Jul 20: Gasparee Caves & Monos Island Adventure

🏞️𝗗𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗦🌊Island 1 – Gaspar Grande
🌊Island 2 – Monos Island
🎫𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗡𝗧 𝗗𝗘𝗧𝗔𝗜𝗟𝗦
This 2 in 1 adventure takes us exploring in the Gasparee Caves and the World War II guns on Gaspar Grande then to Monas Island for relaxing on the beautiful stretch of gorgeous beach that is Biscayne Bay. Definitely a bucket list item and a great experience for families and kids. The day starts with catching the boat in Chaguaramas to Gasparee Island/Gaspar Grande where we explore the Gasparee Caves with its breathtaking Blue Grotto and the WWII guns higher up on the island. We then hop from Gasparee Island to Monos Island where we take a short 10 min walk along a wide concreted path to the beautiful Biscayne Bay where we spend the rest of the afternoon relaxing, swimming, playing cricket, football and enjoying a well deserved DDI beach day!
🥾 𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗡𝗧 𝗜𝗡𝗙𝗢𝗥𝗠𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡
• Location of event: Down De Islands off Chaguaramas
• Approximate start of event: 8:30 am
• Approximate end of hike: 3 pm
• Difficulty Rating: 2 out of 10 (1= very easy, 10 = very strenuous)
• Intensity: Easy
• Event Duration:
o Boat times going & coming: 15 mins from Chaguaramas to Gaspar Grande, 20 mins from Gaspar Grande to Monos Island, 30 mins from Monos Island to Chaguaramas
o Time at destinations: Gaspar Grande 3 hours, Monos Island 2-3 hours
Terrain Description:
From the jetty on Gaspar Grande, it is a 15-20 min walk along an undulating concrete path to the visitor center. There is the option to take a half hour detour to go explore the World War II guns situated on the island. From the visitor center, we descent 100 feet into the caves via a staircase where a one hour tour of the caves will be done. After the cave tour, we return to the jetty to board the boat to Monos Island where a 10 minute walk along a wide, flat concrete path will bring us to Biscayne Bay where we will spend the afternoon after which we return to the jetty to catch the boat back to the mainland.
All quoted times are based on average sailing & walking times and can vary based on sea conditions, the fitness of the group and how fast we move, the amount of rest stops taken, any unforeseen variations in the terrain (e.g. fallen trees), the weather etc.
💲 𝗖𝗢𝗦𝗧:
TT $300 per adult, $275 kids under 12 years
This cost is inclusive of cave entry permits, Palance868 guide fees and the boat to and from Gaspar Grande and Monos Island (2 separate islands) and back to the mainland.
Ground Transportation is NOT provided, patrons are responsible for their personal transportation arrangements to and from the event.
📝𝗛𝗢𝗪 𝗧𝗢 𝗕𝗢𝗢𝗞:
A booking is required for all Palance868 events for safety and group size control. To book WhatsApp us at (868) 7479655
Please provide the following for EACH attendee:
1. Full name (age if under 18 yrs) & cell contact
2. Emergency name and contact info
3. List of any major medical issues, these include allergies, asthma, heart issues, bone, joint or muscle injuries
4. Any medication taken, name and dosage
5. Is attendee a swimmer or non-swimmer?
Some events are not suitable for children under the age of 3 years. No babies in arms/baby backpacks or strollers will be allowed. Exceptions will be made for our very experienced and fit hikers, who have navigated similar trails with their kids. Some medical conditions may hamper your ability to participate in certain hikes and as such, please discuss this when making your booking.
Bookings are facilitated depending on space availability for the event and payments are made through Republic Bank either online transfers or in-bank deposits (bank details provided upon booking). Bookings are confirmed on a 1st come, 1st serve basis upon receipt of payment confirmation. Unconfirmed bookings will be released back to other interested parties if not confirmed via payment. All bookings & payment confirmations close off the Friday before the event at 12 noon (if not sold out before then).
🚘 𝗔𝗦𝗦𝗘𝗠𝗕𝗟𝗬 𝗜𝗡𝗙𝗢𝗥𝗠𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡:
Assembly Time: 8:00 am
Assembly Point: Island Property Owners Association Car Park, Chaguaramas (https://maps.app.goo.gl/DjdemasA24GE45dW6)
When you arrive at the meeting point, please locate our hike leaders, attired in red, black and orange Palance868 T-shirts. Here you must sign our attendance register with an emergency contact included.
We take the boat at Island Property Owners Association Marina. We use this Marina because there is secured gated parking, washroom facilities, a shaded waiting/boarding area and a safe and comfortable jetty to embark and disembark the boat without patrons getting wet or risking injury. Here, there is a $20 per vehicle fee to park in the secured car park if you choose to park in the carpark (recommended) and not at the side of the road and a marina entrance fee of $25 per person over 10 years old, Patrons will be responsible for this cost which is payable to IPOA on the morning.
💼 𝗣𝗥𝗘𝗣𝗔𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗚𝗨𝗜𝗗𝗘𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗘𝗦:
Please use this list of recommended essentials for your personal preparation:
1. Water/Juice/energy drink/snacks/sandwiches
2. Plastic bag for your personal trash
3. Sun Protection: Sunblock/ Hat/ Sunglasses
4. Light, comfortable clothing recommended, bathing suits can be worn underneath.
5. Comfortable footwear, sneakers recommended (pair of slippers can be walked with for beach)
6. Personal Medication if you take any.
7. Light beach spread or towel for relaxing on the beach
8. Extra towel, change of clothing and footwear (e.g. slippers) in your vehicle after tour for changing
9. Plastic bag for your wet clothes
11. Bathrooms & showers can be used to bathe/change
A hat and/or umbrella and sunscreen is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED for protection from the sun. Also, walk with a minimum of 1 litre of water to keep hydrated in the heat. Be sure to pack smartly with all necessities for the day because once we leave the mainland we will only return after the tour.
🕒 𝗢𝗥𝗗𝗘𝗥 𝗢𝗙 𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗦 𝗙𝗢𝗥 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗗𝗔𝗬
1. 8 am: Arrive at Marina. Pay parking and entry fees. You will receive a ticket to be placed on the dash of your vehicle.
2. Drive into carpark & park smartly.
3. Locate our Palance868 leaders in red, white, black and orange jerseys and come to the sign up area to be registered, banded and assigned a lifejacket that will stay with you for the day
4. Organize all your necessaries and get ready for the safety brief which starts promptly at 8:30 am
5. After brief, don lifejacket and head to the jetty area to board the boat to Gaspar Grande after the safety briefing.
6. Once everyone is boat transferred to the island, we make the 20 min hike to the visitor complex and then into the caves for the tour.
7. Before/after our caves tour, those interested in exploring the island a bit more can do so, lead by our hike leaders
8. After this we head back to the jetty to take the boat to Monos Island
9. There is a short 5-10 min walk to the beach where we enjoy Biscayne Bay for the rest of the day before making our way back to the jetty to head back to the Marina in Chaguaramas.
10. Return your lifejackets upon disembarking
🦺 𝗦𝗔𝗙𝗘𝗧𝗬 𝗖𝗛𝗘𝗖𝗞𝗟𝗜𝗦𝗧
We take every precaution to ensure that you and your loved ones are taken good care of at any of our events. The Palance868 Adventures Safety/Hiking Checklist includes:
> 2 way communication radios
> Lifejackets for all attendees
> Ropes (will be placed where needed)
> First Aid Kits
> First Aid Trained Hike Leaders
> Trained & certified First Responder
> PADI certified rescue diver on team’s committee
> Rescue Cans
> Machetes
> Rope ladder
✍ 𝗗𝗜𝗦𝗖𝗟𝗔𝗜𝗠𝗘𝗥
Palance868 Adventures reserves to right to cancel or postpone any event due to adverse weather or any other conditions we deem to be unsafe for our hikers. In the event that an event is cancelled before the day of its execution, full refunds will be issued. While we take every reasonable precaution to ensure your safety, each person who participates in any Palance868 Adventures Club event accepts full responsibility for making their own decisions and determinations for their own safety, health conditions, conduct and well-being. Each person who participates in any Palance868 Adventures Club event recognizes that possible health and safety hazards exist when attending any outdoor and/or indoor activities and agrees to participate solely at their own risk. All participants under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian. We reserve the right to refuse admittance to any person for any reason.
❌ 𝗖𝗔𝗡𝗖𝗘𝗟𝗟𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗣𝗢𝗟𝗜𝗖𝗬
> Cancellations made more than 5 days before the event are entitled to a full refund
> Cancellations made 5-3 days before will have 50% fee attached
> There is a no refund policy for cancellations made less than 3 days before the event