I just returned from a 3rd trip to Grand Cayman, Trip Report, and while overall it was good I am interested in exploring other options that provide a similar beach experience as 7MB for my wife and kids but better diving than West Side Grand Cayman diving.
My opinion of the GC diving is that there's a lack of fish/marine life on a lot of dives. The good dives are very good (lighthouse point, oro verde) but the others are forgettable.
I'd consider the diving to be better if it generally met the following criteria:
- good visibility, 50+ typical
- warm, near 80F preferred
- fishy and high probability to see eels, shark, turtles, octopus
- not interested in tiny creatures and macro
- schools of fish are highly desired
- want dives to be at least an hour; so shallower helps and/or availability to get 100CUs
The additional criteria is that the location has a very good, calm beach for young kids. My dive trips come in two flavors, solo dive trip (short and typically South FL for convenience) and family beach trips where I sneak in some diving. This would be the later type.
Some places that nearly fit the bill:
Provo / Grace Bay - However the problem with this option is boat diving means not returning until 2pm or later which eats up too much of the day for a family trip.
St. Croix - The beaches/accommodations were not quite up to snuff for my wife
St. John - Not looked at as closely, but maybe generally a bit too sleepy, not enough top side
How would others compare the following to GC both from a beach stand point and diving stand point:
Curacao
Grand Turk
Bahamas
What lesser known Caribbean option(s) might there be worth looking into?
Summarizing the criteria would be:
Safe for family with young kids
Great beaches that are calm for little kids
Good top side activities/restaurants
Good diving (better than GC), fishy, big stuff common to see, nice reefs at intermediate depths
I appreciate any ideas and feedback!
My opinion of the GC diving is that there's a lack of fish/marine life on a lot of dives. The good dives are very good (lighthouse point, oro verde) but the others are forgettable.
I'd consider the diving to be better if it generally met the following criteria:
- good visibility, 50+ typical
- warm, near 80F preferred
- fishy and high probability to see eels, shark, turtles, octopus
- not interested in tiny creatures and macro
- schools of fish are highly desired
- want dives to be at least an hour; so shallower helps and/or availability to get 100CUs
The additional criteria is that the location has a very good, calm beach for young kids. My dive trips come in two flavors, solo dive trip (short and typically South FL for convenience) and family beach trips where I sneak in some diving. This would be the later type.
Some places that nearly fit the bill:
Provo / Grace Bay - However the problem with this option is boat diving means not returning until 2pm or later which eats up too much of the day for a family trip.
St. Croix - The beaches/accommodations were not quite up to snuff for my wife
St. John - Not looked at as closely, but maybe generally a bit too sleepy, not enough top side
How would others compare the following to GC both from a beach stand point and diving stand point:
Curacao
Grand Turk
Bahamas
What lesser known Caribbean option(s) might there be worth looking into?
Summarizing the criteria would be:
Safe for family with young kids
Great beaches that are calm for little kids
Good top side activities/restaurants
Good diving (better than GC), fishy, big stuff common to see, nice reefs at intermediate depths
I appreciate any ideas and feedback!