We will be in grand caymen in april from 8 am to 4 pm from the explorer of the sea. We heard the stingray city excursion is really nice, but we also heard that the water and sand at 7 mile is absolutely beautifull.<BR><BR>Beceause of the tendering and the long lines, I am affraid that our time on shore will be cut really short. Can you tell us approx. how much time we will be able to stay on shore??<BR><BR>stingray or 7mb??<BR><BR>If 7mb, what part, is there a hotel that lets you use there facilities or what is the best way of doing this??<BR><BR>Is 7mb close to the shops??

alpinemccai - Keep searching the web under Grand caymens for what you want. We took a local sailboat to Stingray City and had a very good time, we then asked our driver to take us to 7mile beach. He said he would take us to the beautiful public beach on 7 mile beach.But then could not do because traffic was so bad. He dropped us off at the Almond Tree restaurant (close to port and on the beach) where we had drinks on an outside patio and then we walked back to the ship with a little bit of shopping on the way.

We stayed on GC for a week (love that island) and while 7 mile beach is very pretty - there are many pretty beaches in the Caribbean. I would vote for the Stingray City excursion - because it is very unique and very fun. Along 7 Mile beach is a whole bunch of hotels, so it's not like it's real secluded. LOVE those Stingrays!!!

You can take a taxi to 7 mile beach and there is a part of the beach that is public and DOES have facilites w/ showers. The cab driver kept trying to drop us at hotels that had beach access for $8.00, they also said the public beach did not have facilities.Luckily we were with a friend who had been before and he kept insisting they take us to the public beach. Turns out it was beautiful and we saved $8.00 a head. I think the cab was $4.00 a person and they will come back for you if you specify what time you want to leave.

Actually, all of the beaches in Grand Cayman are public. Many hotels will let you walk through their property if you stop and buy a snack or drink.

You really should do the Stingrays once! I use Capt Marvin, the ship's excursion is WAY too crowded. Book the 8:30, 2-hr excursion (that's 9:30 ship time) and you'll have time to do a little beaching or shopping afterwards.

How do you get ahold of Capt Marvin? Cruise $ too $$$!

www.captainmarvins.com