Fountain Cavern National Park
A cave above Shoal Bay holding Taino carvings and a freshwater pool.
Updated 3 September 2026
The Fountain is a cave above Shoal Bay East holding a freshwater pool and a set of carvings made by the Taino, the people living on Anguilla before European contact, including a stalagmite worked into a figure identified as Jocahu, the Taino creator deity. It was a place of pilgrimage across the region. The cave is protected as a national park and the interior is closed to general access to preserve it.
The main sights
- The Taino carvings - petroglyphs cut into the cave walls and formations.
- The Jocahu stalagmite - the formation worked into a figure of the creator deity.
- The freshwater pool - the water that made the cave significant.
- The protected status - a national park with restricted access.
When to go
December to April is the dry season. The interior is closed regardless of season. Interpretation is available above ground.
What to expect
The cave interior is closed to general visitors and there is no tour; expectations should be set accordingly. What can be seen is the setting and the interpretation. Access arrangements have been discussed for years without resolution.
Nearby
Shoal Bay East is below, and Island Harbour is east.
What to pack for Fountain Cavern National Park
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
- Head torch + spare batteries - Hands-free light is essential; caves are truly dark. Find on Amazon
- Comfortable walking shoes - Sightseeing means kilometres of pavement and cobbles daily. Find on Amazon
- Modest clothing - Shoulders and knees covered - the single most common requirement. Find on Amazon
- Grippy closed shoes - Cave floors are wet, muddy and slick with formations. Find on Amazon
Some links on this page are Amazon affiliate links - if you buy through them we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
All packing kitsPlan your trip
Where to start if Fountain Cavern National Park is going on the list.
Booking links on this page are affiliate links - if you book through them we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It never changes what we write about a place.
Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.
