The best way for new boaters or “new to Cayman boaters” to avoid danger, expensive mistakes and get the most pleasure from boating here is to hire a qualified local guide. A quality guide will go with you on your boat and pass on their local knowledge of Cayman waters, saving you from expensive and dangerous errors. A guide will accelerate your learning curve and add to your confidence and enjoyment. A knowledgeable guide can also help to learn the workings of a new boat and all its systems.
Choose a guide or instructor that is accredited and experienced. A qualified boating guide will have extensive experience around the local waters. They should have formal training to be sure they are knowledgeable about boating and have the training to teach those skills too. Many boaters know the waters around Grand Cayman, but only a select few are accredited to teach. Mark Tarsh from Spindrift Charters is one of the select few that has full accreditation from IYT (International Yacht Training) in addition, he has been living on Grand Cayman since 2007. In most cases, it cost no more to learn from an accredited guide
A qualified local guide will discuss the local rules and customs, point out and mark areas to avoid. They will direct you through the North Sound and the island’s channels. A good guide will highlight exciting spots for snorkeling, scuba diving, fishing, or anchoring and swimming. Saving the waypoints and marking the hazards on your electronics is part of the services a boating guide will provide. They will teach you about the marinas, fuel docks, and restaurants available to boaters. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. You hire a guide to learn, it is the job of the guide to teach.
A guide can show you how to safely anchor at Stingray Sandbar, Starfish Point, Rum Point, or dock at Kiabo or Camana Bay for lunch. Whatever your question or concerns a good local guide can give you answers.
A guide will give you and your family confidence and security while boating around Grand Cayman. “It’s the best investment we made!” said Christine Frazier. The cost of a guide is usually just a few hundred dollars. “I’ve been coming to the island for years and have been on many of my friend’s boats. I thought I knew the local waters. It’s very different being a passenger on a friend’s boat than being the captain of your new boat. After our guide showed us around, we visited some beautiful and safe areas that some boating friends never dared to explore. Our 4 hour North Sound Orientation gave us the confidence to enjoy the beauty of the island from the water .”
Last year, I had two different friends do thousands of dollars of damage to their drive when they hit coral heads or rocks. “It happens way more often than you would think; someone hits a coral head or rocks and does big damage,” according to one marine service company. “You don’t always hear about it because of the embarrassment factor. The cost to repair damage caused by hitting underwater obstructions can be s $10,000 and up. The damage to their pride and confidence can’t be measured. I always recommend new boaters and new to Cayman boaters to hire a guide. It just is the smart thing to do. “
