You won't find another green-sea-turtle farm like this anywhere else in the world. Once the islands had a multitude of turtles in the surrounding waters (which is why Columbus called the islands "Las Tortugas"), but today these creatures are sadly few in number, and the green sea turtle has been designated an endangered species (you cannot bring turtle products into the United States). The main functions of the farm are to provide the local market with edible turtle meat, thus preventing the need to hunt turtles in the wild, and to replenish the waters with hatchling and yearling turtles. Visitors today can observe about 100 circular concrete tanks in which these sea creatures exist in every stage of development; the hope is that one day their population in the sea will regain its former status.
Turtles here range in size from 6 ounces to 600 pounds. Specific tanks give guests the opportunity to touch hatchling and baby turtles. Aside from turtles, the farm also has sharks, fish, and birds on display. You can expect to spend about an hour at touring the turtle farm. At the snack bar and restaurant, you can sample turtle dishes. There's a well-stocked gift shop on-site. Choose from two tour options: Take the "dry tour," and visit the facilities only, or take the "wet tour," which includes the opportunity to snorkel in the artificial lagoon stocked with fish. The lagoon shares a glass wall with a shark tank, allowing snorkelers to swim "with" the sharks. During Pirates Week, baby turtles are released from the farm into the open ocean. Note: Many countries ban the importation of sea-turtle products, according to the Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species. More than likely, you won't be able to take home any souvenirs made out of sea turtles.
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