JaKetravels Posted February 13, 2005 #1 Share Posted February 13, 2005 Hi, I am full of info..restaurants that are open. good snorkeling spots, what to skip etc.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JaKetravels Posted February 13, 2005 Author #2 Share Posted February 13, 2005 Hi all, here is what we found on the island this past week: very friendly people, many still wanting to share stories of the horros of Ivan Unbelievable damage from Ivan, it was true what someone posted earlier, it was like the Northeast as far as a lack of "green" around the island The good news is you find yourself overlooking the devastation when you look out onto the waters, especially at Rum Point If you only venture to Georgetown from your ship you pretty much can avoid seeing the real damage from Ivan, the towns that got the most damge was the eastern end, especially Boddentown. One in 5 homes still has no power or water and many are not going to be rebuilt due to I believe erosion concerns. Many restaurants have not reopened yet, especially hard hit were oceanfront places as you can imagine. We ate one night at the Old Grand House, very nice, expensive but well worth it. The Wharf we felt was a bit of a tourist trap. It was a pretty view though to see the cruise ships off the outdoor bar, I would only reccomend this place for just that, a drink or 2 at the bar. Ragizzi's in town was very good Italian food and pizza's. A bit dressier than we thought it would be and this was the only place we ran into snobby waitstaff. The food was worth it though and there isn't really many choices with so many places closed for now. Another fun thing to do if you are staying on the island is to go to the Bare Foot Man show at the Reef Resort. Really great voice, original caribbean songs and the dinner was very good. Avoid their red wine though, it was terrible and after trying 3 varieties I gave up. Sting Ray City was fun, very crowded from the cruise ships but we lucked out and pulled in as many of the groups were leaving. I think it is a must see thing to do but my opinion is to do it off of Rum Point beach so you can spend all the time you have there. I guess you have to rent a car from what I am hearing here but if you can find a couple to share it I think it is worth it. Georgetown is nice but if you have been shopping in other ports and want a beach scene Rum Point is not to be missed. One piece of advice as for driving on Cayman Island is to of course stay to the left and also be aware, the locals drive very fast and do not use blinkers as a habit. That's all for now but feel free to ask questions! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kujobie Posted February 13, 2005 #3 Share Posted February 13, 2005 Well, hook me up. We're looking for good shore based snorkelling close to where the cruise ships passengers tender in to. Heard Eden Rock/Devils Grotto is close and very good snorkelling. Also looking for a good spot on 7-mile beach for some relaxation. Doesn't hafta be fancy. Just maybe a place that rents chairs and sells drinks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JaKetravels Posted February 13, 2005 Author #4 Share Posted February 13, 2005 Our favorite spot to snorkle was cemetary reef. It is past 7 mile beach and not posted so you have to know where to look for it. I guess you could take a cab there as I realize you won't have a car. It is actually directly behind an Esso gas station that was destroyed by Ivan. We parked behind it and there is a short metal wall you have to climb over. The Esso station is on the right side of the road but if you ask any locals they should know where cemetary reef is. The beauty of this reef is that you only walk 2 feet into the water and you willl see multitudes of fish, all colors shapes and sizes. You just hug the shoreline following the reef and you will see hundreds of fish. We saw baracuda there too but they were harmless. Eden rock is also good for snorkeling can be very crowded as most head for it from the ships. Our husbands did both location and the only difference was that at Eden Rock you would see bigger fish and you could hose off afterwards. It also costs $7 if you need snorkle gear. The only other spot we snorkeled was part of a excursion we took out of Rum Point that was offered by Red Sails, it was a sting ray/snorkle 2 hour tour that at the time we were there was $30 each American. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joby Posted February 13, 2005 #5 Share Posted February 13, 2005 JaKetravels, were you in Georgetown on a Sunday? If so, do you remember if any stores were open near the tender dock? The live agent on Cayman excursions mentioned that most all stores are closed on Sundays. I can't imagine with a ship in port that all stores would be closed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JaKetravels Posted February 13, 2005 Author #6 Share Posted February 13, 2005 Hello, sorry we were not in Georgetown on a Sunday so I can't tell you for sure. Any other questions though, just let me know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Linkslady Posted February 13, 2005 #7 Share Posted February 13, 2005 Did any of y'all play golf? We wanted to play Safehaven but it's closed (we arrive in March) but plan on playing at the Hyatt.. any info? Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JaKetravels Posted February 14, 2005 Author #8 Share Posted February 14, 2005 sorry, none of us are golfers but I can tell you the Hyatt was not open last week due to repairs. I heard they are not too far away from completion though. I would check ahead for courses as I did not see one located on 7 mile beach by the Hyatt but there was more of the Hyatt across the street so perhaps the course was there? I'd be surprised if any course would be up and running to ne honest but you never know! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cayman_bound Posted February 14, 2005 #9 Share Posted February 14, 2005 Our timeshare staff told us that the Links at Safehaven (next to the Grand Caymanian resort in Crystal Harbor) was open. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Linkslady Posted February 14, 2005 #10 Share Posted February 14, 2005 Thanks Jak! I did talk to the Hyatt directly and their course is open (it is across from 7 mile beach). Also, thanks cayman_bound for info on the links! I knew they would be getting close to opening!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
srpilo Posted February 14, 2005 #11 Share Posted February 14, 2005 Thanks for the report... One question.. how was the water temperture, was the water temps comfortable enough for snorkeling ?? Well, thanks again.. Srpilo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JaKetravels Posted February 14, 2005 Author #12 Share Posted February 14, 2005 Hi! The water was fine, I would be guessing at the temps but I would compare it to summer temps of our beaches in the Northeast. It was very comfortable, no wetsuits needed for sure. The only thing I can add is Eden Rock waters are a bit choppier for snorkeling but they still said the fish were great. Big Tarpon swam around there as they are used to being fed as Eden Rock is basically off a snack bar. But there were many other fish too, it can get crowded there, my guess if you're going to snorkle there i would do it as early as possible in the day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janett Posted February 15, 2005 #13 Share Posted February 15, 2005 JaKetravels, were you in Georgetown on a Sunday? If so, do you remember if any stores were open near the tender dock? The live agent on Cayman excursions mentioned that most all stores are closed on Sundays. I can't imagine with a ship in port that all stores would be closed. If there are cruiseships in on Sunday, some of the duty free shops will open for as long as ships are in port. Restaurants are open but most other businesses will be closed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruislovin Posted February 15, 2005 #14 Share Posted February 15, 2005 Our favorite spot to snorkle was cemetary reef. It is past 7 mile beach and not posted. Is cemetery reef within walking distance of 7 mile beach? Were there many people there? Is it safe to snorkel there? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wmw Posted February 15, 2005 #15 Share Posted February 15, 2005 Attached Are some pics from Grand Cayman. Beach shots are from the beach at Marriott Courtyard Back in Jan. water was 82 degrees - A little chilly w/o wetsuit. Good snorkeling off beach from Marriott CY. Beach at Marriott Courtyard Beach at Marriott Courtyard Snorkeling Pic SCUBA Pic SCUBA Pic Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JaKetravels Posted February 15, 2005 Author #16 Share Posted February 15, 2005 I would say it is not within walking distance. You could take a cab from one of the hotels is my guess. It was not crowded, the 4 of us were the only ones there both days we snorkeled! It was very safe, you snorkel in literally 3-6 ft. of waiter tops. I would just not leave valuables on the beach if you are all in the water but you do that no matter what beach you go to. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MICHSUNLOVER Posted February 15, 2005 #17 Share Posted February 15, 2005 Hi WMV - what did you use to take the underwater pics? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruislovin Posted February 15, 2005 #18 Share Posted February 15, 2005 wmw, Thanks for posting the pics - they are beautiful! How far out did you have to swim from shore at the Marriott for the fish and coral that you saw? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wmw Posted February 16, 2005 #19 Share Posted February 16, 2005 I used a Canon SD100 digital camera with a Canon WP-DC10 underwater housing. The only picture that is snorkeling is the sea urchins. The swim to that is less that 100 feet from shore. The other pics are from SCUBA dives off of a boat - about 3/4 mile off shore. Since y'all liked that one so much - here is a spotted eel - Mat (wmw) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jenn W Posted February 17, 2005 #20 Share Posted February 17, 2005 Is Eden Rock a nice place to kids, is there soft sand and a gradual entry? Are there any services there? Jenn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kujobie Posted February 17, 2005 #21 Share Posted February 17, 2005 I can answer that. There is no sand at eden rock. just rocks with a ladder going into the water. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare hcat Posted February 20, 2005 #22 Share Posted February 20, 2005 Where is the Old grand House in relation to the tender pier for the ships? Is is walking distance? How expensive were the drinks? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ladyt Posted February 20, 2005 #23 Share Posted February 20, 2005 Oh my...the beach at the Marriott looks beautiful. How far is this beach from where the ships are. Did you take a cab? I want to spend all of my time on the beach, I have no interest in shopping. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jasmine928 Posted February 25, 2005 #24 Share Posted February 25, 2005 we will be traveling to cayman shortly. How far is Rum point beach from where the cruise boats dock and how does it compare to the beaches on 7 mile beach? Is the Westin Hotel open since after the hurricane and is this a nice place to spend a day? thank Cindy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrrick747 Posted February 25, 2005 #25 Share Posted February 25, 2005 I read post after post and wonder why so many people look past the place where I find the easiest and best snorkelling on the Caymans. I have done Eden Rock ( tough access and rougher water). wreck of the Cali ( tough access and too deep, not very fishy. Then theres Cemetary Beach ( easy enough to get to, easy access, ok snorkelling. I have done Rum point, which I did not find very special ... Of course the better snorkeling would be out on an excursion and the Sting Rays are a must but my all time favorite is Smith Cove. A search would pull up nice pics and info about it but I can tell you the pros and cons (as I see them) The location is about 2 0r 3 miles south of the port, not something you would want to hike. You will need a taxi there and ask for a pick up time from the driver. (worked for us) The access is on a beautiful quaint beach front and there is a small beach area, picnic area. Ive never seen it crowded (last year we were the only ones there with 3 ships in port.....lol except for the wedding party that stopped by to take photos. The fish, coral is right there, an easy swim for children and the older of us. It was the best snorkel in the Caymans. I believe there was a bathroom box, but cant guarantee that. Check it out (if you bring your own gear). if you have any questions...... ill be around.....lol Rick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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