THE LAND THAT TIME FORGOT ΤΗΕ CRYSTAL CAVES OF ABACO

Divers navigate the glass ceiling of The Bahamas’ most impressive cave system, where Crystal Palace meets Fortress of Solitude

- Cristina Zenato

Prepare to be amazed! This advice from Brian Kakuk as he lowers his NERD 2 in front of his mask, pops his loop into his mouth, and submerges into the crystal-clear water of Dan’s Cave entrance. The morning sunlight filters through the variety of ferns growing around the freshwater lens of the opening. As one of the three authorized guides for the famous crystal caves of Abaco, Brian has dedicated years to exploring, mapping, and bringing attention to these breathtaking places. And rightfully so, these caves are one of the most amazing wonders, not only cave diving, but of the world.

I swiftly turn around and follow him in one of my favourite places on this planet, if not my favourite. Living on the neighbouring island of Grand Bahama has allowed me to come over and visit very often, but I can never tire of the beauty of these unique caves, and I keep coming back for more.

There are four cave systems in the same area, Dan’s Cave, Ralph’s Cave, Nancy’s Cave, and Sawmill sink, located under a six-square-mile (15km2) pine forest in South Abaco, Northern Bahamas.

Currently, Dan’s cave is the longest underwater cave in The Bahamas. It attracts divers from all over the world with its beauty, crystal clear water, and incredible formations, from small helictites to giant columns.

The Bahamas are a plateau mainly composed of a rock known as limestone. Limestone is the stratification of calcium carbonate and marine sediments moved by currents, storms, and water flow, which have become a permeable rock over hundreds of thousands to millions of years.

The sea level around The Bahamas has been affected by the melting and freezing of the polar caps. The oceans have been as much as 20 feet (6m) higher and 400 feet (120m) lower than their current depth.