CAVING IN MALLORCA
PART TWO
THE SHOW CAVES
MALLORCA’S SHOW CAVES
Mallorca boasts five commercially operated showcaves. With the exception of the disappointing caves at Genova, all the caves display differing characteristics and qualities, which endear them to the visitor. They are all worth a visit at some time, if you have any rest days included in your caving itinerary they make a welcome break.
CAVES OF DRACH
Telephone: - 971820753
Opening Times: -
April - October. Guided Tours at 10:00, 11:00, 12:00, 14:00, 15:00, 16:00 & 17:00 Hours Daily.
November - March. Guided Tours at 10:45, 12:00, 14:00 & 15:30 Hours Daily.
Admission: - 1000 Pesetas
Quite simply Drach is the islands largest and most popular tourist attraction. The caves are renowned world-wide for the beauty and wealth of their formations. Discovered at the turn of the last century by the eminent French speleologist Edouard Martel, the caves are now a hugely successful commercial enterprise. They are visited daily by scores of coaches from all over the island, throughout the year. The complex is vast and boasts an enormous car/coach park, bar, restaurant and gift/souvenir shop. You may have to queue for a while, but it’s worth the wait. The highlight of the guided tour is the chance to be ferried across Lake Martel in the caves final chamber, whilst being serenaded by a subterranean orchestra. A bit naff perhaps to the ardent speleopod but apparently the tourists think it’s wonderful.
CAVES OF HAMS
Opening Times: -
April - October; 10:00 to 18:00 hours daily.
November – March; 10:30 to 17:00 hours daily.
Admission: - 1400 pesetas. Tel: - 971 82 07 88.
As far as showcaves go, Hams is definitely Drach’s chief competitor, situated as it is in the same township as its rival, Porto Christo. It does not do itself any favours by being the more expensive of the two show caves.
Hams is the Spanish word for fishhooks, apparently the miniature forest of fragile helictites found in the cave are reminiscent of these hooks. Nearly all of the speleothems found in the cave are of a small and delicate nature. The subtle electric illumination of the cave, using a clever combination of light and colour, brings out the caves features to best effect. A pleasing end result is achieved, given the caves limited array of pretties. As in the nearby Caves of Drach, the final subterranean lake provides the backdrop for a display of boatmanship and music. The lights are dimmed for dramatic effect and a small boat floats by. The incumbents of this diminutive craft endeavour to give a rendering of pseudo-traditional melodies using basic instruments and a tape deck, as they drift past. This spectacle is not to everyone’s taste, certainly not mine but the combined ooh’s and aah’s uttered by the audience however, seem to confirm its popularity. The trip, like most of the others takes the form of a guided tour, accompanied by the usual spiel in English, Spanish, French and German. Good parking facilities coupled with a half-decent cafeteria, gift shop and less queuing than at Drach, make Hams well worth a visit.
CAVES OF ARTA
Opening Times: -
July – September 10:00 to 19:00 hours daily.
October - June 10:00 to 17:00 hours daily.
Admission: - 1000 pesetas. Tel: - 971 84 12 93
In no way could any of the Caves of Arta be considered small or delicate. The whole place is big and in-yer-face. The Peak Cavern sized entrance and its vast inner chamber; complete with massive columns, expansive flowstone curtains and long hanging stals give it an imposing grandeur. Due to the infiltration of daylight from the large open entrance, and the use of artificial lighting, much of the calcite concretions are coated with a dark coloured coating of algae. These, along with the compulsory provision of melodramatic organ music, serve to make the whole cave seem austere and grandiose at the same time. The visitors here are given the opportunity to wander through the cave at their leisure, a fine photo opportunity, definitely a plus point in the caves favour.
CAVES OF CAMPANET
Opening Times: -
April - September 10:00 to 19:00 hours daily.
October - March 10:00 to 18:00 hours daily.
Admission: - 1100 pesetas. Tel: - 971 51 61 30
The caves at Campanet are a little off the beaten track and consequently are less frequently visited, therefore a car is essential. Because of this, the atmosphere is far more laid back than at all the other places. There is a nice, almost English style Cake and Coffee house, alongside a quite unobtrusive memorabilia shop.
The journey through the cave is led by a guide who gives out the mandatory talk, but you are left pretty much to wander around the place at your own pace and discretion. A hand torch is a useful piece of kit if you wish to stray at all from the obligatory route. I crossed over the handrail and 10metres down a small stooping side passage I came across the proprietor’s personal wine cellar. No cheap plonk here boy, only the finest vintages, the real McCoy. I discovered a spiralling staircase emanating from another side-passage, which led to an alternative entrance in the ceiling of the cave. I can’t work out the purpose of this emergency exit, the place hardly seems likely to flood or catch fire, and the current entrance doesn’t appear to be in imminent danger of collapse. Perhaps it’s the original way in, or perhaps it’s for people who wish to visit after hours and sample some wine.
CAVES OF GENOVA
Opening Times: -
April - October 10:00 to 13:30 & 16:00 to 19:00 hours daily.
November - March 10:00 to 13:00 & 16:00 to 18:00 hours daily. (Closed Monday afternoon.).
Admission: - 800 Pesetas. Tel: - 971 40 23 87
A small privately owned enterprise, situated directly behind a private residence. A stooping passage is entered through a small wooden door after descending a flight of stone steps. This claustrophobic cul-de-sac ends after a short time in a small chamber totally devoid of formations.
There is limited car parking at the site, and there may be a small café cum shop, which is occasionally open. I last visited the premises in 1993, it is possible that the facilities have been improved since then, but I somehow doubt it.
ES PONTAS
Es Pontas is not exactly a show cave, but it is a very popular tourist attraction. It is certainly the easiest through trip on the island, and is probably the only one that can be done in a boat.
This dramatic natural creation emerges from the sea at the foot of the cliffs of Terra Nova. A short distance from the typical rocky coves of Cala Figuera and Cala Santany. This gigantic rock, formed in the shape of an arc is just further down the coastline from Porto Colom and Porto Cristo.
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