Grand Cayman getaway

[clamike]

The weather is warm and the wind has been blowin in the Cayman Islands. More and more people are starting to take the 1 hour flight from Miami down to Grand Cayman for short and long getaways from the cold. Steady NE winds, flat water, waves, downwinders, scuba diving, paddleboarding and surfing less than 30 minutes from the airport.

Flights are cheaper these days, no hassle island kiting in uncrowded Caribbean island. Come see why Cayman Islands is an emerging kite hot spot.

For more info contact the Kitehouse, www.thekitehouse.com

[Danimal8199]

heading down to GC from feb 23rd to march 1st. im hoping to have wind at least a few days. what size kite(s) are recommended? whats a good place to rent some sups?

Danny

[clamike]

Wind has been really consistent since Oct, averaging 5-6 days a week of over 15 knots. Should get some days while you are here as the season goes until June.

I weigh about 180 lbs and ride mostly 10m-14m. Most days are around 20 knots, with some stronger days when the trades get enhanced with a frontal system.

Kitehouse has SUP rentals on the East End.

Mike
thekitehouse.com

[ricki]

I second Mike's suggestion for Grand Cayman for a visit. It is a quick flight south from Miami and a well kept island with lots to do. If folks like the flat water of the Keys, East End of Grand Cayman has a nice barrier reef exposed at certain tides to break up the waves. Want waves, no problem, just hop on The Kitehouse Caymans boat, a few minutes later you may have swells. There are bar areas great for routine riding and even better for learning for the first time or ironing out some of those pesky barriers to advancement. Here are some photos from the island. I don't have much in the way of kiting shots, usually going there for free diving before The Kitehouse set up shop there. Hey Mike, do you have some area kiting photos to throw up?


http://www.fksa.org/albums/album347/East_End_1.jpg
The eastern portion of Grand Cayman. Checkout that massive area of fairly calm water sheltered by the barrier reef. Just go outside and you can have waves and some insanely clear and beautiful wall diving.


http://www.fksa.org/albums/album374/East_End_GC_IMG_4831.jpg
A surface view south across the sound inside the reef. You can make out breakers way in the distance.


http://www.fksa.org/albums/album347/m_3.jpg
Want standup paddle boarding, Mike's got you covered as he shows here


http://www.fksa.org/albums/album347/m_8.jpg
There are quite a few ship wrecks in the area both newer ones and those centuries old. Notice how calm it is inside the reef. The teaching area, a large sand bar is nearby.


http://www.fksa.org/albums/album374/RESORT_IMG_5082.jpg
Home base, Ocean Frontiers, with accommodations, dive shop, kite gear, dive boats, pool for training and just hanging out and more. I think they even have time share units available.


http://www.fksa.org/albums/album374/boats_IMG_5083.jpg
No shortage of water craft to haul you to great kiting, standup and dive spots. It is worth noting that there is substantially LESS dive traffic off East End. Mike took me out for a quick free dive on the wall. Real impressive, canyons, coulees, table top dropoffs and more. There are also shallower reefs to checkout as well. Love that super clear deep blue water!


http://www.fksa.org/albums/album374/shop_IMG_5123.jpg
The dive shop, Mike is in the water so much, he rarely dries out for long


http://www.fksa.org/albums/album374/Wrecks.jpg
Wrecks out the wazoo, going back years to centuries and all over. I understand that one of these wrecks shown above, a freighter, used to serve lunch on this spot before time and hurricanes brought things closer to sea level.


http://www.fksa.org/albums/album374/beach_IMG_4874.jpg
A public beach in the area


http://www.fksa.org/albums/album374/reef_gc.jpg
Reefs all over and clear warm water to go with


http://www.fksa.org/albums/album374/ray_hogs_IMG_5697.jpg
Ray Hogs?


http://www.fksa.org/albums/album347/Wreck.jpg
Lots of wrecks


http://www.fksa.org/albums/album374/Mike_UW_IMG_5064.jpg
Mike surfaces, hey even dolphins surface for a puff every once in a while


http://www.fksa.org/albums/album374/uw_2_IMG_6045.jpg
World famous diving here and so close to Florida


http://www.fksa.org/albums/album347/Coast.jpg
A section of the north shore of Grand Cayman. Note the shallow reef rimmed by the breaker line and all that calmer clear blue water inside. Various areas around the circumference of the island are rimmed by shallow reef containing stretches of sheltered water. When the wind is on, off you go and have fun shredding. You have a choice of riding calmer waters on the inside or hitting the waves on the outside. Or, you could just dive the walls on the outside. Lots of pinnacles, astounding vertical drops and good viz.


http://www.fksa.org/albums/album347/Eden_Rock_Cave_2.jpg
There are saltwater caverns and caves as well. Here's the chimney of a swim through in Eden Rock, Grand Cayman. The water is shallow enough to free dive through quite a few of them. At least when you can see the way out from the entrance. Got a lot more video than stills unfortunately but there is this one. There are extensive tunnels and chimneys that riddle the rampart of Palancar Reef off Cozumel. Start with limestone, add acidic water and sooner or later you should get caves.


http://www.fksa.org/albums/album347/Mini_Wall_Turtle_Reef_Grand_Cayman.jpg
There are a lot more salt water caverns than well developed caves in some parts. Coral can fabricate caverns and caves under different influences. Shown above is a shallow cavern spilling forth tarpon along the Turtle Reef mini wall on Grand Cayman. Without air exhaust the tarpon just cruise along with you if you go slow. They will even run up on you and join in at times as you approach. Saw quite a few tarpon in caves and caverns there. They hang out in the dim light during the day and they venture out at night to forage. The enclosed environment of caverns and some caves make me feel mellow, how about you


http://www.fksa.org/albums/album347/East_End.jpg
Near East End with more waves on the outside and calmer stuff on the inside



http://www.fksa.org/albums/album374/sunset_IMG_5896.jpg
Fun times in the Caymans. Wait until you see the kiting too.


Photos by Rick Iossi

[Danimal8199]

Rick,

I can't wait!! Booked tickets last night on Cayman airways, direct flight out of Tampa round trip tax tag and title for $297.

I just hope i don't get skunked on the kiting!

Danny

[clamike]

Doesn't look like you will be getting skunked this week, check out our forecast:

http://www.windguru.cz/int/index.php?sc=74098

Rick, we just had a nice photos shoot today, I will post some of the new images soon.

The Kitehouse Cayman Islands is partnered with Ocean Frontiers Dive shop and does offer fractional ownership of the condos located on site, called Compass Point (www.compasspoint.ky). Better than timeshare, cause you actually own a title to the property. They are in pre-construction for their phase 2 set of condos.

[ricki]

Rick,

I can't wait!! Booked tickets last night on Cayman airways, direct flight out of Tampa round trip tax tag and title for $297.

I just hope i don't get skunked on the kiting!

Danny


Great news Danny, hope you have a great trip down there. That's a nice price for airfare too. I usually rent a car to drive around the island.

Here's a couple of video clips from the island:


316754
This is to show off the wall a bit. These area is about as far from East End as you can get, way off to the NW side of the island. From what I saw with Mike, the wall off East End is even nicer.



3093075
This is a wreck of a cable laying barge sunk in about 55 ft. Have a ton of free diving clips, just need to put them together, a slow process for me. NOTE: Free diving wreck and cave penetrations aren't recommended. They are particularly ill advised without a bailout air bottle. Even with that entanglements, silt-outs to zero visibility and hazardous collisions can result

Have fun down there!

[ricki]

Just added the second video. If you get a chance, drop us a post card from hell if you visit there. It is a strange limestone accretion that someone likened to "hell." Now you can even visit a tourist trap there?!

[begrid]

The Kitehouse Cayman Islands is partnered with Ocean Frontiers Dive shop and does offer fractional ownership of the condos located on site, called Compass Point (www.compasspoint.ky). Better than timeshare, cause you actually own a title to the property. They are in pre-construction for their phase 2 set of condos.


As Mike mentioned, there is fractional ownership available for poolside, ocean view 1 bedroom luxury condos! Perfect place to for a yearly kite getaway in an emerging kite location.
It's the perfect time to get in!

COMPASS POINT FRACTIONAL OWNERSHIP

1/10TH Fractions Sold in 5 Week Increments

As low as 24K for 5 weeks!

Titled Ownership (not Timeshare or 99 Year Lease)

Low Maintenance Fees ($365/week)

Rental Program for Unused Weeks

In House Financing

Free Unlimited Diving for Cash Buyers* (conditions apply)

Developers Guaranteed Buy Back!



Rick's already gone into tons of detail as to what all there is to do here between the kiting, kiting conditions, diving, paddleboarding, snorkeling...
All there in the East End!

I'd just like to add that Compass Point does offer complimentery yoga classes, bike tours, kayaks and more to all guests. You can come here to kite AND so much more. Great option of you're coming with someone who doesn't kite, or if the wind doesn't cooperate. There's still plenty to do!
http://gallery.me.com/broadbelt/100020/compasspoint_view_kx/web.jpg
Compass Point
http://gallery.me.com/broadbelt/100020/DSC_0103/web.jpg
Current pool. With the second phase there will be a second one with jacuzzi!

http://gallery.me.com/broadbelt/100012/DSC_0563/web.jpg
Yoga for stretching tired kiting muscles.

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_MsxkySzQnsM/SYtF_BtswSI/AAAAAAAABcs/ziLUAJrSnVU/s720/IMG_4362.JPG
A bit blurry, but that's how it goes with the great chilled out full moon party on the beach here!

You can get more information by emailing: britta@compasspoint.ky

I look forward to Mike's post of the images from the photo shoot!

[clamike]

Here are some of the older photos, haven't got the new ones yet. Ok, Here are some new ones,

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3422/3259782403_2a8b8c68c0.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3436/3259782161_a33a0c168b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3257/3260612852_9fc03ed781.jpg

[Danimal8199]

Doesn't look like you will be getting skunked this week, check out our forecast:

http://www.windguru.cz/int/index.php?sc=74098



unfortunately I won't be down there until the week of feb 23rd! I'll be staying on the opposite end of the Island from you guys for some of the time but if its blowing I will be riding on the east end. I'll get in touch with you guys before I leave, i'm coming with another kiter so its always nice to meet the locals.

Danny

[clamike]

Forecast looks good for next week:
http://www.windfinder.com/forecast/george_town_grand_cayman
I find that the forecast models underestimate the winds on the East End. We usually get 2-4 knots more than predicted.

Last week forecast was close to predicted as we had 6 days of 25+ knots, sometimes over 30 in the afternoon. The swell got massive and wrapped around the island giving side-off conditions on the outer reef.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3617/3293346467_1d4dd19428.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3622/3294167280_479a7359f6.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3526/3293344439_d533951b60.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3300/3293341011_553c6da4d4.jpg

[Danimal8199]

You have no idea how happy you just made me!!! Plane touches down around 4:30pm monday. When is the best time of the day to hit it?

Do you want to get up and ride with us while we are in town?? PM me your number or you can give me a shout if interested, 407-902-8484

Danny

[ricki]

Danny,

Have you been to Grand Cayman kiting before? It is a far cry from Florida in terms of accessibility to some wind directions. For instance the majority of the shoreline of the island isn't suitable for shoreside launch for NE winds (forecast currently). The more populated western end including Seven Mile Beach, Georgetown plus all the south coast have offshore winds in NE conditions. Cayman is the last place I would head out in offshore winds, it's an island after all in the middle of nowhere. There is lots of iron shore or massive exposed rock outcrops along substantial sections of coast as well. Portions of the East End work but there is limited shoreside access. If you want to ride waves, you should have a boat off the east end given the distance the barrier reef is from shore. Mike knows where to go for certain winds and he has a boat to take you there. Shallow sand bars with no waves to a quick trip outside for some nice swells like he has in his photos. There is a ton of outstanding riding area inside and out of the barrier reef but you need to know where to go and be able to get there. You could take a day with him on sea taxi, learn the ropes of the island and opt to continue in the prime spots or move out on your own conditions willing as you're a well experienced kiter.

Here's something else to think about. The first two times I was on GC, there was no kite shop, school, nothing. The first time I was there, there was perfect conditions about a 1/4 mile from his current location, stronger than at the west end of GC. There was no gear to use, even a board to rent, just windsurfing. If you wanted to ride you had to bring all your own stuff or blow off kiting. Cayman has a lot to offer beyond kiting, so there might be dive gear, scooters, UW camera gear, etc. vying for luggage space. Mike made a commitment to open up Grand Cayman to kiting with the first commercial operation there that I know of. That means permits, paying to ship a boat down there as deck cargo, finding digs, forming business relationships and a ton more. We're lucky to have him there and hopefully he'll be able to stay there if we support his operation along with all the students, SUP and other enthusiasts throughout the year. Cayman is a great destination in so many ways, not the least of which is kiting. Until now, there's been zero support anywhere on the island. It would be great to know the next time you head down there there will be a place to get gear, spares, instruction, even rent a board, a boat to the sand bars or the waves. As they say, we should show him some "love." That's my advice anyway. Take care of those that take care of us.

[clamike]

Thanks Rick

Danimal: The wind blows all day, there are only minor thermal effects in certain area. So it may be good as soon as you get off the plane. It can be windy all day, so you can plan on riding in the morning and the afternoon.

Rick is right, some of the launches are tight, but the water is wide open. So with a little local knowledge you can find the ideal beach for the wind that will let you access some of the best riding. The main W launch is Barkers on a E/NE wind, which has a small beach, but a huge sandbar really close. I recommend walking out into the water a fair ways before launching, riding or landing. It is shallow enough that your launcher can help you get away from the beach without getting wet.

Personally, I like the E end of the island. More launching and riding options in different winds. If is it onshore in one spot, then a better spot is probably less than a mile away. Plus East End picks up more wind directions and can be a little stronger and more consistent.

You can call the shop from 7am-6pm at (345) 947-7500, or try my direct line at (345)925-8129, if I dont answer it is cause I am on the water. I would be happy to help in any way.

Regarding advanced rider services, we do gear rental, water taxi to the sandbars and advanced lessons to anybody riding upwind. Of course, we do beginners and intermediates too. Long downwinders in the protected sound with full boat support.

gotta run... it is blowing 22knots, it is 78 degrees and sunny. See you soon!

[Danimal8199]

Just got back from Grand Cayman and what a blast I had. From the moment I stepped off the plane Monday the 23rd until the day before I left we had wind over 20kts all day.

I rode tuesday at Morritts Grand resort for a while so that the other people on the trip had something to do i.e. rent jet skis, drink at the bar and lay by the pool while i rode for 4 hours.

Popped in on a lesson that Mike was giving to say hi. Unfortunately that was the only contact I had with him while I was down there.

The other days were spent diving, partying at their annual Mardi Gras celebration at Kaibo, Stingray city and then the plane ride home.

I rode a second day at Barkers National Park which I believe is located at the north tip of West Bay????

So to sum it up it was a great trip, 2 days kiting, 2 days diving, 2 days of hanging out with my friends that live on the island and now its back to the grind!

I def. recommend this trip to anyone.