Good adventure options for my non-diving spouse.

[tkaelin]

Someone mentioned Rum Point. While we enjoy Rum Point, it is a LONG way from where you are staying if you are planning on driving all the way around (as opposed to maybe a boat across the sound). We did it last trip from West Bay and after that I said it would be the last time I did that for just an afternoon at Rum Point. Way too much time driving.

The bus info from Diversteve looked potentially promising. I have done the buses on Bermuda and they are great. I have not done them on GCM so I can't really compare. Some of the GCM buses look like old minivans. Maybe someone who uses them on GCM can chime in.

 

[KathyV]

If you stay at Cobalt Coast and you plan to do some off-campus activities you will really need to rent a car.

CC is far from just about everything. It is in West Bay on the west side of the island, north of Seven Mile Beach. It is actually up near Hell (literally, the town/postal code named Hell) but there is no reason to go to Hell unless you want the postmark so that you can "send someone a postcard from Hell!"

Cayman does have a good bus system but it primarily serves the George Town and 7MB areas. It does service more remote areas but less frequently and I believe that the number of buses to outlying regions decreases at night. If you don't want to rent a car the entire week, you can take cabs, but I think the car rental will work out cheaper and more convenient overall.

I believe CC will transfer you to the airport, so you could wait until you are settled a couple of days before renting a car.

Car rental is usually pretty reasonable on GC, but make the reservation in advance since you plan to travel during the high season. Find out what insurance you have on foreign rentals and what your credit card covers - they usually cover collision and theft but not liability, so don't be railroaded into buying more insurance than you need. You will have to show your drivers license and pay $20 for temporary Cayman drivers permit, but they will take care of that at the rental agency.

Traffic on GC can be bad around GT and 7MB mostly during rush hours, but you will mostly be driving in the afternoon and nights so it should be fine. The roads aren't always marked well and the roundabouts can be confusing, and there are narrow-one way streets in George Town. You will get the hang of it pretty quickly, especially if you avoid the heavy traffic periods, but it can be confusing at times.

You should download interactive Google Maps for the island BEFORE you arrive so that you won't need to use data while you are there. We actually prefer to bring a Garmin GPS and car charger with us. Cayman is included in their usual North American maps and we like the way that the GPS talks us through the roundabouts and helps us to select the correct exit.

Rum Point is on the North Side and it is about as far away as you can get from CC without a boat! It will be a good hour to an hour-and a-half drive depending on the time of day. As you head East, after you get passed Bodden Town there is very little traffic. The Czech Inn in Bodden Town is a roadside place with great food. It doesn't look like much but the owner is the former head chef for some of GC's more prestigious restaurants. And their hamburgers are great!
Home - Czech Inn Grill

On your last day before departure, when you won't be doing much diving, you may wish to take a drive to the East End and North Side including Kaibo and Rum Point, stop at Tukka for Happy Hour and watch the frigate bird feeding:
Feed the Frigate Birds! – Tukka

You might also want to stop at Beach Bubbles in Bodden Town and Pure Art east of George Town to buy some souvenirs:
Beach Bubbles Natural Cayman Soaps

Original Paintings, Household Items & Local Art in Cayman Islands

If you prefer to head over to the North Side without driving the entire way, there are options. Red Sail offers a variety of cruise options from 7MB over to Rum Point, including a dinner cruise on Tues and Sat, see:
https://www.redsailcayman.com/evening-sail-west#category/676

If you want to sail over to RP more cheaply ($20 round trip) take the ferry from the Camana Bay Shopping Center not far from 7MB:
Set Sail to the Eastern Side of Grand Cayman | Camana Bay

Cracked Conch (indoor and outdoor patio, more upscale) and Macabuca (outdoor at the edge of the water, more casual) are located on the same piece of property and they are not far from CC and the food is great. It is also a popular shore dive site with a dive op onsite, but you will have shore dive options at CC (weather permitting), see below:
Home

Live web cam at Cracked Conch and Macabuca:
Live Web Cam

If your non-diving spouse wants to do some excursions on her own, I am sure that the folks at CC can help her make arrangements and she could take a cab. There are a number of spas on GC and she might like a spa day while you are out diving. If she would like a beach day on 7MB, she should go to the Royal Palms - but check the number of cruise ships that will be in port that day, because Royal Palms can get packed with cruisers from around 10 am and 3 pm:
Royal Palms | RPBC cruising

 

[Damselfish]

There is also Crystal Caves (a newish attraction that I think opened in the past few years), the Queen Elizabeth Botanic Garden, and the Mastic Trail. I've done none of these, as none have sounded like a more appealing way to spend a non-diving day than just relaxing. (And the appeal may depend on the time of year, as far as heat/humidity/what's in bloom/cruise ship excursions going on.) But maybe one would be interesting if looking for land things to do.

Camana Bay (another place I've yet to get to) is a retail/dining/entertainment complex. Not an adventure activity, but it seems there is public art there worth checking out, including a observation tower with a huge sea themed mosaic inside. And a movie theater. Might be a good place to hang if there's a rainy day.

I've never quite understood the big deal about Rum Point. The part you visit on a day trip, I think of as a tourist trap. There's a beach, food, scenic water views, gift shop, and sometimes lots of people. If you're already staying someplace on island with most of those things around, I don't think it's worth any big effort to get there. Nice quiet area to _stay_ away from the congestion of SMB, if you're not going to Cayman to dive a lot and don't care about being close to anything.

 

[EastEndDiver]

As to Crystal Caves if you go opt for the earliest tour it is cooler and much less humidity and you will beat the cruise ship crowds also wear comfortable shoes lots of walking on rough terrain.It is a nice tour and you will see the bats up close.

Camana bay has lots of resturants and shops one of my favorites there is "Brooklyn" pretty good Italian food ( I am from NY and Italian) so coming from me that's a plus The observation tower gives impressive views from a great vantage point.The time you are going they may still have the Christmas decorations up which is worth seeing and the fountain at night with the light show is nice.

Botanical Gardens are a nice peaceful setting with some very good photo ops if you are into that.

 

[mi000ke]

For vegan/vegetarian food, VIVO is great - more on the "gourmet" spectrum, and they also serve lion fish - which I guess has been reclassified as a vegetable. It is located at Dive Tech (Lighthouse Point - a great shore dive, by the way - and very close to Cobalt Coast) and the seating is outside and a great view at sunset. And for more casual veggie, try Island Naturals in the strip mall next to (just north of) the Strand Mall.

For jerk chicken, try Chicken! Chicken! in another mall mid -7 mile beach. Other good casual places are Cimboco and Eats (already mentioned) and Laura's. And of course Macabuca Grill (which is home to another great snorkeling/shore diving location - ladder to the reef is next to the bar) and again outside seating with a nice sunset view. We also often get drinks or an evening meal at Rackhams in town, or My Bar/Sunset House, just south of town.

If you want the real deal, then stop in at Heritage Kitchen which is in West bay, so not too far from CC. It's essentially a take out stand with picnic tables, but pretty fresh fish done in the local style. And if you get to the far east side, try Vivene's Kitchen. You order from Vivine's back door, and eat at picnic tables in the yard overlooking the beach. I ignore the menu and just get whatever fish is on for that day.

For a nice short walk about, visit the Queen Elizabeth Botanical Garden.

A couple of great places to snorkel: Macabuca, and Smith Bacadere (Smith Cove). Parking lot is across the street from the water.

If you want to hang with the locals for a beer, try Calico Jack's - a beach bar that is actually on the beach. Just don't order the food there.

Pappagalo is a great restaurant somewhat close to CC.

All the mainline more upscale restaurants are great - we've never had a bad meal anywhere.

If you have cooking facilities, then you might want to cruise by the day boat fish market in town (next to Casanova restaurant - look for the tents and tables). Fish does not get much fresher. They will chop steaks or for a few dollars more filet the fish if you ask.

If I were me (and occasionally I am) I would pass on Rum Point, not much going on there except more bars and restaurants. That said, Kaibo is a great restaurant there, and we often go up for a drink at their beach bar when we're in a mood to travel an hour or so. (Would be more like an hour and half from CC). Also pass on the Turtle Center (actually turtle farm, which they rebranded to seem more environmentally resposible - you can buy their farmed turtle meat at a small shop just up the street).

For tons more info just do a search on KathyV

 

[tkaelin]

As to cruise ships and their crowds, look at Cruisett.com to see the schedule the week you are there. We avoid cruise ship crowds like the plague. Up at CC you will be free of any such crowds. You may want to plan your days into the more popular tourist places around the crowd. For example,7MB at Governors Beach and Calicos can be fun and relaxing in an afternoon for a bite to eat, drink, swim and stroll on the beach when a ship is not in. With the cruise ship crowds it can seem more like a college spring break scene and completely different experience.

 

[tkaelin]

f you want to hang with the locals for a beer, try Calico Jack's - a beach bar that is actually on the beach. Just don't order the food there.

Why? It is a typical beach bar with bar food with the exception of their pan fried grouper which is very good and reasonably priced. I order it every time we are there.

 

[mi000ke]

Why? It is a typical beach bar with bar food with the exception of their pan fried grouper which is very good and reasonably priced. I order it every time we are there.

I live down the beach from there and have gone many times (We do like the place) but have never had anything more than an average meal, and usually sub par. Even the small plates we sometimes get to go with a drink are pretty marginal. Glad you had a better experience, but given the many restaurant alternatives, I'd eat elsewhere. Another hint: next time you are there, see how many of the locals are actually eating

 

[tkaelin]

You know it better than I so I defer to you on the quality of the rest of the menu. I agree its not a dining destination but I nice place to grab a drink, free beach chair, swim or walk. TK

 

[RIHappyDiver]

Thanks, everyone, for all the great tips and links! My wife was thrilled when I showed her all of the input with so many options. I think she’s just happy that she doesn’t have to sit around listening to all of us talk about diving, LOL. But, in all sincerity, I’m looking forward to exploring the island as well. Doesn’t always happen when your on a group dive trip.

@tkaelin, we always ride the bus when we’re in Bermuda. It’s like riding a ride at the amusement park!

Thanks again,
Erik