Another close-by trip is the beautiful Royal Palm Reserve located just outside of town near the town of Sheffield. It is located on the Southern end of the Great Morass and is the 2nd largest wetland in Jamaica. The reserve was created to protect the endangered Swamp Cabbage Palm (Roystonea princepa) in 1989. These trees provide a great vantage point for the Ospreys and Hawks that frequent the morass.
Birdwatchers will find the reserve filled with all kinds of birds including the endangered Black Billed Parrot, all kinds of herons and egrets, Jamaican Woodpecker, Doctor birds and butterflies, some landing in the trees right next to you. There is a mile long boardwalk that meanders through the morass and a 44-foot wooden observation tower allows the visitor to have a bird’s eye view of the amazing flora and fauna below.
The reserve is open from sunrise to sunset and admission is $10.00US / person. The fee covers a guided tour of the reserve and helps to support this wonderful educational resource. Comfortable walking shoes and some bug repellant are suggested.
