Gourie Cave

Gourie is a stream cave in the Manchester hills with several kilometres of mapped passage, among the longest systems on the island, running under a forest recreation area planted with Caribbean pine and cypress. There is no lighting and no development: it is a wet cave with a river running through it, requiring lamps, a guide and a willingness to get soaked. Rising water after rain makes it dangerous for anyone unprepared.

What's there

• The stream passage - a river running through the main cave.
• The formations - flowstone and stalactites through the chambers.
• The conifer forest - pine and cypress plantation on the ground above.
• The recreation area - trails and camping ground at the cave entrance.

When to go

December to April is the drier season and the only sensible window. The cave floods in heavy rain. Never enter when rain is forecast.

Things to know

Flooding is the main danger here; going in without an experienced guide is unwise. There is no lighting, no rescue and no phone signal. Water levels can rise fast with rain on the surface above.

Nearby

Christiana is nearby, and Mandeville is south.

Key facts