plumtree

We are huge St John fans who just booked at Discovery Point Condos in Grand Cayman for next April for our family of 4 with two children (ages 6 and 4). We thought we'd try something new and are hoping we made the right choice. Can anybody advise? Christie - I know you've been to both places, so maybe you could lend your thoughts. Will we be disappointed in the beach if we're fans of Trunk/Cinnamon Bay/Maho? I've read that there are crabs, shells, etc.. in the water. I don't recall anything in the water in St. John. Of course, it might be fun for the kids to find crabs, but I'm a bit wimpy. The condos seem very nice - but away from restaurants, etc.. I hope that's not an issue. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

meta

Discovery Point is nice, but the beach can be rocky in spots. You will need to rent a car, for you are not walking distance to restaurants. Your best bet is to make a rental reservation beforehand and pick it up at the airport.

poss

We love St John (go often) and have also enjoyed Cayman several times, staying, in fact, at Discovery Point. As previous poster said, the beach in front of Discovery P is a bit more rocky than the St J beaches. Also, when you stroll to the left and right, instead of the beach being empty, there'll be other condos up and down the beach. But the units certainly are pleasant, the pool and spa are nice, as I recall, and there's good snorkeling right out in front (to the right). There's also quite good snorkeling fairly close to DP (we often just swam to it) out in front of the cemetery-- also to the right. And to the left of DP (I forget in front of which condo) there're always lots of turtles to swim with-- great big ones and lots of fun. If the turtle farm is still there (a little past the cemetery), your kids will probably enjoy it; we did. And Cayman is similar to St John in the sense that there are lots of little snorkel spots all around the island-- car for sure. (But the put-ins aren't quite as easy as at the St John snorkel spots).
By the way, much as we love St John snorkeling, the snorkeling at Eden Rocks (in town) beats anything we know at St John, hands down-- absolutely spectacular. Probably not suited for the kids (the in and out is difficult and the water is quite deep-- it's a whole different kind of snorkeling), but one thing the kids are bound to love is Sting-Ray city. I'm sure you've heard of it-- really a quite unusual phenomenon.

NM

Our family always preferred GC to St. John. While GC is much more built-up than StJ. it's easier to get around since the roads are flat. We love 7-mile beach and the snorkeling is great. Also Stingray City trips are a huge treat for everyone in the family. Do a day trip to Cayman Kai and enjoy all the great restaurants--more choices than StJ.

KarenM

I also am interested in Discovery Point to bring my 2 grandsons ages 4 and 6. My main concern is if there is an area on the beach that the boys can easily go into the water without rocks. Little kids aren't as sure footed as older kids and if there is any surf they could get knocked down and get hurt. Afterall, the whole reason for us to go to Grand Cayman is great beaches.

Can anyone verify there is an area to enter the water without rocks obstructing entry?

We were originally going to book at Villas of Galleons but my daughter felt a pool would also be important to the kids, so DP seemed like the best option.

I'll be interested in your replies. Thanks!

KarenM

plumtree

Thanks for the replies. They were very helpful - we'll absolutely rent a car. It seems like it's definitely worth a try and that the kids will especially love it. As far as the rocks, I believe I read that there are areas without the rocks just off to the right (versus directly in front of the condos).

poss

There are areas without rocks. And no surf. No problem, mon. (And DP is far superior to Galleon, imo.)

Kristen1206

I think Villas of the Galleon is great (if you can do without a pool...who needs one with the carobbean right there?)...great conos, loctation and beach. we went in 2003 and are going back this spring

Kristen1206

Meta-how are you? Long time no talk!

meta

I'm fine Kristen. How's everything by you.

plumtree

Is this beach at Galleon much nicer than the beach at DPC?

meta

The beach at Villas of Galleon is not rocky at all. It's in a great location, quiet, but between the Ritz and the Westin. We loved the location. There are not a lot of people on the beach, but close enough to walk to either hotel to rent watersport equipment.

Kristen1206

if you really want a pool, then stay at Plantana which is on the other side of the Westin and still has a great beach.

jcjc

Plumtree-just want to add my two cents!
We stayed at the Christopher Columbus condos this past July. They are right next door to Discovery Point. While we were there the beach in front of Discovery Point was very rocky. People that were staying there walked over to Christopher Columbus' beach to enter the water. (It is NOT a far walk by any stretch of the imagination! Maybe 20 steps or something like that!)
Don't worry about crabs. The only crabs we saw in the water were cute, tiny hermit crabs. (my kids loved them) In the evening sand crabs would come out onto the beach and scurry across the sand. Kids would go out with flashlights and try and catch them.
The restaurants are not far at all. It never took us longer than 10-15 minutes to get down to where most of the restaurants are located.
It's so funny because we have been to GC twice. (and are returning this summer) We are thinking about vacationing in St. John this March or April. Like you, we are hoping St. John compares favorably to GC!

plumtree

jcjc,
Thanks for your reply. Do you think the rocks really detract from the Discovery Point Condos location? It sounds like maybe not if it's only 20 steps to clearer water. Would it make sense for us to say at Christopher Columbus or somewhere else instead? DSP does get very good reviews, though (#1 hotel on 7mb on tripadvisor). As far as St John, in my opinion, it's fantastic - the beaches are stunning - little coves surrounded by trees. The snorkeling is great. We've stayed at great villas with stunning views, where you can bring food and cook meals - not only to save money, but to avoid having to dress up every night for dinner and make it a production... especially with kids. The only challenge is getting there. But it's really fine - best advice would be to rent a car at the St Thomas airport and drive to the car ferry. You'll hit some traffic and it could take you 45 minutes, but once you're on the boat, you're home free. We have a soft spot in our hearts for St. John. My kids have been 3 times and my daughter is only 4 years old (first time was in utero).

plumtree

and I should mention too - there's a peacefulness, a tranquility about St. John that I haven't experienced anywhere else yet (although Switzerland came close).

jcjc

Hi Plumtree,
I have always read good things about Discovery Point Club. When doing my research for our trip, however, I did notice some comments about a rocky beach. I just wanted a nice sandy beach with a sandy entrance into the water. From pictures at Christopher Columbus' website I saw that they had what I was looking for in a beach. As I said, DPC is very, very close to CC. I'm not good with feet distances and all that...but it's close. A sandy entrance into the water is only steps away. (I remember seeing a dad and his two small sons walk over from DPC each day to enter the water at "our" beach.)
I hesitate to say if you are better off at CC. I have no experience with the units at DPC and it really always gets such great reviews. Based on the beach though, I DEFINITELY prefer CC. (that's why we're going back there this summer!)It just has a nice sandy beach and a lot of huts to seek shade underneath, as well.
Thanks for all of the info on St. John. Just wondering why you don't rent your car on St. John? I have been in touch with a villa rental agency (Windspree) and they provide car rentals. You think it's better to rent a car on St. Thomas?
The beaches sound beautiful. Different from GC. Definitely different from 7MB. The underwater life is beautiful in GC and that's why we love it. We saw so much right in front on our condo. Turtles, squid, porcupine fish. It was wonderful! What intrigues me about St. John is that it sounds like the underwater AND the above water scenery are both lovely.

jcjc

That last paragraph was supposed to say: ..."We saw so much right in front OF our condo." And I meant while snorkeling!

plumtree

jcjc,
We rent on St Thomas b/c it's so easy to throw your luggage in a car and not have to carry anything. also, we got much better rates renting on St Thomas. People certainly rent on St John too, and it's definitely a good option.

Thanks for the info about Grand Cayman. All this talk about St John, though, is making me want to reconsider by trip.

jcjc

plumtree,

Thanks so much for the tip about renting the car on St. Thomas. I would have never thought to do that. (I didn't know you could! I thought there were just passenger ferries.) There are 6 of us and that's a lot of luggage to lug around. A car from St. Thomas will be a great help!

I do think it sounds like St. John and Grand Cayman are very different. The thing I love about GC is that you are right there on the beach...no having to drive to get to it. Snorkeling is only steps away. (although, of course, you can drive all around the island and try different beaches/snorkeling sites and that's a lot of fun) The beauty of the island of St. John is appealing, though and snorkeling is the top priority and St. John seems to have that, as well.
My husband hasn't committed fully to an April vacation there yet...but hopefully I can pull together something in our price range and manage to convince him! (by they way, there are grocery stores there that you can shop in, right? We don't want to eat dinner out most nights.) So many St. John references! I guess I should go over to that board!