I am going to Cayman Brac and Grand Cayman in June and I just have a few questions....Cayman Brac:
I plan on renting a car since I am not staying at a resort with a dive shop. Are there car rental places at the airport that I can book ahead of time? I can't find much info about it.
Make rental car arrangements before you leave home; pretty much all the places are independent (no franchises to speak of) and will meet you in the airport parking lot. After you clear the building, just ask anyone. The two ones used most are B&S and DDDD's. We've been using DDDD's for years; their phone# is (345) 948-1599, although they also have an email address. Discount if you pay in cash; figure just over $200 per week.
Is there only one dive shop on the island (Brac Reef)?
Yes, if you're looking for one with diveboats
As
knotical mentioned, visiting a (Bat) cave can be interesting. There's at least five (5) easy-to-access small caves on the island.
Since you'll have a car, its worth a drive up to the top of the bluff and all the way out to the Lighthouse & Bluff on the east end; there's a trail here that winds over to the left, which eventually connects to Spot Bay via Peter's Cave. In June, there might still be a few nesting Boobie birds up along here, around a 20 minute walk from the car park (~60% of the way to the better overlook of Little Cayman Brac - - the sight that's right at the beginning of
this video). However, for seeing Peter's Cave, the laziest way to see it is to take the turn-off on the Lighthouse Road and drive over to the parking lot that's at the top, then walk a mere 20ft down the staircase (rather than 120ft up).
Something else that I like to recommend is the Cayman Brac museum in Stake Bay. Its a quiet hour or two, and The "Hurricane of '32" book is sold here ... pick it up early during your stay, so you can read it and then go drive the island.
FWIW, I'm not sure if this will work (feedback please)...but here's my set of Cayman Brac
landmarks on Google Maps.
We have a kitchen where we are staying. Is it easy to get groceries or should we bring over some things we want from Grand Cayman?
Fairly easy. You'll need to be aware of store hours when you first arrive to get your initial stocks. As a rule of thumb, don't expect latenight hours or Sundays. We frequent "Billy's" and "Marketplace" more often than "Kirkonnel's". This is especially true for beer/wine/etc...these are all closed down all day on Sundays.
Any restaurant recommendations if we decide we want to go out?
I generally recommend everyone to try
Aunt Sha's. Its not fancy, but is simply good genuine local food and quite affordable. Its on the north side a very short distance east of Tibbets's Square, on the north side of the road.
Here's an
"official" list followed by my comments:
Brac Reef, including their bar menu as well as their new higher-end restaurant are both solid & reliable, and are particularly good if you're looking for a good green salad after too many days of fried foods. The latter is competing against the restaurant at the Alexander's Hotel, both in terms of quality and price.
The Captain's Table - used to be the high end place years ago, but has changed management. I'd say that its amenities appear nicer than Aunt Sha's, but I'll go to Sha's for the food.
Marketplace - in the supermarket; mostly pizza-to-go and a hot daily, as well as a few other things - -more a quick midday lunch. Kirkconnell's up in Spot Bay has a similar setup. Both will usually sell out of their hot luncheon plate.
PoPo Jebs - is on the road going into the airport, figure sandwitches & pizza.
Brac Snack Shack - is on the northside road (going west), on the bluffside directly across the street from the old Bucaneer Hotel (see references to shore diving sites); its a lunchtime place with outdoor picnic tables.
Golden Jerk is just 50ft around the corner from Marketplace (northside, on right going east). Its a Jerk Chicken/Pork Stand that runs a few days per week (take-out); in front of Edd's Place (a local bar, not recommended).
Biggies - northside road going east, water-side of road / near the Texaco Gas Station. Kind of a "Sports Bar" theme now (the old manager is now running Captain's Table); fine for a burger.
(Unknown Name) - nothside, heading east, water-side of road: a tiny hole-in-the-wall we keep driving past in a coral pink colored house...they'll have a sign out with the day's specials; haven't tried it yet.
(Unknown Name) - nothside, heading east, water-side of road: there's also a place in a white building that was new last year (also haven't tried it yet). I think this is in Church Tree Bay?
(Unknown Name) - there's a little shopping mall set back off the road behind the above "White Building" place. There's a small place in here that we've not tried yet.
Tropical Delite - northside; much further east, in "Catboat Plaza" on north side of road. Pretty good local food; no ambiance.
La Esperanza - northside, nearly in Spot Bay, waterfront. Used to be good years ago, but the last two times we've been there, they weren't serving food, so we left.
Blue Breeze Cafe(?) - northside, near Spot Bay, blufffside. Located roughly across the street from the Panama Canal ("Handcuff") boat ramp (slightly to the east). Haven't tried it yet.
I should have an update of all of these places before your trip in June.
We just got back from 2 weeks in the Cayman's...stayed at Brac Reef Beach Resort and loved it. The dive op is very nice. Every day we had people diving with us who were not staying on site. The weather was pretty windy and most days we had 4 ft waves. The boats go out in almost all weather conditions so be prepared for some rough rides...
My thrill of the week was spotting a 10 ft Scalloped Hammerhead. My heart still beats fast when I think about it.
Nice! Now was this hammerhead the one seen on Tuesday at 120fsw off of
Inside Out, or the one seen on Friday at
Wilderness Wall?
Gotta Love Facebook If I get lucky, I'll catch the pod of Orcas again this spring.
-hh
