Cole's Cave Hike

Recommended by 92% of travelers

Badge of Excellence

Barbados

1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours (approx.)
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

Overview

Gain an authentic impression of the underground caves and rivers of Barbados. The island consists of limestone and has many beautiful caverns adorned with stalactites and stalagmites. Cole's Cave has had limited human modification so you'll enjoy a unique, natural experience. While walking up the river you'll become immersed in nature, and the included flashlights will guarantee you won't miss a second of adventure.

Intimate experience with just your group
See a side of Barbados few visitors see
Guided walk through Jack on the Box Gully
Remember a change of clothes and shoes you're comfortable getting wet

What's Included

Flashlights

Bottled water

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

Highway 3A
Hwy 3A, Walkes Spring, Saint Thomas Barbados
Park on Grassy Area on the left. Tour begins from this point.

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Itinerary

78525CJJ+GCX (Pass By)

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Not wheelchair accessible
Near public transportation
Not recommended for travelers with back problems

Not recommended for pregnant travelers
No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate

Supplied by

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Gallery picture 1 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 2 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 3 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 4 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 5 (from a traveler's review)

Featured review

Jazmyn_G

The most memorable part of our vacation ! Zack is an amazing tour guide and will be back again because of him solely. His passion for what he does makes the entirety of the trip well worth it . This guy right here was made for this. Beautiful sites were seen and glad we got to experience this experience with Zack.

Reviews

4.7

based on 87 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

We perform checks on reviews

Challenging but worth it.

Joanna_B, Apr 2025

It’s not obvious when booking but you do require a good level of fitness for this tour, it involves dropping down into the cave on a steep bank using ropes and at the end climbing back up. You will get wet and dirty in the cave with knocked knees and possibly your head, climbing up rocks and crawling through water. Parts of the cave are narrow or low with some chest high water. It’s a challenge but well worth it. We thoroughly enjoyed it as it’s an unusual experience. The guide was very friendly and informative.

It was an incredible off...

Sasha_S, Apr 2025

It was an incredible off the beaten path experience. Christian was an amazing guide. I would 100% do it again.

Must do adventure hike

dhanya_m, Mar 2025

Fabulous! Will do it again. Carry a small bottle of water as the hike can tire you out. Our guide Christen was the best.

Coles Cave Adventure

Margaret_S, Mar 2025

My husband and I had a great adventure with Justin. He got us safely down the mountain and through the cave. This experience was a bit challenging at times. We love to hike and be outside. This was our first cave experience and it was the best! I would definitely do it again!

Not for the faint of heart but an amazing experience!!

Tia_A, Aug 2024

Amazing hike! It's strenuous though! 2 hours to hike to the main hall and about 45 minutes to get out. You need sneakers with good treads and decent balance, upper and lower body strength, and an adventurous spirit to enjoy it! And my daughter and I were very proud of ourselves for braving and successfully traversing the bats and bugs and somewhat treacherous entrance and exit to the cave. And Zach was a joy! Excellent local guide and host and he made us feel safe and gave excellent instruction! The pools deep in the cave made it all worth it!! What an experience!

Coral Caves

Brian_S, Aug 2024

All the places I have traveled to this by far was the best experience we could have asked for. Zach was knowledgeable in the history and was an amazing tour guide. We felt safe and comfortable with the hike and navigating the caves with Zach. When you come to Barbados please book this experience. You will not be disappointed highly recommend.

Outstanding

Skymiles_E, Jul 2024

Coles Cave was a very great experience. The tour guide was very knowledgeable and he took us to a fantastic restaurant after the tour. I give this a 5 out of 5

Memorable

Jazmyn_G, May 2024

Explore

Odjaye_W, Apr 2024

The whole experience was memorable; I learned about different trees and stones. Surprisingly Bentonite is good for skin and other illnesses.

Awesome Adventure

JASON_B, Mar 2024

This is an off the beaten path adventure. You have to be somewhat fit and athletic to get through the cave but well worth it. We went with our boys who are 12 & 13 with no issues. Zack was great and knew a lot of the history of the region. We did both Harrisson and Cole's and the boys preferred this tour over the other (which was also very good).

Cave hiking

Grace_M, Feb 2024

Zach was an amazing guide! We explored a great deal of the cave and soaked in the water. Well worth it!

Misleading but still worth it!

Lynn_J, Jan 2024

Please note that the Viator post for this tour is very misleading (which has nothing to do with the actual tour guide/company, as the host site has ultimate say on what is included in the listing). This tour requires quite a bit of physical exertion, endurance and skill. For the duration, you will also be extremely immersed in the natural environment, including swarms of insects and other creatures, mud/clay, natural pools, etc. You will most likely get soaked. Sneakers or shoes appropriate for hiking/rock climbing are a must. You will probably have to dispose of clothing afterwards. If you are claustrophobic, there will be sections of the cave that are borderline unbearable. Luckily though, the tour guide, Zac, will provide you with these more specific and accurate details prior to the excursion, with enough time for you to cancel, which is greatly appreciated, should you be tricked into thinking this will be a stroll in the park. With that said, if none of these things bother you, you will have a very enjoyable, entertaining and information exploration. Also, even if you decide towards the start or mid-way through that this was definitely not what you expected, you can still have a great time (and be really proud of what you accomplished at the end). Regardless of your skill level, Zac provides an environment that is encouraging and helpful, given his natural charisma and explicit competence. In addition, if you have children on the tour, even shy or reluctant ones, Zac is beyond amazing with them. While in Barbados, my children (19 and 13) and I went on multiple different excursions, and this was the best by far—even though my youngest and I were less than excited about it (and wanted to give up multiple times). You simply cannot have a bad or even so-so time with Zac as your tour guide; his intelligence and knowledge on the subjects and skills presented are astounding. He is extremely personable and likable by, as I imagine, everyone. He is humorous, caring, patient, and excited to share this experience with participants. His passion for what he does is unmatched by anyone else running activities on the island. So, if you don’t have any qualms about what is involved, you absolutely cannot miss out on this adventure. Even if you are a little iffy, you should still do it—you won’t regret it. We’re done with vacation now, but the three of us still can’t stop talking about this particular experience. There are amazing views to be had, interesting facts to learn about the island and its creation/evolution, and more, but, mostly, our reflections on this excursion focus around the best part of the tour, and that is Zac.

Epic Cole’s Cave Adventure with Zack! Highly recommended!

Amie_B, Jan 2024

Our caving trip with Zack was a blast! His comprehensive knowledge of the cave’s geology, local ecology, and history enriched our excursion beyond mere exploration. The cave was fantastic, not your typical tourist walk-through. Prepare to get down, dirty, and wet! What made it even better was Zack's enthusiasm - he's passionate about what he does. The cherry on top was ending the day with some delicious Bajan cuisine, ala Miss Velma, making our experience unforgettable. He went above and beyond, and we had a great time. We are looking forward to our next adventure with Zack!

Must do

Jennifer_T, Dec 2023

Great experience. Small group and with mostly locals. Cave experience was incredible. Group was amazing. Hike wasn’t bad at all. Just the rope climb into the cave and out is a lil tricky. Bugs were mostly large millipedes throughout. Zach, our guide was great. We ended up going to a local restaurant and bar for some authentic bajan food and beers and chilled for hours after with the group. Truly had a one of a kind experience and highly recommend.

Awesome hike, awesome guide!

Carolyn_S, Dec 2023

Zach wild was a great guide! Awesome educational experience on this skilled hike, def recommend! Fun

For Explorers at Heart!

Justin_W, Aug 2023

Wow! This was my first time exploring a cave and it was more than expected. This is a physically intense exploration and in no way casual. However, exploring the depths of this cave were well worth it! Expect to use ropes to go up and down the Gully’s, crawling in some tight spaces, waist high waters at some points. If you’re an explorer at heart, this cave exploration is for you! We went with Zach who was amazing!

Hike made for adventurers

Darby_A, Jun 2023

(Wife) it was ok for me. I am NOT an outdoor person at all. I do not like bugs of any kind, BUT I when we made it past all of that i kind of enjoyed it. The fresh water was nice and the cave was nice also. But when he told me we had to go back to the beginning.. i almost cried because i really couldn’t, but i did. I, personally, WILL NEVER do this hike again. (Husband) i loved it! Although i didn’t have the right shoes, i still had a great time. I don’t mind bugs. Cave was beautiful. I would recommend to anyone who loves a challenging adventure honestly.

Awesome spelunking!

Autumn_S, May 2023

This was more than a short trip to a cave. We explored deep inside and had so much fun. Lots of awesome rock formations, animal life, water. I didn't know what to expect but the adventure was well worth it!

Cole's Cole Exploration

Gigi_C, Apr 2023

Justin, our guide was most attentive and helpful, always keeping a close watch on us to ensure our safety. He was always there to give us a helping hand or a push. On top of that , Justin doubled up as our photographer and porter! Well done, Justin! A multi-tasker indeed. Most importantly, we had a fabulous adventurous time.

Unfortunately I was never...

Hakim_O, Feb 2023

Unfortunately I was never able to live the experience as when I reached the meeting point there was nobody and no indications. I contacted the company directly (which by the way is very responsive and accommodating) and they gave me a number to call. I called the number and sent messages but did not get any reply. I thought maybe I was at the wrong place so I drove around a bit to try to find the group to no avail. No callback from the guide as well, needless to say my girlfriend and I were very disappointed especially considering the price (almost 300 CAD for 2 people). Now for the positive side whoever replies the e-mails is very on point. I had double booked the activity a day earlier and they still re-scheduled the activity for me even though I contacted them at the last minute. It is very unfortunate that we could not take part and visit the cave as the guide never answered when I called him.

Response from Host, Feb 2023

We are very sorry Hakim. Our guide was at the location point before the tour start time and called several times to make sure you were on your way, each time only getting your answering machine. I also called receiving the same results. After seeing your email that you were lost, I replied as soon as I saw and continued to call to no avail. The guide remained there for 90 minutes after the start time to give ample opportunity for a reply or call back. We are sorry that this tour did not take place but we tried our best to accommodate in every way we could.

A lot of work but SO worth it

Erin_W, Jan 2023

We chose this tour based on the reviews and we were not disappointed! It was great! we got an amazing view of the caves and the stalagmites & stalactites - a much more personal tour than you would receive at Harrisons or similar. We had two guides, Justin & Zayer, who were awesome. We went in as two adults, two kids (5 & 7) and one senior (69) and it was a bit too intense for the senior with a previous ankle injury but our guides were a big help in getting him most of the way through, they didn't rush us at all and they were excellent in pointing out the best way through the caves. If you're wondering what it's all about, we spent about 2 hours in the cave, a steep climb down an embankment to get in (with the assistance of a rope to climb down), and the rest of the cave was spent trekking through the cave, lot of tiny streams, rocks, lots to look at, some bugs, some bats, LOTS of climbing up rocks, through pools that we up to waist deep, but some of the walk was dry. YOU WILL GET WET. and dirty. We wore swimsuits with shorts overtop for the ladies, and rubber soled water shoes which were probably the best footwear. The terrain is rocky and uneven so make sure you have a sole on your shoes - no flimsy neoprene ones. We came out filthy but it was a great time. I wore a quick dry backpack but everything inside will get wet. Because it's a long trek I recommend bringing water. It is definitely in the middle of nowhere but we managed to find it with the cab driver (he called Justin), and we were also able to leave some belongings in Justins car while we hiked. As long as you're prepared for an adventure I 100% recommend this trip for anyone who loves the path less travelled and who is prepared for a workout!!

Way better than expected

hue_N, Dec 2022

Way better than expected as the cave hike is full of adventure with so many cool water pools inside. Our guide, Grantley, is very knowledgeable and makes everyone's safety his top priority.

Do NOT book—confusing & unprofessional

Shayla_H, Jul 2022

I called tour company several times to retrieve address but to no avail. I left a message with the number provided—no call back! Address provided is vague and in the middle of a dirt road and thus I couldn’t inform my taxi (which is $85USD) where to go! So unprofessional and no refund offered. DO NOT BOOK!

Response from Host, Sep 2022

We sincerely apologize. As the owner I take full responsibility, I had just moved to another country and was still in the process of settling in and in the beginning phases of managing from over seas. There were a few hiccups and I’m terribly sorry that your excursion was one of them. Since this time we have not missed a single booking and have gotten back to our flawless status quo. We did issue a refund for the tour.

Hidden Gem 💎 Coles Caves

calanthia_l, Jul 2022

What an amazing experience! Hands down the best thing I did in Barbados ☺️. Justin was a great tour guide, brilliant with the kids too. This is truly an interactive experience. Be prepared to get wet and follow the underground tunnels to reveal beautiful caves, cool crystal clear water and make your own mud plate memorabilia. I wore crocs and they worked just fine for me, kids had on their trainers which were good too. Brilliant experience which I would totally do again. Just be aware that taxi drivers have no clue about this place and didn’t take my guidance when I told them where to go. Justin was brilliant at getting the taxi back on track and to the drop off zone.

For expert hikers only

BettyAnn_C, Jun 2022

The if your into national geographic then this tour is for you. Our tour guide was nice and I don't blame him but the description of this excursion was way off . Wear hiking shoes and make sure you're in good physical shape or you won't be able to hang. It's about 1 hour getting into cave. If you don't Like creepy bugs this tour is not for you. It can also be dangerous getting down the slippery rocks.

Disappointing. My guide never showed up.

Karisma_T, Jun 2022

I booked this trip for my first wedding anniversary with my husband because I saw all the great reviews. Unfortunately, the guide did not show up for the hike and did not answer any of our phone calls or messages. We spent $85 usd to get a taxi out to coles cave, and it was an hour drive each way. Grantley sent me the address for the meeting location at 8:50am. Our tour was at 11:15 am and no one showed. We sat on the side of the highway waiting for an hour. I’m so glad our taxi driver waited because we would have been stranded on the side of the road. We received a message around 2:30 pm from the business. They apologized and offered another tour OR a full refund. They said that the guide got a flat tire and their phone was dead. I understand that things happen, but they’re should be better communication. I was not willing to schedule with them again. They already ruined almost a full day of my vacation.

Response from Host, Jun 2022

I must sincerely apologize from the bottom of my heart again. When I checked in with my tour guide that morning everything was good to go and I genuinely had no idea that the tour was not going on until hours after. I’m very sorry for souring what was supposed to be a very memorable day on your wedding anniversary holiday. It is very uncharacteristic of how I run my company and I have made efforts to ensure that this does not ever repeat itself again.

The Unexpected Adventure of a Lifetime!

Brandee_L, May 2022

Grantley initially had me concerned. We had scheduled for him to get us from our resort and never got a confirmation or heard from him that day. Then randomly got a call after being about 10 mins past reservation that he was on his way. But it turned around fast he was great, encouraging, challenged me and made me feel safe. Highly recommend.

Experience of a Lifetime

Sophia_H, Apr 2022

I was a little anxious about visiting Coles cave especially after knowing the hotel and taxi driver had never heard of it but was very pleasantly surprised when the experience began. Grantley (the tour guide) took his time to ensure that I felt comfortable and safe throughout the whole experience and was always there to help if needed. He was very knowledgeable and knew the cave like the back of his hand. The cave was a magical experience and nothing like anything I've ever done before. It truly was the best experience we have ever had and will be remembered for a lifetime.

Not touristy

Thomas_A, Aug 2021

Great tour with Grantley. He really knows the cave well and will tell you the history unfiltered. Not touristy at all.

Le guide n’est pas celui qui est inscrit et pas de lieu précis de rdv

Veronique_G, Dec 2024

Le lieu de la prise en charge n’est pas bien précis. Le guide n’est pas celui qui est inscrit sur Viator et il ne répond pas aux messages. Pas de téléphone de la personne qui le remplace et qui est très bien sur la balade mais pas du tout inscrit sur Viator. La personne qui est inscrite comme guide à l’origine n’est pas domicilié sur l’île ..!