Best Beach

Is that Kimpton/Public Beach stretch really over a mile long? It doesn't seem that long when you're at Public Beach looking over that way. Or do the buses do the whole bypass section instead of cutting down that little side street that runs beside the Kimpton to Tiki Beach?

Buses do the whole bypass typically. The bypass is a little over three quarters of a mile long.

For anyone walking south from Cemetery Beach I presume they will easily make it into that stretch of beach where most of the traffic is over on the bypass. But once they are in that zone they have some distance to go before they can bail out and grab a cab.

If we go swim with the stingrays will we still have time to visit SMB

If we go swim with the stingrays will we still have time to visit SMB

It depends on how long your excursion is and what time it starts, and how long you're in port.

But since you likely drive along it on your way to/from the excursion, if time permits, most operators are happy to drop you off at the beach on the way back, and then you could taxi back to the ship when you're done.

Is it possible to find a beach with facilities AND snorkeling, within a reasonable distance to the port? Rum Point seems a little far. Any advice is welcome!

Is it possible to find a beach with facilities AND snorkeling, within a reasonable distance to the port? Rum Point seems a little far. Any advice is welcome!

Nope. Generally, what makes a good beach makes lousy snorkelling. Around town, the facilities are all at the places with good beach. This means the snorkelling is iffy.

There's good snorkelling close to the port at Eden Rock (restaurant but no beach) and Smith Cove (beach but no restaurant).

Thanks for your advice. We decided to go with a Native Way excursion with snorkeling and some time at Rum Point, so we don't have to choose between the two!:):)

Thanks for your advice. We decided to go with a Native Way excursion with snorkeling and some time at Rum Point, so we don't have to choose between the two!:):)

Good call.

Nope. Generally, what makes a good beach makes lousy snorkelling. Around town, the facilities are all at the places with good beach. This means the snorkelling is iffy.

 

There's good snorkelling close to the port at Eden Rock (restaurant but no beach) and Smith Cove (beach but no restaurant).

A great post with very true words :). This is the case in most places around the world. The best snorkel spots are often in places with lousy beaches...or even no beaches. One exception is Arashi Beach (on Aruba) which is within swimming distance of a decent reef area....but this does require one to have their own snorkel equipment (with decent fins) and have the ability to swim more than 1/4 of a mile out to the best parts of the reef. Consider that the best snorkeling is on live reefs and finding these near a sandy beach is very unusual. In fact, finding a decent live reef is becoming difficult anywhere!

Hank

Eden Rock is great snorkeling right near the port. No beach but there is an area there to sit. There is a dive shop right there and some restaurants nearby.

As far as a beach, we just returned from Grand Cayman and decided on the Calico Jacks area on 7 mile beach. Just grabbed a taxi there $5pp each way and less hassle than dealing with the local bus. Plenty of taxis/buses waiting to take you back to the port. Definitely crowded on 7 mile beach but got 2 chairs and an umbrella for $30 and had a nice day there. Got less crowded early afternoon as many cruise passengers with earlier departure times headed back to their ship and we were able to move to a slightly better chair location along the water.

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Nope. Generally, what makes a good beach makes lousy snorkelling. Around town, the facilities are all at the places with good beach. This means the snorkelling is iffy.

 

There's good snorkelling close to the port at Eden Rock (restaurant but no beach) and Smith Cove (beach but no restaurant).

Is Smith Cove walkable from town?

Is Smith Cove walkable from town?

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showpost.php?p=54549280&postcount=2

Stop in town at the local grocery store to buy all the food and drinks, etc. then head to Cemetery Beach for a quiet and people free experience. This would be your ultimate Grand Cayman experience. We always go their for snorkeling.

 

 

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Sounds like my kind of day unless we do a non-cruise snorkeling excursion. How is the snorkeling there?

If anyone has rented the beach cabana at Royal Palms Beach Club I am interested to hear how you felt about it? Good wait staff service who allowed you to run the tab for the day after giving CC info?

Thanks for the great info, Bookbabe.

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We are a group of 15, are there buses that go to Calico Jacks? It would take multiple taxis and we want to stay together.

There is always a "dispatcher" at the cruise terminal...just tell him/her you have 15 people and you would like to go together, they will find you a mini bus.

We were on a mini bus with at least 16-18 people!

Eden Rock is great snorkeling right near the port. No beach but there is an area there to sit. There is a dive shop right there and some restaurants nearby.

 

As far as a beach, we just returned from Grand Cayman and decided on the Calico Jacks area on 7 mile beach. Just grabbed a taxi there $5pp each way and less hassle than dealing with the local bus. Plenty of taxis/buses waiting to take you back to the port. Definitely crowded on 7 mile beach but got 2 chairs and an umbrella for $30 and had a nice day there. Got less crowded early afternoon as many cruise passengers with earlier departure times headed back to their ship and we were able to move to a slightly better chair location along the water.

 

 

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just wondering if it was worth getting off the ship?Do they have shops there?