Group Adventures
GIRLS TOGETHER GRAND CAYMAN 1ST-8TH MAY 2010
Dive with (new) friends and explore some of the Caribbean’s finest reefs
Dates: 1ST MAY-8TH MAY 2010
Want some seriously good diving in clear, warm waters? Want to be part of a group and meet like-minded friends? Sun, fun, great diving and relaxing, very comfortable top-side time? Pay no single supplement (if you are prepared to share a room)! Evening meals in local restaurants without the embarrassment of sitting alone …
‘Girls Together’ is a new dimension in travel for ‘girls’ of any age. Diving ladies are invited to join our dedicated trips and travel with other mermaids, enjoying the underwater world, good company and the freedom to avoid paying the dreaded single supplement if you don’t want to. For too long the latter has been an issue for single ladies who want to travel and dive. It can also be uncomfortable to arrive at the dive centre without a buddy, or to face a restaurant full of people, all of whom seem to know each other. So forget the hassles of traveling alone, sign up and join the mermaids who are ‘Girls Together’!
The dedicated diving package includes 2 dives per day (with the option of adding in some snorkeling with stingrays and a three dive safari), or if you are not yet a qualified diver, take the opportunity to learn to dive with experienced and dedicated diving instructors. If you have a traveling companion who would just like to take advantage of a relaxing week with lovely, modern beach-side accommodation with a pool why not bring them along too? All this and guaranteed no single supplement, if you are willing to share spacious accommodation.
The two morning dives may explore The Maze to seek out the resident Caribbean Reef Sharks or Photographic Reef where you may see larger barracudas on the prowl – great for fish portraits! After lunch there is an opportunity to snorkel with the stingrays. These amazing and fascinating encounters offer superb photo opportunities as well as wonderful memories. The stingrays are quite used to human visitors and perform their marvelous acrobatic displays. Watch out if you chose to feed them as their boisterous enthusiasm may mean you are on the receiving end of one of their special stingray love bites!
Compass Point consists of purpose built, superbly equipped apartments. Please see the details in the Cayman Islands section of the brochure. Because there are no restaurants on-site arrangements have been made to include continental breakfast each day and a light meal on the first evening. With fridges, freezers and fully equipped kitchens it will be easy to prepare lunches and snacks. There is a good supermarket between the airport and Compass Point and a stop will be made so supplies for lunches can be purchased. There will also be opportunity to visit another, smaller local supermarket during the week. In the evening transport is laid on and the choice of local restaurants is up to the group.
Lunches and most dinners are not included in the cost of the trip, but as the group has the use of a minibus all week, why not take the opportunity to visit some of Grand Cayman’s finer dining establishments? Lesely, our ‘girl on the ground’ at the East End, gave us the pick of her favourite restaurants. ‘Over The Edge’, a 30 minute drive from Compass Point to Cayman’s north side offers laid back dining over the ocean with a good selection of sea-food and spirits to boot, though locals tend to stick to beer. ‘Portofino’s’ overlooks the wreck of the Ridgefield on Gun Bay and specializes in Italian food as well as local seafood. The location of this restaurant is well known for its stunning sunset views. ‘Kaibo’ might make a great place to dine somewhere special on the final night. This beach bar and grill offers stylish dining and a menu of favourite Caribbean and Cayman dishes, such as Barbeque Ginger Chicken or Citrus Salsa Swordfish. Perhaps take the chance to try a ‘Bahama Mama’s’ cocktail at the bar too!
Outline Itinerary
Saturday 1st May: Morning departure from London, Heathrow Airport, on British Airways direct flight to Grand Cayman arriving in the late afternoon. On arrival you will be transferred to Compass Point Condominiums for a 7 nights stay. A grocery shop stop will be made en route to the accommodation so you can stock up on lunch items. A light supper will be provided on arrival.
Sunday 2nd May: Two boat dives in the morning. Afternoon free for relaxation, getting to know the others in the group, exploring or extra diving (to be arranged locally - cost not included in the tour price). Why not ‘plunge’ into serious relaxation mode and take a spa treatment? In the evening, depart for a local restaurant and enjoy your first taste of Caribbean cuisine.
Monday 3rd May: Two morning dives with an afternoon at leisure.
Tuesday 4th May: Two morning dives with an afternoon at leisure.
Wednesday 5th May: Two Morning dives or optional full day Diving Safari with 3 dives. For those who take the Diving Safari the diving day ends with a third, shallow dive. But the fun does not end there! In the evening is the weekly Divers’ Barbecue, so get the land togs on and meet more friends!
Thursday 6th May: Chance for a lie in today as two dives are scheduled for the afternoon.
Friday 7th May: Two morning dives and sadly, time to dry out your kit. Optional afternoon excursion to visit Grand Cayman’s more usual tourist sites. In the evening there is an optional night kayak tour in Bio Bay, an area known for its spectacular bio-luminescence.
Saturday 8th May: Morning free to pack or relax (or squeeze in another delightful spa treatment!). Afternoon departure for the airport via the shopping centres of George Town in time to check in for the early evening flight bound for London.
Sunday 9th May: Morning arrival at London’s Heathrow Airport.
We aim to offer you ultimate flexibility in your holiday arrangements. You may wish to upgrade your diving to 3 dives per day or enjoy a number of additional optional activities whilst on Cayman. Just let us know.
Compass Point can arrange for on-site yoga sessions to help you get into full-on holiday mode! What better way to start the day than to practice your ‘sun salutation’ right on the beach whilst catching the morning rays?! Various spa treatments and massages could also be arranged at the ‘traveling spa’ that will visit Compass Point on request. If you are feeling energetic take an afternoon to hike the ‘Mastic Trail’, the largest area of untouched dry forest remaining on Grand Cayman. This woodland, the Mastic Reserve, is where you will find the two mile long trail running through Black Mangroves, Silver Thatch Palms and a wild banana orchard. Keep an eye out for the West Indian Woodpecker, the Caribbean Dove or the Vitelline Warbler, which occurs nowhere else on earth!. Other guided walks can be arranged locally.
For those seeking a less strenuous encounter with nature, the Botanic Park might be a better option with its butterflies, orchids, Floral Colour Garden and Woodland Trail.
On the final night, what better way to round off the trip than to take a night kayak tour of Bio Bay. Bio Bay is a secret location where large clouds of bioluminescence are often seen and this is your chance to observe one of nature’s finest spectacles, all whilst trying not to paddle round in circles!
£1334 (diver) Grand Cayman/Grand Cayman
£1245 (learn to dive) Grand Cayman/Grand Cayman
£991 (non-diver) Grand Cayman/Grand Cayman
Includes:
• Transfers on arrival and departure between Owen Williams Airport and Compass Point Condominiums and between Compass Point Condominiums and local restaurants and attractions.
• 7 nights accommodation (twin/share basis) in a one-bedrooom apartment at Compass Point Condominiums.
• Welcome supper on Saturday night and barbecue on Wednesday night.
• 7 breakfasts at Compass Point Condominiums
• Diving package includes 6 days of two tank diving with Ocean Frontiers.
• Learn to dive package includes all rental equipment, training and dives as well as the processing and certification card. It does not include the $120 PADI fees which are payable online when you sign on to the e-learning programme.
Single Occupancy Supplement: For those who would like single occupancy of a one-bedroom condo there is a supplement of £520. If you are willing to share a room there is no single supplement payable. Room-mates will be allocated on a first-come first-served basis.
Upgrade to Wednesday 3 tank Dive Safari: £76
Deposit: £200
Note: Those opting for the Learn To Dive package are encouraged to enrol with PADI’s e-learning programme where you can take the knowledge development part of the course on-line before heading out to Cayman – why waste valuable time hitting the books on holiday?! Please contact us for more information on this and how to enrol.
For further details of the diving and accommodation, please see our Grand Cayman holiday description both online at our website and in our brochure.
Flights: From about £660 to Grand Cayman. We will quote you the airfare applicable, based on current fare levels and booking class availability, at the time of booking, based on your individual requirements (for example, you may want to extend your holiday, or travel from an airport other than London, or use a different airline). Our quote will include all taxes and fuel supplements applicable at the time of quotation, as well as our service charge.
HOLIDAY COMBINATIONS, STOP-OVERS AND ADDITIONAL ARRANGEMENTS: Flights between London and Grand Cayman are operated Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, so if you wish to travel out earlier or stay longer that is easy for us to arrange. Should you wish to add a stay at the lovely Little Cayman Beach Resort and dive the famous and fabulous Bloody Bay Wall, we can arrange your flights across to Little Cayman and your accommodation and diving. Talk to us about the possibilities.
