Click Here For Details
|
| RECREATION FOR ADULTS |
RECREATION FOR ADULTS
RECREATION FOR ADULTSLiving in Cayman or just visiting. You will find Cayman full of recreation and sporting activities. Shopping is just not enough fun, just like dinning out. You need to some thing extra in Cayman. Sight seeing, sports, beaches etc. Let’s have a quick look at some of the prominent places that will help you to Cayman Islands.
Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park: Run by Ministry of Tourism. Spread on 6.5 acres. Made of woodland walking trails, 8 colour gardens an undisturbed lake for wildlife, a heritage garden, floral garden, a visitors’ centre and a plant nursery. At the park you will see butterflies, birds, snakes, turtles, iguanas and a huge array of native plants and trees. You can see butterflies, birds, snakes, turtles, iguanas and a huge array of native plants and trees. A perfect place to relax and enjoy the beauty of nature.
Turtle Farm: Home of over 16,000 sea turtles, being bred, a program to conserve the endangered species. A visit to this farm will definitely remind you of the days, as the history of Cayman Islands tells us, when Christopher Columbus first discovered the Islands in 1503 he named them “Las Tortugas” meaning “The Turtles”. According to legend there were so many turtles that the islands looked like they were covered with rocks.
BEACHES: Cayman is place full of wonderful beaches. Seven mile beach runs the length of the western side of the island, north of George Town. This length of beach include: Governors Beach, located adjacent to the Governor’s House (next door to the Westin), Public Beach just south of the Courtyard Marriott, painted cabanas for shade. Cemetery Beach which is another popular area. The snorkelling about 5 minutes off-shore is some of the best on Seven Mile Beach.
Many of the districts now have public beaches – West Bay, Spott’s, Bodden Town, East End and North Side. Just beyond the Grand Old House, you will find Smith’s Cove, a small public beach with lots of shade, picnic benches and good snorkelling. It is a lovely place to watch the sunset.
HELICOPTER RIDES: Get the aerial view of the Islands. Experience the beauty of Caribbean.
Pedro St. James Castle: Structure as old as 1780, built by an early settler William Eden. Later purchased and renovated by the Government, spread over 7.5 acres. It has the most beautiful location in the Cayman. The site offers the combination of an authentic, three story early 19th century great house, out-buildings, palm-lined walkways, manicured great lawn, spectacular views of the sea, a state of the art multimedia theatre and a visitors centre.
Besides these you can get involved in lots of sporting activities on the Islands. Yes these are attractive and one get involved in these and finds that time is running out.
Running, cycling and swimming events. It is, if nothing else, a great way to stay in shape and good for the community. Events are organized by association that help people to have fun and raise fund for charities.
Other sports activities include:
GOLF : There are two golf courses in Cayman. Britannia Golf Club at the Hyatt and The Links at Safe haven
BADMINTON, SQUASH, RUGBY, SWIMMING HORSE RIDING KARATE KAYAKING YOGA
WATERSPORTS ACTIVITIES AND EXCURSIONS: Diving, Boat Trips, Boat Rides.
These are just a few activities that you will find in Cayman. So be prepared to find mush more when you are in Cayman. Visiting or living in Cayman can be equally exciting.
There are numerous first-rate operators on the Island. Since there are almost too many to list individually, we suggest you refer to the Yellow Pages for listings. The cost is approx. US$85 for a 2-tank dive. Locals with proof of residency usually receive up to a 50% discount. Cayman has one of the largest BSAC clubs in the world called 'Cayman Islands Divers'. They do boat trips every weekend for both one and two tank dives. It will cost you CI$10, subject to availability. Only members of BSAC Cayman and other BSAC clubs may join.
Trips depart daily, either half-day (10am – 1pm or 2pm to 5pm) or full-day (9.30am to 4pm). The cost is about US$30 for a half-day and US$50 for a full-day. Stops include Stingray City, the Sand Bar, Coral Gardens, Barrier Reef and Rum Point for lunch. These are run by local operators and are probably the best value day on the Island. Call Charter Boat Headquarters to book a trip 945 4340.
Experience offshore racing in a safe environment with Thriller Cayman. This 55ft offshore racing boat is purpose built to accommodate up to 40 passengers. The trip lasts one hour and costs US$50 for adults and US$40 for children ages 3-16 years old. Local residents get a discount. Tel: 324 0520 or www.thrillercayman.ky
Recreation for Adultsare completely safe. There are actually two sites: Stingray City where divers swim in 20 ft water with stingrays and the Sandbar where people can walk in waist-deep water. Contact local dive operators for more information on trips.
Turtle Farm
The Turtle Farm on Grand Cayman is one of the greatest success stories of an endangered species being raised in captivity. Since 1980 the farm has released 29,000 turtles back into the sea to help replenish the wild population. The farm is home to over 16,000 sea turtles, ranging in size from six ounces to six hundred pounds each.
The Turtle Farm is a modern-day reminder of Cayman’s history: when Christopher Columbus first discovered the Islands in 1503 he named them “Las Tortugas” meaning “The Turtles”. According to legend there were so many turtles that the islands looked like they were covered with rocks.
The farm is open daily from 8.30am to 5pm. The self-guided tour takes approximately 20-30 minutes. The cost is US$6 for adults and US$3 for children aged 6 – 12. Children under 6 go free. For more information see section on ‘Activities for Kids’ or visit www.turtle.ky
BEACHES
There are numerous wonderful beaches on Grand Cayman. There is the famous Seven Mile beach which runs the length of the western side of the island, north of George Town. Popular spots along this length of beach include: Governors Beach, located adjacent to the Governor’s House (next door to the Westin), Public Beach just south of the Courtyard Marriott, which has colourful painted cabanas for shade, public toilets and a children’s play area, and a little further north, Cemetery Beach which is another popular area. The snorkelling about 5 minutes off-shore is some of the best on Seven Mile Beach.
Many of the districts now have public beaches – West Bay, Spott’s, Bodden Town, East End and North Side. A particular favourite of the editor’s is Spott’s beach – it can be quite deserted and though the walk is relatively short it is beautiful.
On the other side of George Town, just beyond the Grand Old House, is Smith’s Cove. This is a small public beach with lots of shade, picnic benches and good snorkelling. It is a lovely place to watch the sunset.
HELICOPTER RIDES
A great way to explore the island, get a feel for its size, and to orient yourself is to take a helicopter ride with Jerome Begot. He owns and runs Cayman Islands Helicopters Tel: 943 4354.
SPORTS ACTIVITIES AND HOBBIES
You might have noticed that everyone seems to run in Cayman. This might seem a little strange since it is hot and humid. You will soon find though that a lot of your newfound friends participate in all sorts of, as many of the events are organized to raise money for local charities. So, if you are tempted to participate in one of these events call Jerry Harper at the Phoenix Athletic Club Tel: 945-3970 (contact him for most sporting events on the island) or look on the web under www.caymantri.com.ky which is the website for the Triathlon Association (they will happily email you their calendar of events).
Also check the new website – www.caymancommunity.com - it lists the dates and times of every single sporting (and social) event happening in Cayman.
Don't worry if you are not super fit. People of all abilities join in, the purpose is to meet and have fun and perhaps win a prize or two. There are over 33 sporting associations and many one-off sporting events year round.
Annual Races:
The HHH Cross the Island Relay:
First Sunday in February each year - running event by teams
The Cancer Society Half Marathon:
First weekend in February each year - running or walking event, either the full event or 5km
DHL Duathlon:
First Sunday in April – run-bike-run as a team or individually
Compass Fun Runs:
February - 2-mile series of fun runs
Butterfield St. Patrick’s Day Run:
March - 5 km run or walk
Flowers 1 mile Sea Swim:
June
Butterfield Triathlon:
November - full triathlon – do it as a team or individually
Cadet Marathon:
December - marathon, half-marathon or as a team
Turkey Trot:
November - run/walk 5 km
AT&T Wireless Cayman Islands Marathon:
1st Sunday in December
www.caymanislandsmarathon.com
Jingle Bells Run:
December - run/walk 5 km
Dashing Through the Sand:
December - run 1.5 km in the sand
TRIATHLONS
If you find that the challenge of an individual run, cycle or swim isn’t enough, you can always try your hand at Duathlons or Triathlons. The Cayman Islands Triathlon Society (CITS) organises well attended events throughout the year, including “build ups” to certain main events to prevent you from having to dive straight in at the deep end as it were. You can get more information on the organisation and their upcoming events at www.caymantri.com.ky or you can email them and ask to be put on their mailing list: info@caymantri.com.ky
RUNNING
Grand Cayman offers opportunities for people of all abilities from County or State standard runners to happy Sunday afternoon joggers.
Regular competitive running events are held, from 1-mile road races to a marathon. There is usually something on each month, and you have the added benefit of a chance to win a “spot prize” just for competing. These can range from airline tickets to a fridge magnet - well worth entering!
If you want to join a running club, the Hash House Harriers meet on Monday evenings, usually somewhere in South Sound. Contact Stephen Porter on 326 3252 for more details.
CYCLING
Cyclists meet at the Grand Harbour shopping centre in Red Bay on Sunday mornings at 6.30am. The average pace is between 18-25 miles per hour. The group is made up of a mixture of cyclists and triathletes. They cycle between 20 and 40 miles.
DANCE
Miss Jackie’s School of Dance Tel: 949 7296 also offer adult classes in a number of styles. These include classical ballet; social ballroom dancing; belly dancing; country line dancing; jazz; jive/rock & roll; Latin American & Cuban salsa.
Salsarica A newly established salsa dance company providing professional dance classes, ranging from individual to group dancing. Email Roger on salsacayman@yahoo.co.uk
GYMNASTICS
Motions Unlimited Tel: 949 8365 is a serious gymnastics operation. They have 9,500 square feet of air conditioned gym space with men’s and women’s Olympic apparatus, an Australian string bed trampoline and 40 ft ‘tumble trak’. Adult classes are held as follows:
Stretch and Conditioning, including Adult Tumbling: Monday and Wednesday 6 – 7pm
GYMS
Gym facilities are widely available and are spread around George Town. The most popular places are Fitness Connection, World Gym, and Powerhouse Gym at King’s Sports Centre. Annual memberships start at about CI$250.
All gyms provide the usual weight training areas and fitness machines. You will also find good fitness classes being held throughout the day, starting at 6:30am.
Fitness Connection – 949 8485 - located in the heart of South Sound is a family fitness and aquatic facility. They offer many programs from water aerobics, to personal training sessions, step and dance classes, Pilates and yoga.
TENNIS
Due to Cayman’s great weather year round, tennis is a particularly popular sport. Most of the condominium complexes have their own floodlit courts for use by residents and guests.
The Cayman Islands Tennis Club located next to the Rugby Club on South Sound Road, offers weekly fixtures. You can contact them on 949 9464 or 925-0352. Also see the information in the ‘Social Life’ section.
For anyone wanting to brush up on their tennis, or learn it from scratch you can get private lessons with the ex-Wimbledon coach Warren Urquhart. He usually gives lessons on your own tennis court but if you don’t have one he can arrange an alternative. Call him on Tel: 926 2776 or email him on caymantennis@yahoo.com.
FOOTBALL
The Island offers both men’s and women’s football. There are 10 men’s teams and 6 women’s teams playing in leagues throughout the year. The teams are friendly and welcome new players, although there have been new rulings brought in by the Cayman Islands Football Association (CIFA) as to the number of non-Caymanian players allowed per team in the men’s league, which may prove slightly restricting. For more information contact CIFA on 949 5775. Also see the section in “Social Life”.
GAELIC FOOTBALL: “The GAA”
Due to a relatively strong Irish contingent, the GAA has emerged as a popular sport in Cayman, with several teams getting together and forming a league.
Players of all nationalities are welcome, and even players without an Irish passport can make it into the team!
The league runs from January to May. Training runs from September. For more details, contact Roger Casey on 914 5762, or visit the GAA website on www.caymangaa.com.ky
Fishing Trips
Numerous companies offer fishing trips. You can try Captain Asley’s Tel: 949 3054 or Just Fish’n Tel: 916 0113. Both can take you out deep sea fishing for marlin, wahoo or tuna. They also do light tackle reef and bone fishing. The cost for a privately chartered fishing vessel can run from US$300 (small boat/half day) to US$1500 per day.
New laws regarding fishing from the shore have been passed. It is now illegal for non-Caymanians to fish from the shore without a licence. Licences can be obtained from the Department of the Environment, Marco Giglioli Building, North Sound Road Tel: 949 8469.
Sailing
There is quite a large sailing community in Cayman. If you are a keen sailor, joining The Cayman Islands Sailing Club is a good option. They have individual or family memberships (CI$195 to $275 per year), and offer a full schedule of sailing events, social functions and a very good youth programme.
Evening Catamaran Sailing
Red Sail Sports offer evening sails on their 65-foot catamarans. The sunset sail leaves at 6pm (from the Westin) and costs CI$15 for locals. You do need to call ahead and make a booking as these trips are very popular and dates vary according to season. The sail takes you out for a very relaxing 2 hour ride onto the North Sound (in winter) or along Seven-mile Beach (in summer), and includes light appetisers. Drinks are available from the bar. Call for information on the dinner cruises which are scheduled during peak season.
Submarine Rides
Cayman Submariners Ltd give an exclusive ride for two people, and the pilot narrates what you are seeing along the ride. The rate is US$200 per person (2 passenger minimum). If you are a resident, there is a US$25 discount per person. Call 916 3483 for more information and reservations.
Three options are offered by ‘Atlantis Adventures’, a fully submergible craft holding up to 48 passengers, the tour lasts about 1hour 15 minutes and takes you to depths of 100 ft (30m). ‘Seaworld Explorer’ is the second option; this ship never descends below the surface so visibility is no more than 25 feet below surface. The most unusual and expensive is the Atlantis Deep Explorer that carries 2 passengers to depths of 800 feet. For information and reservations contact 949 7700 or www.atlantisadventures.net
‘Nautilus’ is a 60-passenger semi-submarine with a glass hull that cruises 5 feet below the seas surface. Tel: 945 1355 for more information.
BOATING
BUYING A BOAT
If you don’t have a friend who has a boat, or you just would like to buy your own, here are a few tips.
Once you have decided on the type, size and price range, it is time to decide whether you would like to purchase new or used. The same factors that apply to car shopping are applicable here.
You get more boat for your money with a used boat, but you sacrifice on the warranty. There are several brokers specialising in used boat sales, as well as the “for sale by owner” market. Check the local papers and the classifieds for brokers and used vessels.
New vessels may not be trouble-free but if you purchase from a local dealer, you have the benefit of a warranty service on-Island. There are several new boat dealers in Cayman selling a wide range of quality vessels. Pricing tends to be competitive and sales staff are quite knowledgeable.
A good broker will help you determine what you need in a boat and scour the market with you as your ally, steering you away from potential problems and poor value. The following companies sell and maintain boats:
Avalon Marine
Tel: 945 5103
Mobile service. Brokerage and new boat sales, both local and international.
Brown’s Marine Services
Tel: 949 4174
New boat sales and service – Tiara, Persuit, Zodiac Inflatables, Yamaha Outboards & Waverunners including Jetboats and Jet Skis, Mako, Angler, Key Largo, Contender, Ocean yachts, Post, and Stamas. They also carry a wide variety of fishing tackle.
Harbour House Marina
Tel: 947 1307
New and used boat sales and service – Boston Whaler, Sea Ray, and Honda Marine.
Kirk Marine
Tel: 946 3575
New boat sales and service – Wellcraft, Triumph, Sea Doo PWC’s and Sport Boats, Johnson and Evinrude Direct Injection Outboards.
ProYacht
Tel: 945 4676
www.proyacht.ky
Full management yacht company. Offer rebuild capability, charters, shore support and have a 4 acre dry storage facility. Largest broker of new and used power and sail boats on the island. Sole dealer for Cabo Yachts, Cummins Engines, Onan generators.
Scott’s Marine
Tel: 949 4186
scottsmarine@candw.ky
Authorized sales and service for: Bayliner, Maxum, Trophy, Sea Pro, Panga, Starcraft, Quicksilver Infalatables,. Mercury and Mariner Outboard Motors, Mercury, Cummins and Yanmar Inboard Motors. Full line of marine parts, accessories and safety equipment.
Docking facilities
Cayman is a great place for boating and there are numerous canals where boats can be docked for about CI$5-8 per foot, per month on private “for rent by owner” dock-space. Keep an eye on the classifieds for these spaces.
Buying a boat with a partner
As a means of reducing costs, many buyers look to find partners in boat ownership. Partnerships can be productive and fun.
Resale
A general rule for resale: condition is crucial. Taking the time to regularly clean and maintain your boat will protect your investment.
FISHING
If you are an expat you will need to get a fishing licence from the Dept of Environment located in the Marco Giglioli Building on North Sound Road Tel: 949 8469 if you want to line fish from shore. At the time of going to press the fees have not been decided on so it is best to check with them directly. You do not need a licence to go deep sea fishing.
CAYMAN’S MARINE LAWS
Anyone using Cayman waters is obliged to familiarise themselves with these laws. Copies can be purchased from the Port Authority or the Legislative Assembly building. The purpose of these laws is to preserve Cayman’s marine environment for generations to come. Breaches of the Law are treated as serious offences and anyone committing an offence against the Marine Conservation Law and its Regulations is liable to a maximum penalty of a fine of CI$500,000 or a year’s imprisonment, or both. You have been warned!
|
|
|
