Any one been to Grand Cayman Lately?

[wendyk]

How are the beaches on grand Cayman? We are on the Feb 26 Western cruise and were planning to take a taxi to 7 mile beach for the day. Disney has cancelled all their beach-related shore excursions until March 12. Are the beaches in bad shape? Should we still go to 7 mile?

Thanks,
Wendy

 

[rae519]

If you really want to know, ask a native - Nicole Eldemire is the owner of Nicki's Beach Rides - great horseback riding establishment on Grand Cayman Island. You can reach her at nickiride@candw.ky

Also, if you have never ridden horseback on the beach - try it. It's addictive!

Rae

 

[lbgraves]

We were on the last Western 12/4 and I didn't talk to anyone who went to the beach there. We asked our server, who we knew from our last cruise so we trust his information, and he said that he wouldn't recommend doing the beaches at GC. We specifically asked about 7 mile beach since it was the most recommended on the boards. Several people we talked to did go to beaches on Cozumel though.

 

[lmschwabby]

We visited seven mile beach while in Grand Cayman in early December. On the way there (via taxi) we were in awe at all the devastation and construction to repair. Even passed thru an area that was just on fire so the area reeked of smoke. Once at the beach, it was beautiful to see, but the water was quite cold. My kids (6 and 4 1/2) didn't even want to get in the water - pretty bad considering they love the ocean! Hope this helps. Happy to answer any other questions - pm me.

 

[jel0511]

First off, the reason all DCL beach excursions are cancelled is because DCL goes to Rum Point Beach, which is currently closed until at least March. Seven Mile Beach, IMO is a mess, but that is coming from my experience with Grand Cayman before the hurricane. There is devastation everywhere, and it can be unpleasant to see. The public beach area is o.k. but it still is a mess. I'd personally stay away, and go to the beach in Cozumel, but that's just me.

 

[DISNEYFAMILYOFFOUR]

I agree, stay away from 7 mile beach and go to a beach in Mexico.

 

[LindaBabe]

I'd ask the taxi driver for his or her recommendation. I didn't think the bits of 7 mile beach I saw looked that bad. The taxi drivers will know what's in good shape. We followed a taxi driver's advice in Cozumel and it turned out great! We went to a beach I can neither spell nor pronounce (begins with N), but it was wonderful!

 

[lUVTOGO]

We spent the whole day on our cruise at the public beach (Sea Grape Beach) and had a great time! Sure, if you looked over a few hundred yards, there was a big crane working to replenish an area of the beach, but it was still far enough away not to cause any distraction!

The beach itself was very enjoyable, their was a clean restroom and a bar on the beach, and we had a great time swimming and sunning.

I would go, you will still have a great time! This was in the beginning of Nov, so maybe the crane is gone even though it didn't detract from our view. The beach was narrow but still very beautiful!

 

[TooPure4u]

Why does Disney still stop at GC if there is no excursions??? What else is there to do???

 

[lbgraves]

You will have to ask Disney that one. They do have snorkling excrusions but the beaches just aren't that great right now. Personally, I was hoping to go to Costa Maya instead but DCL is in charge of that.

 

[budwmn]

I wished we had gone to Costa Maya, too.

We didn't get off the ship. My inlaws did -- and wished they hadn't. They didn't book an excursion and said that the downtown area was boring and that there wasn't much to do. Most people I spoke with said they enjoyed their trip to Stingray City. I don't know anyone who went to the beaches, though. Good luck!

 

[dirkus]

We were on the Dec 4 Magic and went to 7 mile beach while at GC. We had a wonderful time and there was nothing wrong with the beach. I forget where the driver took us to but it was a bit further out but you didn't have to pay to get on the beach. It was right across from a major hotel and there was a bar and clean rest rooms. You saw a lot of the damage on the way but I think it is good to be reminded of what these poor people have gone though. Personally, I'm glad the cruise lines are going back there as they need the boost to their economy right now and, as I said, we has a great time. (Oh, and by the way, we live in San Diego and so are used to good beaches -- 7 Mile was just fine.)

 

[LianeMJ]

So, no Stingray City or Turtle Farm at Grand Cayman? I read somewhere that those were reopened?

 

[LindaBabe]

Stingray city is fine and excursions going regularly. Diveboat operators fed the stingrays to keep them happy while the tourists were away. www.nativewaywatersports.com

From their own website "The Cayman Turtle Farm has welcomed over 10,250 cruise ship visitors during the first two weeks of the return of cruise ships since Hurricane Ivan" - sounds like they're open to me. http://www.turtle.ky/main.cfm