Grand Cayman - Native Way or Captain Marvin

[casper41]

Recommendation please: Native way or Captain Marvin? We would like to get to know the island also? Can we do this on foot near the pier or are there other places we should see?

[Pilot70D]

We went snorkeling with Capt. Marvin when we were in Grand Cayman. Despite many positive reviews we were not impressed. They were a lot more interested in selling DVD's than they were in safety.

 

We snorkel and dive. We have done both over most of the major ports in the Caribbean. We've been on numerous trips with many different operators consequently we have a good basis for comparison. We would never go with Capt. Marvin again. So my recommendation is go with Native Way.

 

Enjoy that next cruise no matter who you go with.

[PBCruise]

Try Moby Dick. They were GREAT!! They do the Stingray City and reef snorkel. It was fantastic! They were very helpful and friendly. Mark, Zach and William are all quick to help anyone with anything they need. I went with them twice and will not hesitate to go again!

[JennKach]

We've gone twice with Native Way and had a great experience. They were very safety conscious and worked well with our kids. No tough sell on the video either.

[monicajay]

We choose to use Captain Bryon because the trip was on a Catameran sailboat. We figured it would give us more bang for the buck. Of course you have to like to sail also. We used the motor between the 3 snorkeling spots but all the way out and most of the way back we were sailing. Just a note, some ++ sized people had a hard time getting back on the boat.

 

We were about 20 on the boat and we all had a good laugh when we saw the packed boats from the cruise-lines.

 

Check it out

 

http://www.cayman.org/captainbryan/

[monicajay]

We choose to use Captain Bryon because the trip was on a Catamaran sailboat. We figured it would give us more bang for the buck. Of course you have to like to sail also. We used the motor between the 3 snorkeling spots but all the way out and most of the way back we were sailing. Just a note, some ++ sized people had a hard time getting back on the boat.

 

We were about 20 on the boat and we all had a good laugh when we saw the packed boats from the cruise-lines.

 

Check it out

 

http://www.cayman.org/captainbryan/

[Catgirl58]

We were just in Grand Caymen 01/31/07 and went on the two hour trip with Captain Marvins - Stingray City and Snorkeling. I stongly recommend them. Easy to find, curteous, friendly. Enjoy! :)

[Luvsnorkeling]

We've been snorkelers for almost 20 years and have snorkeled all over the Caribbean, going with many different tours. We don't know what the person is talking about who said Capt'n Marvins was not safety conscious and tried to push DVDs. We toured with them twice--10 years apart--and neither time was even ONE mention made about buying ANYTHING. Not safety conscious?? Capt'n Marvin was the guy who discovered Sting Ray City many years ago and made it popular. He's now in his 90s and trained every guy who works with him. He probably knows where every reef in Cayman is located! He's been in the business longer than anyone on Cayman--and for good reason! That ought to tell you something...if his operation were not safety conscious, they would have been out of business a long time ago. When we go again to Cayman, Capt'n Marvin's will be our company to go with!

[cruiserssandr]

We would also go with Captain Marvins if we are lucky enough to make a stop at Grand Cayman again. Our trip with them was fantastic. We had a couple of ladies with us who were non swimmers and our guides spent a lot of time with them so they were able to enjoy the sting ray city portion of the tour. They were only 8 in our group with 2 guides as well as the videographer. When we were with them in 2005 Captain Marvin was still going out with one trip a day. I wish he had been on our trip.

[cruiserssandr]

We would also go with Captain Marvins if we are lucky enough to make a stop at Grand Cayman again. Our trip with them was fantastic. We had a couple of ladies with us who were non swimmers and our guides spent a lot of time with them so they were able to enjoy the sting ray city portion of the tour. They were only 8 in our group with 2 guides as well as the videographer. When we were with them in 2005 Captain Marvin was still going out with one trip a day. I wish he had been on our trip.

[andsnix]

We just returned from our Carnival Cruise with a stop in George Town, Grand Cayman. We took the 1/2 day excursion with Captain Marvins and it was fantastic! The snorkeling was great and the guides were helpful but not overbearing. They have all the safety equipment you could need, they are great swimmers/snorkelers themselves and are very helpful. I'm sure in an emergency they would be able to save your life. They will not however hold your hand as you snorkel nor insist that you be strapped in and wear your floatation device at all times. If you want to be babied like that, book an excursion with the cruise line. I strongly recommend their services.

[dcahail]

we used them as well and couldn't hesitate to go back to them. I didn't think they were pushy - it was a great.

[quikb18b]

We also went with Captain Marvins. Very good experience, not to mention it was cheaper than the ships excursion.

 

We had about 15-18 people compared to the other boats with 50 or more people on board.

 

We had a great time!

[imn2divn]

We went with Capt. Marvins and had the most awesome experience back in Feb. There were only 4 of us on the boat...it was sooooo amazing. They were very safe, fun and informative...and the boat was nice. Even the bus ride was a pleasant experience.:)

[packed and ready to go]

We just came back from Grand Cayman and took this tour. It was awesome and I highly recommend this tour. Sting Ray City, Snorkling and Star Fish Point. Our guide Vernon and TJ were just great. You will not be disappointed.

[mitsugirly]

We used Native way and had an awesome time. Look for my review in my signature line with tons of pictures. I highly recommend them for an awesome day.

[Putterdude]

Its been a couple of years for us but we used Capt. Marvin and had a terrific time.