Has anyone rented from the Sea Lodges, in Cayman Kai, on the north coast? Looks like a great place. Saw quite a few but was wondering if anyone had any recomendations. A couple did not have AC, which I'm not keen on that idea.

Stayed at Cayman Kai twice. The first time in the Sea Lodges. I found them too confining and was transferred to one of their condo units that was much better at no charge though they generally are a bit more but worth it, in my opinion. The snorkeling of-the-beach is first rate and the best on Grand Cayman. But, YOU MUST WEAR a GOOD safety vest. Sometimes the undertow near the reef is stong. We got caught in one without vests and tried to get in the 300 yards but ended up 1/3 of a mile down the beach but safe but very tired. It's a nice place but 40 minutes from the rest of the action on GC.

We love the Sea Lodges - as a matter of fact, we are going back next month. It's our favorite place to stay because it offers the best off the beach snorkeling in GC (from the Sea Lodges to Rum Point).

We have not experienced a problem with an undertow. Maybe we have been there at a different time than the other poster (our previous trips have been in late Jan/early Feb).

We love it because the reef is so close it is an easy snorkel out to snorkel close among the rocks, coral, etc.

Another major reason we love the Sea Lodges - it is away from all the tourism and it is just like having your own little piece of heaven. Often, we are the only people on the beach even though there are other people staying at the complex.

You can walk 10 minutes down the beach to Rum Point and there are very good, laid back restaurants in Cayman Kai and other areas on the East End.

AC - can't remember if we had it but if we did we did not use it. Kept the windows open and enjoyed the wonderful ocean breeze and the sound of the surf. (Perhaps in other months it is needed).

Granted, the Sea Lodges aren't for everyone but we love them and I highly recommend them.

Thanks for the responses. My hubby and myself don't need a large place. Just something clean and comfortable. Anymore, whenever we travel, we rarely stay in hotels.

I will check into ocean currents around Rum Pt for November. I thought the north end was supposed to be gentle but I could be wrong. Yet, it seems like this is the area of the island most suited for us.

Did you all book at the Sea Lodges directly with the owner or did you book through a company?

This sounds like it does not make sense but... to see what I mean, goto the maps at http://www.caymanvillas.com/html/new.../RumPoint.html
and while on that webpage, also click on "click to view Cayman Kai".

When driving past parts of the North Side, the waters do look very rough (have not snorkeled there). But Rum Pooint and the Sea Lodges are considered more Cayman Kai (the first time we stayed in one of the sea lodges the complex was a resort called the Cayman Kai Resort).

As you can see from the maps, the area is "protected" by the reef close to shore.

I forget exactly where the lodges lay on the map but it is somewhere between 7 and 10 on the map. Also see the map at http://www.sealodgical.com/html/island_vacation.html

We are booking with the owners. Before we booked through a rental company but not sure if any handle any of the lodges anymore.

I'm curious, how did you hear about the Sea Lodges. I have talked to some of the owners via email. Two in particular I really liked were http://www.caymanhaven.com/#reservations and http://www.sealodgical.com/.

In late Jan/early Feb, we have not found the waters rough or anything. One time, hubby could not make it at the last minute so a friend went with me. She loved the lodges and the area so much she went back that following August/September for her honeymoon. She still loved it but did say the waters were higher and somewhat rougher. However, she stayed there a week or two before Hurricane Ivan hit and destroyed the island. So don't know if those waters are normal for that time or if it was hurricane conditions brewing in the Caribbean.

For conditions in November (water and if you need AC), email the owners and ask.

Where do you find info on ocean currents? That would be a handy site to keep at hand.

we were there in June and July. The undertow could have been not normal for that time of year but it sure was a "panic" situation. We had currents in Koh Tao, Thailand but not like what we experienced around Caymean Kai resort. But, that may have been 2 unusually experiences. But, the coral then, 1991 and 1998 where before the major hurricanes that may have damaged the coral down to 10 ft.

I don't know of any place, per say, to find info on currents but I will check around. My suspicion is that the stormy hurricane summer months might churn things up. That is my observation of course and no fact. Either way it wouldn't stop me. I will take precautions as StanKase suggested. Better safe then sorry.

I found the Sea Lodges from VRBO but then did a search on the web and found other that rented.

Thanks so much for your input!

For LVSUN:

When you stayed at the Sea Lodges, did you have to walk out far before the water was deep enough to snorkel in?

A friend of mine just got back from
Grand Cayman and he said that the
Rum Point area is beautiful but the water is shallow for hundreds of
yards out until you hit areas
that are prime for snorkeling.

Thanks

Mark H.

Right in front of the Sea Lodges, you do not have to walk far before the sea floor drops down, but then you have to snorkel a little to get out to the reef for the best snorkeling (it is well worth it). By the reef there are sandy areas where you can stand out of the water.

Between the Sea Lodges and Rum Point is a SUPER excellent place to snorkel. There is a public beach (or there was, will let you know next month if it is still there) -- from the road you really have to look for the sign. Although it's a public beach, no one else has been there when we were. It has more coral heads closer to the beach so you don;t even have to go out to the reef.

Will give updates when I get back from GC next month.

Thanks LvSun for the clarification on
the snorkeling spots.

We are a
Family of one teen and two "tween" girls and
a wife who does not want anything
"shack like" or a bit on the "rustic"
side.
Can you tell me the "condition" of
the sea lodges? Would Retreat at Rum Point be more up to our speed?

We usually rent condos so we don't need
Ritz carlton but we like fairly modern
and clean.
My 12 yo and I love to snorkel for HOURS.

Looking forward to your snorkeling update when you return next month

THanks

Mark H.

The Sea Lodges got hit pretty good by Ivan and the owners I have emailed with have all redecorated. However, even before that, the ones I have stayed in ans saw were not at all shack like or rustic. The grounds are older and nothing fancy about them.

These are the before pictures, I believe, but to get an idea of what they are like, check out http://www.caymanhaven.com/#reservations and http://www.sealodgical.com/.

The Retreat sits right beside Rum Point. To be honest, with 3 gals those ages, they probably would like The Retreat more. (You can then walk 5-10 minutes down the beach for the best snorkeling on GC).