Snorkeling on our own...need itinerary suggestions

Newbie Joined: 14 Feb 2010 Posts: 2

Hello all,

My parents, my husband and I will be in Grand Cayman for the day in May (cruise stop). We were planning to hit some snorkel sites on our own. Our first stop is probably going to be Cemetery Beach. My husband and I were there a couple years ago and abosoutely loved it, plus I think it will be a great place for my mom, who isn't an avid snorkeler to get used the water and equipment. We were then considering an early lunch at the Cracked Conch before snorkeling Turtle Reef. Lastly, we were thinking of making a stop at Eden Rock before heading back to the ship.

So, this is the tentative schedule, but I had a few questions. First, does this sound doable in the 9 hours we will be in port (7am - 4pm)? Also, since I have only been to Cemetery Beach, anyone have opinions on the other sites I mentioned or recommendations for sites that I have not mentioned?

Thanks in advance!
Lindsey

Posted: Mon Feb 15, 2010 8:22 am Post subject:

Welcome to the forum RooksWS6 Smile

,

It's great that your ship will be in port for so long on that day, but since Grand Cayman is a tender port, you probably won't get off the ship until 8:00 or so, and I'm sure you'll have to be back on no later than 3:30 p.m. Allowing the time to tender back to the ship, I would think that you will have to be in line no later than 3:00p.m.

Even so, you still have a lot of time. Cemetery Beach probably would be a great spot to get your Mom oriented to snorkeling and her equipment. Since you've been there before, you probably know that the reef is a pretty good swim out from the beach.

I suppose there are cabs hanging out at the Cemetary Beach, who could run you up to the Turtle Reef at the Cracked Conch. If not, just wait till one arrives, dropping off more people from the ship and get them to run you up there. It's a great place for lunch......either the main restaurant, or the more casual Macabuca tiki bar. Check with the staff at the dive shop there for current conditions, so you know which way to head out for your snorkel.

Now, if you haven't had your fill of snorkeling by then, and you have enough time, you certainly could head on down to Eden Rock, as you have planned. Otherwise, just head back to town for a little shopping before heading back to the ship.

It's probably all doable, depending on how much time you spend in each spot.

Just wondering......since you've been to Cayman before, you've probably been to Stingray City. Maybe that's something your Mom shouldn't miss, though. Just a thought.

Char

Posted: Mon Feb 15, 2010 10:43 am Post subject:

I agree with Char that it is all doable, depending on how long you are at each spot. Last summer we took our mother in law and did the same thing by starting at Cemetary beach - which is good to get used to the water and the equipment but it is a bit of a swim until you actually see the good stuff and the fish can be pretty aggresive there. The Sgt Majors are hungry little buggers.

Cracked Conch is a great spot for lunch but the entrance and exit can be tricky if you Mom has any mobility problems (it is a ladder in and out of the water)

If you don't want to go all the way to Cracked Conch you could head the other direction to the Sunset House and start there. They have great food and you could stop in at Cathy Church's while you are there and check out some great underwater pic's or head over to Pure Art for some excellent gift idea from the island.

Also, if your Mom has not been to the island before you really should strongly consider Stingray City but DO NOT use the cruise ship booking for the trip. Use Soto's (you will find info on them on this forum)for the trip. Much less crowded and a significantly better experience (that is unless you like being jammed on a double or triple decker cattle mover going to the sandbar Smile

)

Personally if it were me I would hit Stingray City (which includes snorkeling on the barrier reef) and then head down to Sunset House for more snorkling and lunch. Then hit Cathy's and Pure Art for gifts.

Regarless I'm sure you will have a great time.

Newbie Joined: 14 Feb 2010 Posts: 2

Thank you both for your responses! Unfortunately, I have not been to Stingray City, but have heard a lot about it. It may not be a good fit for this trip only because she (my mom) is a little leary as it is. Not sure how she will feel about the rays. I will definitely mention it to her and see what she thinks. Stingray City is definitely on my list of things to do in the future though. My first time snorkeling was a couple years ago in Belize, and I fell in love with everything about it. I'm currently looking into diving certification classes this summer. Hence, this will definitely not be my last trip to the Caymans! Smile

Thanks again, I've noted to book with Soto if I can talk the others into Stingray City.

Lindsey

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