Grand Cayman Island Green Sea Turtle Farm

Written by Julie Greiner

The Green Sea Turtle of the Cayman Islands is so important that there are road signs warning motorists to take heed of Turtle crossings. The Green Sea Turtle Farm in the Cayman Islands is home to over 16,000 green sea turtles - and well may be the only farm of its kind. The turtles range in size from six ounces to some six hundred pounds. This farm is the Cayman Islands' largest land attraction which draws some 340,000

Courtesy of Cayman Islands Department of Tourism

visitors ever year.

Location and Priority of the Green Sea Turtle Farm of the Grand Cayman Island

A self-guided tour of the farm takes approximately 20 to 30 minutes and the farm is wheelchair accessible. The Farm is located on Northwest Point Road in West Bay just 8 miles from George Town. The turtle farm was started as a private enterprise, but could not sustain itself, and the Cayman Islands Government purchased the mini farm in 1983 and now operates it as a private company, Cayman Turtle Farm Ltd. The farm has a staff of some 32 Caymanian employees and the colony produces some 45,000 turtle eggs per year. Over 28,000 hatchlings and yearlings have been released. The farm's priority is to supply the island's demand for turtle meat and to tag and release the remaining turtles for future observation.

Christopher Columbus Discovered the Cayman Islands

In 1503 - Christopher Columbus discovered the Cayman Islands and named them "Las Torugas". This means The Turtles. There were so many turtles on the islands that

Grand Cayman Island Green Sea Turtle Release

Courtesy of Cayman Islands Department of Tourism

the islands appeared to be covered with rocks. Because the turtles could be carried on ship as a live meat source, the Cayman Islands became a regular stop for ships sailing the Caribbean. By the 1800's, the turtle population had been depleted. The Green Sea Turtle is even depicted on the Cayman Islands' national flag.

Adopt a Green Sea Turtle from the Cayman Islands

There are huge tanks of endangered green sea turtles - some 15,000 in number. Visitors can view the breading tanks and observe the different stages of turtle development. There is a large shop featuring an extensive collection of books and educational materials about turtles. Visitors also may select and sponsor a turtle as part of the Turtle Release program. The larger turtles may be picked up and photographed with their

Sign Warning of Cayman Island Green Sea Turtle Crossing

Courtesy of Cayman Islands Department of Tourism

Sponsor. The Sponsors may then swim with their selected adopted turtle as it is set free in the Caribbean waters. Each released turtle is marked with a "living" tag enabling it to be observed and documented when sighted in the future.