New Member--Help with Grand Caymans & Cozumel

[bmhgirl13]

My 3 friends are going on a Carnival Cruise and we want to do shore dives. Where can we go in the Grand Caymans (will need to take taxi from where ship docks) and rent tanks and gear? Do we have to hire a dive master to go with us or can we go alone.

Please help--the cruise leaves in one week.

Also, any suggestions for the same thing in Cozumel?

 

[Coconut Divers]

Hello bmhgirl13

i recommend to book the trips on the cruise ship.
The guys on the ship have the contacts and everything ready for you. They are typical a bit more expensive but you will get the dive and be back in time.

 

[diversteve]

From the cruise pier (you're tendered in) in Georgetown it's about a 100 yd. walk to Eden Rock/Devils Grotto. (2 different shallow adjoining dives) Scuba Dive Cayman with Eden Rock Diving Center If the Silversides are in the Grotto, that's a great dive. I don't think they show up until July though. http://idiveglobal.com/locations/eden-rock/

A few minutes south is Sunset House. Without gear you could walk there. The famous Mermaid is there. They also have a diver's bar - My Bar - for lunch. And the Cathy Church Photo Gallery. http://www.sunsethouse.com/shore_diving.php We spent a pleasant two-dive afternoon there.

A third option - IMO the best shore dive I'm mentioning - is Turtle Reef. It's up in the NW Point area - about a 25min. cab ride (allow for downtown congestion - yours may be one of 3-4 other ships in port) from the cruise dock. Sundivers is on site there and there's both the Macabuca Tiki Bar or Cracked Conch (nicer) restaurant for lunch. Also an easy shallow dive - you can hit 70' by going north. But the tarpon seen in the video are south (left).
Cracked Conch Seafood Restaurant and Tiki Bar - Turtle Reef
http://idiveglobal.com/locations/turtle-reef-scuba/

Do we have to hire a dive master to go with us or can we go alone.

No, Yes - at any of them.

Should you want to do the cruise booked dive - it's with Fosters also downtown. http://www.donfosters.com/html/cruiseships.html Another close boat dive option is one of the operators at Lobster Pot Dive Center also in north Georgetown. I like Wall to Wall, Deep Blue is often recommended also. http://www.lobsterpotdivecenter.com/

 

[DeputyDan]

You can do the shore diving on G C without much of an issue.
good luck arranging shore diving from a cruise ship in Cozumel. It may be possible but it will take some doing.

you should use a local dm. Do you know the tides and current directions when you plan to dive? If you don't use a dm.

 

[beaverdivers]

Welcome to SCUBAboard!

Ditto, Devils Grotto is a must do shore dive off GC.

As far as a DM, it depends on your experience level. However, even after 5000+ dives, I prefer to have the the "local " knowledge and to support the locals!

As far as Cozumel, the Casa del Mar area has a very good shore dive.

 

[DandyDon]

Welcome to SB.

My 3 friends are going on a Carnival Cruise and we want to do shore dives. Where can we go in the Grand Caymans (will need to take taxi from where ship docks) and rent tanks and gear? Do we have to hire a dive master to go with us or can we go alone.

Please help--the cruise leaves in one week.

Also, any suggestions for the same thing in Cozumel?

You're more likely to live if you give up your cheap attitude and hire local DMs. You're a newbie coming off of a cruise boat to dive strange gear & waters. Do you even carry essential DAN dive insurance?

Blue Angel has better shore diving than Casa del Mar in my opinion, but it'd be money well spent to take their mid morning boat after spending so much to be in some of the best diving in the Caribbean. Much depends on your arrival & departure time, and don't confuse ship time with Cozumel time. You can email Blue Angel thru their shop. Again, hire a private DM, please.