Grand Cayman: Native Way’s Rays, Reefs, and Rum Point Tour Review
I simply had to do this tour, not only because it got great reviews on both cruise critic and trip advisor, but because it has an alliterative name. And I adore alliteration.
At Stingray City, with stingray.
First, I must state that Native Way’s Rays, Reefs, and Rum Point tour seems the exact opposite of something I’d do. It basically took us to three very typically touristy locations—Stingray City, the main draw for all cruise ship passengers, a coral reef snorkel, and a beach called Rum Point.
Before booking this cruise, I could not picture myself somewhere called Stingray City (it just sounds touristy, doesn’t it?), was not in a huge hurry to snorkel again (though I loved it in Bermuda), and definitely did not imagine that spending any time on a beach would be a good use of my time. However, after taking this trip, I have to admit—this was the most relaxing and enjoyable day I’ve had in a long, long time. To further enhance such an experience in the waters, one may have to utilize equipment like standup paddle boards.
The most relaxing part about the trip was that most of it took place on a small boat. I love small boats (as long as they have a head, which this one did. A very small, scary one, but it was there and we were allowed to use it). We were only on a bus for five minutes at the beginning of the tour and at the end of the tour—driving to and from the yacht club where the boat was docked. There were maybe thirty people on the little boat, which made it a little less enjoyable (mainly because 20 of them were a giant group of Asian tourists traveling together and not having any concept of personal space) but even that did not mar the beautifulness of this day. Plus, as an added bonus, I happened to sit down next to one of the nicest people I’ve ever met—a woman named Kelly and her sister Cynthia, who magically knew me from Cruise Critic.
Our first stop was Stingray City, and it was not as crowded as I’d expected. However, the water was much more rough than I expected—and apparently much more rough than it ever is. But walking around on a sand bar in the middle of the open water with stingrays swimming around me—yeah, that was super cool. We were there for a while—maybe 45 minutes, but I’m not sure—and I stayed in the water the whole time. I allowed the tour guide to hold the stingray up for me to kiss it—though all I really wanted was a photo with it. Kelly was kind enough to snap a few photos for me using the underwater camera my friend Jacque was kind enough to lend me. In most of them, I don’t look too happy to be touching a stingray. It felt…strange.
Snorkel self portrait
They then passed out squid for people to feed the stingrays. I declined. I’m not sure why I was freaked out about this. Maybe because I get that they are wild animals—and killed that crazy crocodile dude—so should be treated with respect and a reasonable amount of fear. Either way, instead of hand-feeding them, I walked around trying to take photos of them and wishing I had a snorkel or at least goggles to facilitate better underwater photography. Do you know what’s hard? Taking photos of stingrays. Just saying. But I had fun trying.
After our stingray experience, we moved maybe a hundred yards away for our snorkel. The area was full of coral reefs, and our guide explained to us that they picked this area because the water was so deep that there was no fear of hurting yourself on the coral—which was something I had difficulty with in Bermuda. We stayed here for maybe thirty minutes, which doesn’t sound like long, but really, that’s a lot of swimming with fins on. Plus the waves were still rather crazy, so several times I had issues where I inhaled water because my snorkel was submerged by a wave. I ended up getting out after maybe 20 minutes to cough up salt water. But the coral was lovely and teeming with fish.
We were then treated to the best part of the trip. The boat took us directly to Rum Point, a scenic little beach with an even more scenic little pier at which we docked. This beach wins the award for most quaint and beautiful I’ve ever visited. And there’s no reasonable way to get there from the cruise pier other than by boat, because it is very far away via traditional roads.
Rum Point
I would have been happy if this was our only stop, despite how much I enjoyed the stingrays and the snorkeling. That’s right, I said it—I had a nice time. At a beach. Doing pretty much nothing other than snapping photos. I like beautiful beaches. I’m not sure if that means that I’m growing as a person or regressing, but whatever. It was beautiful.
As soon as we arrived at Rum Point, we were treated to lunch on picnic tables right on the beach (which was included in the very reasonable price of the tour)—I had the jerk pork, which was served with bean and rice, coleslaw, corn on the cob, and the best damn view ever. We then had about an hour to swim, snorkel, play quick games like those on https://www.shevacon.org/, relax in the hammocks or on the beach chairs or—if you’re me—walk around and take photos. Because that’s kind of what I do. But I did also wade into the beautiful crystal clear water for a bit. It was a great ending to a great day.
But wait—the day isn’t over yet. We still have to get back to the ship—which we did in the little boat once again. As we bounced over the waves towards the other side of the island, I realized something—you can fill a full port day with ‘things to do in Grand Cayman’—but those things don’t have to be hectic or stressful. They can be fun, relaxing, touristy even. And that can still be one hell of a great day.
While I did pay full price for this tour (which can be booked through the Native Way website) and was not required to write a review, I feel like I should recommend it to others. So hey others—take this tour! You won’t regret it.
Oh—and I should mention this, as it was why I booked a tour on Grand Cayman in the first place. The very best part of this tour is not something we did, or a place that we went, or even one specific tour guide. The best part was this: there were over sixteen thousand people in port that day, and I did not notice it at all. That’s really all I need to say.
I booked this excursion for April, and was wondering if/how much you tipped? Silly question I know, but I fret over the little things.
I hope to get great photos like yours!
Good question–because tipping is not something I thought about and so was quite unprepared. I saw everyone tipping the crew when we got off the boat and all I had was a few ones and a twenty. I felt like $20 was a bit much for a $60 tour, so I handed over my ones–maybe $4? Which also wasn’t enough!
The thing about tours like this is that you are often tipping multiple people, so I think it would be good to go with many singles (or, even better, many five dollar bills) so that you are prepared to tip the tour guide AND the bus driver (and the waiter and the bartender…etc.)
Thanks, I will bring ones and fives. I hate tipping because it is so awkward. I’d rather pay more in the beginning. I never want to seem cheap, but dont have extra money to spend.
Where do your adventures lead you next?
I’m with you on that–the awkward tipping thing that is.
Actually I don’t know where my next trip will be. I almost bought a ticket to San Juan yesterday but hesitated. I only have a few months left to travel before it gets hot, crowded, and expensive…and then I go back to work in the fall. 🙁
I admire you for having the gusto to take a year off and travel, it is something you’ll always looks back on fondly. I dream of doing what you did – every day at my crummy job I think “Please let me get laid off today so I can collect unemployment and travel”… I’m awful, I know!
But I am burnt out, I haven’t had a week off in 4 &1/2 years and my job is a dead-end ( no benefits or vacation pay etc).
Anyway, in your opinion, would my boyfriend and I be crazy to get off a 6 nite cruise and immediately head to Disney for the remaining few days of our vacation? ( This would mean I’d fly home late Monday nite and get up for work 5 hours later ). Will I be too exhausted from the cruise? Or should I suck it up and see a few parks while I’m already in Florida? We’d rent a car from Ft Lauderdale saturday morning then fly out of Orlando Monday nite ( late!) .
Who better to ask than you? Thanks for your time…..
🙂
First let me apologize for how long this response is going to be. 😉
I’m sorry that you feel burned out. I could definitely imagine that after four and a half years–hell, I’d be that way after four and a half months! Say what you will about teaching, but at least we have breaks in the year to look forward to.
Honestly, I hope I more than look back upon this year fondly. I hope that I do it again. And again. And again. I have absolutely no intention of working for 30 years and then retiring. If I have to work until I’m 75 because I took a year off every few years–when I’m young enough to enjoy travel–so be it. Life is all about compromises. I stopped shopping, entertaining, and changed the way I travel (and travel alone most of the time) so that I could take this year. I’ll do it again. And I encourage everyone who can to do the same.
And more people can do it than imagine they can do it. If that makes sense.
As for your question about the cruise after Disney, I have several thoughts on that (this was supposed to be the long part!) First, you won’t be exhausted from your cruise. Cruises are not exhausting. Disney is exhausting. To do a cruise and Disney trip, I’d want to do it in the other order–Disney first. But obviously that’s not possible, which is fine. Whatever works for your schedule. But no–you won’t be too exhausted from the cruise. You just may find Disney to be a bit of a shock to the system after six relaxing days at sea.
I would, however, be a bit concerned about the five hours between home and work. Personally I could do it–I’d sleep on a plane and work the next day without sleeping in my bed at all (I’ll sleep when I’m dead) but I’d be afraid of some sort of delay causing you to be late to work. I don’t know how flexible your job is–like would they fire you over something like that? That’s something to consider.
The other thing I kind of have to say…and I love Disney World (obviously–see my other entirely Disney-focused blog) but it is REALLY expensive. Like a sandwich and a soda–$15. Three days in the parks–$250 PER PERSON. It sounds like what you want the most in life is to be free from your job and travel. If that’s something you are really considering, I’d save Disney for the future. Go somewhere less expensive. Spend Saturday afternoon and all day Sunday on the coast–or in St. Augustine (LOVED it there–I wrote about it here: http://www.suitcasescholar.com/2011/09/23/st-augustine-a-reasonable-day-trip-from-disney-world/ ) or at a beach somewhere between Ft. L and Orlando. Vero Beach is right in the middle. My mom was there a couple of weeks ago and really liked it.
Just a thought. But if you really really want to do Disney, with that much time, I’d advise a two day park ticket. Arrive on Saturday, check out the non-park things (if you do this, ask me–I’ll give you a great itinerary) and then spend Sunday and Monday at the parks. Any other Disney advice and I’m your woman–I’ve been there a LOT in the past year and a half (some would say ‘too much’!)
Wow. Thank you for your thoughtful reply, I appreciate it.
I agree with you on so many things. I’m not waiting until I retire to enjoy travel.
I hear of so many stories of people who pass away or have health problems right when
they retire. Who knows how long I’ll even live. My fondest memories in life are of my travels.
I saw alot of Europe and our National Parks in my twenties. Spent my 30’s working to pay off debt ( accumulated in my 20’s..Grrrr…) and woke up at age 40 asking what happened to my 30’s?! I’ll never go this long without traveling again, it makes me feel dead inside so to speak.
It’s said that experiences, not things, make one happiest. Don’t you agree? This comes from someone who lives for interior design/decorating. But what have all my trips to Pottery Barn and Home Goods given me? A nice apartment – big wow. So I come home after another miserable day and look at my pretty walls. Ugh. Who needs it? I’ve finally realized that things will not make me happy – I’d sell almost all of it to have the money back: time = freedom= seeing the world.
Enough about me, sorry. It’s your blog for God’s sake! I’ll take everything you wrote about Disney into careful consideration. I really appreciate your time, especially to a stranger on a Sunday morning!
And I don’t think there is such a thing as going to Disney too many times. Kind of like one can never be too happy……
Thanks again.
Christine
P.S. Since you’re a school teacher you’ll probably relate to this: I asked my sister, who teaches 4th grade, if she and her 2 kids would like to go with me on a Disney cruise someday.
Her response was ” Hell No! That would be a week of indoor recess!”