Thinking about Grand Cayman for a late April/May trip

[fluff_astrid]

Hi there! I was referred to post over here from some folks in the TripAdvisor forum.

I recently got certified (completed cert in Hawaii in October 2012) and I've been seeking out some new warm-water destinations for my next trip. I'm trying to settle on a location for ~7 days in late spring. It seems like Grand Cayman may be a good choice for the following reasons:

• Since I only have a week or so available, it would be the furthest I could realistically travel for something different than Hawaii, without needing a longer 2-week trip (ie, I've been considering Thailand or a trip to West Australia, but those would need to a minimum of 2 weeks). Although I could wait until October to get 2 weeks, I kind of don't want to wait that long to dive again!
• I can use United points to get there
• Has a pretty populated area on 7-mile beach to keep my non-diving boyfriend entertained while I'm under the sea. He could also snorkel stingray city.
• Has a good variety of diving and warm water. As much as I'd love to dive here in Monterey to keep my dive skills up, me+cold has not been a good combo.
• I did consider Little Cayman since my boyfriend is OK with just relaxing on a beach doing nothing all day--but it seems like flying in to G.C., then out to L.C., and back again would eat into my available dive time quite a bit.

I do have some questions, hoping you all could add some thoughts to these:

• While I comfortably dived a plan in Hawaii that went to a depth of 85 ft, for the most part I'm a newb and definitely don't have ace bouyancy control. Doing a few of the swim throughs in Lanai with rough surge/swells was challenging to say the least (but, hey, I did it). So, I am not sure what to expect with wall diving. Is G.C. going to be too much task loading for a newb? I won't have a buddy I know with me, so I want to be realistic.
• Any particular suggestions on whether April or May would have better conditions in G.C.?

THANK YOU!!!

 

[scubadada]

Hi fluff_astrid,

Grand Cayman has fantastic diving, this would be a great destination for you, probably for your non-diving boyfriend also. I have about 200 dives off Grand Cayman and had a time share until it was wiped out in Hurricane Ivan in 2004. I would consider changing your non-diving boyfriend into a diving boyfriend with a certification course while you're there. If you like diving, it might be a good idea that your boyfriend liked it too (not meaning to be a matrimonial counselor, perhaps this is even inappropriate, sorry). I enjoy East End, Compass Point/Ocean Frontiers, but this is quite isolated and there is little for the non-diver. Seven Mile Beach, West Bay is better for the non-diver. Many operators receive great rankings on SB, I would imagine any would be acceptable. I have had a a couple of good experiences with Cobalt Coast/DiveTech. I could also recormmend Wall to Wall Divers and Cayman Diving School. Cemetary Reef has a great beach and is wonderful for snorkeling. For a non-diver, this would be a great place to hang out.

Best of luck, feel free to PM me with any questions.

Good diving, Craig

 

[Insta-Gator]

When the Christmas winds are blowing from the north, it can be challenging or undivable on the north side or northwest corner. But April/May should be fine. Most times you'll find the seas very flat with little to no current. We love Grand Cayman and I believe you will too.

 

[BigHarryDiver]

I second the recommendation for Cobalt Coast/Dive Tech. I did a week with them in 2007 when I only had about 30 dives and they treated me great. Out of the 19 dives I did that week, only 3 were to greater than 80 feet and they were late in the week. Most dives were in the 50-75 foot range so even as a new diver you should be fine. From my experience, they had very experienced and attentive Dive Masters. Have fun! I also agree with the above that you need to get that guy certified. It took about 3 years of seeing me dive before my wife finally caved and got her "C-card".

 

[diversteve]

While I also recommend Cobalt Coast for certain people, the boyfriend might be bored there. It's located in a residential area on the north side not near much of anything else. Your plan of staying on SMB is a better idea.

Expect very similar water clarity as Lanai - even better. There's little to no current at most Cayman dive sites except maybe some of the North Wall sites and those tend to be undiveable when there is. The first time I dove there I had all of 20 dives - all in Hawaii or SoCal - and had no problems.

Most of the SMB based dive operators will also pick you up along SMB and have you back to your accommodations b4 noon. Several resorts also have on-site operators and a couple of the nearby operators have flat-bottomed boats to pick you up off the beach. There's usually a bunch of dive op vans driving up and down SMB during the morning - once we almost got on the wrong one. All of the dive operators will put a DM in the water with you - it's required. Due to high job demand most of them are actually instructors as well. Many operations are 6-8 divers max. also.

Be a little cautious going down the wall the first couple of times, the water is so clear on the north wall that you sometimes lose your reference points. I dropped with my buddy one dive - we were going to stay around 80' - looked up to see him waving me up - I was just passing 115' and had no idea...

I also recommend Wall to Wall, other options to look at would be Neptune's Divers, Ambassador Divers, or Indigo Divers - all have a low diver/trip ratio. But really they're all good, pricing on Cayman is typically 2 dives/$100 so service differentiates them - the bad operators don't last long.

You could also dive the Kittiwake - it's well within your self-described limits. Your boyfriend can snorkel it at the same time - the top is within a few feet of the surface. Besides describing the dive - the website has a list of CITA operators to make it easy to choose one for your regular diving also - The Official Website for the Kittiwake Shipwreck - Home

Same with Stingray City - the dive is to 14' - you really don't need a buddy for it - while your b/f snorkels above. We had a family on our boat, the parents dove while the kids snorkeled down. They timed it so the kids did most of the feeding. It's also a lot of fun once. Most of the dive operators take snorkelers for a reduced fee. I'm talking about SRC - not the nearby Sandbar snorkel.

Turtle Reef is one of the best shore dives on Cayman. The bottom is at >50'. Sundivers is on-site and they have an arrangement with Happy Fish Divers to provide escorted shore dives. It's not a great snorkel - drops a little too fast - but the Macabuca Tiki Bar is there if he gets bored. http://www.crackedconch.com.ky/turtlereef-shorediving-snorkelling.php

 

[BettyfromToronto]

Glad to hear all of the recommendations for Cobalt Coast/Dive Tech as we are headed there for the first time in May. Our usual dive destination is Cozumel but we were looking for something that was a) different and b) not always a drift dive.

If BF was okay with doing nothing on Little Cayman then I think Cobalt Coast is still a good option. They have instructors not dive masters so you would could feel extra confident on these new wall dives. (Not saying DMs are bad here but they are not babysitters and an instructor is more use to watching out for newbies) Just saying

Betty

 

[releck97]

I can't disagree with any of the posts above, however, you might also want to look into Sunset House as well. They do not have a beach, but they are a good operation with shore diving and snorkeling as well on site. They have a nice pool and a great restaurant/bar. Cathy Church Photography is on-site. You will love the diving on Grand Cayman. There is plenty to do while you're off gassing and for your b/f to do while you're diving.

 

[diversteve]

Glad to hear all of the recommendations for Cobalt Coast/Dive Tech as we are headed there for the first time in May. Our usual dive destination is Cozumel but we were looking for something that was a) different and b) not always a drift dive.

If BF was okay with doing nothing on Little Cayman then I think Cobalt Coast is still a good option. They have instructors not dive masters so you would could feel extra confident on these new wall dives. (Not saying DMs are bad here but they are not babysitters and an instructor is more use to watching out for newbies) Just saying

Betty

Actually everybody who works for the operations I listed is an Instructor. That's pretty typical on Cayman.

Just saying...

About Us | WalltoWallDiving.com ? Personally Guided Grand Cayman Diving at it's Best!
About Neptune's Divers - We make diving fun with wall dives, shallow dives, wreck dives and daily instruction | Cayman's Original
http://www.ambassadordivers.com/about-us/team-profile
Indigo Divers - About

 

[Alex777]

They have instructors not dive masters so you would could feel extra confident on these new wall dives. (Not saying DMs are bad here but they are not babysitters and an instructor is more use to watching out for newbies) Just saying
Betty

There is no difference between an Instructor and a Divemaster concerning the degree to which they "watch out for newbies". Both will try to be helpful and assist if they see you having a problem and they happen to be close at hand. Neither are babysitters or lifeguards. As certified divers, you and your buddy are responsible for your own safety. Assuming (hoping?) that the DM/Instructor will keep you safe is misguided and dangerous.

 

[Alucard]

Nearly all of the dive ops will pick up from hotels and condos on Seven Mile Beach, DiveTech included. I know because that was where I stayed the first time I was there (and got my OWC). DiveTech also have two shore diving locations - Cobalt Coast and Lighthouse Point, which are both fun shore dives. If you dive multiple days with them on the boat, then you have unlimited shore dives at no extra cost on those days - and that can be a cost savings.

Not saying that they are necessarily better than any other dive op, just saying not to discount them from your deliberations just because you may decide to stay on SMB.

You haven't mentioned whether your boyfriend is a snorkeller or not - there are some great opportunities on GC.

Good luck in your deliberations!