Frequently Asked Questions

Got Questions?

Red Sail Sports is Grand Cayman’s largest dive and watersports company on Grand Cayman with over 25 years of experience. You might say we are the experts in making your vacation fun!

 

Choose from scuba diving, catamaran sails to Stingray City, Wakeboarding, Stand-Up Paddle Boarding, Waverunner Safaris and many more watersports!

We have locations across Grand Cayman including Tortuga Divers in the East End.

 

To help you plan and get the most out of your Grand Cayman vacation, here are some frequently asked questions from our guests.

Booking & Logistics

Do you offer packages that include airfare as well as diving and accommodations?

No, at this time we do not offer packages with airfare. Please contact your travel specialist for reservations with airfare. Red Sail Sports recommends Cayman Airways and / or American Airlines.

I won't be staying at any of your partner hotels, can I still rent your watersports toys and book your catamaran or diving activities?

Yes! Any and all visitors to Grand Cayman are invited to partake in our watersport activities from any of our locations.

Do you pick up from the port?

No, we do not pick up from the port but taxis are readily available outside the cruise port terminal. Taxis are regulated and charged on a meter, so no risk of overcharging.

How far in advance should I make reservations?

You may make your reservation at any time now for a future date; during the busy season (November to May) we urge you to make your reservation at least two weeks in advance as trips tend to fill up quickly.

Do you pay when you book or when you arrive?

Full payment is due at the time of booking.

Do I need to give exact dates I want to dive, or can that be set up when I get there?

It is best to set your full dive itinerary in advance because it is based upon availability. However, if you are not sure of what your plans are we can book dives for during your dates of stay and these can be altered upon arrival to Grand Cayman.

What is your cancellation policy?

If you need to cancel or reschedule your reservation, please do so at least 24 hours in advance to avoid being charged. Our cancelation or reschedule policy is 24 hours.  If the weather is such that our captain cancels your boat trip, you will not be charged, but please note we do not cancel for rain only.

Do you pick up at our hotel/condo?

For our Stingrays trips that leave from Safehaven Maina or Camana Bay, we offer complimentary round-trip transport from 4 pickup locations (you may join the pickup at any of these).

  • Kimpton Seafire Resort + Spa – 20 minutes before trip start time
  • The Westin Grand Cayman Seven Mile Beach Resort & Spa – 15 minutes before the trip start time
  • The Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman – 15 minutes before the trip start time
  • Marriott Grand Cayman – 30 minutes before the trip start time

For diving, we provide complimentary pick-up anywhere along Seven Mile Beach.

For all evening sails, you will need to make your own way to our departure location.

Do you offer travel agent discounts?

We offer card-carrying travel agents a discount on our tours. Please let us know when you are making a reservation and bring your IATA card with you for check-in.

Diving & Equipment

Do you offer Scuba diving?

Yes, we do. We have 2 fantastic dive operations on the island – For more information, please check our Scuba Diving options here

Which dive certification cards does Red Sail Sports accept?

All certified divers are required to present a Certification card upon check-in. Red Sail Sports accepts the following certification cards, among others: PADI, SSI, NAUI, IDEA, PDIC, NASDS, SDI, YMCA & HSA.

I haven't been diving in a long time - is there a Refresher Course that I can take?

Yes, in fact Red Sail Sports refresher policy is as follows: Last dive was over 1 year ago, Refresher Ccourse recommended. Last dive was 2-5 years ago, Red Sail Refresher Course required. Last dive was 6-9 years ago, Full PADI Scuba Tune Up Course required. Last dive was over 10 years ago, please contact dive shop for assessment prior to booking your dives. If you have any further questions about our refresher course policy then please call toll free 1-877-506-6368 and our representatives will be happy to assist.

I am not a certified diver but would like to dive with Red Sail Sports. What are my options?

There are several ways you can dive with Red Sail Sports: First is an introduction to diving called the Discover Scuba Resort Course. This is NOT a scuba diving certification course, it is designed to introduce non-divers to the thrilling world of SCUBA (Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus) with only a limited amount of theory and in-water training needed. This experience is a great way for non-certified divers to to dive the crystal clear waters of Grand Cayman or to find out what scuba diving is really like before you take a full certification course (referral or e-learning). Children must be at least 10 years to be certified or to do the resort course. Second, if you choose to take your theory classes and pool session in your hometown, you can then complete your open water dives in Grand Cayman. Open Water Referrals includes all equipment, consists of 4 dives, and takes 2 days to complete. We accept all referrals under the Universal Referral Program. Third, is the PADI eLearning Course. You can now complete the knowledge development portion of the PADI Open Water Diver course online with PADI eLearning. Once you have completed the online segment, you will print your eLearning Record and bring it with you to Grand Cayman to start your underwater activities. The course includes all equipment, confined water training sessions, 4 dives, and takes 3 days. Please note that the minimum age for eLearning is 13. * Please call first to ensure that certification by a particular agency is available at the location you plan to dive.

Can we rent Nitrox tanks?

Yes, Nitrox tanks are available for Nitrox certified divers for an additional cost. Don’t forget t ask about a Nitrox package if you are diving for three or more two-tank dives. Please inform the dive shop in advance if you would like to have Nitrox tanks available.

What type of tanks do you use?

Aluminum 72 cubic foot tanks are used on the dive boats. 100, 63 and 50 cubic foot tanks are available for additional fee. Please note we need at least 24 hours notice to make these tanks available.

Should I bring my own equipment or rent it from you?

Every diver is different and this is entirely at your discretion. Tanks, weights, and weight belt are provided on every dive at no extra charge and all other equipment can be rented at an additional cost. All of our equipment is re-newed every year and we have top-quality equipment. If you bring your own equipment, we have locker facilities for you to store it.

What equipment can I rent from Red Sail Sports?

We have everything you need for scuba dving and safe snorkeling. For scuba diving, tanks, weights, and weight belts are included in the cost of the boat dive; all other gear is available for rent from our dive shops. Equipment available: Aqualung Titan Regulator w/ Suunto Gekko Computer, Aqualung Wave BCD w/ Inflator, Dive Light, Mask, Fins & Snorkel Sets, 3 mm BARE Wetsuit (shorties), Prescription Mask and Individual Computers (Nitrox compatible).

Do all the training courses include equipment?

Yes, Open Water, Advanced Open Water and Discover Scuba Diving courses include tanks, weights, BCD, reg and wetsuit if required. Specialty courses such as Rescue, Peak Performance Buoyancy and Nitrox include tanks and weights only. Other equipment such as wetsuit, BCD and reg can be rented.

Do you provide snorkel gear?

Yes, we provide snorkel gear on all of our catamaran trips. We offer masks, snorkel, fins, and snorkel vests or life jackets for everyone aged 4 and up (this is included in the price of the tour).

What is the average water temperature?

The water temperature averages 80-82 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer and 78-80 degrees Fahrenheit in the winter, making diving without a wet suit comfortable for most people. If not, we have 3mm shortie wetsuits available for rent.

Are dive lockers available?

Yes, dive lockers are available at our dive shops at the following hotels: the Kimpton Seafire & Westin Seven Mile Beach Resort.

I will be vacationing with my children and plan to go diving with Red Sail Sports. Can you suggest any activities for my children to do while I go diving?

Children interested in snorkeling can accompany divers on some of our diving excursions. Ask about adding snorkel passengers to existing reservations, or the SASY and Bubblemaker programs for kids! Additionally, here are some of the childcare services that our hotel partners offer when staying on the island. Grand Cayman Beach Suites offers Beach Camp offers a full range of activities for potty-trained children from the ages of 3 – 11 years old. Inquire with the hotel directly for details. Westin Seven Mile Beach Resort offers a Kids Club for ages 4 to 12, offering a wide variety of activities that are designed to be both educational and enjoyable to ensure the most memorable of vacations. Inquire with the hotel directly for details.

Tour Specific

I'll be taking a cruise which docks for only a day. Will I have enough time to dive with Red Sail Sports?

Whether or not you have enough time depends on which day of the week and at what time your cruise ship arrives and departs. Most of our dives do not take more than 4 hours (plus a half hour for registration), and we offer a la carte diving daily in the morning and afternoon, and at night a few times a week. Please call toll free 1-877-506-6368 for the dive schedule during the time you are in port (please remember to have your cruise itinerary handy when calling).

Can snorkelers go on the dive boats with the divers?

Yes, snorkelers are welcome on afternoon on-tank dive boats for a small fee and are subject to available space.

Are there age restrictions?

We do not have an age restriction on our boat excursions and tours. We ask that if you are bringing along children under the age of 4, you bring flotation devices for them as we do not provide them for children under age 4.

However, there is an age restriction for beach toys and diving.

Are pregnant women able to take tours?

The only activity pregnant women are not permitted on is our smaller Seven Mile Beach Speedboats. They are welcome on all our other sailing excursions.

Do I need to know how to swim to go on a tour?

It is recommended that you know how to swim if you intend to do any snorkeling. We have a lifebuoy that you may use to hang on to during the snorkel stops so you can see the fish and coral if you are not comfortable swimming.

How deep is the water at Stingray City?

The water at the Stingray City sandbar is 3-5 feet deep. We anchor the boat nearby in about 5-6 feet of water so we don’t run it aground, and you then make your way over to the shallower area where you will stand in the sand while the stingrays swim around you. The snorkel stops are in 8-10 feet of water.

Are there changing rooms and showers at Stingray City?

We recommend that you wear your swimsuit under a cover-up or shorts/t-shirt as the only place to change clothes at Stingray City is in the washroom on the boat. There are no showers on board, but there is a rinse bucket filled with fresh water.

What is the maximum number of people allowed on your tours?

We have several boats ranging from 28-65 feet in length with capacities from 8- 70 people. The average number of people on a tour is 40.

How long are the Stingray tours?

Most of our excursions are 3.5 hours long with some variation of 30 minutes or so for early morning and later afternoon trips.

Is there a better time of day to see the stingrays?

The stingrays are hungry morning, noon, and night. The ones who have eaten in the morning will go off to their afternoon hangout and others will take their place throughout the day.

How much time do we get to spend at each stop on the stingray/snorkel tour?

We spend approximately 45 – 50 minutes at each stop on our tours to ensure you have plenty of time to explore and relax!

Can we stay on the boat at the Stingrays?

Yes, you may stay on the boat at any of the stops.

Can you accommodate a person in a wheelchair?

Yes, on most of our tours we can accommodate a person in a wheelchair provided it is collapsible. But please reach out to us if you have any queries.

Do you have any recommendations for a family with limited snorkelling experience?

We strongly recommend that you know how to swim before taking a snorkelling trip, but our crew are experienced at teaching beginners how to snorkel. Just ask them when you get on the boat.

Can we have a private boat?

It is not allowed to bring your own alcoholic drinks on board as our bars are licensed, but you are welcomed to bring snacks.

Onboard Amenities & Services

Are there refreshments on the boats?

Yes, there is iced water available on all dive boats. There is a full cash bar available on our 65′ catamarans (open after snorkel stops).

Do you have a bar on board?

There is a licensed bar available on all catamaran trips which accepts cash, major debit/credit cards, and room charges for the following hotels: Marriott Grand Cayman, The Westin Grand Cayman Seven Mile Beach Resort & Spa, The Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman, and Kimpton Seafire Resort + Spa.

Please note that alcohol will only be served after the in-water activities are complete, for your safety.

Can I bring my own food and drinks?

It is not allowed to bring your own alcoholic drinks on board as our bars are licensed, but you are welcomed to bring snacks.

Do you offer life jackets for kids?

We provide snorkel vests and life jackets for everyone aged 4 and above. If you are bringing children under the age of 4 with you, please bring a flotation device for them.

How can we give a gratuity to the crew?

If you choose to extend a gratuity, it can be given directly to the captain in cash or with a credit card payment on the boat. All tips go directly to the crew members who hosted your day.

What do we need to bring?

We find the less things people bring, the happier they are. Not only does it keep the boat clear from clutter thus giving you more room to enjoy, but it also increases the likelihood that you focus on the beautiful sights that are all around in the Cayman Islands and not your iPhone screen. A small bag with your key personal items, sunglasses, a hat, sunscreen, a dry shirt, and a great attitude is all you need!