We are in the planning stages for a trip to Grand Cayman in late April/Early May. It looks like we will have both divers and a non-diver adult and a 3 year old with us. After reading the many helpful posts on this board, I have learned a lot but we are in need of more information. We have narrowed it down to either the East End area (Reef Resort), a villa in the north's Cayman Kai/Rum Point area or a hotel in the much visited west area.
I understand the diving is excellent in the East End area but could not find a good summary of the north's diving and a comparison between the different areas for diving.
When looking for information, compare North Wall to East End to West Side/South Sound. There is a large "NO DIVING" zone between Rum Point and Old Man Bay that stretches much of the norths shore. That's why you won't find a description of diving in that area.
We are leaning toward a villa rental in the north's Cayman Kai area. Are there any good restuarants up there?
Restaurants are limited in number. Cecil's at Kaibo Yacht Club is excellent. Rum Point Restaurant is good. There is a bar and grill at each location for lunch too. Further east to Old Man Bay is Over the Edge, a great location, with decent food but occasionally slow service. It's a lot cheaper than the others.
Chisolm's is a small market in Northside at Hutland that will do for a few items. Even smaller selection is available at the Old Man Bay grocery (it's so small that tourists stop to take photos!) Most folks staying on East End or Northside will but groceries at one of the large groceries in Georgetown before making the drive out. Foster's IGA is by the airport, and Big Hurley's is a bit closer at Grand Harbor - still a 40 minute drive to Cayman Kai. Closer is Lil' Hurley's in East End village. It's bigger than Chisolm's or OMB grocery.
To generalize, the walls are more sheer and the coral is healthier on East End. More likely to see bigger critters on the North Wall. Some shallow sites on East End have deeply scored canyonways with numerous tunnels which aren't found to the same extent on the North Wall.
Are the dive sites reasonably close or do you have to motor over to the East? Is there any shore diving?
No tremendously long boat rides. Most sites are within 30 minute ride of a dive shop. Most are quite close to shore except North Wall sites which may be a couple miles from land. Even though sites are close to shore, there is no shore diving in Northside (Cayman Kai) and very little in East End. This has to do with unsafe shore entries and extis more than anything.
Are there any dive operators in the Cayman Kai area? Where do they operate out of and will they pick you up on the beach at your villa each day? Does anyone have any recommendations for dive operators up there?
Only one operator in Cayman Kai - Red Sail Sports at Rum Point. They do not pick up. Most villas in Northside (Cayman Kai) do not have a beach and/or have a shallow shoal reef just offshore that would ground a boat.
For the non-diver and our son, are they any fun things for them to do in the north as well as in the East End?
Snorkeling abounds at several locations. Take the little one to Stingray City. Olbrich Botanical Gardens and the Mastic Trail (hiking) are both in Northside district and only a few minutes from Cayman Kai.
From the north, I understand there is a ferry to Georgetown area; how is the ferry ride compared with driving back to town?
Ferry is a passenger only ferry connecting Rum Point to the Hyatt on Seven Mile Beach. Much shorter than driving into town. It's a limited schedule, doing about 5 round trips per day.
Also, is the diving any good on the west side should we end up there? Thanks to any and all who can give any insight on these questions.
The west side and south sound offer good diving. It is much more crowded with many more dive operators and cruise ship passengers. Much more traffic too.