Beaches Grand Cayman

[BMURPHY02]

WHEN WE GO TO GRAND CAYMANS WE WANT TO GO TO A BEACH NEAR THE PIER DOES ANY ONE KNOW WHAT BEACHES ARE CLOSE AND HOW DO YOU GET THERE AND DO YOU HAVE TO PAY TO SWIM THEIR

 

[The4OfUs]

We just got back from this trip, and at Grand Cayman we didn't plan any excursions, just went onshore with a few DIS members and figured we'd find a beach to hang out at. The minute you get off the tender, there are people with many offers, we found a taxi cab (van) that fit 7 of us that would take us to a beach for $4 a person. It was part of 7 mile beach - he explained to us in his really fun accent that the beaches are free to use, but the ACCESS to the beaches is what you pay for at the hotels and such. He took us to a public beach access that ended up putting us directly in front of the Govenor's house!! We stayed there until he picked us up at the pre-arranged time of 2:30 - he came out to the beach to find us, and we hopped back into the van for another 10 min ride back to the boat.

We then saw the HUGE lines to tender back to the many ships, and it was pretty depressing to think of standing in that after being in the sun all day. Then we finally figured out that the Disney line was non-existant because they have huge tenders - so we literally walked right on with a cool drink in hand that they give out as we got on the tender...that was a nice ending to a fun day.

Don't be afraid to try the local taxis, we had "Super E" and he was incredibly funny and friendly and very informative!!

 

[DoomBuggieDriver]

Hi BMurphy,
I am looking into the same thing, and after reading the previous post from 4ofUs we might just decide to beach it that day. But if you are interested in more Grand Cayman beach info, here are a few sites I found:

http://caymanislandsdiscounts.com/FreeBeaches.htm
http://caymanislandsdiscounts.com/Cruise Ship info.htm
http://www.nativewaywatersports.com/shiptours.html
http://caymanislandsdiscounts.com/OffshoreSnorkeling.htm#WBCemetery

Hope this helps. Have fun planning!
Kathy

 

[Jdubbs]

Thanks for that great info 4...Thats why this board and its members are the best..I will use your advice..

 

[ThreeCircles]

We were told that all beaches on Grand Cayman are public property and are free to use!

 

[The4OfUs]

Originally posted by ThreeCircles
We were told that all beaches on Grand Cayman are public property and are free to use!

That's what 'Super E' told us too, BUT...here's the catch. There are very few PUBLIC beach access paths, apparently, so he told us alot of people try to get your money that way..."Our beach is best", etc. He took us to a hotel parking lot where we all got out, but LITERALLY right next to it, you could see the sign that showed the public access path. He had a Hyundai van that we all fit into comfortably, one up front, 6 in the back, and he gave us a running commentary as we went, showing us the new Ritz that they're building, and so on...it was a fun ride, even if he did say at the end that he hated the Patriots and wished they hadn't won the Superbowl! *wink*

There were many of these guys waiting with signs as we got off the tender. It's funny, they were all so polite and friendly that I was taken aback when we hit Cozumel next and walked down the sidewalk...the atmosphere there is far more "high pressure", and I remembered how that part really bothered me last time I was in Mexico (Cancun) and why I swore I wouldn't go back...I'm terrible at ignoring people or saying no! *grin*

 

[wendilyn]

Hi,
I'm wondering when you went to the beach could you snorkel there? Were there any places that you could just walk to and snorkel or jet ski from the beach?
Thanks!

 

[ThreeCircles]

Originally posted by The4OfUs
That's what 'Super E' told us too, BUT...here's the catch. There are very few PUBLIC beach access paths, apparently, so he told us alot of people try to get your money that way..."Our beach is best", etc. He took us to a hotel parking lot where we all got out, but LITERALLY right next to it, you could see the sign that showed the public access path. He had a Hyundai van that we all fit into comfortably, one up front, 6 in the back, and he gave us a running commentary as we went, showing us the new Ritz that they're building, and so on...it was a fun ride, even if he did say at the end that he hated the Patriots and wished they hadn't won the Superbowl! *wink*

There were many of these guys waiting with signs as we got off the tender. It's funny, they were all so polite and friendly that I was taken aback when we hit Cozumel next and walked down the sidewalk...the atmosphere there is far more "high pressure", and I remembered how that part really bothered me last time I was in Mexico (Cancun) and why I swore I wouldn't go back...I'm terrible at ignoring people or saying no! *grin*

Good to know The4ofUs! I guess the old saying "nothing is free in the world" might just be true!

 

[The4OfUs]

Originally posted by wendilyn
Hi,
I'm wondering when you went to the beach could you snorkel there? Were there any places that you could just walk to and snorkel or jet ski from the beach?
Thanks!

You could easily snorkle there if you brought your own stuff. As I mentioned, we were on the beach in front of the Governor's house, and the hotel resort next door had a place you could rent things, such as snorkles and jet skis - we saw another DIsney Magic family doing just that, I think they had kayaks as well.

One thing to note - because we weren't guests at that hotel, we could not find any public restrooms!! I guess if I had been brave enough I could have gone into the lobby, but I wasnt'...and we waited... *grin*

 

[jwann]

We were in Cayman a few weeks ago. Ask your taxi driver to take you to the public beach access at Cemetary Reef. It is only a few miles from the port and you walk beside the cemetary to a great secluded beach. There are 2 port-a-potties and no chairs but the place was completely deserted (us and one other family) and you can snorkle off the beach. Just swim out towards the bouy and to your left. I saw lots of sea urchins and sargent majors. Restaurants are walking distance. Same with some mini strip malls.

 

[DISNEYFAMILYOFFOUR]

We stayed the first week of our honeymoon in Cayman Islands and hit many beaches. By far, the best beach was the one at our hotel. Our hotel was right next to the Holiday Inn.

A couple of weeks ago, there was a thread about the beach at Holiday Inn. According to the thread, there are public bathrooms there, as well as, food and drinks available.

We also snorkelled at Cemetary Reef and were not impressed. However, to be honest, it was the day after we experienced "Captain Marvins" so it was a let down.

I do remember that it is true, there are not many public access ways to get to the seven mile beach.

I think that we are going to go to the Holiday Inn after Captain Marvins on our cruise.

 

[BMURPHY02]

THE HOLIDAY INN CLOSED LAST MONTH AND WILL NOT BE REOPENING DOES ANY ONE KNOW WHAT HOTEL HAS PUBLIC RESTROOMS AND WHERE YOU CAN PURCHASE FOOD AND DRINK
THANK YOU

 

[Donalds_best_pal]

We went to Seven Mile Beach and thought it was really nice. It was not very crowded and very warm,clean water.
Matt

 

[DISNEYFAMILYOFFOUR]

Donalds_best_pal: How did you access the seven mile beach?

BMurphy02: There goes that plan!!! Thank you for information.

Anyone else have input on a way to access the beach where there are services and a bathroom?

 

[plutospup]

If the Holiday Inn is closed, does anyone have a suggestion where else to go on 7 Mile Beach?

 

[DISNEYFAMILYOFFOUR]

Any suggestions anyone?

 

[wendilyn]

Bump!

 

[neverlandclub]

We read on another site that the old Holiday Inn is now the Marriott Courtyard. I believe it is $10 per person for a chair, towel and drink and you get to use the pool. That is where we plan to go. They also have servers so you can get food and drinks on the beach.

Melissa
NeverlandClub

 

[plutospup]

Thanks Melissa! We appreciate the update.

 

[toot2]

bump