Grand Cayman - SCUBA¶
Cayman FAQ¶
From: David Greenstein <enterprise@earthlink.net>, this was posted to rec.scuba, but seems to duplicate his web site. Enterprise Web Site
Over the year+ I have been posting about Cayman and my B&B there, I have had a lot of varied questions put to me which I have answered in private Email. I figured it might be of value to the readers of this newsgroup to post this FAQ list. Hope it helps, or at least is interesting.
CAN I SAFELY DRINK THE WATER? Most first time visitors to Cayman ask or at least think of this. 99% of the water on Cayman is either well or cistern (rain) water or on Seven Mile Beach and the Georgetown area, is desal (desalinized) water. You can drink both directly from the tap without problems.
ARE THERE ANY GOOD SHORE DIVES AROUND GRAND CAYMAN? I post a separate list of shore dives and will tell you.... Absolutely. There are even some shore dives on the West where you can reach the wall. I have seen many dive operators (particulaly Soto and Foster) taking divers to sites where you can go from shore.
IF I’M NOT AT A HOTEL OR CONDO ON SEVEN MILE BEACH, CAN I STILL USE THEIR BEACH AREA? This question was recently put to the Cayman equivalent of the Attorney General and his written opinion said “YES”. The beaches behind all of the condos and hotels on SMB are for use of the general public so you can use them as you like. Of course, courtesy and common sense rule so just because you can use the beach, that doesn’t mean you can use the beach chairs of a private person.
I LOVE CAYMAN.. CAN I LIVE THERE? Anyone with $$$ can buy property on Cayman ranging from vacant land to finished homes/condos. In order to live on Cayman other than as a visitor, you must obtain STR (Short-Term Residence) status. To do this, you must provide a clean Police Clerance from your hometown, a Medical Clearance from an M.D. and a financial statement showing you have sufficient independent income to live without having to work on Cayman. Do the foregoing, and you probably will be given STR which must be renewed every six month. One caveat: A place on Cayman may be easy to buy and hard to*sell. Consider carefully before puting anything* into a foreign country which you can not ship or wire-transfer back home. Do your research, don’t “Act in haste, repent in leasure.”
I WANT TO WORK IN “PARADISE”. To work on Cayma, you must have a Work Permit and with the exception of being a Divemaster, these are not easy to get. In 1992, the “ruling” National Party came to power came to power with one of its tenets being “Cayman for Caymanians”. Currently (August, 1996), with elections coming up in November (1996), chances of an Expatriate getting a Work Permit are not very good and if issued, are subject to cancelation or non-renewal for any reason or no reason.
CAN I GET FREE BOAT DIVES? Yes, but there is a price, which is about 45 minutes of your time. There are 2 time-share operations on Cayman, if you listen to their pitches, one gives you US$50 (Indies Suites) and the other (Moritt’s Tortuga Club) gives you US$40 and a two-tank dive. These are not particularly high pressure pitches (Dept. of Tourism won’t allow that) and while you couldn’t give me a time share, you may find it interesting. You can get the flyers all over the Island, including my place (The Enterprise B&B). We/I would appreciate it if you took one of ours and presented it since we get a few $$$s just for sending you there, buy or not. I will say, IMHO, the Tortuga dive is the best on the Island, bar none.
CAN I DO CAYMAN ON A BUDGET? Depends on your budget. While Cayman is unquestionably expensive (overpriced in some instances), for someone who knows what they are doing, a good dive vacation can be had quite reasonably. There are a few economy places on Grand Cayman where you can stay, and if you check out my Cayman Restaurant Guide, you will see you can eat pretty good for not a lot of $$$. While accommodations on Seven Mile Beach can run as high as US$400 per night (Hyatt Regency) to the lowest priced place on Cayman at US$57.50 per night, including breakfasts (The Enterprise Bed & Breakfast). The trick is to do some advance research and save yourself hundreds of dollars.
IS THE GOVERNMENT ON CAYMAN “LIBERAL” ABOUT “SOFT” DRUGS? Don’t even think about it!!!! The Cayman Government is death on drugs, even ganga (marijuana for those of you in the U.S.). Visitor, Tourist or resident, if you are caught with drugs, you will end up doing time in Northward (Prison).
WHERE IS THE “CLOTHING OPTIONAL” BEACH ON CAYMAN? It’s in Jamaica. In other words, it doesn’t exist on Cayman, in fact, even women sunbathing topless will be cautioned to cover up quickly. It is interesting tho, I have seen several women at the Holiday Inn wearing thong bikinis with no problems.
CAN I OPEN A BUSINESS ON CAYMAN? Yes, ***BUT***, by Cayman law, you MUST have 60% Caymanian participation. This means, 60% of the outstanding stock in the corporation (all businesses are in the form or corporations) must be owned by a Caymanian giving him/her control of the company. Under the law there is a way of doing it without a Caymanian “Partner” but in reality and IMHO, it ain’t gonna happen. There are several horror stories about people who opened a business with a Caymanian “Partner” only to lose everything. Best bet, is to go to Cayman and enjoy the warm water, the diving, the beaches and the Barefoot Man.
CAN I DO A DAY-TRIP TO ONE OF THE “SISTER ISLANDS” ? Yes. As of this writing (August, 1996) Island Air has one flight daily about 0800 to both Little Cayman and Cayman Brac. The return flight at about 5:00pm and round trip is US$105. You can make arrangements in advance and do some diving but make certain of the return altitude so you stay within the limits. You can also simply spend the day exploring and having a picnic.
HOW EXPENSIVE IS ALCOHOL? Very! A mixed drink, at last look at most of the SMB places, was running you about US$6.75. If you like to have a few, best to bring your own and pay the small duty.
WHAT IS THERE FOR MY NON-DIVING SPOUSE/CHILDREN? Most of the things on Cayman are water related. For non-divers, there is snorkeling (Free), Para-sailing, the Atlantis Submarine, jet skis (major dangerous), the Turtle Farm (good for about 1 hour), the National Museum (good for another hour), lying around the pool, and a few other places. There is also shopping but I never saw any particular “deals” there. Cayman isn’t the best place for people who are not into water.
HOW IS THE PHONE SERVICE ON CAYMAN? World Class. You can direct dial most anyplace in the World either through AT&T, MCI or Sprint but it will cost you almost US$1.75 per. minute or fraction thereof. There is also fax service and even Email on Cayman.
HOW ABOUT NIGHT LIFE? Extremely varied & something for just about anyone. RUMHEADS is a disco and that about says it. There is the COCONUT COMEDY CLUB at the Holiday Inn (Admission I think if about US$5). I was there twice and didn’t think much of it, too much vulgarity but that’s my opinion. My favorite is The AREFOOT MAN at the Holiday Inn (Wed. thru Sat nights and no Cover Charge). Barefoot does real middle-of-the-road stuff ranging from Regee to The Beach Boys with a lot of his own selections thrown in. Always an enjoyable time. It’s outdoors, right on the beach with dancing. You can go wrong here. There are several “local” places which you might want to try, they are smaller but still enjoyable and “different”.
WHAT ABOUT CRIME ON CAYMAN? If you ask the Minister or Tourism (or Skin Diver Magazine), it doesn’t exist. If you read the Caymanian Compass you will find there is crime on Cayman but for the most part, it is not violent crime. There is a drug problem which results in a lot of house, condo. and car burglaries so take precautions. Generally tho you can feel safe walking most anywhere on Cayman at night, including the beaches but still, always use common sense.
DO I NEED A CAR ON CAYMAN (and how much will it cost)? Depends. If you are willing to eat, sleep and dive from your hotel/condo. for your entire stay, then the answer is “NO”. On the other hand, if you want to explore and maybe go to the Sunday BBQ at Rum Point or send your friends a postcard from “Hell”, you will want a car. Cars run about US$31 during the Low Season (sub-compact w/air and auto. trans) and about US$12 more for High Season, for the same sub-compact.
IS THERE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION ON CAYMAN? Sure is. Taxis, with the rate set by the Government (I think) and there is a reasonably good bus system which costs around CI$1.25 per ride. The buses run about every half-hour until I think 2300 but check it out. Also (believe it or not), Cayman is the only place I recall where I would give or take a ride to or from someone. Caymanians are by-and-large, friendly people and look to help visitors/tourists (who are the lifeblood of the Island).
WHAT MUST I SEE/DO ON CAYMAN? If you haven’t done it before, don’t miss STINGRAY CITY. I always suggest doing the all-day snorkel trip on the day before you fly out (since you can’t dive then). The cost is less than a 2-tank dive and you have a full-day of fun and probably get lunch to boot (at least with our Operator, Captain Marvin’s Aquatics). Check prices since they can vary as much as US$10 per person.
Now, my question(s) for you. What more would you like to know about Cayman? I lived there for the better part of three years and go there every 2-3 months, so if you want to know something.... just ask. I’ll answer all queries and maybe even put it on this list.
The Enterprise Bed & Breakfast
Lowest Priced Rooms/Dive Packages
818/716-8380
Fax: 818/348-0433
http://home.earthlink.net/~enterprise
"Put Your $$$ in the Water"
Resturant Guide¶
From: David Greenstein <enterprise@earthlink.net>, this was posted to rec.scuba, but seems to duplicate his web site. Enterprise Web Site
CAYMAN {BUDGET} RESTAURANT GUIDE
Sticker Shock is quite prevalent on Grand Cayman, especially in the restaurants and if you don’t know what you are doing, you can easily get raped price-wise.
Having lived on Grand Cayman for the better part of 3 years building my business, and going back several times a year, I continue to compile information, from personal experience and direct input, on various places to eat where you can “dine” decently for a reasonable price on this otherwise overpriced Island. I have also found and heard of some places which I give a “thumbs down” and include those in this list also. I remind you, good and bad, when it comes to food, is very subjective, so please understand, these are my opinions and possibly worth what you are paying for them.
One final note before I give you my list, almost all prices in Cayman restaurants are priced in CI$s and it takes US$1.25 to make CI$1 so the first thing you have to do is take the price on the menu and multiply it by 1.25, this will give you the basic cost of the menu item. Moreover, most restaurants on Grand Cayman add, without your approval, a 15% service charge which they incorrectly designate at a “gratuity” which it isn’t since it is put on your bill without your permission.
CHAMPION HOUSE (Original). This is on Eastern Ave. near the corner of Shedden Road and right next to the Cable and Wireless building. This is the original Champion House in front where you order from a blackboard at the kitchen and where you will see a lot of locals. When I first started going to the Champion House in 1988, almost everything was CI$5 and it still is. For CI$5, you can get baked chicken; curried chicken; curried goat; roast beef; cow foot (it’s not bad) and one or two other main dishes. All of these are served with the ubiquitous rice and beans and some salad along with bread and butter. It isn’t fancy but you won’t go out of there hungry.
GARDEN PLACE: Right across from Champion House, this place started 3 years ago with a smoker in the front yard and is now a very nice semi-outdoor restaurant. The best deal there is the Jerk Chicken which is a Jamaican method of cooking chicken and it’s spicy and I’m not talking “tourist spicy”. Cost is CI$7. Other items on the menu are equally reasonably priced but the jerk chicken is the only one I tired. There was no service charge added when I was there last in June, ‘95.
CAPTAIN MORGAN’S: On Seven Mile Beach Road. IMHO, a place to be avoided. Overpriced and the food wasn’t anything to write home about.
LONE STAR BAR & GRILL: Mentioned in the now infamous Rodale’s Scuba Diving article on “Cayman Cowboys”, the all-you- can-eat fahitas are a good buy at CI$10.99. Also, no service charge added here. Lone Star has a special almost every night and each one is a good deal. This place is not for the people seeking a quiet evening as it’s loud but the value is there.
HOLIDAY INN OUTDOOR BUFFET: Very good food, lots of it BUT also very high priced. Not on the list of acceptable places for the budged minded.
CRACKED CONCH (on SMB Road). Now closed in favor of the new place. Check below.
THE EDGE (Near Bodden Town). I hate to do it, but I must remove The Edge from the “Budget” category since my last visit (April, 1996). The menu has changed. The wonderful jerk chicken is a thing of the past as are the budget prices. The food is still excellent and the patio has been screened in so you don’t have the mosquito problem. Figure to pay about US$20-25 per person for dinner w/o alcohol.
TONY ROMA’S: On Seven Mile Beach road, it’s like the U.S. Good ribs but in the higher range of price but not as bad as some. Portions tended to be slightly small and the selection when we went there was limited by a ”...we are out of that....” response. Service charge of 15% added to you bill.
RUM POINT BBQ (on Sundays). When I first went there in 1988, it was CI$4.50 for the BBQ chicken. Last time it was CI$7.50 which I consider high for what you get. The ride out there is nice and it’s a nice place to spend the afternoon so if you want to factor this into the cost, it may be worth it to you. It’s on the beach, lots of locals and a nice semi-open air bar.
CRACKED CONCH by the Sea: Right next to the Turtle Farm in West Bay, Suzi Soto opened her new restaurant AND for the divers, poured a wonderful platform and put in a ladder so you can now shore dive there without having to worry about the Iron shore. I checked the Menu and noted the lunch which I feel is the best buy (Conch cooked in various styles) was still at CI$7.50 (Thanks Suzi). The ambiance is very nice and it’s worth the ride since you can do the shore dive for free. There is a full-service dive shop on the premises but I always feel a good shore dive for the price of a tank of air is the best diving buy on Cayman.
EATS (on Seven Mile Beach Road toward West Bay): American food at moderate Cayman prices. Burger w/trimmings & fries CI$4.50, no service. I wasn’t particularly impressed with the place or the quality but I have heard others swear by it.
WENDY’S (on Seven Mile Beach Road): Yes, it’s Dave Thomas’s place with a very good CI$0.99 menu. Good value, decent servings, quick and I enjoy the food.
PIZZA HUT on SMB Road next to the only theater on the Island. Good Pizza (it’s hard to hurt a pizza) but not what I would call reasonable priced. CI$12 for a large pizza w/2 toppings. If you need a pizza-fix, it’s your best bet.
KFC at the intersection of Eastern Ave. SMB Road and the main road toward West Bay. It’s KFC, about 40% higher than the U.S. and the highest fat content of any fast-food chicken.
TACO BELL on SMB Road. What can I say? Close your eyes and you’re in the U.S. but with Cayman prices. I liked it but then I was raised a “junk food junkie” for many years.
BIG DADDY’S on SMB road, next to Treasure Island and upstairs. FREE Between about 5:30p. and 7:00p. it’s an unadvertised free Happy Hour Buffet. We’re talking real good stuff such as Ribs, chicken, fahita makings, and when the pizza comes out, forget the line, dive in with both hands. This is where a lot of the Divemasters hang on Fridays.
THE LINKS at Safehaven. FREE This is new and I did it once when I was there last. We’re taking about a place where you expect to see Robin Leach and this is the Lifestyle of the Rich and Famous place. Get a CI$2 beer of $1.50 soda and fill up. It’s outdoors with a beautiful view of the course. Rub elbows with the very rich and almost famous and enjoy the free food. This is on Friday and Saturday nights as I recall from 6- 9pm. but check for sure.
OUR GUESTS & OTHER VISITORS SUGGEST:
DURTY REEDS: (Recommended by Chuck Hopft) At Red Bay Plaza. A fair walk from The Enterprise on the main road heading toward Bodden Town, Chuck says they have the best hamburgers. It’s a nice Sports Bar type of place with a limited menu at reasonable prices. I agree with the hamburger recommendation since when I wanted a good burger, I went there myself.
BILLY’S PLACE (Recommended by Donna Emmell). This is in the far corner of the parking lot of the Kirk Supermarket at the corner of Eastern Ave. and SMB Road. This was originally “Jam Down Jerk”, strictly a take out place on Eastern Ave. where I ate at least 2X per week while I was building The Enterprise. Now when I go to the Island, I go to Billy’s Place at least once a week. Donna enjoyed Billy’s and noted the prices are quite reasonable. Mention was also made of the fine desserts. The Jerk Chicken is a “must try” but note, it is major spicy in true Jamaican style. A Jerk Chicken dinner will set you back about US$10.75 including the 15% service charge.
WHOLESOME BAKERY: At the waterfront at George Town, you can get baked goods, ready-made sandwiches, “meat patties” which are quite good, and sundry other smaller items. There are a few tables inside now and the prices are within reason.
Opinions¶
Fisheye¶
From: “jamest” <jamest@anet-chi.com>
...[regarding]...Fisheye. Dove with them my first time in Cayman and as they say “if it ain’t broke....” Liked the operation so much that I’ll use them exclusively in GC. They’re known for small groups (just four for Stingray City), worldwide dive trips, and specialists in U/W Photography. The quality and safety of dive shops on Grand Cayman are so good compared to many other countries that I suspect you’ll be pleased with almost any shop. ENJOY!!
Cayman Marine Lab¶
From: jswanson@ice.net (Jim Swanson)
Would very highly suggeset “Cayman Marine Lab.” They specialize in small personalized groups. Tom Byrnes PhD in ocean biology is a big plus. He gives a lot of good info about what you have seen. I have also used Parrots Landing and was very happy with their operation. Parrots Landing also has good shore diving. Price is not really an issue in choosing, I found all were around the same for boat dives and equipment rental. Take a look at the following www sites:
Q&A¶
From: don@cayman.org and blueskyx@aol.com
=> We didn’t see any sharks, however
Sharks are very shy in Cayman, though you can find Nurse Sharks sleeping sometimes and if you’re lucky you may a very shy Hammerhead swimming away from you and your group when you’re on the North Wall at GCM.
- => Stingray City is a must. These animals are wonderful and friendly -they
are waiting already for you.
For more info on the Stingray City dive site (no, there is no shopping mall at Stingray City, nor at its twin, Sand Bar), check out the page at: Stingray Divesite and more info on the critters themselves, see: Stingray critters
- => A pretty down to earth place is the Sunset
House, not luxurious but good dive shop and instructors. I would highly recommend it.
More info on Sunset House, along with contact info and an email link that auto-replies with all their current rates, see: Sunset House
- => You might find better night life spots in the Carebbean, but
the diving makes it.
If the locals have any continuing control (and you bet they still do!), Cayman will never be known for its “night life”. No casinos, no fancy “night clubs”, no chic b/s. Thank god!
Christopher Columbus Condos¶
From: “jamest” <jamest@anet-chi.com>
PRO’s: relatively cheap price, good beach, nice owners
CONS: North end of seven mile beach, Not fancy
Suggestion: If you’re just interested in diving it’s a fair deal and close to Fisheye Diving. I’ve stayed there twice and Georgetown villas once.
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