Grand Cayman

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Could It Be Laughter?

SNUBA and not Scuba
Does the Atlantis Submarine sound nice?
Take a Glass-Bottom boat to Stingray City
Cardinal D's Park is for the kids
Pedro St. James
Pure family entertainment - Bowling on Grand Cayman
Take a cruise back in time with The Jolly Roger
Local Traditions
 

SNUBA and not Scuba This cross between scuba diving and snorkeling is a wonderful experience for kids and adults alike. Because you are tied to an inflatable raft that holds your oxygen tank you can enjoy the same experiences as scuba diving. Any person can do this because no certification is required. For the best experience, don't forget to bring some food along to feed the fish. Anything from squid to breakfast cereal will do. Kirk Sea Tours (345) 949-7278 Grand Cayman, B.W.I

Snuba® was created for those who enjoy the simplicity of snorkeling and would like to experience the wonders of breathing underwater. Snuba is an unique, patented shallow water diving system, bridging the gap between snorkeling and scuba diving. Snuba® is safe and easy and does not require certification. Even if you have never snorkeled or can't swim, Snuba diving is available for you. Snuba is easily accessible to couples, families, children eight years and older, and seniors. Our Snuba Doo program allows children as young as 4 years of age to participate. It is a great way for a certified diver to introduce non-certified partners to the underwater breathing experience. Snuba divers breathe underwater by means of a 20 foot air line which is connected to a standard scuba tank. The tank is mounted on a raft on the surface that follows your every movement. The airline allows you to tour underwater near the bottom, at mid-water or on the surface depending on your level of comfort. There is no heavy diving gear. Every Snuba tour is guided by a diving professional. Your guide will familiarize you with the Snuba equipment you will be using and briefly describe what you can expect in the water. You will start in shallow water and take whatever time necessary to get comfortable breathing underwater. Once comfortable, you are then taken on a guided underwater tour. During the dive you are never more than 20 feet from the security of the raft floating on the surface.   Snuba enjoyed by generations of family members You will get the feeling that you are swimming in an aquarium surrounded by tropical fish. The reefs we Snuba dive in have beautiful and abundant marine life. Dive into the underwater world and learn more about the wonderful world of Marine Life We invite you to join us in one of the world's fastest growing resort activities.

Snuba Guide Providing the Pre-Dive Orientation Q. What experience is required to try SNUBA®? A. No scuba certification, no previous diving experience or even snorkeling experience is required. You need only basic swimming skills and a desire to explore underwater. Q. How long is the SNUBA Adventure? A. The entire SNUBA Adventure is conducted in about an hour. SNUBA was developed for those who would like to safely experience breathing and exploring underwater without the investment of precious vacation time. The entire SNUBA program includes the following:   Pre-dive Presentation / Orientation Approximately 15 minutes Equipment Outfitting Approximately 10 minutes Skills Demonstration / Practice Approximately 10 minutes Underwater Exploring Approximately 25 minutes   Q. How safe is SNUBA diving? A. Since 1988, SNUBA operations worldwide have conducted over 3.5 million, injury free SNUBA Adventures. SNUBA diving has proven itself to be the safest form of diving offered anywhere in the world. Q. How do you breathe and is it difficult? A. You breathe through a mouthpiece called a regulator. As you begin to inhale a comfortable flow of air is provided from a compressed air cylinder located in the raft. The most difficult thing to remember is that you will be breathing through your mouth and not your nose. Q. What equipment do I wear? A. You will be wearing a pair of fins, a mask, a weight belt (to neutralize your buoyancy in the water) and a SNUBA harness which connects your air line to the raft on the surface. Q. How deep can I dive? A. The depth is limited by the length of the air lines which allow you to dive to a maximum depth of 20 feet. Q. What if I am uncomfortable going down? A. Our primary pursuit is to see that you have a safe and enjoyable experience. SNUBA diving is encouraged at your own level of comfort. Whether you are comfortable at the surface holding on to the raft or diving down to 20 feet, you will never be asked to do anything you do not want to do. Q. Will I be diving with a guide? A. Always. Every SNUBA Adventure is conducted by a professionally trained SNUBA Guide. Your SNUBA Guide will be with you during the entire adventure and share with you the knowledge they have gained about marine life and the reef ecosystem. Most importantly, your SNUBA Guide will be there to provide a safe underwater experience. Snuba diving is safe family fun, and it's easy to learn. No prior snorkeling or diving experience is required. After a 15-20 minute orientation, your Snuba Guide will accompany you on an underwater tour of a beautiful marine environment chosen for maximum entertainment and safety. Snuba Guides are trained professionals whose primary goal is to ensure that you safely enjoy a fantastic underwater adventure at your level of comfort.

Snuba Doo allows kids from 4 through 7 years of age to join their older siblings, parents or family members on a shared Snuba experience. Kids wear a specially designed floatation vest, which provides buoyancy to support the participant on the surface. A standard regulator with smaller, kid's sized, mouthpiece provides a supply of air connected the air cylinder located on the Snuba raft. The Snuba Doo airline is 10 feet in length, which is the furthest distance the Snuba Doo kid's can be from the Snuba raft. Safer than snorkeling, Snuba Doo kids can cruise along above their family and friends while power snorkeling from the surface. If they get tired they can lay on the Snuba raft. They never have to worry about sucking in salt water through a Snorkel and most importantly, a Snuba Guide will be with the group the entire time. Snuba Doo is a fantastic innovation to promote family entertainment.

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Does the Atlantis Submarine sound nice?

Why not, it should! Which kid doesn't want to get up close and personal to hundreds of rainbow colored tropical fish without having to step foot in water. If lucky, one may get to see a reef shark, a hawksbill turtle, a moray eel or a pair of spotted eagle rays. Who knows what one may see swimming next to them! What better way for a kid to really enjoy the Cayman Islands than this underwater experience of a lifetime.

Atlantis Adventures Grand Cayman’s Island Highlights & Stingray City Observatory Tour provides adventure travelers the opportunity to enjoy the best of everything when visiting the majestic Caribbean island. This land and sea tour features the premier highlights of Grand Cayman: Stingray City, the Cayman Turtle Farm and Hell! Experience the most popular land sights in Cayman and visit Stingray City. This is Cayman's only excursion that allows you to view the world-famous stingrays in their own habitat WITHOUT GETTING WET.

Seaworld Explorer Semi-Submarine
	Explore spectacular coral reefs and shipwrecks on the Seaworld Explorer, a state-of-the-art semi-submarine. You will visit a dramatic shipwreck, the Cali as well as famous Cheeseburger Reef where a diver will feed the many varieties of fish right in front of your window!  TOUR DESCRIPTION: Seaworld Explorer is a state-of-the-art semi-submarine developed in Australia for use on the Great Barrier Reef. The vessel does not submerge. You descend into the hull of this cruising underwater observatory and sit in air-conditioned comfort five feet below the surface of the water. As you explore you will view an abundance of marine life through large, clear windows. Seaworld Explorer departs from the dock right by the cruise ship dock in downtown George Town. The first site you visit is a dramatic shipwreck, the Cali, a steel schooner built in 1900. This ship ran aground 100 yards off the coast of Grand Cayman in 1944. From here, your captain takes you to Cheeseburger Reef. Be sure to have your cameras ready when our diver enters the water and begins to feed the hundreds of multi-colored tropical fish right in front of your window. A knowledgeable marine expert will provide answers to your questions and informational narration on the amazing underwater world around you. Hear more tales of the high seas as the Seaworld Explorer takes you to see the wreck of the Balboa. The Balboa is a 375 foot freighter traveling from Cayman to Cuba when she encountered one of the worst hurricanes in the island’s history on November 10, 1932. The ship was literally broken into pieces as she was bounced along the ocean floor by huge waves. Much of her cargo of wood was used to reconstruct the buildings you see in George Town today. The Seaworld Explorer then brings you back to the dock in the heart of George Town.

	A FUN and EXCITING new way to explore Grand Cayman coral reefs!
For more information or any questions you may have, call us at (345) 916-DIVE

Red Sail Sports has a complete water facility at Rum Point Beach

which is about 150 feet from "Barefoot Lagoon" Island House.

We have activities for kids of all ages, so bring your entire family to play with us!

With the Fun pak, you can take a Wave runner for a ride, go water-skiing, kayaking, or just relax on a Sun searcher. It's your choice when your family enjoys our value waterspouts package. Fun for the whole family, the Cayman Snorkel pak includes snorkel lesson, snorkel gear rental and a Wave runner snorkel safari. Take your family on a Glass Bottom Boat Snorkel Trip from Rum Point Beach to Stingray Sandbar where you can stand in shallow water and play among the Southern Stingrays. Throw your kids a Beach party at Rum Point Beach! Activities and beach toys are provided for some fun in the sun! NEW! Cayman Snorkel pak Includes snorkel lesson and marine awareness lecture, snorkel guide & fish ID card, 3-day snorkel gear rental, Wave runner snorkel safari with two snorkel stops, Stingray encounter, Red Sail Sports t-shirt, and other special discounts. Fun pak A value package for waterspouts. Choose one: Wave runner for two or Water-skiing for two or parasailing Choose one: Double Kayak or paddle Boat or Sailboat Choose one: Mask & Fins or Sun searcher Diving Activities For Kids Red Sail Sports offers two pre-scuba diving programs for kids: SASY and Bubble maker. Both programs provide your children with the opportunity to become comfortable in the water at an early age, while teaching them to respect the ocean and its valuable marine life.
	BUBBLE MAKER For kids 8-11, this pool dive program is designed to safely introduce young adventurers to the thrill of breathing underwater. Youngsters can now get their first taste of scuba in a safe, controlled environment. The dive takes place in the shallow end of a pool with a maximum depth of 2 meters/6 feet. PADI instructors are there to teach proper scuba techniques to the new divers and activities are integrated into the course in order to enliven the program. Bubble maker gives kids the opportunity to experience water in a new way, making it the perfect beginning for a lifetime of diving. This program encourages youngsters to continue the fun of diving in the future. Get your kids started off on the right fin!

SASY Supplied Air Snorkeling for Youth, or SASY is the latest innovation in scuba equipment for young children. Kids ages 6 and up can now use a scuba unit which combines a regulator and a buoyancy compensator so they can breathe from a continuous air supply while floating safely on the surface. Where normal snorkels can leak and frustrate young children, the SASY unit lets them breathe continually while keeping their faces in the water. This allows them to watch and interact with divers below. SASY uses either a 13- or 19-cubic foot tank, which fits into a special holder. Two small straps on either side keep the tank from rolling. The unit's regulator hose runs from the tank under the arm and is attached, so the mouthpiece stays in front of the child. The mouthpiece attachment is also designed to prevent kids from removing the vest and breathing below the surface. The vest, which incorporates 3/4-inch foam, provides 7 to 8 pounds of buoyancy. It has two adjustments: one is at the shoulders, and the other is a crotch strap. The strap keeps the unit in place and allows the child full use of the internal buoyancy. The buoyancy is situated so that the child can be upright in the water when he or she is not kicking. SASY not only allows youngsters to enjoy scuba diving, but also introduces them to the marine environment. So with SASY, kids can now join their diving parents on an ocean scuba adventure! (Activities for Ages 5 & up) SASY in the Pool Includes a short equipment briefing and skills assessment. Then a tour off the beach if conditions allow; otherwise, the children will use SASY in the pool. Total time: Approximately 30-40 minutes.   SASY on a Dive Boat This is a repeat SASY because the pool experience is a prerequisite to the open water experience. Includes a briefing and supervision on the afternoon dive boat either on the West Side or Stingray City. Must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

Nobody does it better than Native Way!  We offer visitors an authentic Caymanian adventure, with experienced native crews, well-equipped and maintained boats, excellent service, and genuine island hospitality.  Unlike many tour boat companies, we never try to crowd people onto our boats -- we want you to be able to relax, and really enjoy the adventure!  The many letters we receive from former guests of Native Way Watersports tours say it best. 

Free parks in Grand Cayman (They are all free)

The District           West Bay                Georgetown        Seven Mile Beach

Click on map to enlarge

Cayman has more than beautiful beaches and underwater wonders.  Visit our many parks after a full day building sandcastles with the kids; you know the break will be a blessing.  The Cayman Islands parks are a treat for kids and adults alike, the newly opened Scholar's park in West Bay is a prime example of what a Tropical playground should look like.

Lush landscape with a mini nature trail, fun activity centers, exotic butterflies and modern facilities let you take the family out of the warm sun and into tropical flora.  How about a park on a beautiful sandy beach, a true "dream come true" if vacationing from "Up North" during the winter months.

Slides, swings, monkey bars and more, all while sun tanning away with your kids playing right beside you.  Click on the maps on the left for park locations around the Island, you'll be glad you did after a long hard day at the beach.

Under the Waves

The world's finest educational underwater video series that kids love. These kids videos are great as an educational aid and fun for the whole family. They make great gifts for all those children and grandchildren in your life!

At Cardinal D's park, just off Eastern Avenue (George Town), you'll find a bird sanctuary with over sixty species of exotic birds, iguanas, agoutis, ducks, emus, miniature ponies and turtles. There's also a snack bar and souvenir shop. Founded by two Caymanians in 1985, the park is ideal for kids, who can feed the animals, and nature lovers. Open seven days a week, the park can be reached at (345) 949-8855

The newly constructed Stingray Bowling Centre offers a fun-filled atmosphere with pure enjoyment for kids as well as adults alike. Children are sure to enjoy themselves with Cayman's newest sport. This 10-lane centre boasts user-friendly Qubica Automatic Scoring, a computerized scoring system that takes the guesswork out of score keeping. Kids are sure to enjoy glow bowling to the latest dance music, bowling birthday parties and learn-to-bowl sessions. Call 345-945-4444. Hours: 11:30am - closing (seven days a week)

Jolly Roger Cruises Grand Cayman Island
This experience is sure to bring the kid out of everyone. Be a part of the action and take a ride aboard this authentic replica of a 17th century Spanish galleon fully equipped with cannons that fire, walking the plank, and sword fighting. Remember to bring your swim gear. Call (345) 949-8534.

 

Opened on Grand Cayman in 2003 and is an impressive and calming area to view hundreds of varieties of our vibrantly colored friends. Butterfly Farm

The new Sunrise Family Golf Centre off Hirst Road in Newlands. This new, moderately priced and family oriented golf centre is in Bodden Town. Green fees at US$21 (junior, US$10). It's a nine hole par 3 course, with all grass tees maintained to championship course standards. The centre includes a full-length driving range, practice chipping and putting green, golf shop, clubhouse, and open-air patio. Rental clubs, pull carts and instruction by certified PGA Professional are also available.

Hours: 7:30am - 6:00pm (seven days a week)
Tel: (345) 947-GOLF
Fax: (345) 946-0508
E-mail: ambc@candw.ky
Website: (under construction)

There are other halls, but Attic Billiard Lounge is the only one we have any information on.

They're on West Bay Road, at (345) 949-7665

There are at least four independent fitness centers on Grand Cayman, including World Gym Fitness Centre, at (345) 949-5132; Fitness Connection & Aquatic Centre, at (345) 949-8485; New Image Health Club, at (345) 949-7016; and One to One Personal Fitness, at (345) 949-9440. And, there's now Kings Sport Complex that's opened in a location more conveniently accessible from Bodden Town -- just past the Grand Harbor (Hurley's) shopping centre. They can be reached at (345) 946-5464.

The Mastic Trail, part of the Mastic Reserve, is two miles long, takes about 2½ to 3 hours, and is ideal for hiking in Cayman's wild interior. The woodland, evolved undisturbed for the last 2 million years, offers a rich abundance of birds, rare trees and animals, with guided walks available daily. Call Geddes Hislop of Silver Thatch Excursions at (345) 945-6588, or e-mail him at silvert@hotmail.com for more information about a guided tour. Geddes has a degree in Wildlife Biology, and really knows his stuff. For joggers, Beach Bay Road, near Turtle Nest Inn, is a route followed regularly by those wanting a good surface with little traffic. And, of course, there's the beach almost all around Grand Cayman, with public access guaranteed everywhere.

The Cayman Islands Tennis Club, a member of the International Tennis Federation (ITF), offers one of their courts in South Sound to visitors at a rate of CI$20.00 (US$25), per hour.
Tel: (345) 949-9464
Fax: (345) 949-8684
E-mail: citennis@candw.ky
Website: www.caymanislandstennisclub.com

Beautiful, professionally trained horses available for morning and sunset horseback riding, at 9:00am or 4:30pm, on trails or on the beach. Nicki's Beach Rides offers one and a half-hour rides at US$65, per person -- less 10% discount for Inn guests, and Nicki herself guides all rides. Six riders maximum, novice or experienced, minimum age seven years old, and basic instruction is given. Phone Nicki beforehand and meet her in the Holiday Inn lobby along West Bay Road, although pick-up and drop-off elsewhere can be arranged. Visa and MasterCard accepted.
Tel: (345) 916-3530 or (345) 945-5839
Fax: none
E-mail: nikiride@candw.ky

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Baby-sitting, child care, care of the elderly, and equipment rental, for hotel and condo guests, in the comfort of your tourist facility by a trained staff of mothers with previous experience in the field. Call (345) 949-1509, or fax to (345) 949-0213.