Fountain Cavern National Park, Sandy Ground Travel Guide

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Explore ancient Taino carvings and a sacred underground spring at Anguilla's Fountain Cavern National Park, a unique Caribbean treasure.

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Fountain Cavern National Park

Discover Anguilla's hidden gem, Fountain Cavern National Park, a significant pre-Columbian ceremonial site featuring ancient petroglyphs and a freshwater pool deep within a limestone cavern. Explore the rich cultural heritage of the Taino people and the island's fascinating history.

A brief summary to Fountain Cavern National Park

Shoal Bay, 2640, AI

From Eve

Know before you go

Hi, I'm Eve. Here are a few practical things to know before exploring Fountain Cavern National Park.

Book a guided tour in advance through the Anguilla National Trust to ensure access to the cave, as entry is restricted to protect its integrity.
Wear sturdy hiking shoes to navigate the rugged terrain comfortably.
Bring plenty of water and snacks, as facilities are limited within the park.
Visit early in the morning for a cooler experience and to avoid crowds.

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Explore Fountain Cavern National Park on the Map

A handpicked selection of must-see spots near Fountain Cavern National Park, mapped for you.

Getting There

Taxi

From Clayton J. Lloyd International Airport (AXA), a taxi is the most direct way to reach Fountain Cavern National Park. Taxis are readily available at the airport. The journey to the park, located near Shoal Bay, takes approximately 15-20 minutes. Taxi fares in Anguilla are fixed based on destination, so confirm the rate with the driver before starting your journey. Expect to pay around $20-$25 USD for the trip.
Rental Car

If you choose to rent a car, which is a popular option for exploring Anguilla, you can easily drive to Fountain Cavern National Park. From the airport, follow the main road towards The Valley, then continue towards Shoal Bay. The drive is straightforward, and the park is well-signposted. A temporary Anguillian driver's license is required and can be purchased from the rental company for around $28 USD. Car rentals offer the flexibility to explore other attractions on the island at your own pace.
Ferry and Taxi

For visitors arriving in Anguilla via the public ferry from St. Martin, disembark at the Blowing Point Ferry Terminal. From there, take a taxi to Fountain Cavern National Park. The taxi ride will take approximately 25-30 minutes. Confirm the fare with the driver before departing; expect to pay around $30-$35 USD. The public ferry from Marigot, St. Martin costs $30 USD per adult, plus a $5 USD departure tax. Upon arrival in Anguilla, there is a port tax that costs $11 USD for day visitors and $28 USD for visitors staying more than 12 hours.

Discover more about Fountain Cavern National Park

Fountain Cavern National Park, located near Shoal Bay on Anguilla's northeastern coast, protects a remarkable archaeological site and one of the most important pre-Columbian sites in the Eastern Caribbean. The park's centerpiece is an underground cavern system that descends approximately 50 feet below the surface, featuring a freshwater pool that was vital to the indigenous Amerindians.The cavern walls are adorned with ancient petroglyphs and rock carvings, with at least 33 preserved petroglyphs, including the impressive 14-foot stalagmite carved to represent Jocahu (also known as Yucahú), the supreme deity of the Taino people. This stalagmite statue, a masterpiece within its cultural context, is carved into a likeness of “Yucahú,” the “God of Yuca” (cassava), a spirit of fertility. Archaeological excavations indicate that Amerindians first utilized the site for ritual purposes around A.D. 400 and continued using the cave until at least AD 1200. The cave consists of a single, large chamber divided into two sections. The cavern is approximately 50 x 30 meters in size.Caves held a special significance for the Taino people, who believed that the first people on earth, along with the sun and moon, emerged from caves. As a result, caves were considered sacred places that connected them with their ancestors and were used for rituals and burials. The faces and eyes depicted at Fountain Cave may represent ancestor spirits.The site gained national park status in 1985 to preserve its historical and cultural significance. In 2006, a panel of experts assembled by UNESCO ranked the site as one of the 10 most important rock art sites in the Circum-Caribbean region. Today, visitors can take guided tours to fully appreciate the archaeological significance of this hidden gem, stepping back in time and connecting with the spiritual and cultural legacy of Anguilla's earliest people. The Anguilla Amerindian Interpretation Centre (AAIC) uses architecture and landscaping to interpret the period of the first Anguillians or the Taino peoples living in Malliouhana.