Do I get any benefit from prepaying before we leave for things like the slides etc or is it better to just see how the weather is the day we get to the island buy packages onsite.
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Castaway Cay Activites
- Thread starter Club Cooloholic
- Start date
EOD K9
Well-Known Member
Slides are free. I prepaid the bike and snorkel package on my first cruise, but there are so many bikes, tubes, and snorkels that I found it unnecessary. Excursions that fill up fast like parasailing and fishing should be booked ahead of time.
LSLS
Well-Known Member
If you have some room, buying snorkles at like walmart is much cheaper than renting at Castaway (and it is free to go around the snorkling area, you just pay for the gear). Personally I always wait (and I actually don't think we've done much that cost anything there). The benefit is some things can sell out (things like the glass bottom boat), so you guarantee your spot.
jeffnheather
Well-Known Member
We prepaid for the bike/tube/snorkel package but only used the bikes. As others have said, there were TONS of bikes available, so there isn't a concern about them running out of those. I am just an over-planner, so I didn't want to have to worry about taking care of anything extra on the island. Just had my 'tickets' for the items, went to the place, signed the waivers, and got the bikes.
Yeah we have some gear at home, but I hate packing the flippers but if we have to wear life jacket. Maybe i dont need those?
Phonedave
Well-Known Member
You need to wear a float vest, but they will provide those for free if you ask.
EOD K9
Well-Known Member
I bought TREK snorkel fins for my last trip. They’re shorter and pack easily. They also work just as well as the full size fins for what you are doing.
You also need to consider you don't know what the weather will be like at Castaway Cay. Our day there a month ago, it was maybe 70F, windy, and overcast. The water was cold. Most pre-planned activities were cancelled.
I ended up bringing gear from home. It was pretty decent day. The air was cool and overcast most of the time. My friend rented and we both agreed, while nice there were very few fish worth while to view
Phonedave
Well-Known Member
While they do stick a bunch of stuff down there for you to look at, it is hardly what I would call great snorkeling.
EOD K9
Well-Known Member
It’s fine for what it is.
Phonedave
Well-Known Member
Exactly, it's a free-ish area were you can wade in from shore and see some stuff. It's just that nobody should think they are going to see corals, loads of fish, actual ships, or anything like that. You will see sand bottoms, placed artifacts, and some fish.
EOD K9
Well-Known Member
It’s great for beginners and cool to see the statues and sub from the ride.
Notes from Neverland
Well-Known Member
Seeing sea turtles up close, rays and a ton of fish made it more than worthwhile for us. Can't recommend enough that snorkeling first thing is the only way to experience it.
Phonedave
Well-Known Member
Going first thing in the morning is the best way to see anything,. However, I have done it three times and have never seen a sea turtle. Maybe 4 or 5 rays.
Notes from Neverland
Well-Known Member
Ah, that's too bad. We usually see them hanging out not too far from the old 20,000 leagues ride vehicle and Mickey Mouse (if that makes sense).
Phonedave
Well-Known Member
I'm not sure when I will be back to Castaway Cay, but I will keep that in mind (it does make sense). I\ll bein the Caymans this summer, so I will get my turtle and ray fix there
One lonely fish by the sub
I didn't see some things. I was sort of wondering of there are two snorkel areas l, definitely saw no turtles or rays and we were there early and nobody was swimming in the area really.
Most turtles I ever saw was in the Tulum area of mexico.
jeffnheather
Well-Known Member
We didn't do the snorkeling, but we still saw a turtle and two rays while we waded around in the water at Serenity Bay.