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Cayman IslandsClose to home, Far from expected! Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman.
Cayman is one of the cleanest, most refreshing and relaxing destinations in the Caribbean.
An abundance of amenities, combined with a low crime rate and excellent modern infrastructure and communications have created an enviable lifestyle in an idyllic tropical location.
We have decided to go to Grand Cayman, with a focus on the family versus my diving and need some advice.
Non-diving family requirements (wife and 11 yo): a really nice beach and preferably a full service hotel. Both are excellent swimmers, like snorkeling (preferably from the shore), fishing and water sports. The 11 yo is very athletic and would love to skim board (not sure this is available anywhere so not a deal breaker).
My info: I have approx 1 yr experience and 30 dives (Curacao, Belize and Coz) and am very comfortable in my abilities and enjoy UW photography (although I am not very good). While diving is not the main focus of this trip, this will be the first time I will be diving without my 14 yo son/buddy and so I do want a dive op that deals well with the insta-buddy situation. Lastly, if at all possible I would be great to have the dive op on-site.
I know this is a tall list, but this community never disappoints!
Do you prefer being off the beaten path, or in the middle of all the action. Does a nice beach mean a small, quiet and somewhat secluded beach, or does a nice beach mean miles of sand with lots of people? Would you prefer a place with a kitchen or kitchenette, or is that not important. Wind for windsurfing or calm water for floating?
Firstly, there is skim boarding to be had up and down 7 mile beach, but the beach shifts, but you'll find the best spot easily enough.
But the last poster is right;
variety/different restaurant every night: 7 mile beach
All inclusive : Look East.
The diving will not disappoint either way!
As a hard requirement this would put you on SMB (west end). From Bill's questions, SMB gives
you middle of the action, miles of sand with lots of people, most likely no kitchen, calmer water.
Also more access to fishing, other water sports, shopping, restaurants, bars, etc.
East end is quiet - only three real resorts and they are condo/time share type. You'll definitely
want a car if you stay on this side as "town" is about an hour away. Diving on this side is
awesome, but the non-dives will probably become a bit bored unless they are really the
"lay on the beach and relax" types. This is my preferred side, but very dive centric.
Definitely do not want a secluded location as we did that in Curacao at the Kura Houlanda and the kids/wife needed more action (the hotel and associated dive op were GREAT). Also night life also not an issue. Prefer a beach with people watching, but no so crowded that you need to stake your claim on a lounge at 6AM. Also prefer a hotel (and Dive Op) that doesn't get inundated with cruise ship day trippers (I hate crowds). This happened one day in Coz and all lounges were occupied all day, towels ran out and long line to get a drink. The dive op in Coz had separate boats for the hotel guests/return divers and cruise ship passengers. As for kitchen(ette) not a concern, but having a coffee maker in the room would be great. As for wind also not an issue, if my 11 yo want to try out a wind sport we can always drive if not at the hotel. The perfect hotel would be close to a good skimboard beach and shore snorkeling. I saw the Westin's beach as being skimboard friendly, is that correct?
I too would have prefered the east side as my dive trips have generally been away from the crowds at better reefs. Unfortunately this trip is for the wife and kid. I guess I will need to take a separate trip to the east side on my own, but I need to get used to the idea of diving with a new buddy.
I too would have prefered the east side as my dive trips have generally been away from the crowds at better reefs. Unfortunately this trip is for the wife and kid. I guess I will need to take a separate trip to the east side on my own, but I need to get used to the idea of diving with a new buddy.
Russ
I'm sure any of the ops will be able to connect you with a buddy on-board or just have you paired up with a DM. I didn't mean to suggest the reefs available on the west side aren't nice (haven't dove that side) just that they are more visited.
You'll find plenty of recommendations for a west end dive op by searching this forum, several on SMB or close by. I don't know which ones run out of the hotels, but if you can find one that stores your gear that wouldn't be something I'd worry about.
Cruise ships are a FOL on SMB - snorkelers, divers, wave runners, beach sitters, Margarittaville/etc partiers - nothing you can do about it.
I may be the opposite. I want great diving and my wife wants a secluded beach. Tell me about the options on the quiet side of the island including dive ops. thanks!!!
I may be the opposite. I want great diving and my wife wants a secluded beach. Tell me about the options on the quiet side of the island including dive ops. thanks!!!
Generally speaking, that would be the East End. There are a few threads on East End dive ops already. There are two time share resorts, Morritt's and The Reef, on the East End. Both offer rentals and all units have cooking facilities. There are also rental houses available which may provide a more secluded beach. Do a web search for Cayman Villas and you'll see a few options.
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