Little Cayman, Cayman Brac, Grand Cayman, Bonaire

[ed3362]

Which is the best for diving and all around good time above water? I am going at the end of January. Has anyone stayed at the Plaza Resort Bonaire?

[sigelr]

You may have opposing needs i.e. Little Cayman and Cayman Brac are great diving but not much to do topside. I've not been to Bonaire or Grand Cayman so can't comment on those. : :10:

[dvrliz1]

The Plaza is the high end resort. It is nice, the dive operation is good. They have tennis courts and a small beach. The casino is no longer open though. If you are interested in a waterfront resort also look at Capt Don's, Buddy Dive and Sand Dollar. They are a very nice and at a better price. It all depends on what you are looking for. Now the most expensive and luxurious would be Harbor Village..

[Tim Ingersoll]

Best diving. . .no question: Little Cayman. Best time above water. . .easy: Grand Cayman. Best overall experience: Little Cayman (not even close IMHO).

[caymaniac]

Which is the best for diving and all around good time above water? I am going at the end of January. Has anyone stayed at the Plaza Resort Bonaire?

I have been to all of those, more than once. No beating the shore diving on Bonaire. Of those listed, no beating the diving on Little Cayman. Give Grand Cayman a bit yet before competing with topside on Bonaire.
I've stayed at the Divi on Bonaire a couple of years ago just a block or two north of the Plaza. On Bonaire, the Plaza has the best beach, on Grand Cayman, there is allot of beach so if this is what you're looking for then Grand Cayman wins.
If I had to choose currently, my choice would be Little Cayman (give me stars for night life), then the Brac (we love the quiet), then Bonaire (great shore diving and restaurants), then Grand Cayman (can't beat StingRay City, the beach), I might however trade Grand Cayman with Bonaire when the plants all come back and the hurricane debries is eliminated.
A few years ago I would have had Bonaire high on the list, but since the hurricane surge (98?) really trashed the diving around Klein Bonaire (mostly all the north side) and shallow areas off Bonaires west side, it has moved way down the list. And cruise ships are coming in more frequent. :>(
The Plaza is one of the only beach areas with a volley ball net, and sail boats that you can rent off the beach. The house reefs are much better north of the Plaza and farther south they are better too, so if you are thinking about shore diving from where you are staying, pick another hotel.

Dive Safe,
Caymanaic

[ed3362]

Thanks for all the information. It sounds like Little Cayman is a good choice for diving. What about recommendations on places to stay for two with a good dive op. and how about shore diving?
Thanks Ed

[zf2nt]

Thanks for all the information. It sounds like Little Cayman is a good choice for diving. What about recommendations on places to stay for two with a good dive op. and how about shore diving?
Thanks Ed

It depends on what you want! There are basically 5 choices on Little Cayman, with one of the choices having a couple of variants:
(a) Pirate's Point Resort
(b) Southern Cross Resort
(c) Paradise Villas
(d) McCoy's Lodge
(e) Little Cayman Beach Resort.
With (e), the two extra variants are to stay in Conch Club Condominiums or The Club.

I'm a divemaster with Little Cayman Beach Resort, so naturally I have a very prejudiced opinion. In my view, there's no question but what LCBR is the best choice for the serious diver! But in all fairness, the other places do have a following. Each of them has a web site and you should browse them all before making a choice. If you can't find the URL's for them, I have links off my own web page at http://www.qsl.net/zf2nt/lcm_info.htm.

Bruce

[Tim Ingersoll]

Cool web site!

[ed3362]

Great, Thanks alot