Darby's Cave

Useful Information

Location:	Barbuda. Follow Highland road north, 3 km from Codrington turn right to Highland House. At the end of the road the trail starts. 45 min walk. We recommend a local guide or guided tour. (17.659270, -61.774978)
Open:	no restrictions. [2021]
Fee:	free. [2021]
Classification:	Doline
Light:	not necessary
Dimension:	D=106 m, VR=21 m.
Guided tours:	self guided
Photography:	allowed
Accessibility:	no
Bibliography:
Address:	Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority, Third Floor, ACB Financial Centre, High St, St John’s, Tel: 1-268-562-7600, Fax: 1-268-562-7602. E-mail:
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then. Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

MAY-1997

fossilised tooth of a Pliocene shark Carcharodon megalodon discovered.

Description

Darby's Cave is a sink hole formed by the collapse of a cave, with vertical walls and a sort of overhanging cliff on one side. This 10 m deep shelter is the reason why it is called cave. The whole doline has a diameter of 106 m and 21 m high walls.

From the cliff above the shelter an intermittent drip of water has created stalactites and stalagmites. The hugest stalagmite is 2.5 m high, 60 cm in diameter and has a flat top. Because it is so close to the surface with light shining on it, it is greenish by algae and moss growing on it. The center of the wide doline is full of vegetation, tall trees, especially the common palmetto palm, ferns and mighty lianas. Birds are abundant and the whole atmosphere resembles a tropical rain forest. This is a big contrast to the surrounding dry bush land.

The limestone is rather young of Pliocene origin, 2-4 million years old. There were fossils of shark teeths (Carcharodon megalodon) found in the limestone.