Which Stingray City Waverunner Excursion?

[jacksmom09]

Hi! Just wondering how hard it is to get back up onto wave runner after snorkeling?(I am not in bad shape:rolleyes:, but not one to work out either!:o) I would hate to not be able to get on it though!:eek: I also wonder if I don't go at full throttle if it will be a problem?:confused: My dh wants to do this, and I think it would be fun! But, I am a little nervous! :( Thanks for any help!

[diane802]

I know what you mean, it can be hard getting back up on those jetskis! None of us ever fell off one of Peter's jetskis, but I have fallen off one before. There should be a strap that runs across the width of the seat. When you try to get back on, put one of your knees up on the back of the jetski, grab the strap, and pull your other knee onto the jetski. It's not the most graceful sights, but it'll get you back in the saddle! The jetski's made today are wider and have wider dorsal fins for better stability. Peter's skis are the newer models and are kept in excellent condition. You'll be fine!

[jacksmom09]

I know what you mean, it can be hard getting back up on those jetskis! None of us ever fell off one of Peter's jetskis, but I have fallen off one before. There should be a strap that runs across the width of the seat. When you try to get back on, put one of your knees up on the back of the jetski, grab the strap, and pull your other knee onto the jetski. It's not the most graceful sights, but it'll get you back in the saddle! The jetski's made today are wider and have wider dorsal fins for better stability. Peter's skis are the newer models and are kept in excellent condition. You'll be fine!

 

Thanks!

[PYB2008]

check out my other posts about Fat Fish Adventures- highly recommend them!

[pacarolinagirl]

Diane...thanks for the pics and great review of Fat Fish Adventures. I booked with them on Sunday & Carolyn was wonderful. I can't wait to get there.:D

[sonofasonofasailor]

This excursions was the highlight of our cruise. EBANKS led by Shawn and Jeremy is an awesome company. They will treat you right and make sure you have the time of your life. The money was well worth it. They are great with families! Thanks for a great time Shawn!

[NavigatorBride]

This excursions was the highlight of our cruise. EBANKS led by Shawn and Jeremy is an awesome company. They will treat you right and make sure you have the time of your life. The money was well worth it. They are great with families! Thanks for a great time Shawn!

 

Oh! I am so happy to hear this. Thanks for posting. We can't wait!!!!

[DEERINH2O]

Anyone with Grand Cayman Excursions lately? Does anyone know where the resort is we start from? the name of the resort by chance?

 

thanks,

Kathy

[nolaluv]

Sailed on the Carnival Imagination in Feb. 2008 and booked a stingray excursion through the ship. There was a crew of about 5 and a cash bar on board. We were provided with a bag lunch and took a 20 minute ride to a sand bank where several tour boats were docked. The water is waist high and the tour staff help you feed/catch/interact with the stingrays by placing them on your back, in your arms ect. The crew was very laid back and let kids and whoever else wanted to take the wheel of the boat. BTW, legend has it that if you kiss a stinrgay you will have 7 years good luck. The area around the port has mostly gift shops, offshore banks and restaurants. I think Hard Rock Cafe is just a few blocks away. Grand Caymen is small and besides the iguanas lounging around everywhere, IMHO there is not much to see on land. The natives are very personable and a little more polite than other Carribean places I've been.

[Buffettfan 225]

Anyone with Grand Cayman Excursions lately? Does anyone know where the resort is we start from? the name of the resort by chance?

 

thanks,

Kathy

Anyone with Grand Cayman Excursions lately? Does anyone know where the resort is we start from? the name of the resort by chance?

 

thanks,

Kathy

We have booked two double waverunners for June 16th and hoping to hear back some of the April trip reports as some are doing this private tour also. Here is email info I received after reserving a 9am trip. it sure helped spell out the details. I looked into using the GC shuttle service thru them, which is I think $8pp, we opted to catch our own taxi as not sure when everyone would gather from tendering. Rather be early than late! :

 

"Thank you for your reservation with the Stingray City Wave Runners Adventure!

 

The start of the Stingray City Wave Runners Adventure is located at the Grand Caymanian Resort, Seven Mile Beach. Please proceed to a Port attendant and request a taxi as soon as you arrive into Port. Instruct the taxi/van to take you to the Grand Caymanian Resort, which is locate in Safe Heaven past the Links Golf Course Clubhouse/Restaurant. Please ensure to be taken to the Resort's Main Lobby Entrance and not be dropped off on the main road or entrance to the Resort's location as the Resort is 1 Mile from the Main Road.

Once at the Grand Caymanian Resort please make your way to the beach and dock where you will meet the Tour and your Guides.

 

Reservation Name: ---

Ship Name: Legend

Excursion Date: June 16, 2009

Tour Time: 9:00am

Meeting Time: 8:45am ** LOCAL TIME ** SAME AS USA MOUNTAIN DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME ZONE **

(I just looked up time zones for June and we "ship time" will be one hour ahead of GC- so plenty of time to tender to get to tour-just remember coming back a tour that ends at 11 is noon ship time)

[DEERINH2O]

Thanks for the information. That is good to know. We choose their shuttle because it was $5.00 pp. I wouldn't mind taking my own taxi though, do you know what the taxi will cost. Would love to check out the resort some before we start our excursion.

Look for my review, I will post it hear with pics from our tour as soon as I get back.

 

Kathy

[MuffyKismet]

We just booked our 2 single wave runners for April 23rd 11am tour with Fat Fish Adventures. Carolyn called me tonight from Cayman Islands and confirmed our reservation and then emailed my confirmation, we just meet them infront of Hardrock cafe right near the port. Very convienient! We can't wait !!! Jet skis ..........take us away!!!:D

[TooParrots]

After much back & forth & research I decided NOT to go with GCexcursions. My family thinks I am nuts, but I think this is a valid reason. 1) I read a "horror" story about them on another thread - not good with those who want to go slower (My Aunt's 1st time, I am sure once she gets the hand of it she'll be fine, but slow at first) and rushed through the stingray portion & blamed it on the "slowpoke" in the group. and 2) I could not find a phone number for them to save my life. I wanted to talk to someone - it would take them days to answer my emails & their "live chat" never had anyone there - I had to leave a message.

 

It just seemed REAL shady to me. Like I said, my family thinks I am nuts!

 

I did try to book with Fat Fish but he only had 3 waverunners - he wanted us all to do double - that wasn't going to fly. We have 4 adults & a 16yo & a 13yo.

 

I called EBanks and booked with them. We are doing a private waverunner tour to sting ray city & then the Barrier Reef - we *may* be able to go to Rum Point depending on whether or not he books another that afternoon. We have 5 waverunners total - 4 singles & 1 double (My 13 yo can't drive her own - she's bummed, but what are you gonna do?).

 

I am happy with my decision _ I hope we have as great a time as some of you did!

[NavigatorBride]

TooParrots, we're doing the same thing in three weeks. I would love to hear a mini review of how things went when you return. There will be six waverunners in our group, but we are in the 9am tour and Shawn has a group booked at 11am. I think we're going to be a little rushed, but we're still looking forward to it.

[TooParrots]

The weird thing is GCExcursions keeps emailing me - I told them that I booked elsewhere & then they started emailing me incessantly. So weird! Telling me they "wish me luck" with the other excursion, and that they are trying to "help me" by booking me with them instead of another. I never told them who I booked with, so why would I need "luck"? LOL

 

The competition in GC must be fierce! LOL

[sonofasonofasailor]

EBANKS is an awesome company. Sean and Jeremy took real good care of my family which included a 6 and 7 year old. They are top notch and first class the whole way! I highly recommend them.

[NavigatorBride]

EBANKS is an awesome company. Sean and Jeremy took real good care of my family which included a 6 and 7 year old. They are top notch and first class the whole way! I highly recommend them.

 

Great to hear! What time was your tour?

[Stormlover]

Anyone with Grand Cayman Excursions lately? Does anyone know where the resort is we start from? the name of the resort by chance?

 

thanks,

Kathy

 

 

We have done the jet skis 3 times in GC first time we had to get a cab to the Grande Caymanian Resort (spelling may be wrong) and it os a ways off the beaten paths so to speak, you have to call a cab before you are ready to make sure you get back on time. They were supposed to take us to rum point, but did not.

 

Ebanks was pretty good second trip.

 

We loved Fatfish we could open them up full speed, we went through a mangrove area which was cool, some wanted to go to stingray city we didn't so they took us riding while they were at the stingray city. We really had a good time and we were out there more than 2 hours. :D Good value for the money.

[Buffettfan 225]

Thanks for the information. That is good to know. We choose their shuttle because it was $5.00 pp. I wouldn't mind taking my own taxi though, do you know what the taxi will cost. Would love to check out the resort some before we start our excursion.

Look for my review, I will post it hear with pics from our tour as soon as I get back.

 

Kathy

Kathy just wondering how trip went, and if you indeed got to your waverunner excursion. Thanks. Suzy

[NavigatorBride]

We're back and we did the Ebanks Stingray City Waverunner tour last week. It was probably the highlight of our trip. We had no trouble meeting up with Shawn at the Hard Rock and he took us to the waverunners in his air conditioned van. We were able to keep our towels, shoes and hats in the van while we were out on the waverunners. At the dock we were fitted with fins and given snorkels and masks. We had six waverunners in our group and four of them had children doubled up. We just told them to hold on tight and pressed the gass! I don't know how fast we were going, but we got full air lots of times. The stop at Stingray City was great. Our guide (I forgot his name...something like Carmelo) let us each kiss a stingray for 7 years of good luck and we each held one for a picture. He found two live conches for the kids to look at. The snorkle stop was great. Lots of fish and coral to see. The ride back was better than the ride in because we were riding with the waves. I had my throttle wide open a few times and my seven year old daughter was screaming with delight behind me...wanting me to go faster so we could beat her sister and dad. We would do this tour again for sure.

[momofmads]

Reservation Name: ---

Ship Name: Legend

Excursion Date: June 16, 2009

Tour Time: 9:00am

Meeting Time: 8:45am ** LOCAL TIME ** SAME AS USA MOUNTAIN DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME ZONE **

(I just looked up time zones for June and we "ship time" will be one hour ahead of GC- so plenty of time to tender to get to tour-just remember coming back a tour that ends at 11 is noon ship time

 

 

Hey Buffetfan,

 

We will be taking the same shore excursion as you are! 9:00 a.m. on June 16th. We are on the same ship as well. Small world!! We are taking two doubles as well. My husband, myself, 16-year-old son and 9-year old daughter. My husband and son have wanted to do this for a long time. I'm excited as well, but a bit nervous. Hope it's as fun as it sounds!! See you there.

[jaredcoreymama]

If a double waverunner is $150 with Ebanks and I need 2 waverunners for 4 people, am I paying $300 or $600? Can an 8 and 10 year old ride on a waverunner with us? Any advice on young children snorkeling?

[NavigatorBride]

If a double waverunner is $150 with Ebanks and I need 2 waverunners for 4 people, am I paying $300 or $600? Can an 8 and 10 year old ride on a waverunner with us? Any advice on young children snorkeling?

 

It would be $300 total. There were five kids in our group....our own daughters are 8 and 11. They had a great time. I packed a life jacket for our 8 year old and the 11 year old used one of theirs. I'm not sure if they had approved life jackets for the little ones...one little girl in our group was 6 and her dad brought one from home too. They didn't look like they had masks for little faces, but we had our own as well. They did have fins. Our girls loved the stingrays. The sandbar is shallow enough for them to stand so they can take off the life jackets. They kept their lifejackets on at the snorkel site and just swam around putting their faces in the water now and then.

[DEERINH2O]

Buffetfan,

 

Sorry for the delay in the posting. Things have been crazy since the return from Vacation.

First of all let me say that I was a bit nervous about choosing this company, hadn't heard alot about them. But I have to say we had a great time. Heres a little review of our trip.

 

Got off the ship and walked over to the meeting spot, at first I thought we had walked too far, but no we found our spot. It is a couple blocks past the Harley Davidson shop. It is an easy walk and we came in on the farthest pier so walking it is fine. Grand Cayman is so clean and pretty.

We waited about 10 minutes for everyone to arrive and then we boarded a little air-conditioned van and off we went. Having been to GC many times, we wanted to do something different. Well this was different. They said it was a short drive and it was, about 10 mins max. We got to the resort, small but pretty. Nice pool. We were escorted out to the beach where the NEW waverunners were located. The guy who was checking us in, at first I thought was rather unfriendly, but then he warmed up. He signed us in and we were able to leave all of our backbacks in a shed that he locked. (I took our money and water camera with us) There is a compartment in the waverunner that is suppose to be waterproof, some items got a little damp but did not hurt anything. You can also fit a towel in there. Now I have never driven a waverunner and let me say I was nervous. We all had our own. Everyone in our group, with the exception of 3 of us had experience. The guide told us that we had to follow him out there, that he would set the pace and if we didn't keep up it would cut into our time at Stingray City. Ok now the fun begins, I was afraid to go fast, but realized the slower I went the more the waves beat the crap out of me. I started to go faster and faster. The faster you go you glide over the top of the water and its not as scary as I thought. Got to Stingray City, and it is quite a ride, got off, petted a stingray and I was ready to ride again. Having been here, we let the others spend time with the Stingrays and the guide was good. We were here about 15 mins. Next off the Rumpoint, took about 10 mins to get there. Now let me just say that, you are here about 45 mins. Enough time to get a drink, take a swim. Well after about 15 mins at Rumpoint, my DH, DS and I decided that we would ask the guide if we could go out and play on the waverunners (afterall we paid for them) He was great. He said sure, unhooked ours and told us our boundries. Once the others saw what we were doing, everyone came back and wanted to ride. We got to ride around Rum Point and just play. We had a blast and I would do it again in a heartbeat. After about 30-40 mins of play time, our guide gathered us up and we headed back to the resort. He tells you to keep up with him, but we figured out if we stayed towards the back of the group we got to play more. We were the last ones in and again it was great. Couple of tips. Watch your sunglasses, almost lost mine a few times, but glad I had them on. Water didn't get in my eyes as much. Bring a small towel to wipe your face, the saltwater makes your face sticky.

At the end of the tour we could of stayed at the resort, but choose instead to go back into town. We had plenty of time to walk around Cayman and do some shopping.

I would recommend this tour and will do it again in Cayman. You will have fun. IF you can do your own waverunner, that is what I would recommend as the people that were riding double said its scary being the passenger. I was afraid I wouldn't be able to keep up, I didn't have a problem. Oh and by the way, we had so much fun the next day in Cozumel we rented waverunners again.

Have a great trip.

 

Kathy

[Julzizzle]

Fat fish all the way!! Awesome!! Just off fos and did excursion with them!!will post more later!!