The Indian Cave, Middle Caicos.
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Indian Cave

Middle Caicos
Map
Visiting Information
TicketsFree entry, no tickets needed.
Visit DurationSelf-guided visits typically take 10–20 minutes.
Opening HoursParking area and site is always open. No personnel onsite.
Good to KnowNo restrooms onsite.
Editor's Comments
It’s definitely worth stopping here, as the cave is found close to the main road into Middle Caicos. There’s no entrance fee. Do not deface the cave with inscriptions or graffiti.
5-star rating for Indian Cave by Visit Turks and Caicos Islands
The main gallery at Indian Cave.

Indian Cave is a large and beautiful single-gallery cave with many openings and skylights. The attraction is located on Middle Caicos off the primary road that leads into the island. Nearby is the popular beach and coast of Mudjin Harbour.

Like nearly all sinkholes and caves found in the Turks and Caicos, Indian Cave was created by what is called the Karst process: the slow action of slightly acidic rainwater dissolving the soft limestone as it drained into the water table.

Indian Cave will delight nature enthusiasts. Barn owls, bats, Cuban crows, yellow-crowned night herons, and smooth-billed anis often visit the area, and giant blue land crabs make their homes in the soft, damp floor of the cave. Along with many native plants, papaya trees and the shortleaf fig both grow at this geological formation.

Due to its ease of access and no entry fee, Indian Cave is definitely worth a quick visit.

Ficus tree roots in Indian Cave on Middle Caicos
Above: Ficus tree roots drop from the heights above the cave.   Top right:  Top left:  Indian Cave has many natural skylights.   Bottom right:  Top right:  Indian Cave skylight with wild ficus trees and a papaya tree.  
Warnings & Regulations
Coral Sumac Trees
Coral sumac trees are found here. They are highly toxic and can cause a severe, painful rash. Do not touch the tree or leaves.
Risk of Falling
Beware of loose rocks, crevices, and other hazards in this area. Watch where you step and wear proper footwear.
Toxic Plants Present
The highly toxic rosary pea plant grows near the cave. Do not eat the fruit. Consuming rosary pea fruit can be fatal.
Do Not Climb
Do not attempt to climb here. Climbing can result in serious injury or death.
No Graffiti
Defacing natural features is illegal. Graffiti and rock carving are prohibited. Violators can face large fines and jail time.
No Rock Balancing
Leave stones in place. It is illegal to disturb a protected area. Moving rocks can compromise the local ecosystem.

History

See Also The Lucayans
As with nearly all the caves and sinkholes in the Turks and Caicos, Indian Cave was formed over time by the Karst process of slightly acidic rain water dissolving through the surrounding limestone.

There is evidence that human habitation occurred at Indian Cave during the pre-Columbian period of Turks and Caicos history. However, it’s not conclusively known if the cave was continually inhabited, or if it was only used as a shelter during storms or for some other special purpose.

Archeological digs conducted here in the late 1990s have revealed many interesting findings. Along with some shards of ancient pottery, bones and fossils of quite a few animals were uncovered, including an extinct tortoise and giant iguana, small reptiles, owls, parrots, and hawks. The decay of the bones suggests that the tortoise was alive on Middle Caicos within the last few centuries.

Visiting Indian Cave

See Also Getting Around

Indian Cave is about a 38-minute drive from the North Caicos Ferry terminal at Bellefield Landing (23 miles, or 37 kilometers). The village of Conch Bar is about half a mile (1 km) east.

It's essentially required to rent a car if you plan to visit. Taxi service from the ferry or the hotels on neighboring North Caicos will be costly. The exception is if you're staying at the Dragon Cay Resort at Mudjin Harbour.

After passing the Dragon Cay Resort, continue down the road for 0.5 miles (0.8 km). Turn off onto the unpaved stretch on the left. The cave entrance is about 100 feet (30 m) from the parking area.

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