I just returned from my latest trip to Grand Cayman today and will post a more detailed trip report when I have the chance. I thought it would be good to share a few thoughts about the operators while they are fresh in my mind.
1. Skiing in 70f sunshine on the day you get back is good for the soul
2. I dove two days with White Sand Divers at the Reef. (technically now Wyndam Reef). In my humble opinion, the operation is not yet ready for prime time. Their boat is moored on the south side of Morritt's. They picked us up each day on the beach in front of the reef in a "skiff" tender and transported us over to the "mother" ship. On the first day, there were three staff member on the boat. I was the only advanced diver, so Kaz was my private dive guide. He knows the sites but he moved way too quickly for my likes. No limit on dive time. I was able to dive my computer. On the second day, there were only two staff members on board. Jen led the dives and I was with a family with two young divers who had trouble with buoyancy. One of the children sent his computer into deco because he shot to the surface without a safety stop. We went back inside the reef for the surface interval and dropped the kids off. Because they were short-handed, I ended up assisting as the deck hand to tie up the mother boat while Jen took the skiff. The second dive was with Kaz and the father of the children. More on this later. Kaz is a former employee of Ocean Frontiers and was a safe and competent captain and divemaster. Jen seemed rather disinterested and lacked personality. She was a competent divemaster and really had her hands full with the family on my second day. They were not able to accommodate me on any other days due to a DSD one day and a snorkel trip on another.
3. I did a West Wall dive and the Kittiwake with Deep Blue Divers. We dove the Meridian as the first dive. We were limited to 40 minutes on both dives regardless of computers or air consumption. Reece and Rick were very personable and competent captains and divemasters.
4. I dove the last two days with Ocean Frontiers. In my humble opinion, they are the real thing. I dive with them every year and am never disappointed. Friendly, accommodating, safe and experienced. No artificial limits! I had the opportunity to compare three different boat operators last week and was reminded why OF is the best in the business!
Much more later. Feel free to ask questions.
Capt. Rick
1. Skiing in 70f sunshine on the day you get back is good for the soul
2. I dove two days with White Sand Divers at the Reef. (technically now Wyndam Reef). In my humble opinion, the operation is not yet ready for prime time. Their boat is moored on the south side of Morritt's. They picked us up each day on the beach in front of the reef in a "skiff" tender and transported us over to the "mother" ship. On the first day, there were three staff member on the boat. I was the only advanced diver, so Kaz was my private dive guide. He knows the sites but he moved way too quickly for my likes. No limit on dive time. I was able to dive my computer. On the second day, there were only two staff members on board. Jen led the dives and I was with a family with two young divers who had trouble with buoyancy. One of the children sent his computer into deco because he shot to the surface without a safety stop. We went back inside the reef for the surface interval and dropped the kids off. Because they were short-handed, I ended up assisting as the deck hand to tie up the mother boat while Jen took the skiff. The second dive was with Kaz and the father of the children. More on this later. Kaz is a former employee of Ocean Frontiers and was a safe and competent captain and divemaster. Jen seemed rather disinterested and lacked personality. She was a competent divemaster and really had her hands full with the family on my second day. They were not able to accommodate me on any other days due to a DSD one day and a snorkel trip on another.
3. I did a West Wall dive and the Kittiwake with Deep Blue Divers. We dove the Meridian as the first dive. We were limited to 40 minutes on both dives regardless of computers or air consumption. Reece and Rick were very personable and competent captains and divemasters.
4. I dove the last two days with Ocean Frontiers. In my humble opinion, they are the real thing. I dive with them every year and am never disappointed. Friendly, accommodating, safe and experienced. No artificial limits! I had the opportunity to compare three different boat operators last week and was reminded why OF is the best in the business!
Much more later. Feel free to ask questions.
Capt. Rick
