Kristy19 Posted August 27, 2009 #1 Share Posted August 27, 2009 I am trying to decide between the Stingray sandbar, Coral gardens and starfish snorkel tour from Nativeway or Stingray City Sandbar & the Tropical Fish Gardens tour from Franks. Has anyone done these? What do you recommend? I love to snorkel but my husband does not. He can't get the hang of breathing through the snorkel tube and hyperventilates. Do they let someone just swim and not snorkel? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scuba_Dave Posted August 28, 2009 #2 Share Posted August 28, 2009 Hello, i have been going to Cayman for over 15 years and love the stingray trip. we have always gone out with Frank of Franks Water Sports and always have a GREAT time. You can either snorkle or just swim around and see the sting rays and fish. Frank has been a great host and knows all the neat places to go to see all sorts of sea life. You should look them up and go out with him, you wont be dissapointed!! His boats are very nice and very clean!! he takes only a limited amount of tourists, so, give them a call to secure a place on his boat. Here are some pics i took of one of our trips out with frank. www.beachcat.net/cayman. his website is www.frankswatersports.ky if you have any questions, i would be happy to answer anything you would like to know. 727-422-5798 David "Scuba_Dave" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ohio-C-Luver Posted August 30, 2009 #3 Share Posted August 30, 2009 Hello, i have been going to Cayman for over 15 years and love the stingray trip. we have always gone out with Frank of Franks Water Sports and always have a GREAT time. You can either snorkle or just swim around and see the sting rays and fish. Frank has been a great host and knows all the neat places to go to see all sorts of sea life. You should look them up and go out with him, you wont be dissapointed!! His boats are very nice and very clean!! he takes only a limited amount of tourists, so, give them a call to secure a place on his boat. Here are some pics i took of one of our trips out with frank. www.beachcat.net/cayman. his website is www.frankswatersports.ky if you have any questions, i would be happy to answer anything you would like to know. 727-422-5798 David "Scuba_Dave" We had a booking with Nativeway for the rays, reef and rumpoint in April of this year. We booked 6 mos ahead with a credit card. We were on the first tender from RCCL Jewel of the Seas, and rushed to the meeting place to find they had left without us. We'll never book Nativeway again :(that's the first time in all our private excursions) that we have been left high and dry. Ruined our whole day! We're going back to the Caymans this Dec. We'll be checking on Frank that's for sure! If you book with Nativeway do it at your own risk! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Islandbuoy Posted August 30, 2009 #4 Share Posted August 30, 2009 Just back from doing 'captain marvins" --at the stingray part water is only shoulder deep and at the snorkel area not very deep, but not a beach. This trip great for the price!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suzy1212 Posted August 30, 2009 #5 Share Posted August 30, 2009 We have used Nativeways for their Rays, Reef, and Rum Point tour twice. They have always been fantastic. It's my favorite excursion ever! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texalana Posted September 1, 2009 #6 Share Posted September 1, 2009 I can't say enough great things about Frank's Watersports! I have gone out with them three times now and each time is better than the last. They are happy to help with any request and really make you feel comfortable. There have always been people on my trips that did not want to snorkle and just swam around by the boat. No problems there at all. You can rest assured that you will be well taken care of if you decide to book with Frank! ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DBKK Posted September 1, 2009 #7 Share Posted September 1, 2009 We have Stingray City booked with Frank's on our upcoming cruise CCL Oct 11th. I have read great reviews but can give you feedback upon return. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kristy19 Posted September 1, 2009 Author #8 Share Posted September 1, 2009 Thanks for all the suggestions. I'm not cruising until December so I'll wait for your review, DBKK. I'm leaning towards Franks, though. Everyone seems to really like them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KirstyGee1978 Posted September 1, 2009 #9 Share Posted September 1, 2009 Hi there I am torn between which one to book, I would pick Stingray City Sandbar & the Tropical Fish Gardens with Frank or Nativeways Stingray Sandbar, Coral Gardens and Star Fish Snorkle. I would like to see Star Fish and it seems that Nativeway only offers that, did anyone see them with Frank? But Frank's is cheaper and has free rum punch and snacks. What time does Frank's tours leave from? Might just email him right now! Kirsty Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Perfect Stranger Posted September 1, 2009 #10 Share Posted September 1, 2009 How much does Frank charge? I don't see it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KirstyGee1978 Posted September 2, 2009 #11 Share Posted September 2, 2009 Frank is $35 Tour #3 Stingray City Sandbar & the Tropical Fish Gardens Includes: Snorkeling at Stingray City Sandbar & The Tropical Fish Gardens Free Caribbean Rum Punch or fruit punch, water & snacks Free snorkeling equipment for the tour: including snorkel, mask & life jackets Free transportation to and from the cruise ship pier, or the Seven Mile Beach Area Price: US$35/ Adults Price: US$25/ Children – ages 4 to 12| Children under 4 yrs FREE! Duration: 3 ½-Hours Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Perfect Stranger Posted September 2, 2009 #12 Share Posted September 2, 2009 Thanks. Wonder why he hasn't been mentioned before. I'm kind of skeptical about using someone other than the few that always get reviews on here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pjpurple6 Posted September 5, 2009 #13 Share Posted September 5, 2009 I just came back 2 weeks ago, and used Nativeways, Just got to the pier at 9.15 and 3 minutes later they left for the bus, I was the last one in group they were waiting for. It was fun and worth the price with the meal included. Loved Rum Point Beach. The 3 guys that operated the tour were nice. Wouldn't hesitate to use them again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparkyboi Posted September 7, 2009 #14 Share Posted September 7, 2009 I just booked with Franks for my january 7th stop in GCM. I also gave them my CC and pre-paid so that i dont have to deal with a bill once i get there:rolleyes: I have been dealing with franks wife.....she seems GREAT and i have heard great reviews! Looking forward to my trip #3 HALF DAY Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bearbully Posted September 7, 2009 #15 Share Posted September 7, 2009 I am planning to book them for a November cruise. My ship reaches at 8 am and leaves at 4 pm. What time does the Nativeway Ray, Reef and Rum Point tour return back to the doc. Does it leave enough time to comfortably catch the tender back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruisekrazy63 Posted September 8, 2009 #16 Share Posted September 8, 2009 We have booked several times with Nativeways both on cruises and when we were staying on the island and have never been disappointed. If you have a reservation they WILL NOT leave without you. Sharon and Eldon (owners) are fabulous and are alot of fun. We booked with another company and their boats didn't have anyone to drive it, we waited over an hr to get a driver. I will always use Nativeways. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suzy1212 Posted September 8, 2009 #17 Share Posted September 8, 2009 I am planning to book them for a November cruise. My ship reaches at 8 am and leaves at 4 pm. What time does the Nativeway Ray, Reef and Rum Point tour return back to the doc. Does it leave enough time to comfortably catch the tender back. The Conquest leaves at 4 and we had time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bearbully Posted September 8, 2009 #18 Share Posted September 8, 2009 Thanks for your responses ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KOOLBEANS Posted September 21, 2009 #19 Share Posted September 21, 2009 We booked with Nativeway in the past and were very pleased.... Booked again for this October for RRR....can't wait! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mahgobbi Posted May 27, 2011 #20 Share Posted May 27, 2011 I'm digging up this old thread because I'm also interested in booking with one of these two companies. We are choosing between Frank's Stingray City Sandbar & the Tropical Fish Gardens ($35pp) and Native Way's Stingray Sandbar, Coral Gardens, and Star Fish Snorkel ($40pp). I have a few questions: (1) The Native Way tour is intriguing because it also offers the Star Fish Snorkel. However, it is 3.25 hours with three stops and Frank's is 3.5 hours with only two stops. Is the Native Way tour less leisurely or is there enough time spent at each feature? (2) Are Coral Gardens and Tropical Fish Gardens similar to each other or is one superior? (3) Frank's includes beverages (including rum punch) and snacks. There is no mention of food or beverages on the Native Way website. Does Native Way include any food or beverage? It seems to me that Frank's is the better value at $35, since it's a longer tour and includes food/beverage, but I'm open to considering Native Way at $40 if anybody has any compelling reasons why it is better. I'm also open to suggestions of other companies, but I'm really trying to keep this excursion to $40 or less per person, since we're a family of 5 and trying to keep this trip as cheap as possible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
funfamilyof6 Posted May 27, 2011 #21 Share Posted May 27, 2011 We had a booking with Nativeway for the rays, reef and rumpoint in April of this year. We booked 6 mos ahead with a credit card. We were on the first tender from RCCL Jewel of the Seas, and rushed to the meeting place to find they had left without us. We'll never book Nativeway again :(that's the first time in all our private excursions) that we have been left high and dry. Ruined our whole day! We're going back to the Caymans this Dec. We'll be checking on Frank that's for sure! If you book with Nativeway do it at your own risk! Just so everybody as up to date information (this is an old post), our family of 6 made a reservation for this summer 2011 with Nativeway and didn't have to give a credit card. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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