Getting face to face with exotic and beautiful creatures has never been easier than at Boatswain's Beach, home of the Cayman Turtle Farm.

Not only will you get the chance to hold Green Sea Turtles, you can also have pretty Caribbean birds land on your shoulder, come nose to nose with impressive looking sharks and swim with a myriad of colourful fish and marine life in a giant saltwater snorkel lagoon.

And that's before you've even had a splash in the freshwater swimming pool, replete with waterfalls, seen reptiles such as the Caiman or Blue and Grey iguanas, experienced Cayman Street's culture and heritage, or meandered through the Woodland Trail's native vegetation.

The hours slip by when you're immersed in the 23-acre adventure marine park called Boatswain's Beach. The new home of the Cayman Turtle Farm, it is one of the most popular, and unique, attractions in the Cayman Islands.

Located in the district of West Bay, on the North Western shore of Grand Cayman, the Cayman Turtle Farm, the only one of its kind in the world, is home to more than 11,000 Green sea turtles, ranging in size from six ounces to 600lbs each.

It also showcases the Loggerhead, the Hawksbill and, the most endangered of all sea turtles, the Kemps Ridley.

Cayman Turtle Farm also has a first-class research and educational facility that focuses on the conservation of sea turtles.

Also, a turtle release programme is an effort by the farm to help repopulate Green Sea Turtles in the wild.

After entering the park, visitors come face to face with a heaving mass of turtles at the breeding pond. Weighing up to 600lbs each, these green sea turtles, which are becoming scarcer to view in the wild, are enthralling to watch as they move gracefully through the water.

Next stop are the touch tanks, where there are generally plenty of squeals and giggles from young and old as visitors hold the turtles while posing for photographs.

Lagoon, Predator Reef

But getting up close to Cayman's marine life is no longer limited to just turtles.

Touted as the ultimate snorkelling experience, visitors can now immerse themselves in the deep blue of Boatswain's Lagoon, the new 1.3 million gallon salt water attraction replete with three islands representing each of the Cayman Islands.

Brimming with vibrant marine life and a stunning artificial reef system, the lagoon has a viewing panel into Predator Reef, where nurse and brown sharks skulk about.

You can safely watch the predators from behind the glass and even bare your teeth at them if you're feeling brave.

If you prefer to experience Boatswain's Beach on dry land you can view the sharks from the bridge overlooking Predator Reef or through a glass panel at the side of the shark enclosure. The shark feed and presentation takes place at 11am each day. Learn about the sharks from the handlers, who know each one by name, the largest being a nurse shark that is an intimidating nine feet in length.

Aviary, Iguana exhibit

Landlubbers can also visit the Caribbean Aviary, where vibrantly-coloured birds, native to the Cayman Islands and the Caribbean, will flit gracefully above your head and perhaps even drop down to squawk hello. White and Scarlet Ibis and Grand Cayman Parrots (national bird) are amongst the beautiful species on display.

Peer into the nearby Iguana exhibit, populated by Grand Cayman's indigenous Blue Iguana and the Sister Islands indigenous Grey Rock Iguana before strolling the Woodland Trail. This nature lover's delight will see you pass local trees such as Mahogany, Sea Grape, the Wild Banana Orchid (national flower) and Silver Thatch Palms (national tree).

Amble up Cayman Street, a quaint boulevard offering an insight into the islands' rich cultural tapestry such as rope-making, old time games like marbles or gigs (spinning tops) and ladies clad in straw hats and pretty dresses of times gone by.

If all the excitement has left you a little hungry, head to the Breaker's Snack Shack or Schooner's Bar and Grill for some much needed sustenance.

When leaving the park, don't forget to make a detour past the gift shop Splash! to find a souvenir to take home with you of your memorable trip to Grand Cayman's exciting adventure attraction.

Or drop by the park on Friday from 4 to 11pm for Happy Hour with drink specials, food and live music featuring local band Heat. Boatswain's Beach truly is a hive of pure Caymanian entertainment.

Boatswain's Beach is open seven days a week from 8.30am to 4.30pm. The attraction is suitable for people of all ages and has wheelchair access.

Guests can enjoy the entire park for US$55 for adults and US$25 for children ages 4 to 12. Residents should contact the park for special rates.

Boatswain's Beach is located on Northwest Point Road in West Bay, eight miles north of George Town. Tel: (345) 949 3894 or visit www.boatswainsbeach.ky