Xtabi, Natural cave system in Negril, Jamaica
Xtabi is a limestone cave system in Negril formed by intricate underwater passages carved by ocean water through rock over thousands of years. The network connects multiple chambers to the sea, creating natural pools with tropical marine life.
The Ciboney Indians arrived from South America around 500 BC and were the first inhabitants of these caves along the Negril cliffs. The site later became a destination for swimming and exploration as Negril developed as a coastal settlement.
The name Xtabi comes from an Arawak word meaning 'meeting place of the gods', reflecting the indigenous spiritual significance of the site. These caves held deep meaning for the first people who lived along the Negril cliffs.
The caves are accessible from the clifftop via a path that descends through vegetation to the water. Best visited during calm weather since water conditions vary depending on wave conditions.
The caves contain naturally formed pools where visitors sometimes spot small fish and crustaceans living in the shallow waters. These spaces reveal a rare glimpse into the life between land and sea.
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