Shore dives and other activities Grand Cayman

[Crazybaldarcher]

We bound for Cayman in a little over a week.

And if you missed where I asked why go there, you'll find it here: Grand Cayman, sell it to me!

Now that we headed that way, what shore dives would make your top 5 list?

What activities would you recommend?

We are only there for a week so not too much time.

Thanks ahead,
CBA

 

[diversteve]

IMO best to worst.

Turtle Reef - go south (left) along the mini-wall for the Tarpon Cave.
Lighthouse Point - condo complex with Divetech on site.
Cobalt Coast - on the North Wall - ask them about a tow out.
Sunset House - 2 dives plus see the Catjy Church store/gallery
Eden Rock/Devils Grotto on a non-cruise ships in port day or do one dive around 4pm when the cruisers are departing.
Smith's Cove south of Georgetown - get tanks at Eden Rock since SH has a no tanks off property rule. No facilities there.
Cemetery Beach on the north end of Seven Mile Beach but it's shallow. No facilities.

 

[Dish]

I agree with @diversteve. I will add that Cemetery Beach is a great spot for a leisurely snorkle in the morning. There are several resident turtles there and you’re having a bad day if you don’t see them.

 

[KathyV]

IMO best to worst.

Turtle Reef - go south (left) along the mini-wall for the Tarpon Cave.
Lighthouse Point - condo complex with Divetech on site.
Cobalt Coast - on the North Wall - ask them about a tow out.
Sunset House - 2 dives plus see the Catjy Church store/gallery
Eden Rock/Devils Grotto on a non-cruise ships in port day or do one dive around 4pm when the cruisers are departing.
Smith's Cove south of Georgetown - get tanks at Eden Rock since SH has a no tanks off property rule. No facilities there.
Cemetery Beach on the north end of Seven Mile Beach but it's shallow. No facilities.

Great list but don't forget Coconut Bay just north of Turtle Reef, the Hepp's Wall and Hepp's Pipeline are fantastic shore dives:
Diving | Stingray Watersports – Grand Cayman

Question, has anyone dived Cheeseburger Reef, the shore dive by the Lobster Pot in George Town? We've never been there and I was wondering if it was worth it?

 

[KathyV]

I've collected a bunch of links that you can look through to see if anything grabs your interest. I haven't done the bioluminescent tour or the crystal caves yet.


GC Topside Activities:

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g147365-c164561/Grand-Cayman:Caribbeanriving.Tour.A.Guide.html

http://danilew.biz/blog/2014/03/03/grand-cayman-paradise-found/

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/cayman-islands/437891-topside.html#post6532430

http://www.caymangoodtaste.com/

http://abcnews.go.com/Lifestyle/skip-cayman-islands/story?id=32807539

http://www.compasscayman.com/whatshot/


Cracked Conch, Macabuca, Turtle Reef and Sundivers Dive Op:

https://youtu.be/vVs_NRnWYc8
http://www.crackedconch.com.ky/webcam/

MyBar at Sunset House:
My Bar a Local Favorite | Sunset House | Grand Cayman | Cayman Islands – Sunset House – George Town – Cayman Islands

Tsetudo’s Snorkeling Guide:
http://snorkelblog.tumblr.com/

Bioluminescence Bay tours:
http://www.scubaboard.com/community/threads/grand-cayman-activities.525583/page-5#post-7669237

Crystal Caves:
http://caymancrystalcaves.com/

https://www.caymancompass.com/2016/06/16/caymans-caves-a-north-side-wonder/

Tukka Frigate Birds:
http://www.tukka.ky/news-events/feed-the-frigate-birds.html

Starfish Point:
http://issuu.com/testudo/docs/starfishbeach/1?e=0

Davinoff’s Concrete Sculpture Garden:
http://davinoff.com/

The Barefoot Man at the Wharf or the Reef:
http://www.barefootman.com/

George Town Yacht Club: (free shuttle to the airport every 15 minutes)
https://gtyachtclub.com/

Specialty Shops:

Beach Bubbles in Bodden Town:
http://www.beachbubblesgrandcayman.com/


Cathy Church’s Photo Shop at Sunset House Resort:
http://www.cathychurch.com/index.php


Pure Art, south of the Harbor near Sunset House:
http://www.pureart.ky/

 

[Trivan]

I haven’t done it yet, but hear it’s great: Cayman Spirits Co. | Grand Cayman's Handcrafted Spirits | Tours & Tastings

 

[mi000ke]

I haven’t done it yet, but hear it’s great: Cayman Spirits Co. | Grand Cayman's Handcrafted Spirits | Tours & Tastings

Went there for the first time with some of our visitors two weeks ago. While they say there is a charge, they were running it free that day. They run it like a party. They have several liquors, vodka, and a couple of rums they produce (Seven Fathoms rum is one of my favorites). They play a great set of tunes during the tasting, one for each spirit you get to sample (you will have to guess the connection between the tune and the drink). At the end, they play one last tune for about 10 minutes, and you get to drink as much of whatever you like while the music is playing. By this time half the people are singing and dancing to the music. Then it's time to pour one more to take on the tour. We left at this point, so not sure what goes on during the tour, but the tasting is definitely a lot of fun. Presumably after all that drinking you are primed to purchase a lot of spirits and merchandise.

 

[mi000ke]

I agree with @diversteve. I will add that Cemetery Beach is a great spot for a leisurely snorkle in the morning. There are several resident turtles there and you’re having a bad day if you don’t see them.

Smith Bacadere just south of town is also a great place to snorkel. It is somewhat sheltered so even when the surf is up you can get a nice snorkel in. And they have parking (across the street), outdoor showers and changing rooms. You will be near Cathy Church's studio at Sunset House, which is well worth visiting if you are into underwater photography - and My Bar at Sunset House is a great place for food and drink overlooking the ocean. And you can shore dive from there as well.

 

[Trailboss123]

I would concur with @diversteve and his list and order and @KathyV beat me to it by also adding Hepp's Pipeline and I would put that dive toward the top of the list of shore dives. Be sure to get in some boat dives so that you get to see what makes grand Cayman diving special.

 

[Trailboss123]

Great list but don't forget Coconut Bay just north of Turtle Reef, the Hepp's Wall and Hepp's Pipeline are fantastic shore dives:
Diving | Stingray Watersports – Grand Cayman

Question, has anyone dived Cheeseburger Reef, the shore dive by the Lobster Pot in George Town? We've never been there and I was wondering if it was worth it?

I have. It is easy and convenient when downtown, but as a shore dive site, I'd probably move it don't to the bottom of the list. Other sites mentioned are better, in my opinion.