Eden Rock

[kapcruiser]

I just read an old post about snorkeling at Eden Rock. Has anyone ever been there? Need information please.

[OCruisers]

Kapcruiser .... This was our "Plan B" which actually turned out to be very good!

 

Our day in Grand Cayman was sunny and hot ... BUT IT WAS SO WINDY and the water was VERY tough and choppy. Most of the ship's shore excursions were canceled (ours included). They were having an awful time getting people on and off the tenders. At one point on our ship there was a 90 minute PLUS wait just to get on a tender. Tendering in this port is often a problem so we knew it would be wise to have a PLAN B!

 

Take a right as you leave the tender dock -- Abanks/Paradise is only two blocks away ... right on the water!

 

At Abanks Dive both snorkel and dive gear are for rent ... but you don't have to rent anything to use the area at no cost. There are wooden benches and tables. Lockers were $4 each. There are stone steps into the water. We had no problem getting into and our of the water even though it was VERY tough and choppy.

 

Immediately, we saw lots of colorful fish ... no lack of fish! Would have been an even better place to snorkel on a day with calmer seas. We still enjoyed it but found it too tiring to stay in as long as we would have otherwise.

 

The bar/patio section (Paradise) was for the use of those who were ordering drinks and/or food. We spent the rest of our day there at a table with a GREAT view of the water ... just drinking, eating, listening to music, and chatting with others -- very friendly, happy place to be! When we would get hot (very warm day), we'd go down the stone steps and swim for a few minutes to cool off.

 

Note On FOOD: Everything was very good! Their Conch Chowder was GREAT and their "World's Second Best Fish Sandwich" was OUTSTANDING!

 

Here's a site that has their menu as well as other helpful information on Paradise/Abanks:

 

Paradise/Abanks at Eden Rock

 

We had a wonderful day! In fact we enjoyed it so much ... next time, it may be our PLAN A! :D

 

If you have any other questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

 

Happy Sailing! OCruisers :)

[cruisingrightalong]

We snorkeled at Eden Rock the first time we went to Cayman Islands. Just right off of ship and take a right! Then to the pink shack! The "lava" is rough but those shoes for water should be fine. We enjoyed it...it was "roped" to a point....BIG fish on otherside of buoys!

 

Enjoy if you go..they have lockers for rent.

 

Lou

[mathgal]

You can also do a "discover scuba" dive at Abanks. My husband is scuba certified but I'm not but we were able to dive here together (I had a guide with me.) The snorkeling is good, but the diving is even better. Besides seeing lots of huge fish, the guide enticed a nurse shark (about 6 foot long) and a moray eel out from their hiding places under some coral!!

 

The discover scuba dive is $75 and includes all of your equipment.

[TexEm]

Just had a bad experience last week with Abanks--got there off the Caribbean Princess and the trip was cancelled with no notice (divemaster was either in a bad accident or off the island, got 2 stories). When we asked whether we could snorkel at Cemetery Beach or Smiths Cove, they told us we could snorkel there--the only good part was that they gave us the snorkel equipment for free. But they could've told us that a short ways farther down the beach was Eden Rock Dive Center with 5 dive instructors with the same course for only $80 each. Since we were only on the island that day, we really wanted to dive but couldn't. If they'd just shared that Eden Rock info, we could've. Would've been good customer relations. So based on our experience I'd not recommend Abanks, but would go with Eden Rock Dive Center, a much more professional organization with more instructors and less likelihood of cancellation. Good luck!

[OCruisers]

TexEm .... Thanks for taking the time to post this. Never hurts to know all of the options -- especially when you plan to dive!!!!

 

Basically, we were happy with Abanks because all we wanted to do was snorkel & swim and it was FREE!

 

Happy Sailing! OCruisers :)

[OCruisers]

Sue .... Here's the thread! Hope you can find it now. :)