Snorkel beach day recommendation

[spunke]

We will be on grand Cayman January 11th and were looking for a place to spend the day. we would like to Snorkel and lounge on some beach chairs and have lunch. We dont like to go where the most of the other cruise ship passengers go and are fine with a small place that had good snorkeling .

 

Any advice would be helpful - we haven been to GC in 7 years.

 

thank you

[TurtleTagger]

We will be on grand Cayman January 11th and were looking for a place to spend the day. we would like to Snorkel and lounge on some beach chairs and have lunch. We dont like to go where the most of the other cruise ship passengers go and are fine with a small place that had good snorkeling .

 

Any advice would be helpful - we haven been to GC in 7 years.

 

thank you

 

Not really going to be able to get all of your wants in one place, but here are some ideas:

 

Eden Rock: At the port, restaurant, lounge chairs (Paradise Bar & Grill) and snorkeling (good). Many cruisers and no beach.

 

Sunset House: Restaurant, lounge chairs, few cruisers and snorkeling (OK-good). No beach.

 

Smith Cove Bacadere: Snorkeling (fair), few cruisers (iffy, sometime more than a few), beach, higher-end restaurant borders the property. No lounge chairs.

 

Various Beach Clubs (Royal Palms, Tiki Beach, Seagrape/Public Beach): Beach, restaurant, lounge chairs. No much snorkeling and all your fellow cruisers.

 

Governor's Beach: Snorkeling (OK), few cruiser, beach, Westin borders the property/restaurants. No lounge chairs.

 

Cemetery Beach Snorkeling (OK), few cruisers (iffy, sometime more than a few), beach, a few restaurants are with walking distance (Al Fresco's, Tim Buc Tuu and Heritage Grill). No lounge chairs.

[spunke]

Thank you

Between Eden Rock and Sunset house? Which would you recommend?

 

With Snorkeling and food in mind??

 

thank you

[TurtleTagger]

I like the snorkeling a bit better at Eden Rock and you have the whole town of George Town to choose for dinning; but if you want to be a bit away from "it" than Sunset House may be the better option.

[satbeachbill]

Eden Rock area is great for snorkeling. Paradise grill is a good entry point for snorkeling. Lunch? is a different matter. Earlier this month, we had 2 bacon cheeseburgers, one water and one drink.......just over $50 with the included tip. Just a little steep if you ask me. (in little bitty print at the bottom of the menu) it says "prices are in Cayman dollars". Then you get the bill converted to US dollars...........well let's just hope you sitting down:eek:....Maybe next time we'll just eat on the ship.

[bookbabe]

(in little bitty print at the bottom of the menu) it says "prices are in Cayman dollars". Then you get the bill converted to US dollars...

 

Generally, when you are in another country, they tend to use their own currency...they're funny that way.

[monicajay]

Generally, when you are in another country, they tend to use their own currency...they're funny that way.

 

Too funny! ;)

[Colorado Kat]

I would choose Eden Rock.

[The Sunset Glow]

Not really going to be able to get all of your wants in one place, but here are some ideas:

 

Eden Rock: At the port, restaurant, lounge chairs (Paradise Bar & Grill) and snorkeling (good). Many cruisers and no beach.

 

Sunset House: Restaurant, lounge chairs, few cruisers and snorkeling (OK-good). No beach.

 

Smith Cove Bacadere: Snorkeling (fair), few cruisers (iffy, sometime more than a few), beach, higher-end restaurant borders the property. No lounge chairs.

 

Various Beach Clubs (Royal Palms, Tiki Beach, Seagrape/Public Beach): Beach, restaurant, lounge chairs. No much snorkeling and all your fellow cruisers.

 

Governor's Beach: Snorkeling (OK), few cruiser, beach, Westin borders the property/restaurants. No lounge chairs.

 

Cemetery Beach Snorkeling (OK), few cruisers (iffy, sometime more than a few), beach, a few restaurants are with walking distance (Al Fresco's, Tim Buc Tuu and Heritage Grill). No lounge chairs.

 

TurtleTagger, I've already asked you a question on another thread today - you seem to be the person in the know for Grand cayman:D

 

Does any of the locations you mention above rent snorkel and/or water sports equipment?

 

And are any not suitable for 8 and 10 year old beginner snorkelers (have only snorkeled once)

 

We are looking for a place to snorkel from a beach. The last time we went it was off a boat. It scared the younger one to jump into the deep water and not be able to stand if she chose to - she spent the entire time (less 45 seconds) on the boat.:cool:

 

Thanks!

[bookbabe]

Skip Eden Rock and Paradise Restaurant, then. Can't touch bottom in either of those areas. You could rent gear there, though, if you were headed to one of the spots without rentals.

 

Haven't tried Sunset House, but knowing where it is I'm guessing it's pretty deep there too.

 

Any of the beach clubs should rent snorkel gear, along with other stuff, but there isn't much to see in the water at any of those locations. It's a good spot for the kids to comfortably practice, maybe, as long as they aren't expecting to see much more than sand and the occasional fish. The reef is pretty far from shore in those spots.

 

No rentals at Smith Cove, Cemetery or Governors. The kids would likely be okay snorkeling there, with slightly more to see IMO at Smith Cove.

[The Sunset Glow]

Skip Eden Rock and Paradise Restaurant, then. Can't touch bottom in either of those areas. You could rent gear there, though, if you were headed to one of the spots without rentals.

 

Haven't tried Sunset House, but knowing where it is I'm guessing it's pretty deep there too.

 

Any of the beach clubs should rent snorkel gear, along with other stuff, but there isn't much to see in the water at any of those locations. It's a good spot for the kids to comfortably practice, maybe, as long as they aren't expecting to see much more than sand and the occasional fish. The reef is pretty far from shore in those spots.

 

No rentals at Smith Cove, Cemetery or Governors. The kids would likely be okay snorkeling there, with slightly more to see IMO at Smith Cove.

 

 

Thank you!

 

So we could walk over to Eden Rock and rent equipment then take a cab to Smith Cove (that's where I was thinking would be best for the kids)? This would work out perfect if there are washroom facilities at Smith cove - do you know if there are?