Following the passage of Hurricane Rafael, staff at the Cayman Turtle Conservation and Education Centre (CTCEC) have been busy restoring the park, ready for re-opening to the public today, Wednesday, 6 November, from 12:30 PM. 

“The safety of our visitors, staff and animals are our top priority, and this is our guiding principle before, during and after any storm.” Mr. Christopher Jackson, Chief Executive Officer at Cayman Turtle Centre, said. 

“We are pleased to inform the public that, through careful advance preparation, and adherence to our disaster preparedness protocols, all our animals and exhibits have been kept safe, and no damage has been incurred to the Centre. Our team are now hard at work ensuring that everything is safe and sound as we prepare to re-open our doors to the public.”

As part of this phased re-opening, Cayman Turtle Centre will welcome guests back starting at 12:30 PM today for the Turtle Safari Tour only, which includes access to our Breeder Pond, Turtle Touch Tanks, Smiley’s Croc Cove, Predator Reef, the Caribbean Free-Flight Aviary, and our popular Splash Gift Shop with something for everyone. Guests can also visit Schooner’s Bar & Grill to enjoy Caribbean-inspired cuisine and beverages.

Please note that the Turtle Adventure Tour, which includes swimming and snorkeling in our Turtle Lagoon, riding the Turtle Twister Waterslide, and relaxing in the freshwater pool, will be unavailable today.

“I would like to say a huge thank you to all of our Crew Members who worked together diligently to help us prepare for the onset of the storm and those who have been on hand to ensure the safety and welfare of our animals throughout.”

We look forward to welcoming visitors back this afternoon and hope to see you soon.

Looking Ahead

As part of our re-opening, Cayman Turtle Centre is also excited to announce two upcoming events in celebration of Pirates Week. On Saturday, November 10th, from 12 PM to 4 PM, we invite guests to join us for our Pirates Week Family Fun Day, a festive occasion for the entire family featuring a pirate-themed menu, special drink offers, inflatable attractions, and live entertainment. This is a wonderful opportunity to enjoy a day of fun that celebrates our island’s rich heritage and connection to the sea. Please note that the “children under 12 get in free when dressed as pirates” promotion is available for locals only.

We are also thrilled to continue the tradition of our annual Pirates Week Turtle Release, taking place on Friday, November 15th at 10 AM at Governor’s Beach. This event is free and open to the public, offering an unforgettable experience that highlights our commitment to turtle conservation.

A Reminder to Our Visitors

Cayman Turtle Centre is open seven days a week, 363 days a year, from 8 AM to 5 PM, with last admission at 4:30 PM (closed only on Christmas Day and Good Friday). We look forward to welcoming visitors to celebrate Pirates Week and to experience our conservation and education efforts year-round.