Shore diving on the east end??

[Scubasteve1982]

I'm going to GC in May and was wondering if there is any shore diving on the east end where I'll be staying. We will be renting a vehicle so we can travel but something close by would be great. Thanks!!

[Daz]

There's really not a lot of easily accessed shore sites out east. Babylon can be done from shore but it's a bit of a kick and you have to know where to park and where to make your entry.

Since you have a vehicle, I'd recommend doing as we do when we want to shore dive GC - drive, then dive. There are some nice shore sites on the other side: Robert's Reef (Turtle Farm), Lighthouse Point, Cobalt Coast, Sunset, Devil's Grotto, Cemetary, Smith's Cove, etc.

[Scubasteve1982]

Thanks for the info, I'm sure we will travel to do some shore diving! Also do you know if there is any good snorkeling off the beach over by morritt's on the east end. I'm going to be staying there during the trip and would like to snorkel anytime I'm not diving.

[Daz]

Snorkeling out EE is decent. We own a condo at The Reef (right next door to Morrits) and snorkel off the beach all the time. Our favorite entry is to go in right by the Reef's dock (usually quite a few fish hanging out there - they get fed at noon), then swim out until just short of the channel and work out way back in towards the beach. we tend to drift a bit east and usually end up exiting 100 meters or so shy of Morritt's dock. Don't miss a night snork there - It seems that we're the only ones who do it, but there's always a lot of life out cruising the flats at night.

[Scubasteve1982]

Night snorkel?? That sounds like fun, never thought to try that. Well I'm leaving for Grand Cayman May 8th I can't wait. thanks again!

[divesergeant]

Scubasteve1982 (http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/members/scubasteve1982.html),

I second the suggestion about diving the Turtle Farm and Lighthouse Point. We've dived them both and really enjoyed them. A bonus at Ollen Miller's Sundivers site at Turtle Reef is the Macabuca bar and grill right there for lunch post-dive. We did that several times. The food is good and the atmosphere casual. Heck, how up tight can they be with divers walking right through the outdoor seating to enter the water!

For Snorkeling, a popular trip is from the public beach near Cayman Kai to Rum Point for lunch and, er, um, the refreshment of your choice. Then, either snorkel back or walk back wearing the shoes which you would have cleverly carried in a dry bag.

We did our first tropical snorkeling in the vicinity of Cayman Kai / Rum Point on our honeymoon in '85, so it holds a special place in our memory.

I hope this helps!

Yours,
DS

[DropkickMurphy]

Night snorkel?? That sounds like fun, never thought to try that.

My only hesitance with it is that it flies in the face of the number one rule I have been taught about how to avoid become a shark hors d'oeuvre (stay out of shallow water between dusk and dawn).

[Drew Sailbum]

A word of caution about snorkeling around Morritt's - there is normally a steady current running along the shore from south to north. The current then takes a turn and goes out the channel. Get caught close to the channel too far from shore when that current is running then you may be pulled out to sea.

Around Morritt's the best snorkeling tends to be immediately around the dock. The fish also tend to find refuge around the mooring blocks for the dive boats.

As to shore diving in East End... there are several good entry points along the north shore of East End. There is no easy access along the south shore. Due to the previously mentioned current you should never try to shore dive any of the four sites directly in front of Morritt's.

Getting tanks for an East End shore dive is another matter. The dive op at Morritt's does not rent tanks for shore diving and I don't think Ocean Frontiers will either. To shore dive East End you may have to drive to George Town to get the tanks.

[Scubasteve1982]

Thanks for the info. It really helps! I can't wait till May!!

[Scubasteve1982]

I'm staying at morritts and would like a good dive opt to dive with. Small boats good people. I don't need a guide or someone to tell me how to dive. Just friendly safe people. Oh and good prices!!!

[Daz]

The dive op out EE is Ocean Frontiers (not the only op, but definately the best).

[Drew Sailbum]

I'm staying at morritts and would like a good dive opt to dive with. Small boats good people. I don't need a guide or someone to tell me how to dive. Just friendly safe people. Oh and good prices!!!

There are only two dive shops operating in East End. Tortuga Divers operates out of Morritt's Tortuga Club and their boats depart from the dock there. Ocean Frontiers operates out of their shop about 3 miles from Morritt's. They will pick you up from Morrit's if you like.

Tortuga Divers operates two Newton 42 dive boats which are equipped to take up to 24 divers (21 guests + 3 staff diving) but they typically limit a boat to a maximum of 16 guests + staff diving. Ocean Frontiers operates boats of similar size or slightly smaller. Significantly smaller boats would not be suitable for year round operation in East End where the waters are sometimes rougher.

Prices are similar between the operations. Ocean Frontiers will rinse and store your gear for you.

[moosesun]

I,we had the worst experience ever had, while try to get some info on diving with the on-site shop at Morritts .I think it was a Red Sail Shop named Tortuga Diver , Don't get me wrong Red Sail usually has a good reputation for its customer service but the woman at that dive shop was the RUDEST and least helpful person on the island she needs to find another job without customer interaction. I would have perfered not to dive at all; rather than book a dive through that shop. I went as far as to go back midway through our trip and see if maybe she was just having a bad day , No miserable again. That of my chest we headed a couple of miles south and had a great time diving with Ocean Frontiers at Compass point very helpful nice boats just a great time. While talking with the other divers on the boat come to find out that 8 of the 10 divers were also from Morritts, all had the same opion obviously. Great shore diving Ocean Frontiers also rented us tanks and gave us some good options to check out . Great diving in the Caymans and Compass Point & Ocean Frontiers are a 1st rate operation.

[divesergeant]

Hi Moosesun,

Glad youy liked OF. We have dived with them many times and have always found their service to be top-notch.

Where did you do shore-dives? On our next trip we hope to try some north and east shore dives on GCM.

DS

[sladerer]

Definitely dive with OF. All the folks there were friendly, helpful, and fun. We dove with them
in October and I will definitely use them again on my next trip. Another bonus - take your gear on your first day and you won't need to worry about it again until after your last dive. They carry, clean, hang your gear after every trip and reload it on the boat for you the next morning.

If you choose them tell Neil, Britta, Sam, and Elly that Scott and Mo from Maryland say hi!