Though our Caribbean neighbours are experiencing 'rough weather', some even to the point of natural disaster, our own coastlines are being taken full advantage of these sunny days by a seemingly endless stream of families and other groups. Some are out to 'cool it' for the day, others occupy beach houses, which they are lucky to find available at this time.

The more adventurous types explore certain inlets between Matelot and Blanchisseuse, accessible only by boat or hiking.

The low seas encourage line fishing off the more rocky points where pacro and seamoss provide added attractions for those who will. It is off one of these rocky headlands that the most daring explorations for crabs and other sea life are enjoyed.

Accessible only when the seas are this good, Gran Tacaribe headland is now a growing popular spot for catching not only crab but grouper and other sizeable fish.

Gran Tacaribe is one of the larger sea caves along the north coast. At first encounter, Gran Tacaribe seems rather forbidding, a deep sea cave where the water rushes in and disappears into the darkness of the interior. During heavy seas, the water surges in to create much heaving and crashing within, finding exits along the western side of the headland in powerful jets or spouts through several small holes along the base. At these times, it is extremely dangerous to enter or even go near to the cave.

Inland, along the Paria trail, hikers can hear the powerful 'whoosh' of the jets of water forcing their way through the small outlets at the back of the cave.

At present though, the scene is welcoming, a green crown of vegetation sits decoratively high above the entrance, a precipitous drop making it impossible for access from land.

At present, flowering hardy seagrass lend a blaze of red to the scene. At the base of the cliff, marine crustaceans called barnacles cling tenaciously to the rough and jagged stone creating much difficulty for those wishing to enter the cave on foot.

Sliding in with the tide, a small fishing boat enters the cave, its occupants looking around for a safe place to disembark.

As eyes soon grow accustomed to the darkness of the interior, the power of the water making passage through the cave seems to be the dominant force working within. Except for numerous species of marine life very apparent from the surface, the niches of the roof and walls seem bare of everything but the constant splash and run-off of spray.

Crabs galore run 'hither and thither' throughout the cave taking great care to remain well above the high water mark.

Your audio senses are immediately assaulted by the overwhelming resounding echo filling the interior.

One could see why it can be very dangerous to try gaining entry to this domain during high seas. The water constantly flows toward three small outlets, that is after it smashes, circles and thunders past to force its volume back to the outside.

The depth of the water has not been ascertained by our fisherfolk but its obvious riches are of greater interest at the moment. Such rewarding spells of crab-catching and grouper fishing must be repeated while the seas allow.

For soon, all boats will be secured well above the high tide mark of the 'home' beach only to take a chance during the brief favourable spells between moons.

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