Animal Flower Cave, Natural sea cave in Saint Lucy Parish, Barbados
Animal Flower Cave is a natural sea cave in Saint Lucy Parish with several openings that frame views of the Atlantic Ocean. The cave floor features coral formations that developed over hundreds of thousands of years and shapes the natural pools visible today.
Two English explorers found the cave in 1780, marking its introduction to the wider world. In the early 1900s, stone steps were built to make access easier for visiting guests.
The name comes from yellow sea anemones living in the cave pools, which local people have long called Animal Flowers. These creatures remain a defining feature of the ecosystem that visitors encounter in the natural basins.
Access is via the stone steps from the parking area, which lead down to the lower cave level and are straightforward to navigate. Weather at the coast can change quickly, so wearing shoes with good grip is wise and prepare for wet, slippery surfaces.
Sailors once hung lanterns from the cave ceiling to light their way during nighttime activities. These marks of seafaring history remain visible in scorch marks on the rock overhead today.
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