Graeme Hall Sanctuary vs. Andromeda Gardens

[PrincessCruisingForever]

I am trying to decide between Graeme Hall Sanctuary and Andromeda Gardens. Does anyone have any suggestions? Thank you.

[Aplmac]

I am trying to decide between Graeme Hall Sanctuary and Andromeda Gardens.

Does anyone have any suggestions?

This is a bit like comparing Apples and Oranges, but here we go!

 

Andromeda Gardens is a mature private botanical garden and little else.

It has a small restaurant and a nice gift shop,as well

but otherwise it's strictly a botanical marvel,

and you'll see amazing plants there that Iris Bannochie imported

from the four quarters of the globe over several decades!

It's also clear across the island,

but also near to your ideal,scenic Lunch spot at Atlantis Hotel!

..a half mile away

 

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Graeme Hall Sanctuary is a mangrove wetlands reserve

with a nice boardwalk to keep you out of the mud

and lots of educational and explanatory signs along the way

drawing the visitor's attention to

the different species of Mangrove trees around you,

the crabs, the birds and the bees.

 

Nice pathways to walk, which will lead you thru

two or three large walk-in aviaries with screeching parrots

who delight in buzzing visitors like dive-bombers,

and South American whistling ducks, avocets, scarlet ibis

roseate spoonbills, you name it!

I've also seen Anhinga birds in the big pond

and furtive Yellow Birds in the high mangroves

hiding among the yellowed leaves of their exact colouring

 

It's right across the South Coast Main Road from Worthing Beach

with its calm swimming in water never deeper that about waist-high,

and fine powder sand, plus this locale is considerably closer to the ship.

There's also an inexpensive Chinese restaurant right across the road

-Guang Dong- where they also do take-out..

 

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

 

It's a toss-up, isn't it!

 

If you're doing an adventurous round-the-island tour

with lunch at Atlantis(highly recommended by me!)

then Andromeda is a natural stop

either immediately before or after Atlantis, just down the hill!

 

If you're not so keen on crossing the island and being far away from your ship

and you just want to go to Accra or Worthing Beach,

then Graeme Hall is close to all that stuff,

and the kids may like it better than driving them all over

and 'a buncha boring plants' as they may perceive Andromeda!

 

 

Please come back with further questions, if need be.

I know both places quite well.

 

 

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The picture I'm attaching was taken just down the hill from Andromeda

right where the road to Tent Bay turns, to take you to Atlantis.

 

You won't get this kinda scenery over on the South Coast!

 

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[PrincessCruisingForever]

Thank you very much for your reply. You provided me with some great information. How much time should I allow for Graeme Hall Sanctuary? If we left the cruise ship around 8am would we have time to visit the Sanctuary and Crane Beach and be in Bathsheba by noon? Thank you.

[Aplmac]

Thank you very much for your reply. You provided me with some great information.

How much time should I allow for Graeme Hall Sanctuary?

If we left the cruise ship around 8am would we have time to visit the Sanctuary

and Crane Beach and be in Bathsheba by noon?

You're in luck! - G.Hall Sanctuary opens at 8 a.m.

(I just checked by phone for you)

 

G.Hall Sanctuary should take about an hour.

Crane Beach...when you get there you may not want to go further,

but it's your day..

 

and then be in Bathsheba area by noon?

yes, possible...I hope you have your taxi waiting for you at all three stops

because without him waiting, you might be cutting it a bit fine.

 

Lunch at Atlantis doesn't begin until 12:30,I'm pretty sure

[PrincessCruisingForever]

Thanks again for your reply. My plan was to hire a taxi for the day, and go around to various areas, so I am trying to make a list of places that I think my group would like to visit. After lunch I am thinking about going to Welchman Gully and/or Harrison's Cave (if they are open). I would like to be back to the ship by 3 as it sails at 4. Do you think that I am planning too much. I am wondering if I should substitute another option for Crane Beach as it is far away. Thank you.

[piratefan]

We were at the gardens last week but did not pay the admittance fee because they said that they had cut back a lot of their flowers. I personally would not waste time there if you are in a time crunch.

[Aplmac]

We were at the gardens last week but did not pay the admittance fee

because they said that they had cut back a lot of their flowers.

I personally would not waste time there if you are in a time crunch.

I rather agree: Andromeda is Heaven-almost for a horticulturist or avid gardener

- it's all about plants and landscaping, peaceful and quiet.

 

The Graeme Hall Sanctuary is more interesting overall, especially for kids!

[Aplmac]

Had lunch at Atlantis Hotel today!

over at Tent Bay,Bathsheba - on the East Coast of the island.

 

See the pics