Camana Bay Ferry Service to Rum Point

Have you ever wanted to get to Rum Point, but not wanted to make the long, winding, hour-long drive from Seven Mile Beach? Have you ever wondered who was going to drive back if you all had a few "Original Mudslides" from the Wreck Bar? Have you never been to Rum Point, but want to give it a try? The answer to all of these question lies in the news that Camana Bay has started a new ferry service to and from Kaibo Yacht Club. 

While the Kaibo Yacht Club isn't exactly Rum Point, once there, you are just a 2 minute shuttle ride away from Rum Point. The ferry service currently runs every day except Monday with times varying by day. At a cost of just $20 C.I. per person, this is a rather affordable option to get to Rum Point without having to drive or charter a boat. 

The comfortable boat cruises from Camana Bay through the North Sound and to the dock at Kaibo Yacht Club. From there you are able to hop on a shuttle provided by the ferry service to be at Rum Point in about 35 minutes total. The reason the ferry is not able to drop-off directly at Rum Point is because the dock is in water that is too shallow for the boat.

Once at Rum Point, you are able to order food from their kitchen, including their terrific mahi mahi wrap or sandwich. This is also the home of the Original Mudslide. The sign famously asks, "Do you serve virgin mudslides?" with the response being "yes we do-a cup of ice is free." (This is why having a boat to get back to 7 Mile Beach comes in handy).

The next time you are on the island, give the new ferry service a try. After all, you can't really go wrong with an afternoon on the quiet, isolated beach of Rum Point.

This blog posting was brought to you by Cayman Condos. For information on any of our blog postings or to inquire about booking a condo, please contact our office at 800-999-1388. Something you love about the blog? Something you hate? Something you want me to write about? Let me know: [email protected].

 

Welcome to Grand Cayman

 

I come across a lot of articles, pictures and videos on the Cayman Islands, but very few capture the island like this short video. The beautiful island of Grand Cayman features Seven Mile Beach, Stingray City and Rum Point and all of them are featured in this very unique video. It begins by the airport and takes you on an exclusive tour of all that the island has to offer, accompanied by music.

It features the pristine Seven Mile Beach, the colorful waters of the Caribbean Sea and the gorgeous daily sunsets. Words don't really do the video justice, so I suggest clicking on the link and taking a look for yourself! Enjoy!

Caribbean Beach BBQ at Kaibo

Looking for something a unique Cayman Islands dining experience? Every Tuesday night from 6:00-9:00, Kaibo has a Caribbean BBQ party. For just $25, it is an all you can eat buffet, featuring island style BBQ chicken, Cayman style fish, spicy jerk pork, Cayman oxtail, Caribbean potato salad, rice & beans, corn on the cob, house salads, Caribbean pasta salad, fresh baked cookies and Cayman Tortuga rum cake. There are also 2 for 1 Rum Punch and beer bucket specials. Maybe even better than the food is the live local band. They play a mix of Reggae and Caymanian local music and it is quite impressive with people dancing (lots of families with kids) and even a limbo stick down by the water. Since it starts at 6:00pm, I recommend getting there early to get the freshest of the food. Enjoy a BBQ dinner, Caymanian style right on the ocean!

This blog posting was brought to you by Cayman Condos. For information on any of our blog postings or to inquire about booking a condo, please contact our office at 800-999-1388. Something you love about the blog? Something you hate? Something you want me to wrtie about? Let me know: [email protected].

Seven Mile Beach: More Than Just a Beach

The beautiful Seven Mile Beach spans the Western shore of Grand Cayman, spanning the area from George Town to West Bay. This pristine beach can be spotted from an aerial shot as you fly into Grand Cayman. This is the most developed area of Grand Cayman. The sandy beach begins at our Sunset Cove property and you can walk or jog for a sandy 5.5 mile stretch. There are restaurants, bars, water sports and snorkel reefs along this Grand Cayman landmark. A "walk" up the beach can take an entire day. A mix of walking, wading and swimming can make for a leisurely stroll or get up in the morning for an early morning beach run.

You can stop at Royal Palms and their beach bar for your favorite island drink. Or you could bring your snorkel gear and check out some of the beachside reefs, which have been known to be the home to stingray, barracuda and more. Perhaps you want to grab a football and play catch as you make your way down the beach. Do you have kids? Bring a bucket because they'll surely want to collect shells or build a sand castle. Have you ever parasailed? Sign up for a same-day trip at any of the many water sport stands along Seven Mile Beach. Do you want to race jet skis in the Caribbean Sea? Rent them for a thrilling ride, where you might even spot some giant sea turtles. 

The opprotunities along Seven Mile Beach are endless, but one thing you will want to make certain to do is wear sunscreen and reapply frequently. The intense sun combined with the reflection off the water can cause a quick sun burn, even on a cloudy day. 

This blog posting was brought to you by Cayman Condos. For information on any of our blog postings or to inquire about booking a condo, please contact our office at 800-999-1388. Something you love about the blog? Something you hate? Something you want me to write about? Let me know: [email protected].

The ABCs of Grand Cayman

I did a similar posting a couple years ago, but I thought it was time to refresh my list! Enjoy!

A: Atlantis-Take an under-water tour on the Atlantis Submarine. To spice it up a little bit, try the night trip.

B: Billy Bones-Visit the swim-up pool bar at Sunset Cove. With barside seating (out of the water) and barstool seating (in the water), they have all your favorite island drinks and a delicious food menu.

C: Camana Bay-Spanning 500 acres from Seven Mile Beach to the North Sound, there is something for everyone in this new village. Check out the shops, restaurants, movie theater and more.

D: Dog House-A popular destination for those die-hard sports fans wondering how they are going to see their favorite NFL team play on Sunday. This sports bar has all the games. Located in Red Bay, just East of downtown George Town.

E: East End: If you have a car, take a drive to the East End. It will give you a great view of the non-touristy part of Grand Cayman. You'll see a lot of locals, homes, schools and more as you make the scenic drive along the coast. On the way home, stop at the Lighthouse Restaurant for a great lunch.

F: Fidel Murphy's: This Irish Pub is located right next door to Sunset Cove and provides great food and drinks for a reasonable price.

G: George Town: Head to the heart of downtown Grand Cayman for some duty-free shopping. However, check out the cruise ship schedule and try to time your visit downtown on a day with no cruise ships.

H: Happy Hour: Enjoy Happy Hour on the patio of your condo with your favorite beverage (wine for me) and snacks as you watch the beautiful Cayman sunset.

I: Island Time: Rembmer that everyone in Grand Cayman operates on "Island Time". 9:00 means 9:20. There is no such thing as a quick meal. And sometimes you'll go to a shop in the middle of the day and there will be a sign that says "Be Back Soon" on the door. Don't worry about it. No problem, mon. You're on vacation.

J: Jolly Roger: Enjoy a sunset cruise on an old pirate ship, with all you can drink rum punch. Warning: These pirates go light on the juice.

K: Karma: Cayman's new sushi bar offers a great dining experience, complete with their specialty dessert-liquid nitrogen ice cream, prepared at your table from scratch.

L: Lazy: It's OK to be lazy in Cayman. It's your time to relax. Read a book. Lay in the sun. Cool down in the pool or ocean. Repeat.

M: Morgan's Harbour. Visit West Bay and make a stop at Morgan's Harbour for a great dining experience at Calypso Grill with waterfront seating.

N: Nature: Enjoy all the beutiful things nature has to offer on one island. Flowers. Palm trees. Plants. Animals. Fish. Sunsets. Moonlight. 

O: Ocean Swimming Cove: The newly created cove at Sunset Cove allows for swimming in the ocean perfect for kids as the cove keeps the water warm and protects against the big waves. Grab a drink and a raft and spend a few hours in the cove.

P: Positano: Casanova's is the Island's best restaurant and my favorite dish is the Spaghettini Positano. The atmosphere, wait staff, wine and food are second to none at this island treasure. Stop in and visit Tony, Gianni, Antonio and the rest of the guys for a night you won't soon forget.

 

Q: Quick: The vacation to Grand Cayman always goes too quick. Enjoy every moment because it truly is paradise.

R: Rum Point--Home of the Original Mudslide, Rum Point is a must-visit. If you can find a boat or jet ski tour to take you there, that is best because you don't have to worry about driving home after your Mudslides.

S: Stingray City--One of the more unique places in the world, Stingray City offers the opportunity to swim with, pet, and feed these amazing animals. You might even score with a stingray back massage. 

T: Turtle Farm--The Cayman Island's Turtle Farm is a great spot for children to visit where then can pet, hold, and learn all about turtles.

U: UV Rays--No matter how much sun you are used to or how much you tanned before you visited, lots of sunscreen is going to be needed. The Cayman Islands are located on the equator and combined with the reflection of the sun off the pool and ocean, the perfect receipe for sunburn.

V: Video Camera: Take a video camera because there are sure to be moments you will want to remember forever.

W: Watersports--Take a walk down 7 Mile Beach and visit any of the Watersports stands. Jetski. Parasail. Kayak. Banana Boat Rides. They have it all for you or your family to enjoy.

X: XoXo: Weddings. Honeymoons. Anniversaries. There is no more romantic place than Grand Cayman in the world.

Y: Year-round: Grand Cayman is a year-round destination. There is never a bad time to visit Cayman. Whether in the hot summer months, or the warm winter months, the Cayman Islands are always comfortable and the water is always warm.

Z: Zoo: The Grand Cayman waters offer your very own under-water zoo full of animals and fish.

This blog posting was brought to you by Cayman Condos. For information on any of our blog postings or to inquire about booking a condo, please contact our office at 800-999-1388. Something you love about the blog? Something you hate? Something you want me to write about? Let me know: [email protected].

 

 

Cayman Islands: Perspective of a 1-Year Old

After a long weekend of family, turkey, and football, I was having a tough time coming up with an idea for the weekly blog. I decided to let my 1 year old son write the blog for me. Enjoy.

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It's been six long months since I was in Grand Cayman and quite frankly I'm ready to go back. I asked Dad to take us in October and he said he was busy with work. I asked mom to take us and she said maybe in January. I've heard that before, but my fingers are crossed. When I was there in May it was pretty much the best vacation of my entire 1 year of life. Where else can you run around in a diaper and sunglasses all day? 

Flying on the airplane was pretty cool. As we began to land on Grand Cayman, you could see the entire crescent=shaped island with the beautiful blue waters surrounding it. Once we landed and got in the taxi, I was loving all the beautiful palm trees and our taxi driver was so friendly. She was telling us stories about what was going on around the island.

We went out for dinner that night to an amazing Italian restaurant called Casanova's. I had spaghetti. Everyoe else was drinking some kind of grape juice that they told me I couldn't have. They drank a lot of it. It came in a fancy bottle and they ordered a lot of bottles of it. We had a really fun dinner.

I remember going to the turtle farm and playing with all kinds of turtles. It was really cool. I want a pet turtle now, but mom says no.

I learned how to swim in the kid's pool so mom and dad let me try the big person pool. There was a place IN the water to get food. It was called Billy Bones and I had a grilled cheese almost every single day. Everyone I was with kept drinking these fancy milkshakes, apple juice, and fruit punch. They wouldn't even let me try one sip. Selfish. 

At night we would gather on the porch of our condo and watch a beautiful sunset. It was pretty awesome how every single night there was a gorgeous sunset that we got to see. Again, everyone was drinking this fancy grape juice. I can't imagine why they love it so much, but they sure go through a lot of bottles of it.

 

 

One day we went on a boat in the middle of the ocean. We got to play with stingrays and saw many cool fish. That day was my favorite day of the whole trip. We even stopped at a place called Rum Point to lay on the beach, eat lunch, and swim in the ocean. I didn't like getting that ocean water in my eyes, but I did love swimming in it. Everyone was drinking these fancy milkshakes again. They called them "mudslides" whatever that means. They gave me a bottle of water. Thanks mom.

We went for a long walk on the beach one day. My toes were in the water. I played with seashells. I made a sand castle. I buried my Grandpa in the sand. I could get used to playing on the sandy beach every day.

We had a really cool enclosed cove right in front of our condo at Sunset Cove that allowed us to sit in the water for hours. The water was so warm and it was really fun. Mom put sunscreen on me like 10 times, but I suppose that's because we didn't see a cloud all day.

As you can see, the Cayman Islands are pretty much the coolest place on earth and I can't wait to go back in January. Maybe THIS time, mom and dad will actually let me try one of those milkshakes or a glass of that grape juice.

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This blog posting was written by my 1 year old son, Brett. Hope you enjoyed it.

This blog posting was brought to you by Cayman Condos. For information on any of our blog postings or to inquire about booking a condo, please contact our office at 800-999-1388. Something you love about the blog? Something you hate? Something you want me to write about? Let me know: [email protected].

 

Blaze the Beach.....by Horse?

There aren't too many things in Grand Cayman that I haven't done at least once, but a horse back ride along the beach is one of them. One of the most popular tourist attractions on Grand Cayman is the Spirit of the West horseback beach ride. Spirit of the West has been doing horseback rides since 2004. They offer several different types of rides, which each offer their own unique opportunity. 

The beach ride has the beautiful Caribbean Sea as the backdrop as you stroll along the beautiful beach at the edge of the water. This ride is available at 10:00 AM, 2:00 PM, or 5:00 PM and costs $75 per rider for this 85 minute excursion. If you are looking for a private ride, where you can control your own pace, without anyone else in your group, it would be $90 per rider.

The Caribbean Sea swim adds a refreshing swim to your ride. This popular and exciting ride allows you to ride your horse into the Caribbean Sea for an exhilerating experience. This ride is not for children under the age of 14 and can be quite rigorous. This 105 minute ride costs $125 per rider or $150 per rider for a private ride without anyone else in your group.

Finally, the moonlight stroll is the most romantic option. This night time ride is only available around the full moon, to maximize lighting, so you might not be able to book this one, depending on when you are on the island. This ride will take your breath away as you see your horses reflextion on the sea. You are guided by the light of the moon and the instincts of your horse. The price for this ride is the same as the swim ride.

Located on Barkers Beach, one of the most isolated areas on the entire island, these rides provide you with a peaceful ride without disturbances of the toursist crowd. Spirit of the West tour guides will pick you up and drive you to the location.

If you are looking for an experience you have never tried before, I recommend giving Spirit of the West a visit. Their website is located here for your convenience.

This blog posting was brought to you by Cayman Condos. For information on any of our blog postings or to inquire about booking a condo, please contact our office at 800-999-1388. Something you love about the blog? Something you hate? Something you want me to write about? Let me know: [email protected].

Best Beaches on Grand Cayman

Grand Cayman is known for the turquoise waters, amazing seafood, and pristine beaches. There are many wonderful beaches in Cayman. Depending on what you are looking for might determine which beach best suits your needs. All the beaches provide you with an amazing island experience that you can't find anywhere else, so you really can't go wrong, but there are differences in each beach that might help you find one for your group of visitors.

1. Seven Mile Beach is the most popular beach. It's located in the heart of the island and is the home for most of the big hotels and condominiums. All of our properties are located on Seven Mile Beach. This beach has powdery white sand and is ideal for swimming. There are many properties along Seven Mile Beach that offer watersports, such as parasailing, jet skis, tubing, kayaks, paddleboards, and more. This is also the beach for the amazing sunsets. 

2. In the heart of downtown George Town you will find Smith Barcadere. This small pocket of sand is located in an area of mostly ironshore coastline. This beach provides easy snorkeling and also has lots of trees to shade you from the intense sun. It also has public picnic tables, restrooms, and public showers.

3. As you make your way further to the East End of the Island, you will find Scott's Public Beach in Savannah. This small and often deserted beach is a great spot to get away from the traffic of the island to enjoy a day without any interruptions. This south-facing beach does contain cliffs at either end and does not offer any facilities. Also, be cognizant of potential currents which can be strong due to the south-facing nature of this beach.

4. Next comes Coe Wood Beach in Bodden Town. This sandy beach offers cabanas for public use. They also have a children's play area and offer restrooms. There is a beachside cafe at Coe Wood Beach that offers a delicious fish fry.

5. Rum Point is arguably the most popular beach on the island. It is a decent drive (45-50 minutes) from Seven Mile Beach, but offers a relaxing taste of the North side of the island. Locals and residents flock to Rum Point by car and boat. The most popular aspect of Rum Point is the Wreck Bar, which offers the world's best mudslide. They offer hammocks, volleyball courts, and a great lunch menu.

6. Finally, the Kaibo Public Beach faces the North Sound. The ocean is very calm here and is shallow, making it a perfect spot for kids. Kaibo is known for it's peaceful environment  and offers excellent food choices. Kaibo overlooks a pristine sandy beach and offers many trees for shade.

So the next time you visit Grand Cayman, please don't get caught spending every day on the beach in front of your condo. Give some of the other beaches on the island a try. There's no better way to spend a day than with a book, a drink, and the Cayman sun.

This blog posting was brought to you by Cayman Condos. For information on any of our blog postings or to inquire about booking a condo, please contact our office at 800-999-1388. Something you love about the blog? Something you hate? Something you want me to write about? Let me know: [email protected].

North Sound Wave Runner Tours

    There is no better place for relaxation than Cayman, but if you’re looking for a little adventure, there is plenty of that available as well.  Taking a wave runner tour is one of the most exciting and liberating ways to explore the North Sound.  Fat Fish Adventures offers a fun and thorough tour with an excellent mix of riding the waves, and seeing the various sights that make the North Sound in Grand Cayman so special.

    Fat Fish does a fantastic tour from start to finish.  They will pick you up right at your condo and take you to the jet-ski launch.  While they offer the option to ride double or triple, I recommend getting your own wave runner.  This allows you to go as fast (or as slow) as you want and makes it easier to ride the waves when it gets bumpy.  Fat Fish provides you with life jackets, snorkel gear, and an excellent and knowledgeable guide, Richard.  After a quick run through of the rules and regulations, you are off – full speed - trying to keep up with your energetic guide. 

    First stop on the tour is Starfish Beach.  The deserted shores are beautiful, and the knee-deep water attracts plenty of starfish.  Be sure to bring your camera – Richard creates some excellent photo-ops of you holding the starfish. 

    After leaving the beach, it is a quick trip to Stingray City Sandbar.  The smaller group of a jet-ski tour gives you plenty of one-on-one time with your guide to learn about these amazing creatures.  You have the opportunity to hold them, feed them, and give Stingray kisses for good luck.  Once everyone has had their stingray fun, you will head off to a coral reef for some snorkeling.

    One of the best parts of this snorkel experience is having Richard right there in the water with you.  He points out things you may never see on your own, and as an experienced lobster catcher, he often grabs one for you to see up close.  At this reef, you may also see barracuda, nurse sharks, and eels, along with all sorts of colorful and interesting fish. 

    At this point, you will have worked up quite an appetite which is perfect since the last stop is at Rum Point for lunch – and of course their famous mudslides.  Rum Point has some of the best food on the island, and after a long morning of North Sound adventures, you will be ready for it! 

    After lunch, it’s time to head in.  It’s a long trip back, but those of you looking for some adventure will love hitting the waves and attempting to keep up with Richard, who is always full speed ahead.  I recommend wearing sunglasses (with a strap) because you will get splashed, and be prepared for a bumpy - but extremely enjoyable - ride. 

    The Fat Fish wave runner tour is one of the best tours I have done in Cayman, and quite possibly one of the easiest ways to see many North Sound attractions in a short amount of time.  They pack a lot into the trip but it’s a fun day out on the water that I would recommend to anyone. 

 

This blog posting was brought to you by Cayman Condos. For information on any of our blog postings or to inquire about booking a condo, please contact our office at 800-999-1388. Something you love about the blog? Something you hate? Something you want me to write about? Let me know: [email protected].

 

Royal Palms

One of the more popular spots in Grand Cayman is located right in the heart of Seven Mile Beach. The Royal Palms has something for everyone and is centrally located so it is walkable from most of our properties. It can be accessed from the beach or from the road. Whether you are looking for a spot to stop and grab a drink while walking down the beach (I recommend the "Nutty Banana") or a late night place for music and dancing, the Royal Palms has it all.

***The dirty nutty banana. Yum.

During the day, Royal Palms has a water activities stand set up that allows you to parasail, kayak, paddleboard, jet ski, and more. They also have a large number of beach chairs where you can lay and catch some rays. The beach is sandy and a perfect place for kids to swim. In addition to that, the bar is a full service bar with a grill for lunch. 

At night, the Royal Palms beach bar converts to one of the hottest hang out spots for locals and tourists alike to go listen to a live band. The atmosphere is very relaxed as it is an out door beach bar, but that doesn't make it any less fun. Wednesday nights are industry night with a DJ and typically it gets very crowded, which makes it a fun night to go. Also, they have added a "rehab" (take off of rehab in Vegas) on Sundays by their new pool. I've not been to Rehab yet, but have heard it is quite popular. While on the island you will want to find out the exact schedule for the week as it can vary seasonally.

Finally, on the same property is a very nice restaurant, Reef Grill, that is reasonably priced and features gas-fired pizza and seafood. The Royal Palms could be a nice night out because you can walk there, have a nice dinner, and then move out to the dance floor for drinks and music, then walk home. 

The best part about the Royal Palms Beach Bar is their philosophy of "no shirt, no shoes, no problem." After all, what would the Cayman Islands be without being laid back? Enjoy.

This blog posting was brought to you by Cayman Condos. For information on any of our blog postings or to inquire about booking a condo, please contact our office at 800-999-1388. Something you love about the blog? Something you hate? Something you want me to write about? Let me know: [email protected].