Liming in Gasparee Caves ‘Down De Islands’

December 30, 2017

Gasparee Caves are a complex system of natural limestone caverns situated 100 feet underground on the island of Gaspar Grande off the northwestern coast of Trinidad. These caverns represent a significant geological and historical landmark within the Chaguaramas archipelago, featuring an intricate network of stalactites, stalagmites, and a central tidal pool known as the Blue Grotto.

Visitors access the site via a short boat ride from Chaguaramas followed by a brief uphill hike, making it a staple for eco-tourism and educational excursions in the Gulf of Paria. The site has evolved from a historical whaling station and World War II defensive position into a managed natural heritage site under the Chaguaramas Development Authority.

This article provides a comprehensive overview of the cave’s formation, the specific flora and fauna inhabiting the island, and practical guidance for planning a visit to this subterranean marvel. It distinguishes itself by detailing the specific chemical processes of the Laventille limestone formation and the military history that surrounds the cave entrance.

Key Takeaways

Gasparee Caves feature a translucent saltwater pool 30 metres below the surface fed by underground sea tides.
The caverns formed over millennia through the dissolution of Lower Cretaceous Laventille limestone by carbon dioxide and water.
Notable speleothems include formations nicknamed The Buddha and The Lovers alongside rare calcium carbonate crystal structures.
Gaspar Grande Island served as a strategic World War II base with historical coastal defense guns still visible.
The ecosystem supports unique wildlife including fish-eating bats and blind fish within the cave’s subterranean aquatic environment.

Gasparee Caves: A natural limestone wonder in Trinidad

By Chantelle Wilson. I have always heard about the famous Gasparee Caves Down the Islands and for a long time I really wanted to go. Earlier this year, I went by my hairdresser and one of her clients was talking about how she and her church group recently had a lime down Gasparee. While I was eavesdropping on their conversation I finally found out how to organise a trip of my own.

The very next day in work at T&TEC I asked a bunch of people if they ever heard about or went to Gasparee Caves. I also asked a couple of my other friends the same thing. I really was just thinking of a small group, possibly ten people, but that number turned into 23 because everyone either brought a sister, brother, cousin, husband or best friend.

And even though the process of making sure people were going – the collection of money to make down payments and organising the trip – was tiring, it was definitely worth it. The girls organised the food and the boys the drinks. We had vodka, scotch, orange juice, and soda. We made fried wings, sandwiches and other finger foods. All of this was for a supposedly four-hour trip.

On the way to the island everyone was really anticipating how the place would be. We were also trying to imagine what life would be like living on one the islands we passed. When we arrived we met the tour guide who took us up to a house where we put down our bags, coolers and other stuff. The walk to the house felt never ending. It felt like we were exercising while walking up the hill but the scenery was really nice.

Gasparee Caves in sweet T&T for Sweet TnT Magazine, Culturama Publishing Company, for news in Trinidad, in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, with positive how to photography.

At the house everyone immediately started to eat, drink, talk, laugh and really enjoy themselves. Ayanna Best thanked everyone for coming, then she presented Shervon Bushell with a birthday cheese cake, a gift on behalf of the T&TEC team, and everyone sang the Happy Birthday song. It was a little surprise we prepared for him as his birthday was the day before.

Time to go down to the Gasparee Caves

The tour guide then told us it was time to go down to the Gasparee Caves. When we heard “caves” we were really thinking of something small with two little bats flying around and a shallow pool of water to just put in our feet. Little did we know that the cave was going to be this huge underground amazing place.

Walking down into the Gasparee Caves was scary at first but when we were deep inside everyone was like “wow”. The structure really gave that “horror movie” finish but it was fascinating to see that our little country had such an awesome site. The water inside the cave was crystal clear where even though it was about seven to 14 feet deep we could actually see right down to the bottom. When the light from an opening on top hit the waters, the reflection on the walls seemed as if there were tiny mirrors just sparkling in different colours.

To show how deep the water was the tour guide jumped in first, then Ayanna followed. Like a domino effect everyone joined them. The buoyancy of the water even allowed people who couldn’t swim to come in because they would always stay afloat. It then became a photo fiesta. There were group shots, single shots, shots with husbands and wives, and with best friends. The tour guide gave us some stories of the place and of other groups that came. He was really friendly and in turn we offered him drinks and food.

After a good while in the cave it was time for us to leave. So we all came out the water, walked around to see the rest of the cave and of course took some more pictures. We went to the house, changed our clothes and prepared to leave. This trip was definitely worth it. I would recommend every Trinbagonian or visitor to make a visit, especially with good, mad, fun friends like I did.

November 2012 – Issue 2 www.sweettntmagazine.com

Exploring the subterranean beauty of Gaspar Grande

The journey to Gasparee Caves begins at the Ethelwold Boat Landing in Chaguaramas. A 15-minute boat ride across the Bocas del Dragon provides views of the surrounding “Down the Islands” (DDI) archipelago. Upon arrival at Gaspar Grande, a paved footpath leads through a dry tropical forest characterised by Naked Indian trees and giant cacti. The island’s arid climate creates a distinct habitat for yellow-headed parrots and rufous-necked woodrails, which are frequently spotted along the trail to the cave entrance.

Inside the main cavern, the temperature drops significantly, offering a cool reprieve from the tropical heat. A series of concrete stairs and handrails allow for a safe descent into the “Blue Grotto”. This chamber is the most famous part of the system, where natural light from surface sinkholes illuminates the water, creating a vibrant turquoise glow. The geological integrity of the cave is maintained by the Chaguaramas Development Authority (CDA), ensuring that the delicate stalactites, which take hundreds of years to grow mere inches, remain protected for future generations.

Historical and geological significance

Beyond its aesthetic appeal, the site holds deep historical roots. In the late 18th century, the island was granted for cotton cultivation before becoming a hub for the whaling industry in the mid-1800s. The most prominent historical layer, however, dates to the 1940s. During World War II, the United States military leased the area to bolster the defense of the Gulf of Paria against enemy submarines. Visitors can still see the massive artillery pieces situated at the island’s highest point, 338 feet above sea level, overlooking the entrance to the caves.

Geologically, the caves are a masterclass in karst topography. The limestone is composed of ancient coral reefs and marine organisms that have been chemically weathered over time. The presence of “organ pipe” formations, stalactites that produce musical tones when gently tapped, demonstrates the unique acoustic and physical properties of the calcium carbonate deposits within this specific cave system.