How do I book a tour of Lower St Michael’s Cave, and how physically demanding is it?

Short answer

Lower St Michael's Cave can only be visited on a pre-booked guided tour, sold through the Gibraltar Nature Reserve at £30 per person for groups of at least five. It is a demanding trip of about three hours with scrambling and climbing with ropes, and children under ten are not allowed.

Detailed answer

Lower St Michael's Cave lies below the main St Michael's Cave show cave on the Upper Rock. It is not open to casual visitors and can only be seen with a qualified guide on a pre-booked tour.

To book, use the Lower St Michael's Cave page on the official Gibraltar Nature Reserve website (naturereserve.gi). Tickets cost £30 each and are sold on a first come, first served basis. Before paying you must complete a Caving Request Form and confirm that you are in general good health and do not have any of the conditions listed in the Caving Checklist. Groups need at least five people; smaller parties may be combined with other participants to reach the minimum. Tours meet at St Michael's Cave. The Gibraltar Tourist Board also lists licensed cave guides who can be contacted directly, and asks for three days' notice for bookings.

The tour is physically demanding. It normally lasts about three hours and involves scrambling and minor climbing with the help of ropes. Wear stout shoes and casual clothes you do not mind getting dirty. Children under ten are not allowed. Anyone with mobility problems, heart or breathing conditions, or a fear of tight or dark spaces should think carefully and check the health checklist before booking.

The cave has been left in its natural state, but a revamp by the Department of the Environment replaced old cabling with LED lighting at the entrance and throughout, and photography is allowed during the tour.

If you want a gentler experience, the main St Michael's Cave is included in the standard Nature Reserve ticket and features "The Awakening", an immersive light and sound show.