Bermuda: An island filled with pink sandy beaches, turquoise water, and breathtaking sunsets. But did you know that one of the best sights in Bermuda is located underground? If you have read my previous article on cave swimming, you would know that Bermuda contains several underground marvels such as Crystal Caves and Fantasy Caves, located in Hamilton Parish. This complex system of caves throughout the area is tourist friendly and safe to see.

Bermuda contains several underground marvels such as Crystal Caves and Fantasy Caves, located in Hamilton Parish.

The limestone caves of Bermuda first came to the attention of Europeans when, in 1623, Captain John Smith, spoke of them saying that they were,  “vary strange, darke and cumbersome” places. These caves have been forming for the past 30 million years but have only been discovered in the 20th century.

Crystal Caves

A tourist attraction since 1907, it was discovered in 1905 by two very brave teenager boys, Carl Gibbons and Edgar Hollis, while playing a game of cricket. The cave was discovered when their cricket ball fell into a hole and when the boys went to reach in, it became quite clear that the small hole was in fact much deeper than they had initially thought. They raced to get the owner of the property, Mr. Percy Wilkinson, and he promptly lowered one of the boys into the hole with only a rope and a light from a bicycle to guide his way. What he discovered was beyond their imaginations: crystal clear waters fifty five feet deep and magnificent formations of stalagmites and stalactites.

A close up of the magnificent formations of stalagmites and stalactites.

Today, a local guide and a state-of-the-art lighting system will transport you inside, no bicycle light required. Once inside, there is a seventeen foot pontoon bridge to safely guide you across the cave. While crossing the bridge, look down into the water; the formations that you see appear to be only inches below the surface of the water but in reality are many feet deep. This is a testament to the clarity of the water. If you are lucky, while on your tour, the tour guide will turn off all of the lights in the cave, and you are plunged in the darkest night you will have ever known. This, your tour guide says, is to re-create how dark it would have been for that brave boy who ventured down into the cave to retrieve his cricket ball. By this point, the lights have been out just long enough that people start to get nervous and kids squeeze their parents’ hands just a little bit tighter. Up the lights go and a collective sigh can be heard across the group. As you make your way back up the steeply inclined tunnel, the guide pauses to point to a tiny hole way up above you. This, he says, is the hole the boys first ventured down into. You glance up realizing how far the ground is above you and how deep into the Earth you are.

Crystal clear waters fifty five feet deep and magnificent formations of stalagmites and stalactites.

Fantasy Caves

The second cave structure maintained by Crystal Caves of Bermuda is Fantasy Caves. This cave was originally opened in 1914 as a show cave, closed for the duration of World War II, and later re-opened to the public. The climb down into the caves is quite steep, with 88 steps down to the bottom. Keep this in mind for anyone in your party who might need assistance, as the climb back up can be strenuous. The guided tour to Fantasy caves begins with a short walk through a park on the property. This walk is an excellent showcase of Bermuda’s indigenous plants.

The guided tour to Fantasy caves begins with a short walk through a park on the property. This walk is an excellent showcase of Bermuda’s indigenous plants.

Once inside, you will see some of the most breathtaking formations. You will see rare chandelier-like clusters of soda straw formations hanging from the ceiling. You will able to get up close to entire walls covered in calcite mineral deposits frozen so that they appear as if they are waterfalls.  While in Fantasy Caves, you be able to see the beginnings of the passageways that connect the caves to the ocean. This cave also has a state-of-the-art lighting system to help guide your way. This cave tour is approximately 30 minutes in total.

The climb down into the caves is quite steep, with 88 steps down to the bottom.

Rare chandelier like clusters of soda straw formations hanging from the ceiling.

Open Hours:
Both Crystal caves and Fantasy caves are open daily from 9am - 5pm. Last combination guided tour is at 4:30pm.

Admission:
Adults - $22 (each cave)
Adults - $30 (both caves)
Children - $10 (ages 5-12) (each cave)
Children - $12 (ages 5-12) (both caves)
Reservation is not required. Credit cards are accepted.

Shop and Dine:
Fiddlesticks – a small but unique gift shop located next to the box office window
Café Ole – a shaded café with a menu of light meals, snacks, and cold drinks.

Getting There:
Located on Wilkinson Avenue in Hamilton Parish. Accessible by bus on routes #1, #3, #10 and #11 from Hamilton and St. George.

Lindsey Lehman is the Bermuda Editor for Wandering Educators.

All photos courtesy and copyright Lindsey Lehman