Royal Palm Reserve

Address	Negril
Admission	US $10
Hours	9:00 AM - 6:00 PM

For many people, no trip to Jamaica would be complete without a prolonged visit to the world famous Royal Palm Reserve, an eco-attraction without equal. The Royal Palm Reserve is known for its flora and landscape, which are dominated by the awe inspiring 100-foot Royal palms, (Roystonia princes), endemic to western Jamaica. The reserve is situated on a 300-acre expanse within the 6,000-acre Negril Great Morass, which is bordered by the Negril Hills in the east and the Orange Bay community in Hanover, to the west. Activities offered at the reserve are bird watching, guided and unguided boardwalk tours, and sport fishing. The reserve also boasts a bird-watching tower, from which birdwatchers can view sections of the Great Morass, its 190 species of plants, some of the 36 species of resident birds, including the endangered West Indian Whistling Duck, 10 water and three summer migrants. Bird watching is very popular because of the diversity of the bird life. During the tourist seasons, up to 500 visitors flock the reserve monthly. The Royal Palm Reserve is multifunctional in that it has something for everybody. It is a unique place for persons who want a different experience from the beach, who want to see lush vegetation and biodiversity. "We cater to the eco-tourists at heart and to visitors who want to relax, fish or learn about the environment," says Miss Ferguson the Public Relations manager.