Built Attractions
Activity 4
Activity 4As a small island with a wonderful coastline and long sandy beaches, Grand Cayman has few major built attractions. This is because the island's population is relatively small. Two of the most important purpose-built attractions on the island are Cayman Turtle Farm and Pedro St James Castle.
Cayman Turtle Farm
This one-of-a-kind, 23-acre marine adventure park is one of the most exciting attractions in the Caribbean.
Cayman Turtle Farm celebrates Caymanians' relationship with nature through colourful, educational and memorable experiences. The park allows visitors to experience the rich history of Caymanian life in a fun and safe environment while providing opportunities to observe and interact with native animals and plants.
Grand Cayman
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The only one of its kind in the world, the Cayman Turtle Farm is home to over 11,000 Green Sea Turtles, ranging in size from six ounces to six hundred pounds each.
Cayman Turtle Farm includes a world-class research and educational facility that focuses on the conservation of sea turtles. Visitors can enjoy a refreshing, cool dip in the ever inviting Breaker's Fresh Water Tidal Lgoon and dine on a meal at Breaker's Snack Shack. The facility offers visitors a unique opportunity to swim and snorkel with fish and other marine life in its 1.3 million gallon salt-water lagoon.
Travellers from the UK may choose a number of options to reach Grand Cayman. They can choose a British Airways flight which is direct, with a stop at Nassau in the Bahamas, or they can fly to Miami in Florida. Alternatively, they can fly to other American cities, such as New York and change planes.
Sea Turtles - Grand Cayman
Pedro St James Castle
This 'castle' is very much associated with the history of the Cayman Islands. The building has been used for many purposes over the years, and re-construction has been necessary as storms and fire have damaged the building on a number of occasions. In 1991, the property was purchased by the Cayman Islands Government for development as an historic site.
It is now one of the premier facilities on the island with a range of products and services available to residents and visitors to Grand Cayman.
It is important to remember that Grand Cayman can be considered to be a 'developing destination'. Although tourism has been important to the island for some time, cruise visitors tend to stay along Seven Mile Beach whilst visitors staying on the island do venture to the various districts of Grand Cayman. In order to attract different types of tourists, the range of attractions needs to diversify as well as enhance existing attractions.
The National Trust for the Cayman Islands
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One of the most important organisations involved in the development and conservation is the National Trust for the Cayman Islands. The National Trust for the Cayman Islands is a non-profit, statutory body whose mission is:
"To preserve natural environments and places of historic significance in the Cayman Islands for present and future generations.''
Queen Elizabeth ll Botanic Park
More tourists are now beginning to explore Grand Cayman's unexpected, and generally unprompted inland attractions. This heritage attraction was officially opened in 1994 by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and named in her honour. The Botanic Park is an important example of the Cayman Islands' new commitment to the preservation of its natural environment.
The park covers 60 acres of managed and fairly natural countryside. The Park is a tranquil area in the centre of the island, dedicated to preserving the natural vegetation and animal species of Grand Cayman. It's owned by the National Trust for the Cayman Islands on behalf of the Cayman people.
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Some of the other sites managed by the Cayman Islands National Trust include.
Savannah School House
Lighthouse Park
Miss Izzy's School House
Fort George Historic Site
Savannah School House Historic Site
Bodden Town Guardhouse Park
Governor Gore Historic Site
Heritage Beach
Salina Reserve
Mastic Trail