Snorkeling Recommendations

Posted: Sun Mar 13, 2005 5:56 am Post subject: Snorkeling Recommendations

We did stingray beach last time we were here and are interested in going snorkeling and wonder if our best bet is to go on our own to a place you may suggest or perhaps take a boat that doesn't carry tons of people at once. We thought we'd go snorkeling during the first part of the day and maybe if time, go to the Hyatt and rent a ski-doo.

First, is this possible time wise, and second how far from the cruise ship area is the Hyatt. Also if you have any good suggestions as to snorkeling on our own vs going with a guide. We're not hooked in to any idea so your suggestions would be great. We have our own equipment in case that might come into play.

Thanks for your time. We'll be arriving on April 5th 2005.

Tazzie & Ric from So Cal Cheers

Posted: Sun Mar 13, 2005 8:57 am Post subject:

There are many great shore snorkeling opportunites that will cost you nothing, this may also save you a lot of time. Smith's Cove is a pretty setting and a nice snorkel for children as the entrance is pretty easy. The Wreck of the Cali is also easily accesible. You may want to try Eden Rock.

Joe will be better at giving directions to the Hyatt, we don't stay on the 7MB area, so I wouldn't be the best to give out tips on how to find it.

Posted: Sun Mar 13, 2005 9:02 am Post subject:

smithereens, you beat me to it. LOL. Great tips!

Hi Astazia - Welcome to the forum:

Sotos Cruises or Oh Boy Charters offer non-crowded fast boats to Stingray City and other snorkel spots. The best sites are from a boat, but there are many good shore spots too if you don't want to do Stingray City again.

You will have time to rent watercraft and do a boat trip if that is what you want to do. The Hyatt is about 5 miles from the cruise dock. Book the morning boat tirp and have them drop you off somewhere like The Hyatt, Comfort Suites or the Wharf after. The snorkeling around these places is decent (but not spectacular) and they have a bar and food.

If you just want good snorkeling, try the Eden Rock/Devil's Grotto areas and swim out 100 yards or so to where the better reefs are. There are areas around the Turtle Farm that have very good snorkeling. Look out from the shore for darker areas on the water which denote the presence of reefs. You will usually have to swim out at least 50 yards to get to the good reefs, and a dive float with flag is a good idea to alert any boats to your presence.

Try to save an hour or so for shopping in Georgetown. You will find coupons in the Cruise Ship Activity area Coupons page for many things to do and buy that will save you money.

Posted: Sun Mar 13, 2005 9:05 am Post subject:

This map may be of help to you as well.

http://www.caymanactivityguide.com/Maps.htm

Posted: Mon Mar 14, 2005 3:17 am Post subject: Thanks for everything

I saw a note on the web that soto's was no longer operating. Has that changed? I swear I saw a post about it. I was shocked and several said it was due to hurricane and that after 55 years he'd had it and has stuff for sale including his other two ventures in tourist servicing fishing etc.

I was shocked but apparently it's not true so that's cool.

Thanks for the info xxoo

Taz

Posted: Mon Mar 14, 2005 7:16 am Post subject:

The Sotos that closed is Bob Sotos Reef Divers, a SCUBA diving operation. They had no affilliation to Sotos Cruises, the snorkel operation I recommend for Stingray City.

Newbie Joined: 28 Mar 2005 Posts: 2

I tried to book a tour with Nativway but they we booked out is there some one else that might offer a tour like this??? If not what would be a recommendation to do both.

Posted: Mon Mar 28, 2005 5:00 pm Post subject:

Hi parkers - Welcome to the forum.

Coming on a ship, your options are limited. Most of those "all in one" tours give you very little time to enjoy anything; you are rushed and crowded, and usually pay higher prices.

How about something like this instead...

Book the Stingray City tour with Sotos Cruises: 1-345-945-4576. Ask for Kerri and mention Activity Guide and you will get the best Stingray City price on the island. They will pick you up near the dock and they have a fast boat so if you book the morning trip, you will have lots of time to snorkel with the Stingrays and be back by about noon.

After the trip, have them drop you off at The Hyatt and enjoy a few drinks and maybe a snack on their beautiful beach. They have a swim up bar at their pool too! Then have them call you a cab to take you to the Turtle Farm; that will run you about $15. Keep the driver's number and call them to pick you up when you are done. The Cracked Conch is very close by so you could walk over there and have a drink on their dock while you wait for the taxi. They also have incredible local food.

Then have the cab take you back to town which will run you about $15. Spend the rest of your time shopping and doing the town. Be sure to print out the coupons from our coupon page and use them - that will save you money. Depending on when you get back, you may even have time for an Atlantis submarine trip or a 15 minute walk to Sunset House where you will find Cathy Church Underwater Photo Gallery. Not far from there is Pure Art, another wonderful place for local arts and crafts.

You can do most of this very affordably in a crowd-free, non-rushed environment at your own pace. Sound good? Very Happy

Newbie Joined: 28 Mar 2005 Posts: 1

OMG!!! This is EXACTLY what I was looking for. THANK YOU!!! This place is FANTASTIC!! :-D :-D :-D :-D :-D

Newbie Joined: 28 Mar 2005 Posts: 4

Hubby and me are coming for a day on a cruise and this was very helpful to us too. Thank you Joe for the information, I think we will take you up on some of those suggestions. :-D

Newbie Joined: 28 Mar 2005 Posts: 4

How far is it from the Turtle Farm to Hell? I mean like a walk or a drive away.

Newbie Joined: 28 Mar 2005 Posts: 2

Has anyone ever took Captin Marvins Stingray and Turtle farm/hell Tour before if so how was it???? water

Posted: Mon Mar 28, 2005 10:39 pm Post subject:

Never done 'the tour' but have done the all day snorkel trip with Captain Marvin's and really enjoyed it. Staff has always been phenomenal with him, and although others say the boats were fumey and slow, we had the best time of visiting and never had 'fume' problems.

We will be doing two trips this year...one with Captain Marvin and one with Don Soto's [coupons in the Activity Guide for Soto's which we have never used, but only hear wonderful things about].

Newbie Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 5

Not really interested in stopping at Coral Reef or Barrier Reef. We would like to do Stingray City and then go to a beach. 7 mile island or Rum Point Beach.

Does any company offer this combination?

Thanks so much!

Kim

Posted: Thu Apr 14, 2005 12:08 pm Post subject:

Hi 3redheads - Welcome to the forum.

They all offer at least two stops, some include a beach lunch but you will be out most of the day.

I recommend a fast trip like Sotos Cruises, and then have them drop you off at a nice beach like the Hyatt afterwards. Enjoy lunch, the beach, pool, maybe a few cocktails and then have them call you a taxi to take you back to the ship area. If you have enough time you can even get in some shopping. Print out the coupons from our coupon page and save some $$$ along the way. Wink

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