Beach & Snorkeling in Grand Cayman

[Cruiseaway05]

Going to Grand Cayman next week on Legend of the Seas - if looking for a relaxing day at the beach, do folks recommend an "organized" excursion to Seven Mile Beach or is it easy/reasonable to get transportation to the beach, get a chair, food & drink? Also, can you find snorkeling right there? Can you rent equipment?

[cruisinqt]

The cruise ship pier and 7 mile beach are both on West Bay road which runs along the coastline. If you look around when you arrive at the cruise ship pier, there should be a bus pick-up nearby, it's about one block from the pier. Just ask the locals and they'll point you towards it. The bus runs every 15 minutes and costs $1.50 per person. Each bus will have their fares boldly printed where you can see them. The bus service uses white mini vans with a colored circle sticker on their back and front indicating their route. Route 1 (yellow) goes directly to the turtle farm from the pier. Route 2 (lime green) stops all along the 7 mile beach area. The (lime green) route 2 will charge an extra $1.25 to stop at the turtle farm since it isn't a normal stop for this bus. These mini-van/buses travel up and down 7 mile beach all day. To get one, when they honk, wave at them and they'll stop and pick you up. There are also many clearly marked bus stops all along West Bay road and 7 mile beach.;)

 

Most of the places along the beach rent just about anything you could imagine. Just about all of them charge you for chair rental, tables, umbrellas for shade, drinks, etc. There are public beaches on 7 mile beach that have clean restrooms, showers, lockers, etc. If you decide on taking the bus, which is the cheapest way to go, then start researching the best places on 7 mile beach to visit. There has been much discussion on it here on the boards.:) I hope this helps, enjoy your cruise. We sail in less than 3 weeks and I'm so excited I just about can't contain it.:D