What to do?

We've been to Stingray City and have also spent time strolling around the shops at the dock. What would you Grand Cayman pros say is the next best thing not to miss in Grand Cayman after Stingray City? (We'll be there in the summertime).

I am by no means a pro :eek: but we were just there 4/19/06 and we snorkeled the barrier reef and it was the best snorkeling I've ever done. After snorkeling we went to Rum Point. It was the highlight of our vacation. It was beautiful there. A little piece of paradise. :) I'd like to go back there for an entire week.

We've been to Stingray City and have also spent time strolling around the shops at the dock. What would you Grand Cayman pros say is the next best thing not to miss in Grand Cayman after Stingray City? (We'll be there in the summertime).

There's a new Jeep Tour there with the whole tour broadcast on Pirate Radio. The guide is funny, the music is great and the tour goes around the whole island, stopping at Reef Resort. It's limited in numbers and The Reef is quiet and secluded. I loved it.

Thanks for the good suggestions!!!

Did either of you book those with local companies or were they through Carnival?

Jeep Adventure is through Carnival. Jeep Safari is via internet.

I am by no means a pro :eek: but we were just there 4/19/06 and we snorkeled the barrier reef and it was the best snorkeling I've ever done. After snorkeling we went to Rum Point. It was the highlight of our vacation. It was beautiful there. A little piece of paradise. :) I'd like to go back there for an entire week.

Well, I was going to post what the OP did and you replied with just what I was looking for, BUT could I just get a little more info? How do you get to the barrier reef and how did you get to Rum Point. Thanks for your help.

Dear Choosin,

Check out my port from the other day. These are highlights if you decide to rent a car. Enjoy.

Here are some great highlights of GC. If you rent from Avis, they have the best map of the island and it's free. You might also try Cayman Auto Rental, it's on the waterfront asnd is about 4 blocks walk from the pier.

Regardless, try this - once you get your car, go back to the waterfront and turn South and take the Maritime Heritage Trail.

Head out of town and drive along the coast through the South Sound neighbourhood. Beautiful houses and English gardens on steroids.

Pass by Grand Harbour Shops where Tony Hawks has opened the world's largest skate park - the Black Pearl.

Drive out of town into the old village of Savannah. In Savannah, turn right when you see the sign for Pedro St. James castle. The oldest home on the the island, it is now a lovely museum set on low cliffs overlooking the ocean. It had an important roll in Caymanian history, as it was the meeting place for all important decisions in the last 2 centuries.

Then continue along the coast to the original capitol of Bodden Town, named for the original settling family granted land by the English Crown. The oldest standing chuch in the Cayman Islands is here. Built from salvaged shipwreck parts by a shipwright, it is gorgeous. It is the Memorial United Church - a combination of the Presyterians and the Anglican Church.

Soon followed by the Pirate's Caves, where Black Beard and others hid buried treasure.

As you leave Bodden Town, you will notice several roadside Jerk Stands - Bar-B-Que - try Chesters for Jerk Chicken or Jerk Pork - it rocks.

Shortly after Bodden Town, you will come upon Breakers - absolutly gorgeous, it's view is spectacular and this village boasts the oldest standing lighthouse in Cayman. The Lighthouse at Breakers is now a great restaurant. Interesting story from Caymanian history - Caymanians got permission from the Crown to sometimes use their lighthouses to lure Pirates into the reef so as to help rid the high seas of pirates. This contributed to the more than 600 shipwrecks that ring the island.

Following Breakers, be on the lookout for the cross island road (Frank Sound Rd). Turn left and keep your eyes peeled for the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park. This is definately worth a look-see. It is 65 acres, but the best part is the Colour Garden - it is spectacular. Every shape, form and colour of plant that you could ever hope to see. A traditional fruit Garden and home to the Blue Dragon Iguana - largest iguana in the world - only found in the Caymans.

After leaving the Gardens, turn right back onto Frank Sound Rd and continue to Northside. A neat little village, it was the last to develop (excluding George Town). Here you'll find nice people, a couple of great hangouts - like Over the Edge and the Driftwood and lots of almond trees. If you don't want to stop in Northside, look for Old Robin Rd, right after the gas station and turn right. This will continue to take you East.

If you prefer, you can turn right and head West to Rum Point and Kaibo Cay (Key).

If not...

Continue to the east until you come to the Reef Resort. Get out and hang out on their secluded, uncrowded beach. Here you can swim, snorkel and rent water toys.

After the Reef, continue East to Gun Bay. Check out The Wreck of the Ten Sail park for great vistas and views to Cayman's most important ship wreck.

After this, you will continue into the original settlement of East End. Very quaint and populated by descendants of the original settlers.

As you leave East End and start heading back to the West, you will come upon the Blow Holes. If the wave action is good, this is worth stopping for and taking a breathtaking photo.

After this, you can chase the sun down back to George Town. On your way back, be on the lookout for the road to Beach Bay, between Bodden Town and Savannah. It's beautiful and you will most likely find it deserted.

Depending on the amount of time you spend on the beach and at the various sights, this trip will take you approx 3-4 hours, with approx 45min of drive time out and 45 mins back.

Also, you can head East for the entire journey, but personally, I find the drive back from East End to be more enticing if you do the cross island bit first.

Hope this helps and God Bless. Enjoy your trip.

mayaglenn - Thank you, thank you....that sounds awesome and couldn't be better for an itinerary!!!! Thank you so much for your attention to detail. I am now looking forward to GC. We went to stingray city the last time we were there and loved it, but been there done that, and the TRAFFIC was so awful, I figured we'd just shop a little and go back to the ship. One thing, I can't remember, but do they drive on the opposite side of the street? I'm pretty sure they do, so was it difficult driving? Also, is there like a day use fee at the resort and can you just show up or do you need reservations? I couldn't find anything on their website. Sorry for all the questions. We were in Bermuda and mopeded around, but it wasn't so crowded. ANyway, thanks again. It is very much appreciated.