(note: this page was created as an example for a web authoring class...information may not be factual)

RECREATION!!!

Activity

Price*

Snorkel/Stingray Sandbar $62.50
Horseback Riding $60
Parasailing (doubles) $50 pp
Submarine Trip $65
3 Hr Beginner Scuba Dive Course $90
Moped Site Seeing Tour $20
Glass bottom Boat Trip $40
Deep Sea Fishing $40
Turtle Farm (cultural) $6
National Museum (cultural) $5
Botanical Garden (cultural) Free
Pedro St James Castle (cultural) $8
Watersports varies

*it is possible that these prices will be lower because of group rates. 
Group rates are normally 10% lower. If so, you'll have a bit more spending money.
:o)

Snorkel/Stingray Sandbar

The site was first noticed about ten years ago, when North Sound fishermen came to the calmer, shallower waters just over the reef to clean their fish. Soon they noticed stingrays, scavengers by nature, hanging around the boats inhaling any leftovers they could get their suckers on. Next, some particularly brave divemasters got in the water to hand-feed them, and before long the stingrays had become tame, almost pet-like.
Today, you can swim under, over, and along with the rays. Their favorite food is squid, which you can feed them by hand. At Stingray sandbar, which is only waist deep, you can use a mask and snorkel and watch the rays swarm around you, brushing their velvety bellies against your hands and feet. Don't worry: this is the rays' way of begging for food. The rays have no teeth, but use a powerful sucking motion to draw in their food. Some are big, nearly six-feet in diameter. Their only means of defense is a barbed, venomous tail. As long as you don't lift the rays out of the water and treat them with the respect they deserve, you'll have a wonderful experience.
I've done this and it is something I will NEVER forget. What a memory!

 

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After swimming with the rays, the captain will take you on a 
conch dive. You'll dive for your own conch which is quite fun. 
The captain will clean the conch and prepare the meat in 
traditional Cayman style...letting you taste!
You'll stop off at Coral Garden to snorkel with some of the 
most beautiful fish and coral that I've ever seen. After spending
about an hour here, the captain will take you to a secluded area
on the beach, where you'll be served authentic Cayman food. Delish!
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Horseback Riding
At dusk, you'll ride horseback along the white sandy beach...
watching the sun set beyond the Caribbean Sea.
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Parasailing
You'll parasail two at a time. It's more fun that way and is not as
expensive as sailing solo. The sail lasts about 15 minutes which 
gives you plenty of time to view the vast, pristine turquoise water.

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Submarine Trip
This is definitely one of the highlights. The Atlantis Submarine 
descends to 100ft revealing an ocean floor teaming with ocean life. 
Magnificent coral formations and a dazzling array of tropical fish 
glide past the large view ports. Interspersed between the coral gardens
are patches of pure white sand where stingrays will suddenly scoot off
as the submarine comes to loom above them. Garden eels swaying
in the currents look like plants bending to the breeze. As you get closer
to them they'll pop back under the sand, only to re-emerge immediately
in the submarines wake. Follow strange tracks that meander across the
sand and they'll lead to a Conch. As the journey continues you will come 
upon huge coral heads and reefs of all different colors and shapes - things 
most of us have never seen. Look out for the Spotted Eagle Ray, a beautiful
enormous creature that glides through the water just like a majestic eagle
of the sea. There are brilliant fish and lots of lazy turtles to amaze you.
 
The Atlantis Submarine is the 1st purpose built submarine specifically 
designed for passengers. For everyone's comfort, the high tech spacious
air-conditioned cabin is precisely maintained at sea level pressure. The 
friendly and professional crew comprise a seasoned pilot, co-pilot and
a knowledgeable marine guide who will give an informative 
narrative throughout the journey.


 

 

 

 

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Beginner Scuba Dive Course
Pool training
Shore dive with your instructor on a colorful coral reef. 
Very much recommended!!

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Moped Site Seeing
You'll travel the entire island by moped! Stop where 
you want to stop, ride where you want to ride. 
Travel up to the north end to see the amazing blow holes. 
Stop off at hot spots along the way and cool off in the sea
with a quick snorkel.  This is a very interesting experience. 
(Cars drive on the LEFT side of the road so you've got to be aware at all times.)

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Glass bottom Boat Excursion
This trip is another must. Simply awesome. You'll be very 
comfortable in this roomy, air conditioned boat. The captain
will make one stop so you can snorkel if you wish...
and you won't want to miss the opportunity. 
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World's largest undersea cabin The Nautilus - Glass bottom Boat

Deep Sea Fishing
In the Cayman Islands, fishing is often called the unofficial "national sport." 
Prized gamefish like blue marlin, tuna, wahoo and dolphin (Mahi-mahi)
are caught year-round. Thrilling catches take place as close as a 
quarter mile offshore. The cost to charter a boat and crew is about 
$400 but I've made special arrangements for groups of 10 to go and
split the cost. Popular gamefish such as blue marlin, yellowfin tuna,
wahoo, dolphin (dorado) and barracuda
are caught year-round. 
Occasional catches of white marlin and, very rarely, Atlantic sailfish
and Atlantic long-billed spearfish
are also reported.

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Turtle Farm
The only one of its kind in the world, Cayman Turtle Farm is home
to over 16,000 sea turtles, ranging in size from six ounces to
six-hundred pounds each! The farm is a modern-day reminder 
of the turtle's role in the history of the Cayman Islands. 
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 turtles are a protected species, and you can witness the 
majesty of these unique creatures hands-on. Nowhere else can 
you see an endangered species so successfully raised for 
conservation. In fact, since 1980, the Farm has released 29,000 
turtles back into the sea to help replenish the wild population.
The top priority at the Farm is maintaining an ideal breeding 
environment. Breeding season runs from May to October, 
during which time the turtles dig their nests on the beach near 
the breeding pond and produce their eggs. The eggs are immediately 
taken to the hatchery, where staff monitor the hatching process. 
This normally takes about 60 days. 
An average of 8,000 hatchlings are produced every year.

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National Museum
After years of planning, research and professional conservation
of acquired artifacts, the Cayman Islands National Museum
opened in November 1990 in the restored Old Courts Building
in George Town. The attractive building overlooks Hog Sty Bay, 
and is one of Cayman's few remaining 19th century structures, 
a survivor of hurricanes and countless Nor'westers. During its 
150 years, it has served as a jail and courthouse - and meeting
place of worship. The meticulous restoration project won the 
1990 American Express Preservation Award for the Caribbean.

The Museum collection contains over 2,000 items, from a 
14-ft. traditional hand made catboat to old coins, rare documents
and natural history specimens. In 1979 the Cayman Islands Government
purchased the late Ira Thompson's private collection of historic 
memorabilia. This revered Caymanian's hobby spanned almost 
50 years and launched the National Museum's original collection.
Here, you'll learn about this tiny country's fascinating cultural and 
natural history and the resourceful, independent nature of our 
seafaring society in a variety of exhibits and a 10-minute 
audiovisual presentation, "Cayman: Founded Upon the Seas."
Through the exhibits and displays, you will be introduced to a
Cayman Islands very different from the sophisticated, 
cosmopolitan vacation paradise you see today. You'll begin
to understand why this country's development is a success
story which overcame incredible odds during the last 400 years.
Cayman's total land mass is barely 100 square miles for all three islands.
Almost half of that is low-lying mangrove swamp. With few natural
resources, there was little base for early industry when the first settlers
arrived centuries ago. For many years, Caymanians supported 
themselves through modest exports of thatch rope, turtling, fishing 
and later, working on foreign-owned ships. In fact, as late as the 1950's, 
Cayman's main export was listed in a Government report as "seamen," 
who became some of the world's finest ships captains and merchant 
mariners. Their earnings were the mainstay of the economy until tourism 
and the offshore financial industry took off in the mid-1970's.Today, 
with one of the highest per capita Gross Domestic Product figures 
in the region, Cayman ranks as the world's second largest captive 
insurance domicile and fifth largest international banking center. 
The Cayman Islands shine as one of the Caribbean's leading 
economic success stories of the last 20 years.
As you leave, stop in the Museum Shop which offers a fine selection 
of books about Cayman; locally made crafts and high quality gifts, 
from Christmas tree ornaments to Caymanite jewelry. Then relax in 
the picturesque courtyard of the Cool Caboose on the south east 
corner of the Museum and enjoy a tropical fruit drink, ice cream or snacks.

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Botanical Garden
Many visitors arriving in this Western Caribbean destination, 
famous for Stingray City, have never heard of Cayman's 
Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park, located in Grand Cayman's North Side. 
This heritage attraction was officially opened on 27th February, 
1994 by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and named in her honor. 
The next milestone was reached in May 1997, when Hon. Thomas Jefferson, 
Minister for Tourism, Commerce & Transport, officially opened 
three new attractions there: the Visitors Centre, Floral Garden 
and Heritage Garden, representing the Park's $1.75 million, 
second phase expansion program.

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Pedro St James Castle
Built in 1780 and formerly known as Pedro Castle, this great 
house is not only Cayman's oldest stone structure, it's the only 
remaining late-18th-century residence on the island. The buildings 
are surrounded by 8 acres of natural parks and woodlands. 
You can stroll through landscaping of native Caymanian flora 
and experience one of the most spectacular views on the 
island from atop the dramatic Great Pedro Bluff. Not to be 
missed is the impressive multimedia theater show complete 
with smoking pots, misting rains, and two film screens 
presenting the Pedro St. James story.

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Watersports
Watersports centers that offer a variety of ways to get wet are 
located in the most convenient spots in the Cayman Islands, 
with the main centers being located at major hotels on Island. 
Depending on the location, these might include ocean kayaks, 
windsurfing boards, hobie cats, waverunners, aqua trikes, 
view boards, sun searcher floats, banana boat rides, paddle cats, 
and paddleboats. Of course, there is always a game of beach volleyball going on!
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