recs for November trip

[adublu]

Testudo, thank you in advance for your blog!

my wife and I are likely going to GC in mid november.

We are not beginner snorkelists, but we are surely not experts.   We are not in tip top physical shape, being people who work behind desks (WAY TOO MUCH).

we will go and arrive on a sunday and leave on a thursday.

can you give some general advice and recommendations?

We would probably like one day to foray out from land and one day on a boat guided tour and one day to just slum about.

Any recommendations as to where to stay, what to eat, and where and how to snorkel would be greatly appreciated.

We have snorkeling equipment, but I tend to think renting would be best, to keep our luggage light.

Thanks for any tips you might be able to give!

[Testudo]

So much depends on your budget and what your expectations are. Most first time visitors opt to stay on the Seven Mile Beach (SMB) corridor due to the abundant amount of on the beach lodging options, dinning, shopping and developed infrastructure. Self-catering Condos usually offer a better deal than the resort hotels. Snorkeling along SMB is nothing great, but can be fine for a beginner. The path reef off the Governor's House near the Westin and the reefs off the Cemetery Beach section of the SMB are the better spots in this area.

If snorkeling is your aim, than a condo or villa on on the North Side (Rum Point/Cayman Kai/Old Man Bay) or East End will place you near the best from shore spots.

Definitely take an excursion to Sting Ray City and I'd suggest the East End Snorkel trip with Ocean Frontiers for a boat snorkel.

[doug]

Hi Testudo.

We'll be in GC on December 5, 2019. I'm having trouble finding a tour operator that is running a snorkel trip to the Kittiwake on that day. I would go with OA, but they only run there on Tuesdays. Any ideas?

Thanks.

[Testudo]

Are you visiting on a cruise? If so, there are various ship tours that visit the Kittiwake.

If not, RedSail has a snorkeling trip that leaves on Tuesdays & Thursdays, so that could work:

www.redsailcayman.com/snorkeling-excursions

Another option is to join a dive boat as a snorkel rider, looks to cost ~$50.

www.caymanturtledivers.com/dive-kittiwake-shipwreck

[doug]

thanks. yes, we're on a cruise, but our boat is not offering a kittiwake excursion. redsail's site they are not going that day for whatever reason.