Cayman Brac Trip Planning Information

From TradgirlWiki

1 Season
2 Air Travel
3 Cars
4 Passports, Duties, etc.
5 Miscellaneous
6 DIVING INFO

[edit] Season

For climbing, the best time of year to visit is late-November through April. For diving, late-November through May is excellent. Many divers visit in early summer, when the rates are lower and the water is about 90F. Late summer is hurricane season, and you may get a good trip, but maybe not!

The islands are due South from Florida and are on Eastern time, with no Daylight Savings. Located at 19 degrees latitude, you can expect consistent winter temperatures between 80 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. The record high is 91 and the record low is 61. The coolest month is February and the rainy season is June through October.

[edit] Air Travel

Cayman Air flies Boeing 737's to the Brac daily after a short stop at Grand Cayman. For most people I recommend getting your best fare to Miami and then booking Cayman Air to the Brac. Spirit, Frontier and Southwest currently have good fares via Ft. Lauderdale.

However, some discount airlines in big cities (e.g. ATA out of Chicago) fly winter-only, saturdays-only flights to Grand Cayman, with return flights on Sundays. Thus you can fly down on Saturday, catch the shuttle flight to the Brac, stay a week, and be home on the next Sunday.

Some people prefer to fly one of the major carriers (American, United, etc.) to Grand Cayman, spend the afternoon and early evening there, and then catch the Cayman Air flight to the Brac. This allows them to use their frequent flyer awards!

Travel agent Reggie Kirkconnell has done miracles for us.

Toll free (866) 843-2722, youngstravel@yahoo.com.   M-F 9am-5pm, Sat 9-12 Eastern time.

Island Air is another alternative from Grand Cayman to the Brac, but some travel agents don't know about them: Island Air

But beware! They have a 55lbs TOTAL weight limit and it's pricey to go over this.

Reservations: (345) 949-5252
Charters: (345) 949-0241
Fax: (345) 949-7044

[edit] Cars

You will need to rent a car at the airport for about $35US/day, and scooters and bicycles are available as well. A driving permit is available for $5US when you show your US driver's license.

Four D's 345-948-1599 Fax: 345-948-2513 4_d@candw.ky
Brac Rent-a-Car 345-948-2424 -2847 cbcars@candw.ky
B&S Motor Ventures (345) 948-1676

[edit] Passports, Duties, etc.

A passport is always required to travel internationaly these days. Be sure to have yours with you and check the expiration date!

Alcohol is expensive on the Brac due to shipping and tax. If you like to drink it is worth bringing some with you. You are allowed 1 liter of liquor, 1 case of beer or 4 litres of wine per person.

[edit] Miscellaneous

The power is the same as the States (110v, 60Hz) so all your electrical devices will work fine. Dial 911 for emergencies at any phone.

American 800-numbers don't work here. If you want to make long distance calls, or use a computer, you should call your long- distance provider and ask them what to do and/or buy a local phone card after you arrive. The phone cards are sold at all the grocery stores.

The monetary unit is the Cayman Dollar (C.I.); however US currency is accepted everywhere. One US dollar is .80 CI. There's no sales tax and the normal tip at restaurants is 15%.

[edit] DIVING INFO

Craig Burhart has started his own dive operation based on his many years of diving in Cayman Brac. He provides a great experience! Here's a local news article on him.

http://www.caymannetnews.com/cgi-script/csArticles/articles/000094/009457.htm

Indepth Watersports www.indepthwatersports.com indepth@candw.ky Toll free 1-866-476-2195 Local 1-345-329-6348

Reef Divers 345-948-1323 -1642 bracreef@candw.ky (Brac Reef Resort)