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Caves and Holes

Anguilla has some interesting caves and holes. The holes were created by gaps in the coral where the softer rock was eventually erroded by rain and the shallow rock on the surface eventually gave way. The underground caverns begin as openings in the rock and wind down into the depths beneath the island. From east to west Anguilla has an interesting selection, some easy to explore. Check out the Cave map in this article to find out where they are located.
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Abadam Hole is near Windward Point.
Abadam Hole is near Windward Point.
Abadam Hole near windward point is such a hole. The coral rock suddenly gives way to a giant hole that has a bottom about 20 ft. down. Since this hole is close to the sea, underground streams feed the hole.
Directions: Take the Windward Point Dr. all the way out to Windward Point. Stop your jeep before the road gets too bad. Walk north towards the sea. The hole comes up suddenly and is located in the bush near the water. Windward Point area is a lovely place for a hike. Drive a jeep, wear hiking boots.

Proposed Park for Big Spring in Island Harbour
Proposed Park for Big Spring in Island Harbour
Big Spring National Park behind The Pub in Island Harbour is a collapsed cave with a natural spring. The Arawak Indians used this spring for water and decorated the walls of the cave with Spirit Eyes. The Big Spring project is open with a new walking area through the spring area.
Directions: Drive to Island Harbour, the Park is very small, located just off the main road in the village and clearly marked with a sign.

Spirit Eyes
Spirit Eyes
The Fountain near Shoal Bay is an underground cavern with markings left by the first inhabitants of Anguilla. A large fig tree grows through the entrance to the cave which is only accessable through the top. This cave is not open to the public.

A large fig tree takes advantage of the hole at Pitch Apple.
A large fig tree takes advantage of the hole at Pitch Apple.
Pitch Apple Hole is located in the bush at Brimmigan. A Pitch Apple tree growing at it's entrance gives this hole its name.
Directions: Take the North Side Rd. out of the Valley. This road becomes Brimegan Dr. Follow this road for about a quarter of a mile. It is very hard to describe exactly where this hole is off the road but it is just a short walk from the road in the bush. The hole comes up suddenly and has a Pitch Apple tree growing out of it. Only about a mile from the Valley.

Roots of trees make their way through the caves chambers seeking water.
Roots of trees make their way through the caves chambers seeking water.
Iguana Cave is located at the beginning of the Katouche Trail. It is a simple cave cut into the rock with two rooms. A large Fig tree grows through an opening in the cave. Its roots extend through the cave. Phospate was once mined in this cave.
Directions: Take the new paved road out of the Valley on Old Court Road. Follow this road about a mile to just behind the Government House in George Hill. The new road cuts through an open field. There is a small foot path that leads to the cave which is now very close to the main road. Wear hiking boots.

The holes lead to more chambers deep into the Anguilla rock at Old Ta.
The holes lead to more chambers deep into the Anguilla rock at Old Ta.
Old Ta Cave is located closer to Old Ta and is the most unusual cave in the group. The cave begins as an opening in the rock and has a room at just below ground level. The cave winds through a very low ceiling area and a hall extends off this room into another room with a high ceiling and limestone foundations. This room extends to a sudden drop hole in the floor which is home to many bats. Down this hole are more rooms and formations. Not currently open to the public.

This hole has an under ground inlet to the sea at Blackgarden Bay.
This hole has an under ground inlet to the sea at Blackgarden Bay.
Blackgarden Hole Actually the hole is east of Blackgarden along the sea rocks. This hole has an underground access to the sea and the sea surge into the hole is quite dramatic.
Directions to hole: Take the road to Limestone Bay out of the Valley and take the first right into the savannah valley, visible from road. Follow the best road through the savannah until you reach the end of the road, there is a house on the left, go right up a steep hill, follow this road to the end and make a left, park near the only house and walk to the right down a narrow path to the sea. The hole is in the rocks. Visit this hole in a jeep, wear hiking shoes. Only about a mile trip from Valley.

Map of the caves and holes on Anguilla.

Limestone formations in the cave at Old Ta
Floor to ceiling formations in a chamber at Old Ta Cave.
 
Big Spring entrance
Abadam hole appears suddenly in the coral rock near the coast.
Beautiful rock formations east of Blackgarden Bay.
Iguana cave at Katouche has a giant fig tree growing through the caves entrance.
The Iguana cave was once mined for phospate.
At Iguana cave in Katouche Valley this fig tree takes advantage of a hole in the ceiling of the cave.
The side entrance to Iguana Cave was dug out in search of phospates.
Narrow deeps holes extend through the cave at Old Ta.
Quartz formations glow in the camera light at the Old Ta Cave.
Stalagtite formation is an ongoing process in the cave at Old Ta.
Beautiful formtions go floor to ceiling in the cave at Old Ta.
Small bats make their home in the chambers at Old Ta Cave.
Pitch Apple hole gets it's name from the large Pitch Apple tree growing at the entrance.
The hole at Pitch Apple extends straight down about 50 ft.



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