The Bach@Brac

We HIGHLY recommend renting a car. Taxis need to be booked in advance and there are only a few services on the island (see additional info in this guide below). We recommend B&S Motor Ventures Limited (the_rock@candw.ky). They have a large range of cars to choose from, although they are all pretty basic. Let them know you are guests of ours (Michael & Melissa Wood from the Bach @ Brac), and they’ll take good care of you.

The island has some of the best snorkeling/diving in the world, and I believe it’s better to experience that in your own gear. If you don’t have gear or don’t want to bring it, you can rent (or buy) just about everything you need from Brac Scuba Shack. You will find a detailed map of all the scuba/snorkel sites in our house manual when you arrive. Contact Brac Scuba Shack on info@bracscubashack.com to prebook dives and gear.

The Brac is mainly made up of Iron Shore (limestone) so most entry points into the water require reef shoes or hard soled shoes. This will protect you from the uneven & often sharp iron shore as well as sea urchins (quite prolific in some areas such as the lagoon).

Whilst mosquitos are not prevalent all year round, they do sometimes come out when you least expect them. We have ample bug spray, as well as bug protecting ‘devices’ such as coils and citronella candles to use around the outdoor dining table, or wherever you need them. Not usually needed down by the fire-pit of an evening as the smoke/flames keep the bugs away there.

The Brac doesn’t have a lot of choice when it comes to deli meats and/or international cheese, olives etc., so if you like this sort of snack, bring with you, but you will have to declare these on your customs form. Usually there is no issue and they just wave you through, however on the odd occasion we have been charged ‘duty’ on the declared value of such items and we’ve been asked to show them to the customs officer. Because customs is quite strict with carry-on luggage, it’s usually best to pack these items very carefully in leak-proof containers and put them into your checked luggage.

We have a large library of books, so no need to bring any if you are short on space. If you do, feel free to work with our ‘take one, leave one’ policy. We also have lots of games in the bookshelf for your enjoyment, a DVD player with kids movies in the kids bedroom, and two smart TVs, with the usual Netflix, YouTube apps etc.

Swimming is not possible from the beach in front of our house. The nearest, safe sandy beach with swimming access is at the Southside Public Beach (about 10 min. drive from the house). The Lagoon swimming area is further down the road. Reef shoes are recommended at all entry points into the water on the island, as the iron shore extends into the water, and some sharp rocks may be encountered even on the sandy beaches. The only time reef shoes would not be needed is at Buccaneers swimming hole on the northwest side of the island, near the entry point to the MV Captain Keith Tibbetts (wreck).

Both area available on island – Rock Iguana is the commercial climbing venture (www.climb.ky or info@climb.ky), and there are lots of great hiking trails (info in the house manual). Bring appropriate shoes if you think you’ll be doing either activity … buying these on-island is not really an option.

Captain Jason Groves @ Caught Up Charters. Email: bracprivatecharters@gmail.com or Ph: +1.345.922.0321. Captain Jason offers 10% discount to The Bach @ Brac guests & will customize a trip for you.

Definitely need to pre-book with Kelly @ Brac Beach Spa (she is the only massage therapist on the island, and will come to the house, or you can set up an appointment with her at Brac Reef Resort). Website: www.thebeachspa.ky Ph: (345) 925.2772 Email: info@thebeachspa.ky

CUSTOMS (for International Travellers): When you enter Grand Cayman (or Cayman Brac if you are flying direct from Miami), you need to check the box on the customs form advising that you are staying in a private house. The address is: 1432 South Side Road East Cayman Brac, CAYMAN ISLANDS Local Phone: (345) 948-8713

If you choose not to rent a car, please be sure to pre-book a taxi to take you to the house on your arrival (your cost, paid directly to driver). This would only be suitable if you do not plan to leave the house at all, and are happy to do one grocery shop during your stay. We recommend Mossy Taxi & Tours for taxi service. Richard Moss Ph: (345) 939.9517 Email: mossrich@candw.ky Alternatively, try Carter Taxi & Tours @ Ph: 345.923.5494 or email vanessa.carter80@yahoo.com

On arrival at the house, you will find some basic pantry items already in the fridge and cupboards …. tea, coffee, sugar, salt, pepper, cooking oil, & some spices. Other kitchen items such as sandwich bags, aluminium foil, cling wrap etc. are also in the drawers, as are stationery items. Trash bags for the kitchen bin are provided, as well as large contractor bags (black) for the outdoor rubbish bins. There is a supply of dishwashing soap & liquid (for dishwasher), washing machine pods, dryer sheets, stain remover. An initial supply of toilet paper & paper towels will also be in the house.

Good selection of wines, beers and liquors. At the intersection of Gerrard Smith Avenue (at the end of the airport runway) and South Side West Road, so on the way to our house as you come from the airport.

We are on an island in a humid climate, so we sometimes have unwelcome guests - of the creepy-crawly kind i.e. ants, flying & crawling insects, bugs, moths, lizards, and occasionally the odd mouse. We undertake regular pest control, but cannot guarantee you will not see any during your stay. We have lots of fly, mosquito, ant & roach spray in the cupboards under the kitchen sink, and our handyman, Andy, will come & set traps if there’s a mouse in the house. If you are unable or unwilling to deal with any or all of these little critters, then our house & the island itself may not be for you.