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Re: Charter/Day Trip Recommendations?
[Re: mprevo]
#176834
11/30/2018 10:31 AM
11/30/2018 10:31 AM
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 160 Texas
Testudo
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 160
Texas
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Unlike many other islands, you'll find most group tours are focused around trips to a single destination, that being Sting Ray City. There are some snorkeling specific tours to other locations, but they are not full day tours. Private charters are expensive, but they sound like more of what you're looking for. For a snorkel only tour (not including Sting Ray City), Ocean Frontiers offers a great snorkeling experience from their East End Dive facility. I've been twice and never had over 10 other snorkelers, but its only a few hours. There are plenty of private charters to choice from. Some to look at are Mainstays Sailing and Aquarius tours, but be prepared for potential sticker shock if its just the four of you. There are power boat tours available as well, that may be a little less costly. Just be sure to confirm whoever you are looking at is a member of the Cayman Islands Tourism Association (CITA). You should take a tour to SRC, and I'd highly recommend you make the effort to take an early morning/dawn tour to enjoy a much more intimate experience than a mid-day or afternoon tour. I've done it with White Sands Water Sports and can highly recommend.
Snorkel air just tastes better than canned air...
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Re: Charter/Day Trip Recommendations?
[Re: mprevo]
#176846
11/30/2018 12:10 PM
11/30/2018 12:10 PM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,044 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
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Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,044
Central Florida!
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I don't know nearly as much as Testudo about Grand Cayman, but I definitely second the recommendation to do Sting Ray City. It's really an unusual experience. Just check to see the size of the group, as many of them are really big groups.
Carol Hill
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Re: Charter/Day Trip Recommendations?
[Re: mprevo]
#176850
11/30/2018 12:31 PM
11/30/2018 12:31 PM
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,457 Finger Lake Region
crmoores
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,457
Finger Lake Region
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Our favorite water excursion while staying on GCM was the jet ski excursion with Fat Fish Adventures. Amazing day spent with a small group and a more personal experience at the sandbar and the reef. We took their last excursion of the day which gives you more time at the same price to hit Rum Point and other spots. They manage to work around the larger groups of cruise ship passengers, especially on the later excursion.
Excellent day and top-notch outfit!
Also if you are staying on or near SMB consider taking the free ($5pp now) Red Sail cat to Rum Point for dinner - very nice evening, and the ride from Safehaven Dock is nice as well, returning under the stars. Check days offered, it was Tues - Sat.
Last edited by crmoores; 11/30/2018 12:32 PM. Reason: Typos
"Travel changes you. As you move through this life and this world you change things slightly, you leave marks behind, however small. And in return, life — and travel — leaves marks on you.” -Anthony Bourdain
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Re: Charter/Day Trip Recommendations?
[Re: mprevo]
#176856
11/30/2018 12:43 PM
11/30/2018 12:43 PM
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,457 Finger Lake Region
crmoores
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,457
Finger Lake Region
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Yes managing your arrival time there makes a huge difference in the experience as it is the most popular excursion offered on W Carib cruises.
"Travel changes you. As you move through this life and this world you change things slightly, you leave marks behind, however small. And in return, life — and travel — leaves marks on you.” -Anthony Bourdain
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Re: Charter/Day Trip Recommendations?
[Re: crmoores]
#177085
12/03/2018 01:31 PM
12/03/2018 01:31 PM
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 160 Texas
Testudo
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 160
Texas
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Yes managing your arrival time there makes a huge difference in the experience as it is the most popular excursion offered on W Carib cruises. 100% this. It is more important then the size of your specific tour/boat. If there are hundreds of folks from the cattle boats at SRC the same time there you are, that usually means a lot less interaction you will get from the resident Rays. I am not a morning person either, but the early morning trip was a a game changer for me. The Rays are hungrier than other times and there seem to be more than at other times. Now when we have guests who want to visit SRC, it's the only one I'll join them on. If the early morning trip is not viable, I'd opt for the latest one you can find in the afternoon to better avoid the crowds. Rays may be more satiated, but it'll feel less like zoo (metaphorically).
Snorkel air just tastes better than canned air...
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Re: Charter/Day Trip Recommendations?
[Re: Testudo]
#177093
12/03/2018 02:50 PM
12/03/2018 02:50 PM
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,457 Finger Lake Region
crmoores
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,457
Finger Lake Region
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Yes with FFA we were there after the crowds had departed and it was just our small group and the interaction was so much better than on our previous visit with fellow cruisers. FFa’s last excursion leaves around 2 if I remember and for the same price as earlier departures you get more time so it is geared for residents and land visitors wishing to avoid the cruise crowds...
"Travel changes you. As you move through this life and this world you change things slightly, you leave marks behind, however small. And in return, life — and travel — leaves marks on you.” -Anthony Bourdain
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