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Boatswain's Beach Review

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Boatswain's Beach

Address: 825 Northwest Point Rd., West Bay, Grand Cayman
Phone: 345/949-3894
www.boatswainsbeach.ky

Category: Zoos/Aquariums
Location: Grand Cayman

Write a review | Avg. member rating: 3.8/5

Fodor's Review:

What was Cayman's premier attraction, the Turtle Farm, has been transformed into a marine theme park and rebranded as Boatswain's Beach. The expanded complex now has several souvenir shops and restaurants. Still, the turtles remain a central attraction, and you can tour ponds with thousands of them in various stages of growth; some can be picked up from the tanks—a real treat for children and adults as the little creatures flap their fins and splash the water. The park helps promote conservation through "edu-tainment," encouraging interaction (a Tidal Pool houses invertebrates like starfish and crabs) and observation. Animal Program Events include Keeper Talks, where you might feed birds or iguanas, and biologists speaking about conservation and their importance to the ecosystem. A nature trail affords a 30-minute guided tour through a butterfly garden, bird-watching spot, sinkhole, and displays of Cayman's native reptiles, including iguanas. Snorkel lagoons provide the adventure of swimming with some of the marine life found just offshore from the Cayman coastline (while staring into the Predator Reef). The free-flight Aviary, designed by consultants from Disney's Animal Kingdom, is a riot of color and noise as feathered friends represent the entire Caribbean basin, doubling as a rehabilitation center for Cayman Wildlife & Rescue. The last stop is the living museum, Cayman Street, complete with facades duplicating different types of vernacular architecture; an herb and fruit garden; porch-side artisans, musicians and storytellers; model catboats; live cooking on an old-fashioned caboose oven; and interactive craft demonstrations from painting mahogany to thatch weaving. Boatswain's Beach certainly merits a few hours' visit, but the steep admission price may keep you away.

Cost: Comprehensive ticket $45, Turtle Farm alone $18
Open: Daily 8:30-4:30

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Member Reviews and Ratings

Reviewed by Corinn45 from St. Louis, MO on 5/31/09
If you're into turtles, definitely a must-see attraction. They had turtles of all ages on display, from year olds to 70+ year olds. There also was a hands-on area, but there weren't any guides available when I visited. Also recommend going during feeding times in the morning hours (which I unfortunately missed). There's also a predator tank with sharks, eels, etc. that would be neat to watch at feeding time too. With full admission, you can walk through the exotic bird and lizard exhibits, as well as swim/snorkel in the two lagoons they have available. Overall a neat experience, and a good-size souvenier shop on site too.