Kaibo a bit too secluded??

Posted: Thu Apr 24, 2008 8:44 pm Post subject: Kaibo a bit too secluded??

We are planning a week on GC in early June, meeting up with our son and a friend who are travelling about on a 34' sailboat.

I'm trying to figure out the best location for us. Maybe someone can help steer me in the right direction.

I am drawn to the Kaibo/Cayman Kai area, because we quite like the idea of a fullydetached home with a private pool, and there seem to be quite a few options up there. We don't mind quiet, but we do like some decent dining out. We will have a car. But we don't really want to have to spend too much time driving about.

A friend of ours who lived on GC said that that area is really quite secluded, and driving to where there would be a better selection of restaurants could take over an hour. She also said not to be afraid of Seven Mile Beach being too touristy. I guess I got a little nervous reading about the cruise ship crowd kind of taking over when they are in.

We are planning to complete our dive certification there as well - so I guess we would like to be not too far from some place that has dive instructors that can take us out for our open dives. I haven't really looked too far into the dive situation yet - thinking that there are lots of places and once we pick our location, then we could set up the dives. Does this make sense, or should we try to situate ourselves near to a particular dive area?

OK that is enought with the questions - i am sure that no matter what we are going to love the island. And I am SOO pleased to have found this website. HUge thanks to Joe Stebbins, Cantpain Jack Scubachar and all the others who give so genrously of their time in keeping this site up. It is a true treasure,

Thanks, Barb

Posted: Thu Apr 24, 2008 9:44 pm Post subject:

Wow! Thank you for those nice words!

I think that the area up around Kaibo would be really great for someone who just wants to sit back and relax.....maybe do some snorkeling.....doesn't need to drive around much. But......from what you tell us about what you're looking for, it might not be the best location for you. It's really not too close to any of the dive operations that you might choose to do your Open Water dives with, and it's definitely not very close to restaurants and such.

I agree with your friend in telling you not to worry about 7 Mile Beach being too touristy.....there are lots of properties that are very quiet and secluded, and the cruise ship passengers really have no impact on anything other than shopping in Georgetown, etc. Check out the different properties that we have recommended on our

page. In fact, I wonder if the Shangri-La Bed and Breakfast might be just perfect for you! It would be very quiet and secluded.....a private home (although you'd be sharing it with others) and a pool. It's not within walking distance to much, but it's a short drive from all sorts of restaurants and other activities.

Just a thought!

Good luck in your decision!

Char

Posted: Thu Apr 24, 2008 10:25 pm Post subject:

Thanks Char, very helpful information. I had actually already contacted the Shangri-la - it looks lovely - only negative is that it doesn't look like its on the beach. I must seem hard to please - I just want it all!!

I am definitley going to explore the Seven Mile beach options some more.

One other consideration is the boys will need a place to either anchor or moor the boat. With so much coral surrounding the island, I'm thinking that anchoring might not be a good option - are there any marinas that have short term moorage?

Posted: Fri Apr 25, 2008 8:51 am Post subject:

Your questions about mooring a private boat are something that I know practically nothing about, but I would think that in order to visit the island by boat, that your son and his friend have to go through some procedures ahead of time with the Maritime Authority or whatever. They should be able to tell them where they are allowed to keep their boat.

As you mention, there is a lot of coral around the island, and in fact, much of it is a protected Marine park, which prohibits throwing anchors, for the most part.

Most of the dive operators have slips on the North Sound at a marina called the Cayman Island Yacht Club. I think that they might be able to provide temporaray mooring, but I'm not sure.

Again, this is WAY out of my comfort zone in terms of giving advice. Maybe Joe will know what to tell you.

Good luck with your decisions.......

Char

Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2008 7:18 pm Post subject:

Thanks again Char - I did find out a bit from the Port Authority. Basically - there aren't a lot of places to anchor or tie up in the GC area. The mooring buoys off Georgetown require that you stay on board in case the boat needs to be moved to allow a big ship by. So that wasn't going to work for us. These boys have been living on the boat for about 6 months - so we were wanting to get them off for a bit and let them sleep in a real bed.

As it turns out - George Davisdon at Shangri - la was extremely helpful. There are a couple of options up in Morgans bay where they can tie up. I am now just crossing fingers that the trip still happens - as work (not mine ) seems to be threatening to complicate things. Having to wait another week to confirm bookings, but as of now we are planning to stay in the apartment at Shangri - la, with an extra room if daughter joins us. It does look like a nice combo of quiet, but convenient.

Again thanks for all your help

Barb

Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2008 8:44 pm Post subject:

Oh.....that would work, wouldn't it? Morgan's Harbor is very, very close to the Shangri-La, so that would be very convenient!

Granted the Shangri-La isn't on the beach, but since you have a car, you can get there in just a few minutes.

Good option! (If you do book with them, be sure to mention the Activity Guide or book it through our Hotel Search option.....I think you'll get some sort of special perk for being a member here!)

Good luck with everything!

Char

Native Joined: 18 Feb 2005 Posts: 1181 Location: Illinois

If you're still considering Cayman Kai, there is a small yacht club there--you might want to check that out. I've seen boats parked there overnight.

We have found that we like that side of the island--more like a quiet island. The Lighthouse restaurant is wonderful and not too far.

Check with Cayman Villas where you can get a CAG discount.

Shelly :-)

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