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All 19 Bequia Attractions »

Old Hegg Turtle Sanctuary

Union Vale, Bequia
784-458-3245
Ranked #3 of 15 attractions in Bequia
4.5 of 5 stars 36 Reviews
Type: Nature/ Wildlife Areas, Landmarks/ Points of Interest
Description: A local fisherman, Orton (Brother) King, constructed this sanctuary in an effort to preserve the hawksbill turtle.
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36 reviews from our community

Visitor rating
    25
    7
    4
    0
    0
Date Rating
sheffield
Contributor
13 reviews 13 reviews
Reviews in 5 cities Reviews in 5 cities
8 helpful votes 8 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed May 2, 2012

Listening to the owner you could see at first hand his passion for turtles however on close questioning he avoided many of my concerns. However, an amazing chance to see these wonderful creatures so close up and a great local project. you may have to amek your own mind up about the ethics of it all. More

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Manningtree, United Kingdom
Contributor
16 reviews 16 reviews
Reviews in 9 cities Reviews in 9 cities
6 helpful votes 6 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed April 23, 2012

Must visit while on the island. Mr king is so knowledgeable about turtles More

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Contributor
13 reviews 13 reviews
Reviews in 6 cities Reviews in 6 cities
5 of 5 stars Reviewed April 12, 2012

Third trip there to see Art and his turtles.... Always fascinating! Worth the trip. To get there, go to the taxi hangout downtown near the water. If 'Blinks' is there, ask for him. He is a great guy and shows you all the high spots. Others are likely as good but we like Blinks to cart us around. More

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Englewood, New Jersey
Reviewer
5 reviews 5 reviews
Reviews in 2 cities Reviews in 2 cities
2 helpful votes 2 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed April 5, 2012

Even though it was not very expansive. i was pleasantly surprised by owner/caretakers passion for what he does. Stated sometimes "your destiny just finds you." More

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salt lake city
Top Contributor
98 reviews 98 reviews
Reviews in 28 cities Reviews in 28 cities
57 helpful votes 57 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed March 27, 2012

Visited on March 20, I enjoyed this attraction. The wonderful thing was going to the sanctuary on Tuesday and then visiting the Tabago Cays on Wednesday where he releases the Turtles into the wild. I was on a Wind Jammer Cruise and it was fun to sail to the Tabago Cays and snorkle into the protected area where the turtles... More

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Fort Lauderdale
Top Contributor
72 reviews 72 reviews
Reviews in 28 cities Reviews in 28 cities
74 helpful votes 74 helpful votes
3 of 5 stars Reviewed March 26, 2012

The sanctuary rescues distressed turtles and raises orphans so they can be released into the wild. It's not fancy - just a bunch of water tanks/pools where the turtles hang out while they heal or grow up. The proprietor 'Brother' King greeted us personally and guided us through the building. He also has some fat land tortoises and goats on... More

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Creston, Canada
Senior Contributor
31 reviews 31 reviews
Reviews in 13 cities Reviews in 13 cities
9 helpful votes 9 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed March 9, 2012

Cant say enough about this place. What they are doing, educating children, in a place where turtles are a food stuff is simply wonderful. Ask them to tell you the story of how the owner was rescued as a child thinking he was a turtle. Oh and the fee is cheap and is the only source of funding. More

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Georgetown
Senior Reviewer
9 reviews 9 reviews
3 helpful votes 3 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed March 8, 2012

The fee is very reasonable and put to a very good cause to help protect turtles. I don't remember the name of the host now but he was friendly and took time to answer questions. He obviously has a great passion for conservation and we were very impressed with his work to-date. More

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South Dartmouth, Massachusetts
Senior Contributor
24 reviews 24 reviews
Reviews in 8 cities Reviews in 8 cities
6 helpful votes 6 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed March 3, 2012

found out that a "Hegg" is a runt and the longest term turtle is named Old Hegg! so there you have it. Great couple run this hawksbill sanctuary. interesting and lovely spot More

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Contributor
16 reviews 16 reviews
Reviews in 5 cities Reviews in 5 cities
6 helpful votes 6 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed February 29, 2012

Took the kids up to the sanctuary, even though we had seen the turtles in the wild at the tobago keys already. Well worth the trip and the owner talked to the kids about why he is protecting the turtles, he kept their attention and was an interesting guy to speak to. Can't believe they are still allowed to fish... More

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