Ben's Cavern (Lucayan National Park) – FRESHWATER / INLAND CAVE
INLAND, freshwater/tidal cave in Lucayan National Park on the south coast of Grand Bahama, part of an underwater cave system with some 10 km of charted tunnels that is one of the longest in the Bahamas. The cavern zone, to about 15 m, lets sunlight dapple the water over stalactites, fossilised coral and glow-through crystal columns; mango snapper, mosquitofish and blue crabs live in the mix of fresh and salt water. Only four divers at a time are allowed. Remipede crustaceans were first discovered in the park's caves in 1979.
Facts
- Region: Grand Bahama & Tiger Beach – Bahamas
- Area: Lucayan National Park caves (inland, freshwater)
- Depth: 0–15 m
- Level: advanced
- Current: low
- Type: cave
- Coordinates: 26.6035, -78.4017 (approximate)
- Highlights: blue hole sinkhole, stalactites, fossilised coral, crystal columns, blind cave fauna (remipedes were first found in the park's caves), mosquitofish, blue crabs
- Permit: Cave diving in Lucayan National Park needs prior Bahamas National Trust permission and an authorised guide; local operators (e.g. Sunn Odyssey Divers) arrange the dive – ask them for current prices and group limits. Required qualification: cavern/cave certification, with a guide.
- Issuer / contact: Bahamas National Trust (BNT)
- Phone: +1 242 352 5438
- Email: bnt@bnt.bs
- Website: https://bnt.bs/contact-us/
- BNT's Lucayan National Park page lists no phone or e-mail; use the Contact Us page. Cave diving is arranged through a licensed operator (Sunn Odyssey Divers lists Ben's Cavern at US$175 plus a US$15 park entrance fee).
- Tips: Advanced divers with cavern (or higher cave) certification only; BNT permission and a guide arranged through a licensed operator, max four divers at a time. Swimming is not allowed in the park's caves. Source-dependent coordinate: the park's centre point (the cave entrance is within the park).