Grand Cayman top 10 this December?

[vashon]

Any recommendations for best of dive spots?

Hi, back to Grand Cayman where 2 of my 3 progeny were certified 10 years ago. Group now doing up to 20 dives a year and looking forward to 10 days back on Grand Cayman after long absence!

Group loves structure, walls, big fish, night.

On another note, we aren't settled on a dive shop partner so any recommendations welcomed! We are staying in Rum Point. But don't want location to limit us...

 

[Jack Ryan]

For the holidays we have been staying close to RP as well. I have always dove with OF in the east end. I think they would meet your diving requirements?

The morning drive to the east end is very easy and relaxing, takes about twenty minutes.
I don't think it would be much fun driving back and forth from GT? Since my wife is a non diver I mainly do the two tank AM dives. Driving back to the sea lodge, I stop and pick up whatever groceries we might want and top off the beer stash as there is a small strip mall across from the Reef Resort.

We came close to changing our GC vacation this year due to the problems we kept reading about, but things seemed to have improved? We are returning and will be there shortly.

If you like to snorkel there is a public beach down from RP, if you walk down to the right (east) a few minutes enter the water and let the current take you back to the public beach entrance, or you can drift to RP (not the best). On a calm day you can easily swim to the break, lot's of micro stuff. All the usual suspects, turtles, lobsters, large rays and cudas, octos and eels in the sea grass etc.

Have fun.

JR

 

[SAPIUS]

Ellen and I have a residence at Gun Bay (East End) since we prefer the more 'traditional' side of GC...definitely hook up with Ocean Frontiers for diving...super group and cater to their clients. Issues "aka problems" were quickly dealt with (small gang vs gang shootings....UK sent some specialists and the GC police were given better resources)...so now message is out on the West End and much more quiet. Actually, the whole reporting was a little hyped (as usual...news is not reporting but creating) and it is really a non issue now. We are at the GC every month and have NEVER experience anything of concern. We are flying down on 12/24 and staying thru 1/7/2012 so if you happen to make it to Compass Point (Ocean Frontiers) let us know. East End diving is really great and here is a link for more info for the dive sites>>>

greenshortchallenge.com

If you are interested in the East End let me know... we have been diving GC since 1991 and have a pretty good feel for the place
Michael

 

[Ravzie]

This time of year, the south side has the best conditions. I really liked the sites there last year.

 

[caymaniac]

I like the North Wall on GC, next time do yourself a favor and visit Little Cayman if you like walls.

 

[vashon]

Thank you for the info. We ended up going with Red Sail because it was close and one of the group was finishing ow cert. Dove Tarpon Terrace shallow and not much for exp divers but others finished cert. Blown out next day so some did Devil's Grotto which was great with all the tunnels and swim troughs, took 10 back the next day; most boats stayed at dock but the Grotto and Eden Rock are sheltered. Next day three went to Dive Tech Lighthouse location for a dive on the wall/deep reef. OK dive, but the staff at Dive Tech top notch and friendly--more so than the touristy location of Eden Rock. Out with Red Sail for a deep/shallow this a.m. East End blown out, went west along north side to Old Man's Bay (I think) and dove Babylon to 105', really great dive, followed by Omega shallow dive, the mini wall there is good; turtle, barracuda, lion fish and usual suspects. Good time is being had by all...