western excursion

[the poohster]

we tried to book the land and sea island tour on grand cayman, but it is booked up. has anyone done anything comparable on their own. is there transportation to hell, and the other parts of the island, if so, how much is it pp and is it possible to do everything on you own. what are your suggestions on stingray city.

 

[Pugdog007]

I would recommend Capt Marvin's for the Stingray City Tour. As far as Hell and the Turtle Farm, I've heard they're both tourist traps, I'd recommend skipping and spending some time in town instead. Especially stay away from the Turtle Farm if you're an animal lover... they sell turtle for consumption there.

 

[floridaminnie]

Especially stay away from the Turtle Farm if you're an animal lover... they sell turtle for consumption there.

Ouch! I guess I won't be taking dd there. I didn't know about that, but I did read in one of the threads that you could adopt one to be released into the wild.

 

[the poohster]

we must like tacky tourist traps, we visit "south of the border", every year when we drive down to fla.

 

[chupame33]

Hi I was just on the 6/29 western and I did captain marvins I booked their 8 am tour and got off the boat in plenty of time .....My daughter and I were at the walt disney theater by about 10 after 7 am and there were already people there...we did not have tix for excursion so that is where you meet for a tender if you do not have an excursion booked through Disney... we were the first group off the boat and on to grand cayman...IT WAS THE BEST excursion do not miss it...After we were done we waited for DH and DS to get done the Disney excursion they were on and then we hired taxi cost about 15 dollars a person and it took us to all the points of interest turttle farm, seven mile beach and Hell...We personally enjoyed it gor some cool Pictures and got to see more of Grand Cayman...by two pm we were back on the boat and swimming in the pool!!! and yes you can free the turttles for a nominal fee...I personally feel that it was really great to see the whole Island and the capt Marvin tour it was ust 8 of us on our boat AWSOME when you look over and see these other boats with like a 100 people on it ...It was so much more personal...well that is just my opinion

 

[Laura24]

Originally posted by chupame33
[ .....and yes you can free the turttles for a nominal fee...I personally feel that it was really great to see the whole Island and the capt Marvin tour it was ust 8 of us on our boat AWSOME when you look over and see these other boats with like a 100 people on it ...It was so much more personal...well that is just my opinion [/B]

What is the *nominal fee* for setting these turtles free? I just don't understand the concept. Obviously those poor turtles were free at one time.Is this the reason they call it a tourist trap? Just curious. Thanks

 

[KeenHo]

We just returned from the June 22 Western Cruise. We went with
Capt'n Marvin's and had a wonderful time. We did the 3 hour
excursion with stops at the Coral Gardens, Barrier Reef and Stingray
City.

While on the excursion, the crew members took bait and lured a
probably 5-6 feet long and green. We also saw a 5-6 foot shark
close-up and personal. It was at the Barrier Reef stop. I was a bit
surprised to see it, but I felt no danger. I have a picture of it.

Concerning Hell and the Turtle Farm..... Friends of ours went to Hell
and said it was a dud, not worth wasting time to go there. I have also
heard that the Turtle Farm is not worth it either. Both are tourist traps.
I would recommend a Capt'n Marvin's excursion, booked directly, and to have the shuttle driver drop you and your family off at 7 mile beach on your way back
to the Capt'n Marvin's office. We did this and it was no problem. We
went to the Holiday Inn beach area, had lunch and enjoyed the beach
for a while. We then took a taxi back to the ship.

I hope this was helpful. Let me know of you need any more ideas or
details.

Howard

 

[LaurapKY]

Hi, I just booked the 7:45 am snorkle stingray tour because the combination island snorkle tours were booked too. I am sailing on July 20th cruise. From past experience I can tell you that the 7:45 tour is great because you will be one of the first boats to arrive and the stingrays will be hungry and the water will be less crowded! Hope this helps...Laura

 

[Gina]

I sure appreciate the info you gave! I'm wondering, how much was the taxi from the beach back to the ship?

Thanks!

-gina-

 

[KeenHo]

The trip from the Holiday Inn beach area to the tenders on Grand Cayman is $4 per person. I think it is $4 per person for most, if not all, of 7 mile beach. Let me know if you have any other questions.

Howard

 

[chupame33]

Originally posted By Laura24

{What is the *nominal fee* for setting these turtles free? I just don't understand the concept. Obviously those poor turtles were free at one time.Is this the reason they call it a tourist trap? Just curious. Thanks}

Hey Laura 24,
I don't know about tourist trap..I have never seen turtle this size before in my life up close and personal and while they might breed them to sell them as food it was still interesting to see...The fee to adopt I believe is 5 dollars...And the turtles that are there have been bred there....I am sure they got the first ones from the wild... These turtles are huge and my DS and DD's faces when they saw these Turtles that were twice their weight and size was enough for me to say it was worth it.....one came up out of the water and blew water out of it's nose as my daughter snapped a picture of it very Funny!!!....They have a little pool where you can hold a baby turttle.... .they also have the Rum cake store right next to it I totally recommend the banana rum cake awesome...You can taste all kinds... About hell well I definitely wanted to go there just to send post cards from hell I had typed up labels and wrote a few jokes like I definitely thought you would be here in hell HA! to some friends and we got some really cool pictures...I also got a great t- Shirt that says "I rather be in hell then at work"...the only thing I wish was that I had more time to spend at 7 mile beach because it was beautiful..that is my only regret . But it depends on the individual I have never been to grand cayman so I definitely was trying to see it all in a short amount of time

 

[Laura24]

Originally posted by chupame33
Originally posted By Laura24

{
Hey Laura 24,
I don't know about tourist trap..I have never seen turtle this size before in my life up close and personal and while they might breed them to sell them as food it was still interesting to see...The fee to adopt I believe is 5 dollars...And the turtles that are there have been bred there....I am sure they got the first ones from the wild...

Oh, I get the *concept* now. I didn't realize they were bred right there. I can only imagine the amazement children must feel seeing them. Thanks for the insight you have shared.

 

[Wavegirl]

I'm a regular to Cayman, although this will be my first time one Disney

The turtle farm used to be quite amazing but it was hit last year and destroyed in a terrible storm so they saved as many as they could and moved them to the old farm across the road and are currently repairing the farm. It used to be quite amazing.

They do sell turtle burgers but keep in mind the idea behind the farm is to keep people from fishing for turtle (a long time staple in local cuisine). Its a great concept. They sell some and release many and therefore replenishes the water and selling the meat funds the farm.

As far as excursions, my favorite stingray city trip is with Red Baron Sailing Charters . THey are by far the best but you need a group of 6-8 people to make it cost effective as you charter an entire sail boat with two crew, Mikey and Neil. Sailing there adds an entirely new element to the trip and you can participate in the sailing if you want. I've never sailed before and they showed me and the kids a few things....great guys.