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Old 05-10-2015, 23:05   #1
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Cayman's...are they worth the trip?

Just trying to decide this winter's routing. Is it worth considering spending time in the Caymans? Suggestions on specific areas?
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Old 12-10-2015, 00:11   #2
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Re: Cayman's...are they worth the trip?

Hi
I lived in cayman for some years. If you have any specific questions I'd be pleased to answer them (at least try to...)


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Old 12-10-2015, 15:59   #3
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Re: Cayman's...are they worth the trip?

We went south from Cuba to Grand Cayman and left the boat there for 6 months. My comments are probably what you already know, great diving, very "Americanized", good marina, easy to get back and forth from US. We stopped in Cayman Brac on the way back north through the windward passage. It was more interesting to us than Grand Cayman but it was a deep, rolly anchorage. I figured the boat was safer in the Caymans than in Jamaica.
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Old 16-10-2015, 10:58   #4
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Re: Cayman's...are they worth the trip?

I stopped there for a few days early this summer on a passage from SXM to the US Gulf coast and found everything from marinas, to groceries, to taxis, to chandlery to be alarmingly expensive.
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Old 16-10-2015, 11:02   #5
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Re: Cayman's...are they worth the trip?

Basically not much of a cruising destination, but ok stopping point. Puts you a bit far west if looking to head south to San Blas, but better than bay of islands. Prices seemed high bit not too bad in 2009. Spent about 2 weeks anchored in the lagoon area near where the yacht club had previously been. Maybe rebuilt now.
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Old 16-10-2015, 11:29   #6
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Re: Cayman's...are they worth the trip?

We left Cienfuegos Cuba and stopped in Grand Cayman expecting a US like city to provision. While a huge step-up from the supplies available in Cuba and Jamaica, I was surprised on the limited options for hard goods. There is a good grocery store, a Burger King and typical cruise ship port stuff, but the price and options are pretty limited.

The snorkeling, Stingray City and the Blue Iguanas make the stop worth it in my mind. It was actually the best snorkeling we found besides the Ragged Islands in the Bahamas.

It was also extremely easy to check-in and free when we went in 2013. Which makes a short stop so nice.


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Old 16-10-2015, 11:54   #7
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Re: Cayman's...are they worth the trip?

Quote:
Originally Posted by funjohnson View Post
We left Cienfuegos Cuba and stopped in Grand Cayman expecting a US like city to provision. While a huge step-up from the supplies available in Cuba and Jamaica, I was surprised on the limited options for hard goods. There is a good grocery store, a Burger King and typical cruise ship port stuff, but the price and options are pretty limited.

The snorkeling, Stingray City and the Blue Iguanas make the stop worth it in my mind. It was actually the best snorkeling we found besides the Ragged Islands in the Bahamas.

It was also extremely easy to check-in and free when we went in 2013. Which makes a short stop so nice.


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Hey.. I know you guys.. Shouldn't you be working on a boat right now?
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Old 16-10-2015, 12:05   #8
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Re: Cayman's...are they worth the trip?

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Hey.. I know you guys.. Shouldn't you be working on a boat right now?

Damn.... we're caught The parents our in Florida visiting, so we are taking a week off. It's nice to escape the boat yard chaos.


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Old 16-10-2015, 15:15   #9
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Re: Cayman's...are they worth the trip?

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Originally Posted by funjohnson View Post
Damn.... we're caught The parents our in Florida visiting, so we are taking a week off. It's nice to escape the boat yard chaos.


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Quote:
Originally Posted by funjohnson View Post
Damn.... we're caught The parents our in Florida visiting, so we are taking a week off. It's nice to escape the boat yard chaos.


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I think you guys deserve some time off after working through the summer.

Tell your wife that both my wife and I enjoy your blog! Hopefully we will run into you guys out there next year!
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Old 16-10-2015, 15:52   #10
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Re: Cayman's...are they worth the trip?

I have been to the Cayman's a few times, but not by boat. From what I've seen I would not go out of the way to stop there at all. Not meaning it's bad, but pretty touristy, very expensive, haven't seen a "great " anchorage etc.
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Old 16-10-2015, 17:26   #11
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Re: Cayman's...are they worth the trip?

There is also a bulk Costco like store near the anchorage I mention. I recall the prices were fairly reasonable or let's say comparable with what you'd pay in Nassau.
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Old 24-10-2015, 06:27   #12
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Re: Cayman's...are they worth the trip?

I guess it depends on where you are coming from.
Would not go out of my way to get there if you are going back East but it does offer a good place to resupply, free moorings in Georgetown, idyllic anchorages off West Bay and 7 Mile Beach as long as the wind is not out of the West, great diving, when anchored stores are reachable by dingy, also easy to get scuba tanks filled by dingy, vey friendly people, excellent but pricey restaurants, great fishing, great place to sail to Cuba from...Cayo Largo approximately 130 miles and Cienfuegos 60 miles further.
If the weather turns unfavorable you can always duck into the North Sound with many places to anchor or marinas to use however draft may be a problem.
Oh I almost forgot there are many Banks to put your money in.
Let me know if you need any additional information.
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