Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Pageant Beach Reef: Located on the southern end of Seven Mile Beach,
this spur and groove site can be accessed from shore by snorkelers and
divers.
Submarine Excursions
SEAmagine ,
877-252-6262 or 345-916-DIVE, www.seamagine.com, e-
mail marketing@seamagine.com. This is one of the most unusual tours in
the Cayman Islands, sort of a private submarine that you can even get the
chance to maneuver. Each trip takes two passengers in a glass bubble of a
cabin while the pilot is on the outside of the cabin in scuba gear. You'll be in
communication with the pilot at all times as he points out fish on the 40-
foot-deep reef. The tour takes about an hour to complete; you'll need to
make reservations to arrange for pickup along Seven Mile Beach.
On the Water
Watersports
Non-divers can enjoy the undersea world aboard a glass-bottom
boat. The MV Reef Roamer , a 34-foot, 26-passenger vessel, trav-
els along Seven Mile Beach. It offers a look at both natural and
man-made attractions below the water's surface, from colorful tropical
fish and coral to shipwrecks usually viewed by scuba divers. The one-hour
tour costs US $25; for reservations,
345-947-4786. For more active fun
on the water's surface, rent a WaveRunner from one of the operators along
the beach. Prices average about US $40 for a half-hour.
Sailing
Many watersports operators run sailing trips out to Stingray City (see
pages 141-142). One of the largest is Red Sail Sports Grand Cayman
(
800-255-6425, www.redsail.com), located at the Hyatt Regency, Westin
Casuarina, and Marriott. Along with a full menu of water toys, from
Hobies to water skis to banana boats, Red Sail Sports also operates the
Spirit of Ppalu. This 65-foot catamaran was originally built as a racer; it
now cuts a sleek path through the waters of the North Sound, sailing to
Stingray City and also offering sunset cruises and dinner sails. The cata-
maran has a glass bottom for a sneak peak at what lies below. They also
have four dive boats. We journeyed aboard the Spirit of Ppalu and enjoyed
a quiet sail through the channels that lead out into the North Sound. In
spite of choppy conditions that day, we had a smooth sail and would recom-
mend the catamarans for anyone who is prone to seasickness; the twin
hulls make for a smoother ride. Rates on the Spirit of Ppalu are US $60.50
for a sail to Stingray City, including lunch.
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