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The Original Admiral's Cave (Hamilton Parish): Bermuda's Wild Dry Cave

Updated: September 2026

Looking for the famous Admiral's Cave cliff jumping and swimming spot? You are looking for the man-made tunnels in Pembroke Parish. Read our complete Cliff Jumping at Admiral's Cave guide here.

If you want to experience Bermuda's underground geology exactly as it was centuries ago, Admiral's Cave is your destination. This is a "wild" cave, meaning there are no ticket booths, no guided tours, and absolutely no artificial lighting.

You are stepping into a massive, unmanaged limestone sinkhole in Hamilton Parish. It is an incredible experience for travelers who want a raw, adventurous detour from the typical beach day.

At a Glance

Best Time to Go	Mid-morning (10 am - 11 am) to avoid afternoon heat
Total Cost Estimate	Free (Bus fare or scooter/Twizy rental applies)
Ideal Duration	45 minutes to 1 hour
Primary Transport	Bus (Routes 1, 3, 10, 11) or electric micro-car

Wait... Are You Looking for the Cliff Jumping Spot?

Before you pack your flashlights, let me save you a frustrating bus ride. Many visitors search for "Admiral's Cave" or "Admiral's Cove" when they are actually looking for the famous cliff jumping spot and a cave with a similar name, and historic naval tunnels.

If you are looking for ocean cliff jumping, a cave with similar name and the British Royal Navy tunnels, you are in the wrong parish. You need to head over to Pembroke Parish. Check out the guide to Admiralty House Park for all the details.

Who This Is For and Who Should Skip

Admiral's Cave is an unpolished, natural environment. It requires physical mobility and a healthy dose of common sense.

Who it is for: Adventurers, amateur spelunkers, history buffs, and budget travelers looking for a completely free activity.

Who should skip: Families with small children, travelers with knee or mobility issues, and anyone expecting paved walkways or handrails.

The Stolen Stalagmite and The Smithsonian Fossils

The history of this cave is just as fascinating as its geology. In 1819, British Admiral Sir David Milne was so impressed by a massive, 3-meter stalagmite inside the cave that he had it cut down and shipped back to Scotland. He later donated it to a museum in Edinburgh.

Years later, in 1864, his son returned to Bermuda and measured the new limestone growth on the stump his father left behind. Using that measurement, he calculated that the original stalagmite took roughly 600,000 years to form. This was a groundbreaking moment for geological science.

The historical weight of the cave grew again in the 1990s. Researchers from the Smithsonian Institution explored the dark recesses and discovered fossilized remains of ancient birds. These fossils proved that certain bird species existed on the island hundreds of thousands of years ago.

What to Expect Inside

The first thing that surprises visitors is the immediate drop in temperature. As you navigate the steep, often slippery limestone steps into the sinkhole, the heavy, humid island heat is replaced by cool, damp air. You will immediately smell the wet earth and ancient limestone.

Once you pass the twilight zone of the entrance, you are plunged into total darkness. Your flashlight beam will catch remnants of old concrete paths built in the 1800s when the cave was briefly used as a tourist attraction. Unfortunately, you will also see some historical vandalism where early explorers carved their names into the rock.

Deep inside, the cave system houses five separate tidal lakes. These underground pools connect directly to the ocean. The water is crystal clear, but the edges are notoriously slick, so you must watch your footing. Admiral's cave once had the only dog-tooth spar crystals in Bermuda.

Pro-Tip: Do not rely on your smartphone flashlight. The ambient light absorption in a wild cave makes a phone light practically useless. Bring a proper, high-lumen headlamp or tactical flashlight.

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Essential Safety and Practical Details

Admiral's Cave is located in Hamilton Parish, tucked away on Coney Island Road near Blue Hole Hill and at the edge of the Wilkinson Quarry. Finding the entrance requires keeping a sharp eye out for the small dirt path leading off the main road.

The entrance and the western part of the underground cave is property of Wilkinson's Estate.

Cost and Access: The cave is completely free and open to the public. There are no gates or operating hours, but you should only enter during daylight hours for safety.

Transport: You can take the public bus on Routes 1, 3, 10, or 11 from the City of Hamilton and get off at Blue Hole Hill bus stop, then walk. If you rented an electric micro-car, there is limited pull-off parking near the entrance path.

What to Pack: Bring a minimum of two reliable flashlights per person in case one fails. Wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes with excellent grip.

Road Map

Common Mistakes to Avoid

The biggest mistake visitors make is treating a wild cave like a theme park. Do not go in alone. Always tell someone at your hotel or a friend where you are going and when you expect to be back.

Never wear flip-flops or sandals. The humidity coats the rocky floor in a thin, invisible layer of moisture, making the uneven ground incredibly slippery. If you slip near the deep tidal pools, getting out of the freezing water in the pitch black is extremely dangerous.

Finally, prepare for the micro-frictions of local transport. If you are taking the bus and do not have a transportation pass, remember that cash fares require exact change in coins (no paper bills), though you can now also pay digitally using the Shorelink app.

Alternatives: If This Isn't For You...

If the idea of total darkness and slippery rocks sounds more stressful than fun, Bermuda has plenty of highly accessible cave experiences.

For a fully guided, well-lit experience with safe pontoon bridges, book a tour at Crystal and Fantasy Caves. If you want the thrill of swimming in an underground lake with the safety of a managed property, check out the Grotto Bay Resort Caves.

If you prefer to stay above ground entirely, you can explore the lush, jungle-like sinkholes at the Walsingham Nature Reserve, locally known as Tom Moore's Jungle.

About the Author By Raj Bhattacharya
Raj has been writing about Bermuda since 2008, when he launched bermuda-attractions.com, one of the longest-standing independent guides to the island. A Certified Bermuda Specialist (Bermuda Tourism Authority), his work draws on personal visits, local contacts in Bermuda, and questions and trip reports from thousands of readers over the years.
Learn more about Raj Bhattacharya