F.A.Q

Here’s a quick guide to help you pick the right boat size based on comfort and space:

At Maximum Capacity: Everyone will have a seat, but space for personal items must be stored away.

2–3 Fewer Than Max Capacity: You'll have extra room to stretch out and move around comfortably.

4+ Fewer Than Max Capacity: There’s plenty of space to relax, with room to place belongings on nearby seats.

Note: This guide does not apply to our larger, premium vessels, which provide ample space and comfort, even when at full capacity.

Yes, you're more than welcome to bring your own food and drinks. All of our boats come equipped with a cooler and ice to keep everything chilled.

If you're departing from the Cayman Islands Yacht Club, Anchors is a convenient spot to grab any last-minute supplies before your charter.

Tip: Liquor stores in the Cayman Islands don’t open until 10:00 a.m., so if you have a morning departure, we recommend picking up your beverages the day before.

In most cases, all you’ll need is swimwear, sunscreen, and a towel. For specific recommendations, check the “What to Bring” section on each boat’s individual page, which is accessible via our Boats & Rates page.

We also highly recommend using reef-safe sunscreen to help protect the coral reefs and marine life you’ll encounter during your charter.

Your safety is our top priority. All of our captains are fully trained in safety protocols and emergency procedures, and each vessel is equipped with life vests and standard safety gear.

For full details, we encourage you to review our Boat Safety page before your charter.

No, we require full payment to secure your booking.

However, if you’re interested in using a payment installment option through Klarna, please contact our bookings team. We’ll be happy to help set that up if available.

Currently, our online booking system does not support splitting payments between multiple cards. We recommend having one person complete the booking and arrange reimbursement within your group.

If you’d prefer to explore alternative arrangements, feel free to contact our bookings team, and we’ll do our best to assist.

Currently, our online system doesn’t support booking multiple charters in a single transaction. You’ll need to book each charter separately.

If you're planning multiple trips and would like assistance, feel free to contact our bookings team - we’re happy to help streamline the process.

Yes, you can make changes to your booking prior to your charter date. If your changes result in a lower total, our Cancellation Policy will apply to the refunded amount. Any additional costs will be charged to your preferred payment method.

To request changes, please contact our bookings team as soon as possible.

You can book up to the day before your charter online. For same-day bookings, we recommend calling us directly to check real-time availability.

Since we operate on a first-come, first-served basis, we strongly suggest booking as early as possible to secure your preferred date and time - especially during busy seasons.

Our departure times are carefully optimized based on sunset times, seasonal conditions, the activities selected, and our ability to run two trips per day.

For this reason, start times are generally not flexible - unless you’ve booked a full-day charter (7 - 8 hrs), which allows scheduling flexibility.

During slower months, there is greater flexibility and a wider range of departure times to choose from.

To view available time slots, simply complete the steps in our Trip Builder and click “Check Availability”.

No, we do not offer bareboat rentals. The waters around Cayman can be challenging to navigate, and parking at Stingray City can be risky without local experience.

We specialize in crewed private charters to ensure a safe, seamless, and exceptional experience every time. For more details, visit our Boat Rentals page.

No, we don’t offer group tours. All of our charters are private and fully customized for your group.

We believe the best way to experience the beauty of Grand Cayman is on your own schedule, with your own crew, and without having to share the space with others. It’s all about comfort, privacy, and making the day truly yours.

No, gratuities are not included in the charter price. If you’d like to show your appreciation, tips can be given directly to the captain and crew at your discretion.

All card gratuities go entirely to the crew who hosted your day on the water.

Once you’ve selected your boat and activities using our Trip Builder, an algorithm will accurately calculate the estimated time required for your custom adventure.

You can even select a slower pace to maximize your time at each activity, making your experience as relaxed or action-packed as you like.

The minimum charter length depends on your boat and chosen activities:

• Bio Bay–only tours: 2 hours.

• Most activities: a 3-hour minimum on select vessels, or 4 hours on most boats.

• Deep Sea Fishing: 4 hours.

Bio Bay is a nighttime experience, so it always makes up the last ~2 hours of your charter (including the return to the dock) and can be combined with other activities. The exact time needed for your trip is calculated automatically in our Trip Builder.

We can’t guarantee availability for extra time once you're already on board, as another booking may follow yours. To be safe, we recommend selecting the “Additional Hour” option in the Trip Builder when booking.

If you end up finishing early and don’t use the extra hour, just let us know, and we’ll refund the difference.

In terms of weather, there’s usually little difference between morning and afternoon charters.

Morning charters can sometimes be more crowded - this is unless you book an 8 AM start to beat the rush - when it's most peaceful and serene. Mornings are also an excellent option for families with young children, as little ones often have more energy earlier in the day.

Afternoon charters are a great choice if you prefer to avoid the crowds, as things generally quiet down after 2-3 PM when cruise ship visitors return to port.

Our favorite way to end the day? Include Bio Bay in your itinerary to experience the magical transition from sunset into a starlit evening of wonder. It’s a beautiful way to cap off any adventure.

The best time to visit the Bioluminescent Bay is when the sky is darkest - during the two weeks surrounding the new moon or if the moon has yet to rise (or has set below the horizon).

That said, bioluminescence is still visible throughout the month on boat charters.

Because you'll be snorkeling in the water, ambient light from the moon has minimal effect - so you will likely still get a fantastic experience. The glow typically becomes visible about 30 minutes after sunset, and charters usually return around two hours after sunset (8-9 pm).

For more details, visit our Bio Bay page.

Yes, swimming in Bio Bay is perfectly safe. The only minor concern is the presence of jellyfish on the sea bed. You might feel a mild sting if you accidentally kick down and stir up the bottom. Most people find the sensation to be mild and short-lived.

Wearing a rashguard can help minimize the chance of getting stung, and your captain will provide full instructions and safety guidelines before you enter the water.

Early mornings are generally the most productive time for deep-sea fishing, as many fish species are most active just after sunrise. That’s why our charters can start as early as 7 AM - to give you the best chance at a successful catch.

That said, fish can bite at any time of day, so a later start at around 9 AM can still yield great results. Sunset hours can also be productive, making afternoon charters a great option if you prefer a more relaxed start. For seasonal tips and more details, visit our Deep Sea Fishing page.

Not at all! You don’t need any prior experience to enjoy deep-sea fishing. Our charters are led by experienced captains and crew who know the local waters and fishing techniques inside and out.

We provide everything you need - fishing gear, bait, and safety equipment - and the crew will guide you through the process step by step, making it accessible and enjoyable for all experience levels, from first-timers to seasoned anglers.

Deep Sea Fishing: Yes, absolutely! When you catch a fish during a deep sea fishing charter, your captain will clean and fillet it for you - so you can take it home to cook - or even bring it to a local seafood restaurant that will prepare it for you (just ask the captain).

Reef Fishing: Reef fishing is strictly catch and release, as the fish in these areas are typically too small to keep. This practice helps protect the fragile reef ecosystem and supports sustainable fishing.

Age Restrictions: There are no age restrictions, but we recommend it for children 8 years and older, as they’re more likely to enjoy the experience.

Licensing: No need to worry - we hold all the necessary licenses.

Fish Size Restrictions: Yes, certain species have size and catch limits in place to support sustainable fishing. You can find more details on our Deep Sea Fishing page.

Yes, the minimum age to drive a jet ski is 16 years old.

There’s no official age restriction for riding as a passenger with an adult, but we recommend a minimum age of 6 for comfort and safety.

No, we don’t offer transportation to or from the boat meeting points. If you do not have a rental car, your hotel’s front desk will happily arrange a taxi for you.

You can also explore transportation options on our Getting Around page.

No, we don’t offer (or recommend) pickups from Seven Mile Beach. All of our charter activities take place in the North Sound, and picking up from Seven Mile Beach would add almost 2 hours of travel time to your charter.

The Cayman Islands Yacht Club is conveniently located just 5 minutes from anywhere along Seven Mile Beach, making it the quickest and easiest departure point.

If you are running late, please contact us as soon as possible. With enough notice, we’ll do our best to either adjust your start time or extend your time on the water (provided there’s no booking immediately after yours).

However, without prior notice, we can’t guarantee any changes or extensions.

Wind speed, direction, and your chosen vessel all play a role in determining whether it’s safe and enjoyable to proceed.

If we determine that conditions are too rough, we’ll contact you a few days in advance to reschedule. If rescheduling isn’t possible, you’ll receive a full refund.

Tropical rain showers in Cayman are often brief and unpredictable, usually lasting 30 minutes or less. Because of this, we typically can't make a final weather call until the day of your charter and sometimes just a few hours before departure.

If we determine that the rain will significantly impact your experience, we’ll contact you to reschedule. If rescheduling isn’t possible, you’ll receive a full refund.

While we typically anticipate high winds in advance, tropical rain showers can develop unexpectedly. Captains can often spot approaching weather and adjust the route to avoid it—but that’s not always possible.

Some guests enjoy the adventure of a passing shower, while others prefer to head back early. If you decide to cut your trip short due to weather, we’ll refund you for any unused time.

Your satisfaction is our top priority. If your experience falls short of expectations, we’ll initiate a thorough review through our CharterSecure process - our commitment to ensuring fairness and accountability.

We’ll gather detailed feedback from both you and your captain to fully understand what happened and work toward a fair and timely resolution.

We recommend allowing 1.5 hours from your cruise ship’s arrival time to reach our dock. While we’re located just 10 minutes from the cruise port, cruise ships use tenders to bring guests ashore, and this process can take up to an hour.

For example, if you’ve booked a 9:00 AM charter, your cruise should arrive no later than 7:30 AM to ensure a smooth and stress-free start.

We recommend allowing at least 1.5 hours between the end of your charter and your cruise ship’s departure time.

For example, if your ship is scheduled to leave at 6 PM, your charter should finish by 4:30 PM.

This buffer ensures a stress-free return to port, even if there are minor delays along the way.

During the off-peak season, flexible scheduling is available, making this no issue at all.

During peak season, availability between 10 AM and 1 PM is limited due to afternoon charters. But don’t worry - you still have great options depending on your ship’s arrival time:

If your cruise arrives between 7:30 AM and 10:00 AM:

• Book a 5–7 hour morning charter starting at 9 AM.

  You may miss some time at the start, but you can still enjoy up to 5-6 hours on the water - plenty of time for an unforgettable Cayman experience.

Note: Depending on the ships in port, guests often arrive at our dock 30-45 minutes after the cruise docks. We just like to play it extra safe and recommend 1.5 hours.

If your cruise arrives between 10:00 AM and 12:00 PM:

• Book a 6–7 hour afternoon charter starting between 12 PM and 1 PM.

  These charters typically end between 6 PM and 7 PM. While you may miss a little at the end, you’ll still have enough time for fun on the water.

If this is expected, please just add a note of your cruise schedule in the checkout process, and we’ll inform your captain (so they do not assume it’s a no-show).

During peak season, availability between 10 AM and 12 PM is limited due to high demand and scheduling for afternoon charters.

Our peak season dates are:

• January 1 – 7

• March 1 – 31

• April 1 – 24

• June 15 – 30

• July 1 – 31

• November 20 – 30

• December 16 – 31

During less busy seasons, we offer greater flexibility of 10 AM - 12 PM start times for most boats.

Flexible scheduling is available during:

• January 8 – 31

• February 1 – 28

• April 25 – 30

• May 1 – 31

• June 1 – 14

• August 1 – 31

• September 1 – 30

• October 1 – 31

• November 1 – 19

• December 1 – 15

We recommend checking the official Port Authority Cruise Schedule rather than relying solely on the cruise line’s reported arrival time.

Cruise ships operate on Miami time, which can differ by one hour from local Cayman time during part of the year, due to Cayman not observing daylight savings.

The easiest way to reach our dock is by taxi. At the cruise terminal, look for transport officials in blue polo shirts - they’ll be happy to assist you in arranging a taxi.

The drive takes about 10–15 minutes and typically costs around $5–$6 USD per person.

While rare, mechanical issues can occasionally happen. The good news is that with our extensive fleet and experienced team, we always have backup boats and captains available to assist, whether it’s completing your charter or getting you safely back to shore.

Combined with our recommended 1.5-hour buffer between the end of your trip and your ship’s departure, there’s no risk of missing your cruise.