Want to go to the beach?

[topcop]

We have been to Grand Cayman several times and like to go to the beach. You can save a lot of money going on your own. Here is what we did.

 

At the dock we met a taxi driver who would take you to any of the beaches for between $4 & $6 per. She had a chart and recommended three beaches close to each other.

 

She dropped us at the 7 Mile Public Beach. There are some gazebo like structures with picnic tables in each. But right next to it is a restaurant & bar. For $16 you rent two lounge chairs and an umbrella. There are changing & restroom facilities you can use. You can order food and drinks without ever leaving the water's edge

 

You can also rent snorkel gear (and the snorkeling wasn't bad), wave runners, go parasailing, etc.

 

Next to that area was a bunch of chairs and umbrellas all set up close to each other. That is where the cruise sponsored tour went for $35 per (but I think they got a drink.)

 

When we left we crossed the street to a public bus stand and for $2.50 per we were taken back to the dock. Next time we will just use this transportation. They run about every six minutes.

 

So you can see how easy it is to save money if you just want to go to the beach. It is easy and safe. Two people on a ship sponsored tour spent about $70. Except for the drinks, we spent about $35 for transportation (with tips), chairs & umbrella.

[Cruisenouvelle]

Thanks for sharing this. In fact, DH and I are going there in 2 weeks and were wondering how to do just a beach day w/out the crowds and added expense of a ship's excursion...

[Kerry&LuAnn]

We were in Georgetown on Monday, December 30.

 

From the cruise ship pier, taxis were available for $6 per person, but we decided to ride the public bus for $2.50 per person. After exiting the gates at the pier, we crossed the street, turned left and walked 1 block to the bus “depot” (a fenced-in area marked with a large sign). The buses are actually minivans that seat about 10 people.

 

We first rode the bus to the Turtle Farm. With stops along the way, the ride was about 20 minutes. From the Turtle Farm we caught another city bus and asked to be dropped off at Cemetery Beach. This is a quiet stretch of beach at the north end of Seven Mile Beach. There are no amenities (such as restrooms, showers, or food vendors) but there is shade provided by sea grape and palm trees. About 3 blocks north of the Cemetery Beach bus stop, on the beach side of the road, is a large Foster’s Food Fair grocery store where you can pick up refreshments.

 

When we were ready to head back to the ship, we walked back up the path from the beach to the road and the bus stop across the street. When buses approach, the drivers honk their horns. You simply raise your hand to indicate you want to get on. And then you tell the driver where you want to get off, and you pay your $2.50 as you exit the minivan. We enjoyed riding with the locals.

 

Traffic in downtown Georgetown can be congested later in the day, so plan accordingly so you are not rushed.