1st time to cayman islands
Aug 27th, 2004, 04:53 PM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
1st time to cayman islands
wow after reading so many posts, we are really getting excited for our vacation to GC. We are staying at the Reef next month. 
When snorkeling should we have flippers? We bought masks and snorkels, but are new at this. Also is renting a jeep the way to go? We always rent vehicles but were unsure about Andy's Sebring convertible or Avis jeep wrangler. Thanks for the help
When snorkeling should we have flippers? We bought masks and snorkels, but are new at this. Also is renting a jeep the way to go? We always rent vehicles but were unsure about Andy's Sebring convertible or Avis jeep wrangler. Thanks for the help
Aug 27th, 2004, 06:09 PM
#2
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 805
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Good choice
Snorkelling and flippers : up to you... you can bring your own flippers or rent them daily.... or just snorkel without fins... up to you
Re cars... those both sound like nice choices...but I would lean towards the Jeep, as in Cayman you should not be shy about exploring the back roads and dirt tracks at our end of the island.
Any questions, do check with [email protected], Ethel has all the answers for you and can help you with renting a car if you like.
Snorkelling and flippers : up to you... you can bring your own flippers or rent them daily.... or just snorkel without fins... up to you
Re cars... those both sound like nice choices...but I would lean towards the Jeep, as in Cayman you should not be shy about exploring the back roads and dirt tracks at our end of the island.
Any questions, do check with [email protected], Ethel has all the answers for you and can help you with renting a car if you like.
Aug 27th, 2004, 07:16 PM
#3
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 134
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I'd say to go with the car - you can always put the top up if/when it rains. It can also cool you off to put on the air - it can get really really really hot and you might need some protection from the sun. None of the roads warrent the rental of a jeep.
Aug 28th, 2004, 03:40 PM
#4
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 4,633
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You will love The Reef! When we were there, we felt like we were on our own deserted island part of the time.
I think flippers will help you. Walk down (on the sand) to Morritt's next-door, get in the water by the pier, and let the current carry you back up to The Reef. Once past the pier at The Reef, though, be careful of strong currents.
We rented from Andy's and were very satisfied.
I am very picky about hotels/resorts, and I loved staying at The Reef. We had a small problem with ants, but the staff came and this was quickly cleared up. The units are very clean and large. I was just looking on the computer at some of the pictures I took from our balcony -- I can't wait to go back.
I think flippers will help you. Walk down (on the sand) to Morritt's next-door, get in the water by the pier, and let the current carry you back up to The Reef. Once past the pier at The Reef, though, be careful of strong currents.
We rented from Andy's and were very satisfied.
I am very picky about hotels/resorts, and I loved staying at The Reef. We had a small problem with ants, but the staff came and this was quickly cleared up. The units are very clean and large. I was just looking on the computer at some of the pictures I took from our balcony -- I can't wait to go back.
Aug 28th, 2004, 04:36 PM
#5
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 882
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Samsaf, I'd love to hear more about The Reef & surrounding area. The Reef looks wonderfull on the internet (nice beach, pool, etc.) My only concern(s), since I will be with family/kids, are there other activities than the beach at the end of the island (movies, restaurants, shops, etc)? We love the water but would like to do a few other things than sit at the beach all day everday (going for 8-10 days). Also, is it correct to assume that the 7 mile area is approximately a 45-60 minute drive? Thanks!
Aug 28th, 2004, 06:31 PM
#6
Join Date: Nov 2003
Posts: 459
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
We brought our own snorkels and masks with us, but didn't bother with fins. Big mistake. It makes swimming back and forth from land much easier while snorkeling.
A few times, I had a problem finding fins to fit me. This year I'm definitely buying a pair to bring along.
A few times, I had a problem finding fins to fit me. This year I'm definitely buying a pair to bring along.
Aug 29th, 2004, 02:01 PM
#8
Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 446
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The drive to the 7MB area is about 40 minutes or so. You will be on the quiet end of the island, so activities besides beach/pool/snorkeling will be somewhat limited for sure, as will be the choices of restaurants.
I highly recommend fins for sure. Some of the better reefs are 50-100 yards off the beach, and fins will make a huge difference. Also, if there's any kind of current, you will need fins.
As far as car rental goes, get one with AC. You will welcome the cool air after being in the hot sun....
Have a great time....
I highly recommend fins for sure. Some of the better reefs are 50-100 yards off the beach, and fins will make a huge difference. Also, if there's any kind of current, you will need fins.
As far as car rental goes, get one with AC. You will welcome the cool air after being in the hot sun....
Have a great time....
Aug 30th, 2004, 04:17 AM
#10
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 4,633
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Pumpy: The beach is great at The Reef, although it's pretty rocky as you enter the water at most places. It was hard at times for me to get out of the water because of the rocks. We stayed at the new area (Castaway Cove), and we were pleasantly surprised to find a brand new pool at this end of the complex. I had done extensive research before we left, and I didn't know about this new pool. Most of the time we were there by ourselves. The pool is directly on the beach (maybe about 30 feet from the water?) and it is wonderful.
We were there for 7 nights. The first night (Monday) we had the BBQ on the beach at the resort. This was nice, because we were tired and didn't want to drive to a restaurant. We had stopped on the way from the airport and gotten groceries.
The next day we snorkeled at the resort and then in late afternoon drove toward 7-Mile. This took about 50 minutes. We ate at Hard Rock, and then drove around for awhile.
The next day we chartered a boat for a snorkeling trip. The concierge at The Reef arranged this for us. We met the boat up near Rum Point. This was the highlight of our trip! There were five of us on the boat plus the 2 crewmen -- this was much better than being on a boat with 40 other people. That evening we went to Portofino's for dinner (about 10 - 15 minutes away from The Reef).
We tried to alternate eating near the resort and driving into the 7-Mile area. It was a bit of a drive, but every time we were down in that area, we were very glad to get back to the quietness of the East End.
One day we went snorkeling at different places and ended up at Cemetery Reef (7-Mile). We planned this so we would be in that area for dinner. The kids wanted to go to Outback (just down the road from Cemetery Reef).
It just takes a little more planning if you stay on the East End. Rum Point is about 25 minutes away, and this is a good place to spend a day.
There weren't any movie theaters or many shops near the resort. However, there seemed to be a good children's program going on. My kids are teenagers and didn't participate in the kids' program, so I'm not sure of all the details. There was also some sort of retail shopping being built across the street while we were there in June. Our unit had a VCR in it. You might want to call the resort before you leave to check if your unit will have one; if so, you could bring some of your own movies.
If you're wanting to be able to run out to a movie, run out to lunch, etc., the East End probably wouldn't be the place for you. We ate breakfast in the room, and for lunch we either ate in the room or packed a picnic; one day we ate at Rum Point.
The beach was so beautiful that I loved our days by the pool/water, but it seems like we did so many other things we didn't just sit by the pool very many days.
I have lots of pictures, if you want to e-mail me at [email protected]. (That's zero-six-one-five).
We were there for 7 nights. The first night (Monday) we had the BBQ on the beach at the resort. This was nice, because we were tired and didn't want to drive to a restaurant. We had stopped on the way from the airport and gotten groceries.
The next day we snorkeled at the resort and then in late afternoon drove toward 7-Mile. This took about 50 minutes. We ate at Hard Rock, and then drove around for awhile.
The next day we chartered a boat for a snorkeling trip. The concierge at The Reef arranged this for us. We met the boat up near Rum Point. This was the highlight of our trip! There were five of us on the boat plus the 2 crewmen -- this was much better than being on a boat with 40 other people. That evening we went to Portofino's for dinner (about 10 - 15 minutes away from The Reef).
We tried to alternate eating near the resort and driving into the 7-Mile area. It was a bit of a drive, but every time we were down in that area, we were very glad to get back to the quietness of the East End.
One day we went snorkeling at different places and ended up at Cemetery Reef (7-Mile). We planned this so we would be in that area for dinner. The kids wanted to go to Outback (just down the road from Cemetery Reef).
It just takes a little more planning if you stay on the East End. Rum Point is about 25 minutes away, and this is a good place to spend a day.
There weren't any movie theaters or many shops near the resort. However, there seemed to be a good children's program going on. My kids are teenagers and didn't participate in the kids' program, so I'm not sure of all the details. There was also some sort of retail shopping being built across the street while we were there in June. Our unit had a VCR in it. You might want to call the resort before you leave to check if your unit will have one; if so, you could bring some of your own movies.
If you're wanting to be able to run out to a movie, run out to lunch, etc., the East End probably wouldn't be the place for you. We ate breakfast in the room, and for lunch we either ate in the room or packed a picnic; one day we ate at Rum Point.
The beach was so beautiful that I loved our days by the pool/water, but it seems like we did so many other things we didn't just sit by the pool very many days.
I have lots of pictures, if you want to e-mail me at [email protected]. (That's zero-six-one-five).
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
geolovestravel
Caribbean Islands
8
May 5th, 2011 01:13 PM
