My family ("kids" ages 21, 18, 16) is visiting Grand Cayman for the first time this July. Can anyone tell me if a snorkel trip is worth the time and $$? Also, recommendations for a specific tour company would be appreciated. Is it better to go for a half-day or a full day? We would like to go to sting ray city and it seems that many tour operators offer many different options. We've been to other areas in the caribbean and we really enjoy snorkelling. Thanks!

OOps, meant to stick this message under The Caymens forum page. Sorry

McQ, there's only one board for all of the Caribbean, Fodors just allows you to sort within the board for the particular island of interest. I can't offer direct advice on GC, but have done lots of snorkling in the Caribbean and love it. Whether we've done it right off the beach or taken a boat trip out to better reefs, we've seen lots of great marine life. There are lots of others on this board with specific knowledge of GC, so I'll let them advise on specifics. Trish

There are many places to snorkel from shore but you must do a snorkel trip - it is definitely worth the money - usually about 35US. The trip takes you out to the sandbar and you get to interact with the stingrays in waist-deep (or less) eater. It is unlike anything you've ever done. The trip usually takes you to one or two other sites. Popular captains are Capt Marvin, Capt Bryan and Capt Clinton. They are all good and, most likely, do the same trip. We personally go with Capt Clinton because of the service he gives and the knowledge he has. But this is something, I'm sure, everyone could say about their favorite. The only real suggestion I'd make is to go with someone who takes smaller groups.

Thanks, I'll look up Captain Clinton. Not "Bill" Clinton??!!

No way!!!! He can be reached by e-mail at [email protected] or by phone at 345-040=1016. There are two Clinton Ebanks - the one we go with has boats named SeaStar 1, 2 and 3.

Sorry - typed phone number incorrectly. It should read 345-949-1016.

Definitely you should do a snorkel trip. We chartered a boat for the five of us (kids ages 20, 17 and 15), and it really wasn't that much more expensive, because we were snorkeling for about 4 hours. We were the only ones on the boat (except for the 2 guides), and we felt we got our money's worth. We also snorkeled from the beach, which was great, too, but we felt it was definitely worth going on a snorkeling trip.