Stingray City and Snorkel Trips From Rum Point

Newbie Joined: 23 Jan 2010 Posts: 2 Location: Illinois

We are returning to the Cayman Kai/Rum Point area 36 years after our last visit. Our previous visits were before Stingray City, at a time when the Rum Point Club looked sort of temporary. There wasn't even city electricity. We are ready for all the changes, but the biggest change we have to anticipate is that we are now both over 70 and are very cautious about snorkeling out to the fringing reef in front of the Cayman Kai Sea Lodges. Are there snorkeling trips that leave from Rum Point? If we find that we are uneasy about getting to the reef, (even with vests) are there charters of very small boats that could help us with the project? Independent boaters (like Solly) were easy to find years ago, but the world has changed.

Thanks,
Chel

Native Joined: 18 Feb 2005 Posts: 2034 Location: Illinois

OMG---I remember old Sol---One time on a north sound trip, he bumped into another boat!!!!!(too much liquid refreshment I think)

You are going to be absolutely amazed at the change in the island. There is even city water all over the island now. And we haven't had our electricity go out in quite awhile. We have been going since 1969--it's unbelievable, but we still like it....but have moved over to the quiet side of the island, which is what the whole island used to be like back then. We used to take our kids for a drive to Rum Point and they got to have a punch with an umbrella in it at the wreck of a bar.

Sorry I can't help you with a boat person---but hopefully someone will be able to.

Hope you have a wonderful trip!

Shelly :-)

Posted: Thu Jan 28, 2010 10:37 am Post subject:

Chel,
36 years? Over 70? clapping

Golly. And I thought things were really changed from my first trip to Cayman Brac in 1986 and my last trip in 2007! The trip in 2007 was my last vacation trip.... It was the last trip because I stayed here on the Brac. The Brac still doesn't have "city" water anywhere but on the west end. Water is collected in cisterns or, during dry spells, purchased from a water company that processes sea water (by osmosis) and delivers by tank truck. Not a bad system at all.
We have good snorkeling and diving here also. Wifey and I dove on the Kissimmee wreck last week, and are considering a boat trip to Little Cayman (about 5 miles) with friends sometime soon. We snorkel from shore whenever we have the urge.... which is often. The snorkeling here is great but entry points are scattered. Not much sandy beach here but maybe that's a blessing..... we aren't crowded. I guess that's the main reason I chose the Brac as my home. I just don't like crowds and traffic, etc.! Also don't miss the bright lights and partying. Perhaps you might consider a trip to the Brac sometime...... if you don't think you're too old. By the way, I was born in 1930. Wink

Newbie Joined: 23 Jan 2010 Posts: 2 Location: Illinois

Actually, I've been on the Brac....in 1975. A road part way up to what was pasture land was partially paved. I tagged along with a bunch of young divers who decided they wanted to visit a cave and go up and out to the end. The cave was a bust: a small hole under a ledge. The kids went down the hole and I panicked, banging my head repeatedly on the bottom of the ledge as I clawed my way out. I panic now just thinking about it. I'm so claustrophobic that they have to put me under for an MRI.

Up on top, on the path out to the edge of the cliff, there was a little hollow in the weathered ironstone, surrounded by trees and shrubs. It was so peaceful and so unlike the bright sand and azure sea! I thought I could spend my life there. I've always wanted to go back and find that place again. On the other hand, it's probably nothing now and wasn't much then.

Both the Brac and little Cayman are still on my list, but my wife is more impressed with warm water and beaches.

We also prefer fewer people and less civilization. I am sure we spent about 6 weeks total on Grand Cayman during the early seventies, and not more than 10 minutes of that was on Five (Whoops, Seven) Mile Beach. When I learned that it is possible that we will be greeted by a steel band at the airport (say it isn't so) I sort of giggled.

I hope the airport at Brac is still a thatched shed, but I doubt it.

You did the right thing, and I hope you enjoy it for a long time to come.

Chel

Native Joined: 18 Feb 2005 Posts: 2034 Location: Illinois

No thatched shed......they have quite a nice little airport.

I kind of enjoy that island music greeting--this year when we arrived it wasn't there, and I missed it.

Shelly :-)

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