SHORE DIVING REGULATIONS - GRAND CAYMAN

[craig haymaker]

I give up with trying to find this info. so I need your help please. Quit simply put, Can I solo scuba dive from shore on Grand Cayman ? Could someone please be kind enough to include the web site that specifically addresses this shore dive question ! Thanks so much, Craig H. PADI MSDT 13725

 

[redacted]

I don't think you will find a clear statement. What you will find is word to the effect of "safe diving practices" and dive op (gas suppliers) will implement that as they see fit.

That said, I have done a bit of solo shore diving on GC with no problem but I have never put the dive op in a position where they needed to be aware of it.

If the dive op must know what you are doing, then talk to them before you make reservations.

 

[Trailboss123]

What @awap said. This has been my experience and also what I have done when diving solo. My 2 trips to Grand Cayman, I stayed at a well known resort and I like to do dawn dives. I made sure that I obtained a tank the day before (prior to shop close) and put it in my locker overnight and then would get up early in the morning and do my dawn shore dive prior to breakfast. I didn't announce what I was doing. I just did it. I'd occasionally do afternoon solo dives as well and again, I would simply not say anything to anyone, so as not to put them in an awkward position. Ask forgiveness instead of permission.

 

[Doctorfish]

My experience has been no solo diving from a supported sites like Sunset, Cobalt or Sundivers. I guess if you go early AM, PM or night, you can do whatever you can get away with.

 

[tkaelin]

From my experience diving in GC and reading posts over the years I have always understood that dive ops will not permit solo diving. So if on a boat, the crew will likely ask that you buddy up or follow the dm. If you go to a dive op that runs their own shore diving facility and you ask the likely answer will be no. Reading the CITA guidelines for dive operators, I did not see a specific prohibition on solo diving. There was a provision requiring diving in buddy teams if diving from a dive ops boat on a wall when there is no guide in the water. There may be a number of other reasons why a dive op would not permit solo diving regardless of the island's specific policies. Insurance being a biggie. We rented from a dive shop once (a shop in a strip mall - no diving facilities) and I think they would rent one tank per cert card (CITA Policy) and they may have required each diver to be present. I can't be certain on that though.

 

[Doby45]

Just called yesterday to confirm prices of rental tanks in St. Maarten and they stated they would rent tanks for $10 a day under the conditions that you were certified (duh) and that you had a dive buddy. Even with a solo diver cert, you had to have a buddy to rent tanks.

 

[craig haymaker]

Ok thanks to everyone who addressed my question here. That's what I like about Cozumel MX. diving, solo from shore - no problem ! Diving through a dive operator- go down with the group and stay in sight of the DM while UW, and do your safety stop as a group !
Again thanks all, Craig H.

 

[shrop3483]

I give up with trying to find this info. so I need your help please. Quit simply put, Can I solo scuba dive from shore on Grand Cayman ? Could someone please be kind enough to include the web site that specifically addresses this shore dive question ! Thanks so much, Craig H. PADI MSDT 13725

Legally, no!

 

[redacted]

If there is such a law, it should not be difficult for you to reference it.

 

[KeithG]

If there is such a law, it should not be difficult for you to reference it.

The Cayman Islands Tourism Association (CITA) has a "safe Diving Standards" policy that its members must vow to adhere to. Policy? Yes! Law? No.

The link below seems to describe the standard (but the appendix are not available?). Note that the standard flows over 3 web pages, so you will have to use the links near the bottom to access the second and third page.

Safe Diving Standards | Cayman Diving, Dive Caribbean | Dive Cayman