Need Help with Grand Cayman Beaches

[DVCFEB97]

I am really interested in hitting the beach while in Grand Cayman. I would value anyone's opinions on the subject. We are a family of mostly adults (4) and 2 kids (ages 13 & 8). We don't snorkel, or dive and would like a beach with relatively calm waters and lots of white sand. I guess someplace to eat & drink and bathroom/changing facilities would be equally important. The Rum Point excursion sounded nice but the traveling might be a bit much for us landlubbers. I really appreciate anyone taking the time to share their own experiences/opinions.

 

[traycie2201]

Hi from what i read on these boards 7 mile beach is the place to go, i believe you go near the holiday inn and can use their facilities, there are bars and restaurants along the beach. do a search for 7 mile beach on the boards / net and you'll get all the info you need.
p.s you can taxi there from the ship i believe its around $5 pp ?
Have a great trip

 

[lurontravel]

When we drove by in the van from Capt. Marvins last week, the driver mentioned that the seven mile beach is the place to be. He mentioned that a place called "Palm" something or "Royal Palm" was a beautiful part of that beach, but that they were charging admission, which he thought was wrong to charge to get onto a public beach. He said that there were public access areas near by (little sidewalks), and that if you enter there it was the same beautiful free beach. He did say that at the "Royal Palm" place that there were changing facilities and bathrooms, etc, so I suspect that that is why they charge a fee to get into the beach there. If you come in the "free" way, I believe that you can use their facilities anyway (according to our driver) for free. If I planned on using their facilities, I'd probably pay to get in. I believe that there is also food here too.

 

[DISNEYFAMILYOFFOUR]

It was reported in a thread a couple of months ago that the Holiday Inn closed. I am still working on another plan for after we do the three hour Captain Marvin trip.

 

[Wavegirl]

Personally I would consider renting a car and going on your own to Rum Point. It is really nice, shallow waters that go on forever, palm and pine tree fringed beaches with shaded areas and hammocks all around.

There is a restaurant, bar, change rooms with showers and water sports too if you want them.

I personally recommend renting a car because you can do the entire trip for so much less on your own and you are free to stay as long as you want (well relatively) and you have so much more freedom on your own and its cheap!!

Avis Cico Car Rentals are wonderful, they pick you up right at the port and you are on your way. Its about a 45 minute drive to Rum Point and you can stop along the way to see parts of the island. You can't get lost in Grand Cayman, basically one road, and its a nice road I might add. Safe and fun!! I personally would rent a jeep and really take in the sun

 

[DVCFEB97]

You guys gave me a few options I hadn't considered and it was greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

[Cheshire27]

I was on the 4/10 Western and we went to Seven Mile Beach. Everyone we asked said that was the place to go. The Rum Point excursion was booked so we missed out on that. Just go to the taxis after you get there (take a left when you get off the tender - very close by) It was $4 per person for the taxi ride - took about 10-15 minutes. He dropped us off close to a restaurant that had bathrooms and changing facility. We stayed for about 4 hours. When we were ready to go, there were taxis lined up where ours had dropped us off. Very convenient and easy. Have fun!

 

[herrbeeb]

i'd like to add another vote for 7 mile beach. it was beautiful. chairs were available and there were snack bars, water sports, etc. it was not crowded (june) and we had a lovely, relaxing afternoon. it is a short and inexpensive taxi ride from the dock.

 

[Grendel]

We just got back and did the Rum Point Excursion. I know another person posted they like this beach..but I found it to be a huge disappointment. First the time it took to get there was about an hour....which for a day when the last tender leaves at 4:30pm..is way to long. Second I had heard so much about how beautiful this beach was...i expected white sands and plam trees over an expansive beach. In reality its a tourist trap. Your crowded on a very small section of beach right off the pier. There are pine trees all over this beach..which yes means pine needles in the sand..not fun to walk on in bear feet...the hammocks are bunched among these trees. And there are way to few lounge chairs...and if you dont have one there is really no place to setup a towel and lie on the beach. The food was nothing special...though it was nice to get a beer. The only redeeming quality was that my DD7 and i snorkeled along the pier area and saw tons of colorful fish. All and all not what i expected for my trip to paradise...find a beach closer to the port...then at least if you dont like it you can get back to port easier and not waste your whole day.

 

[DVCFEB97]

Thanks again for the great advice. I am pretty sure we're going to skip Rum Point this trip. The think it was the traveling time that tipped the scales. I think sticking close to port a good idea. Just in case the public beach is a disappointment, we can always shop or head back to the boat. Thanks everyone!

 

[JNorris]

Hi,

I don't think you will find the public beach a disappointment. It is a beautiful expanse of white sand and calm water, and there are bathrooms and showers close by, and also a playground area for kids. However, I don't remember it being close to food, so you may have to get that on the way. It is at the north end of Seven Mile Beach.

Judy

 

[ajtux]

We will be using the dvc World Passport to stay a the Reef Resort on East End, Grand Cayman Jan 15- 22,2005. Anyone been there that can give suggestions, they'd be greatly appreiciated.

 

[JNorris]

Hi,

We've stayed twice at Morritt's Tortuga Club, which is right next door, and we once toured the Reef. The resort is very nice, beautiful rooms. The beach on the east end is not quite as nice as Seven Mile Beach, but its fine. The part right in front of the Reef is not as nice as right in front of Morritt's, but it is close enough to walk, if you want to.

Any more questions, I'll be happy to answer as best as I can. Just send me a PM.

Judy

 

[grace12499]

The Holiday Inn is now the Marriott Courtyard, NOT the Mariott. There is no admission charge to the beach at the courtyard. But the chairs/umbrellas are for rent.

 

[loveBond]

Do they charge at the regular part of Seven-mile beach?
I know they mentioned charging for the 'Palms' or 'Royal Palms' area, but do they charge for the beach usage?

We are going in June and would love to go to the beach.

Did anyone book the beach excursion thru Disney or do just on their own?

V-

 

[Grendel]

I did it through Disney...I wouldn't do it again. We met in the Promenade lounge at 8:20 am. By the time we tendered and got to the buses to go it was almost 9:30am. It took 10 minutes or so for the Bus ride to the ferry and then almost 50 minutes on a ferry to Rum Point Beach. So now its 10:30 and the ferry comes back at 2pm to pick you up...you cant leave unless your willing to pay a taxi around $100 us to take you to port... way to much time spent in travelling...