7MB Grand Cayman trip report first week of May

[caydiver]

But if you are happy to have access to spas, grocers, dive ops that will pick you up at home, etc., SMB is a no brainer. Expensive is relative —- you work your butt off all year for your holiday where you definitely want the most bang for your buck, but honestly your buck might have more bang than someone else’s. We all want a bargain but might view bargains differently. I don’t think of SMB as practical but after 25+ years with kids in tow from little ones to teenagers think of it as ideal. Even would for just adults who have sophisticated taste buds.

 

[Reefterp]

I'm thinking renting a car probably makes more sense because it would open up a lot more options and be more convenient.

I'm just bummed though that the dive industry hasn't thought to better cater to divers with small children. My dream vacation would be an all inclusive dive resort on a great dive island with valet diving and amazing childcare. Well such a thing sort of exists at Beaches Turks & Caicos but I priced that out and it'd be over $12,000 not including flights. Definitely not in the budget!!

My husband and I have noticed over the years that we're an "unusual" couple in that we both dive. We have rarely met other couples where both dive. I guess that's why there hasn't been a high demand for a dive resort with childcare.

 

[Damselfish]

There's tons of couple's where both dive. But I'd guess most of them don't have young kids, or try to take them on dive trips. Or have the budget to take them on dive trips. Or want to take them to some of the dive destinations where 1st world medical care is not as readily available. But some manage. As you said a place like Beaches sort of meets what you're talking about. But getting all the things you want may not come cheap.

 

[KathyV]

I'm thinking renting a car probably makes more sense because it would open up a lot more options and be more convenient.

I'm just bummed though that the dive industry hasn't thought to better cater to divers with small children. My dream vacation would be an all inclusive dive resort on a great dive island with valet diving and amazing childcare. Well such a thing sort of exists at Beaches Turks & Caicos but I priced that out and it'd be over $12,000 not including flights. Definitely not in the budget!!

My husband and I have noticed over the years that we're an "unusual" couple in that we both dive. We have rarely met other couples where both dive. I guess that's why there hasn't been a high demand for a dive resort with childcare.

The Disney resorts, like the ones in Oahu and the Bahamas, offer diving and family experiences - but they are very expensive. Take a look at Club Med, like the one on San Salvador, Bahamas. They are geared toward families and offer diving.

 

[caydiver]

We were a diving couple with young kids. We found a good solution here in GC. We used to stay at The Hyatt and while we did an am 2T the kids were happily having a blast at the Kids Camp. In fact many days we dove in the afternoon as well. When we went to other destinations we bought a nondiving family member who looked after the kids for a couple hours in the morning and was happy to in exchange for an otherwise free week in the Caribbean. Now we have many guests who do the same. Here in GC it is super easy with all the lovely condos available. Lots of moms and dads dive together!!

 

[Reefterp]

@caydiver- that is essentially what we are planning to do, bring a non-diving friend to watch the kids while we dove. It just makes an already expensive trip more expensive but diving was never a cheap hobby!

@Damselfish- I can only speak to my experience on various dive boats and countries but more often than not we've only met halves of a couple who dove but not both! Even way before having kids ourselves. Maybe we've just had dumb luck! We always wished we had another couple/family to travel and dive with.

 

[blake7]

I'm just bummed though that the dive industry hasn't thought to better cater to divers with small children. My dream vacation would be an all inclusive dive resort on a great dive island with valet diving and amazing childcare. Well such a thing sort of exists at Beaches Turks & Caicos but I priced that out and it'd be over $12,000 not including flights. Definitely not in the budget!!

Just as expensive (or more!) but Wakatobi would work. Fantastic snorkeling if you like to do that with the kids when not diving. Wakatobi: Family friendly

Maldivian resort islands would also work, but they are not cheap either.

 

[KathyV]

I'm thinking renting a car probably makes more sense because it would open up a lot more options and be more convenient.

I'm just bummed though that the dive industry hasn't thought to better cater to divers with small children. My dream vacation would be an all inclusive dive resort on a great dive island with valet diving and amazing childcare. Well such a thing sort of exists at Beaches Turks & Caicos but I priced that out and it'd be over $12,000 not including flights. Definitely not in the budget!!

My husband and I have noticed over the years that we're an "unusual" couple in that we both dive. We have rarely met other couples where both dive. I guess that's why there hasn't been a high demand for a dive resort with childcare.

I have no personal experience with them, but there is a group that has been around for awhile called Kids Sea Camp and Family Dive Adventures and they cater to diving families with children, see the link below:

About Family Divers and Kids Sea Camp by Margo Peyton

 

[saxman242]

The Disney resorts, like the ones in Oahu and the Bahamas, offer diving and family experiences - but they are very expensive. Take a look at Club Med, like the one on San Salvador, Bahamas. They are geared toward families and offer diving.

Club Med Columbus Isle (The San Salvador resort) only offers a teen camp during the high season. They unfortunately don't offer child care for younger kids. It is otherwise kid friendly, but doesn't have all the amenities directed towards younger kids as some of the others.

Club Med Cancun, on the other hand, does have a kids camp for kids 4-17 and offers diving. It's probably the best bet for dropping the kids off and then going diving of the North American/Caribbean Club Meds.

 

[Reefterp]

I have no personal experience with them, but there is a group that has been around for awhile called Kids Sea Camp and Family Dive Adventures and they cater to diving families with children, see the link below:

About Family Divers and Kids Sea Camp by Margo Peyton

I am bookmarking this for the future because their program starts at age 5. Thank you!!