.

Once the show is over, you are ready to experience Harrison Cave. From the comfort of a tram and under the guidance of a tour guide, you will see some spectacular sites. "The Great Hall" is an enormous cavern that stretches 150 feet across and rises up 100 feet on the inside. These are particularly interesting in an area called "The Village." There, you will see a proliferation of rock formations stretching down and reaching up in a variety of shapes and shades. Additionally, you will see stalagmites, stalactites, and hundreds of other formations. As you travel through the caves, there is certainly no shortage of fast flowing streams and pools of water that are working on the cave even as you tour through it. The experience is thorough, enjoyable, comfortable, and educational.

Barbados is, no doubt, a tropical wonder. With beautiful beaches, blue waters, and fine luxury hotels, it is easy to forget that the island offers so much more. Even aside from the hills and villages, there is Harrison Cave. Well worth a visit, this living cave offers you a full educational and enjoyable experience from the visitor center to the depths of the Barbados underground. So when you visit Barbados, enjoy the sun and the surf, but don't forget to take a little time to experience more. Find your way to Harrison Caves and add a memorable extra experience to your trip.