Home   Beaches   Caves   Reefs   Down The Islands   Museums   Nature Reserves   Swamps   Volcanoes   Waterfalls   Pitch Lake   Gallery   Bibliography   Interviews   Project Narrative   Maps   Gasparee Caves The Gasparee caves are a network of underground caverns located on Gaspar Grande, one of a chain of five islands ( locally known as “down the islands”) located just off the Western Peninsula of Trinidad. Gaspar Grande is situated closest to Chaguaramas Bay. The labyrinth of caves is about 90 feet deep and a 1/2-acre in size. Within the cave system are interesting geological formations such as stalactites, stalagmites, pillars, flow stones and fringed curtains. Some of the formations have been given names such as Pulpit Pipe Organ, Lovers and Dinosaur Head. The largest and best known of the caves is called the Blue Grotto, which has a crystal clear pool that is 30 feet in diameter and reflects the light entering the cave. Boats leave the mainland regularly for Gasparee Island. Tamana Caves The Tamana caves are situated just south of Sangre Grande in East Trinidad. It constitutes part of the Central Range. The caves are located on the top of Mount Tamana at a 750 ft elevation. The initial cave has a wide 30-foot entrance, with three smaller caves as you progress inwards. The interior is all calcium carbonate. Perfect conditions for bats. This system is home to 11 species of bats and the highlight of a visit is the mass exodus of an estimated 1.5 million bats as they exit the cave at dusk. Aripo Caves The Aripo caves are also a haven for bats but are more noted for the presence of oil birds (nocturnal, fruit-eating birds). Situated about four miles east of Arima, a steep road follows the Aripo River to Dandrade Trace, a distance of about 10 miles. A three hour hike is necessary to reach the caves. The Aripo caves are the largest accessible caves in Trinidad. Cumaca Caves The Cumaca caves in Cumaca, also known as the Oropuche Cavern, also have a colony of Oilbirds within. The caves are situated on a private island in the south of Trinidad. One can either walk three hours uphill crossing rivers and streams or take mainly downhill trails for two hours. Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th President of the United States of America, hiked to this cave in 1911 just to see the popular oilbirds. Web site and all contents © Copyright Naparima Girls'High School 2008, All rights reserved.