Cruising Notes for Grand Cayman

Created by sue. Last modified on 2009-06-22 18:19:48
Countries: Cayman Islands

Grand Cayman, June 2009

Call "George Town Port Security" on CH16 on entering Cayman waters. They are very active at monitoring activity in Cayman waters - we were inspected by a spotter plane 10 miles out.

You will be directed to George Town Port where Customs and Immigration like to actually board the vessel to complete formalities. You may be asked to go alongside the main concrete dock so officials can step aboard, but if you decline (on grounds of risk of damage) you can use an orange mooring buoy and they will come out to you in a launch.

There were no charges for a 49ft boat. There was no mosquito control or spray despite our arrival from a very buggy Cuba. Outbound clearance can be done on foot from wherever you are anchored and all crew are required to attend, though you could check on the VHF first.

Though it is possible to anchor in very restricted areas off George Town, it is very rolly and disturbed by the many cruise ships and their tenders.

Inside North Sound there are several anchorage possibilities. The main entrance to North Sound has 3 sets of large red/green buoys marking the channel and we encountered just over 3 metres of water though there is a little tide, so check the tide tables first if you are concerned about draft. A position of 19:23.10N 81:19.52W should line you up with the channel on a bearing of 200 true.

Anchorage possibilities include:

Governor's Creek on the W side of North Sound is sheltered and convenient for shops for vessels under 6ft draft. Plenty of space to anchor and the Yacht Club marina (www.caymanislandsyachtclub.com) is nearby and may have berthing available.

Barcadere Marina (www.barcadere.com - lisa@barcadere.com) is a new facility in the SW corner of North Sound, very convenient for George Town, the airport and car rental. At June 2009, Showers and fuel are available, with WiFi, water and any type of power at each slip. A restaurant/bar, pool, haulout and other facilities are planned. There is a buoyed and dredged channel to the entrance which is easy to spot. Some swell enters with fresh NE winds, but a breakwater is planned. They will send a boat out to guide you into North Sound if you wish.

Harbour House marina (www.harbourhousemarina.com), mid way along the S side of North Sound is principally a haulout and maintenance facility with a large chandlery. Some alongside berthing might be available.

Kaibo (www.kaibo.ky), is a pleasant restaurant / bar on the Kai peninsular in the NE corner of North Sound and has floating docks for vessels up to max 6 ft draft. Somewhat remote from George Town but a pleasant upmarket residentail area.

Grand Cayman is very developed with good shopping and leisure facilities. There is a 20% import duty and alcohol prices are also quite high. There are branches of Cost-U-Less and Price Right as well as conventional supermarkets.

Michael
SV Blue Sky