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Cayman Islands Cruising

Discussion in 'Marinas & Waypoints' started by Ken Bracewell, Sep 20, 2010.

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  1. Ken Bracewell

    Ken Bracewell Senior Member

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    We are looking at spending a couple of weeks in the Cayman Islands this winter and I'm looking for some cruising/dockage advice. It seems to me that there aren't very many options for dockage and I'm not sure about settled anchorages. Perhaps this is even a destination for only day-trips?
    We are a 145' Motoryacht with 7.5' draft.
    Thanks in advance for any advice and suggestions!

    Ken
  2. lwrandall

    lwrandall senior member

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    Ken,

    I worked for the Cayman Islands Govt for six years a few years back. The Caymans really aren't set up as a yacht stop. Since it is sort of in the middle of no where few pleasure craft stop by. You've got Jamaica and Cuba as its closets neighbors.

    Very few marinas and all of the waters surrounding the islands are protected marine parks so anchoring is extremely against the law. However, there are tons of mooring buoys in which you can tie off. If you and your guests want out of this world diving or banking:) , very few places can match the Caymans. Your draft shouldn't be a major concern because most of the mooring buoys are in about 20-30 ft. As long as you cruise outside of the buoys you should be ok.

    The only good beaches on Grand Cayman are Seven Mile beach and Cayman Kai(the North Side). Cayman Brac has no real beaches to speak ok but Little Cayman is rather deserted and has good beaches.
  3. Ken Bracewell

    Ken Bracewell Senior Member

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    The Cayman Port Authority website says that you can anchor so long as your anchor and chain will not damage coral
    http://www.caymanport.com/UserFiles/File/2010/PortAuthoritysafety.pdf
    Is this superceded by newer regulations, or is it very difficult to find sandy bottom, where you won't damage coral?
  4. lwrandall

    lwrandall senior member

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    That is the current reg. Most boats just use the mooring buoys. Sandy bottoms are not hard to find. You just have to make sure your chain doesn't touch any coral. Just keep an eye out for the mooring buoys. Where you see a buoy is were a reefs is. Also if you do go diving, nothing can be removed from the bottom. Which means no bringing up coral for keep sakes. The great thing about the water is the clarity. You will be able to see the bottom clearly. One most days the visibility is 100'. A great resource for finding good sandy bottoms will be the dive boat captains. They know the bottom conditions and the good spots better than any body. If you want to use a mooring ball you may want to contact the port authority to see if the moorings can handle your vessel. I have seen a few 60-70' boats tie off but nothing your size. The moorings are bolted into the coral so it should hold fast as long as no storms come through. The Caymans are a great place to visit. Good shopping, great conch fritters and great water sports and Seven Mile Beach is one of my favorite beaches.
  5. Minnow

    Minnow New Member

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    If you have not already researched "The Barcadere", a new marina complex in the North Sound, it may be an option if it is completed. I remember a conversation with the proprietor regarding larger yacht acommodations and ample depth in some phase of the construction.
  6. Ken Bracewell

    Ken Bracewell Senior Member

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    I spoke with the manager there and he convinced me that I should visit on a smaller boat another time.
    We've moved on to other options. Thanks to everyone for their responses.