Roaring River Cave

Useful Information

Location:	Roaring River Park. Near Petersfield, Westmoreland Parish, Jamaica.
Open:	All year daily 8-17. [2011]
Fee:	Adults JMD 200, Children (13-18) JMD 150, Children (4-12) JMD 150, Children (0-3) free. [2011]
Classification:	Karst cave
Light:	Incandescent Electric Light System
Dimension:	L=152 m, VR=21 m, A=80 m asl.
Guided tours:
Photography:
Accessibility:
Bibliography:
Address:	Roaring River Citizens Association
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

Description

Roaring River Cave is located at Roaring River Park near Petersfield, Westmoreland Parish. It is operated by the Roaring River Citizens Association. The cave is well developed with trails, stairs in the trickier parts, and electric light. The entrance leads to a first chamber with some speleothems. Going down a passage there is a second chamber with an underground lake. This lake is actually a flooded shaft and very deep, the actual depth is unknown but scuba divers going down about 30 m could not find the ground. A ladder leads into the water and is used by visitor who want to swim in the crystal clear and refreshing water.

The cave was developed by the Tourism Product Development Company (TPDCo). They also train the guides. Local cavers who examined the biological conditions of the cave in 2006 were impressed by the quality of the tours. The site is also important for the drinking water supply of the area. Unfortunately the pool water is no longer safe for swimming because of fecal contamination. There is a theory the contamination is caused by a squatter settlement uphill.