St Johns or Caymans for Snorkeling?
Mar 18th, 2000, 09:24 AM
#1
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St Johns or Caymans for Snorkeling?
We are looking for a good place to take a 12 year old for snorkeling in June/July. She also likes shopping so thought Grand Cayman might be better. Anyone with experience of both places? Can anyone recommend accommodations in either place, not too crowded? Many thanks!
Mar 18th, 2000, 04:14 PM
#2
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hi
we've been to both places and prefer st. john. the rate if exchange in cayman is around .86 cents for the dollar so our money jwent further in st. john. there are nice beaches in both for snorkeling but sting ray city is a real treat for kids and adults. in st. john we stay at maho bay camps-not for everbody- and on cayman we stay at a dive lodge-whichever has the best rate at the time.
if you go to st. john there is a nice little mall called mongoose junction for shopping.
judt do a search on these 2 places here and you should find some helpful info.
you also might want to pick up a dive magazine like rodale's scuba, or skin diver-these have ads for specials in them and you don't have to be a diver to take advantage of them.
have a good trip.
we've been to both places and prefer st. john. the rate if exchange in cayman is around .86 cents for the dollar so our money jwent further in st. john. there are nice beaches in both for snorkeling but sting ray city is a real treat for kids and adults. in st. john we stay at maho bay camps-not for everbody- and on cayman we stay at a dive lodge-whichever has the best rate at the time.
if you go to st. john there is a nice little mall called mongoose junction for shopping.
judt do a search on these 2 places here and you should find some helpful info.
you also might want to pick up a dive magazine like rodale's scuba, or skin diver-these have ads for specials in them and you don't have to be a diver to take advantage of them.
have a good trip.
Mar 18th, 2000, 06:01 PM
#3
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We vacation on St. John but have been to Grand Cayman twice on cruises--we still vacation on St. John.
Grand Cayman is very nice, but it is flat and does not compare with St. John's mountainous beauty.
On our last cruise we had a great time swimming with the stingrays at the sand bar (stingray city is deeper and not as good for kids). The first year we swam at one of the hotels on seven-mile beach. With only these limited excursions on Grand Cayman, I am certainly not an authority, but nothing we saw convinced us to return there for a vacation. However, I do believe if you are a diver, that Grand Cayman has a lot to offer.
St. John, on the other hand, is our idea of paradise. The beaches on the north shore are fabulous with great snorkeling at most beaches.
Hawksnest beach is one of my favorites and it is a great area for beginning snorkelers. The beach is easily accessed (the parking lot is 50 feet from the beach) and the coral reef begins 20 feet from the shore.
Maho Bay also has good snorkeling that is relatively close in.
I think the best way to experience St. John is to rent a private villa with a pool and a great view and then to head out each day for a different "beach of the day." You will run out of days before you run out of great beaches.
In addition, there are great day sails to snorkeling spots in the British Virgin Islands (the Indians and the Caves) and you can even sail there in tall sail boat.
I guess I am a little biased--but in my opinion St. John wins, hands down!
Grand Cayman is very nice, but it is flat and does not compare with St. John's mountainous beauty.
On our last cruise we had a great time swimming with the stingrays at the sand bar (stingray city is deeper and not as good for kids). The first year we swam at one of the hotels on seven-mile beach. With only these limited excursions on Grand Cayman, I am certainly not an authority, but nothing we saw convinced us to return there for a vacation. However, I do believe if you are a diver, that Grand Cayman has a lot to offer.
St. John, on the other hand, is our idea of paradise. The beaches on the north shore are fabulous with great snorkeling at most beaches.
Hawksnest beach is one of my favorites and it is a great area for beginning snorkelers. The beach is easily accessed (the parking lot is 50 feet from the beach) and the coral reef begins 20 feet from the shore.
Maho Bay also has good snorkeling that is relatively close in.
I think the best way to experience St. John is to rent a private villa with a pool and a great view and then to head out each day for a different "beach of the day." You will run out of days before you run out of great beaches.
In addition, there are great day sails to snorkeling spots in the British Virgin Islands (the Indians and the Caves) and you can even sail there in tall sail boat.
I guess I am a little biased--but in my opinion St. John wins, hands down!
Mar 21st, 2000, 06:50 PM
#4
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I, too, have been to both. They are very different but both great places. I don't think you can go wrong with either. GC is flat and easy to get around. SJ is clean, but GC is VERY clean and NO poverty at all. GC has better snorkeling, in my opinion. Stingray City would be fun for your daughter. SJ has a lot of beaches to explore, is more hilly and such and more scenic. Driving is more of an adventure, and roads are not the greatest. On SJ, you can ferry over to St. Thomas for that shopping. On GC, check out Turtle Nest Inn (although probably booked already for July) or the Westin -- $$$. If you go SJ, rent a villa with a POOL for sure. Lots of nice villas there. Both islands have great restaurants. Well, gosh, I have probably confused the issue here! They are BOTH great places! Either/or! Have fun!
Mar 26th, 2000, 11:20 AM
#5
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I have been to Grand Cayman. Enjoyed it greatly! Stay on Seven Mile Beach in one of the many hotels. Snorkeling in Stingray City is awesome-take a snorkel cruise through the Hyatt. Lots of major souvenir shopping to do in Georgetown. Many yummy restaurants! E-mail me, if any more questions!
