Easy short trip to warm waters from YYZ?

[KathyV]

I think @KathyV has a great idea with Grand Cayman. You can get a non-stop flight on Air Canada direct into Grand Cayman and back. Doesn't get much easier than that. Flight is a bit expensive as a result of that convenience, but wow-- How nice to only have a 4 hour flight to paradise? Flight is on a Thursday morning and returns on Monday. Here is a snapshot:
View attachment 443016

If you did stay at a place like Sunset House, you could really maximize your dive time on such a short trip. By getting in at 1:05pm, you could have Sunset House pick you up at the airport (which they do for free) and you'd be back at the resort, settled and able to do an afternoon shore dive before dinner. One nice thing about Sunset House is that you really would not need to rent a car for such a short trip. They have an outstanding on site restaurant and bar that you could eat all of your meals at (breakfast is already included with their stays) or if you need some variety, you can walk into town (15-20 minutes) or a short taxi. You could do the 2 tank morning boat dives on Friday, Sat and Sunday and supplement that with on site shore diving in the afternoons and nights Friday and Saturday. The above flight is one that I randomly selected dates for. It is Thursday February 22nd and return on Monday the 26th. Let me know if you have any other questions. Homepage | Sunset House | Grand Cayman - Cayman Islands – Sunset House – George Town – Cayman Islands

I did find some cheaper flights, but none are so easy. They all involve layovers somewhere in the US

I didn't know (or if I did know I'd completely forgotten) about the military and veterans discount that Sunset House offers to divers and their immediate families. My husband is a veteran and 20% off is a nice discount!

Veterans Discount | Sunset House | Gran Cayman | Cayman Islands – Sunset House – George Town – Cayman Islands

 

[KathyV]

All of that was so well stated!

Agree. I think @KathyV should consider writing a Cayman dive guide.

Thanks! But there are Cayman property owners here on SB that are far more knowledgeable than me, like @EastEndDiver and @scubadada and @vincent54. It's just that I love all 3 Cayman islands!

We first visited the Caymans decades ago and we made a couple of return trips later, but in recent years it has become our favorite Caribbean dive destination and we keep coming back!

 

[scubadada]

Unfortunately, I do not own property in the Caymans as per @KathyV , just SE Florida . I have been to Grand Cayman 10 times in the last 20 years though.

Another option for a short trip to Grand Cayman would be Holiday Inn/Divetech. They also have airport transfers and shuttle for diving if you don't want to rent a car. You could probably figure out a way to get to Turtle Reef if you wanted to augment the shore diving at Lighthouse Point. I sent a short note to Divetech and got a nice reply, including a trip quote:

Jan 23, 10:50am
Hi Craig,

happy to help. I’ve also added a package offer for you.

We can offer you a package based on the following:

• 5-nights accommodation (15 April onwards).
• Complimentary airport and dive shop transfers.
• 4 mornings of 2-tank boat dives.
• Unlimited unguided shore diving at beautiful Lighthouse Point reef on your boat diving days.
• A complimentary tank and weights for your check-out dive upon arrival.
• Included in your boat dives and unlimited package is tanks, weights and dive computer.
• Rental equipment is excluded, except for Open Water, DSD and Refresher courses.
• Based on double room occupancy.
• All government taxes.

Holiday Inn standard Studio
900 USD per person

Some optional dives you can add to this package (all priced per person):
1-tank afternoon Kittiwake wreck dive: 100 USD
2-tank afternoon Kittiwake & reef combination: 140 USD
Afternoon Stingray City dive: 75 USD
Guided shore dive: 60 USD
Guided night dive: 80 USD
Underwater scooter rental: 40 USD

Kind regards,
Menno Verschuur

Divetech Ltd
www.divetech.com
Local No: 1 (345) 946-5658
Toll Free No: 1 (877) 946-5658

 

[KathyV]

Thanks! But there are Cayman property owners here on SB that are far more knowledgeable than me, like @EastEndDiver and @scubadada and @vincent54. It's just that I love all 3 Cayman islands! We first visited the Caymans decades ago and we made a couple of return trips later, but in recent years it has become our favorite Caribbean dive destination and we keep coming back!

Unfortunately, I do not own property in the Caymans as per @KathyV , just SE Florida . I have been to Grand Cayman 10 times in the last 20 years though...

Sorry @scubadada I was confused, I was thinking of @mi000ke who is a property owner on GC, but I wish it was me!

 

[scubadada]

Sorry @scubadada I was confused, I was thinking of @mi000ke who is a property owner on GC, but I wish it was me!

No problem. I did own a very nice time share on Grand Cayman from 1996-2004 at Indies Suites, that is until Ivan blew it down and we discovered Grand Cayman is not exactly as civilized as we thought it was. It was located just north of the old Courtyard Marriott, now the Klimpton Seafire. Indies Suites became dorms for their offshore medical school, no idea what it is now other than ultra prime land. I'm glad I have a home in Florida now, easy and inexpensive to get to, and I know how this country works

 

[mi000ke]

Sorry @scubadada I was confused, I was thinking of @mi000ke who is a property owner on GC, but I wish it was me!

I wish it on you as well

 

[JBFG]

You could also look at Dominican Republic. Short flight and some good diving there too

 

[Bogtrotter]

Have you looked at Cuba? There are multiple daily flights from TO of course..

Matanzas Eco Tours | Top Things To Do in Matanzas | Scuba Combo packages, Bikes and Snorkelling

 

[KathyV]

Does anyone have any suggestions for an easy short trip departing from YYZ to warm waters for diving? I don’t want to dive locally (too cold) but want to dive more, and cannot always leave for a full 7 nights’ trip. It would be nice if there are trips that I could do over a long weekend. For example, leave on a Thursday evening, come back on Sunday or Monday night, getting in 2-3 full days of diving? The biggest barrier I have found are flight schedules. Most flights depart and return on the same day of the week, thereby requiring a full week’s stay. Any thoughts?

@Dogbowl have you made up your mind a short, easy dive trip, yet? Where did you decide to go?

 

[Dogbowl]

Have you looked at Cuba? There are multiple daily flights from TO of course..

Matanzas Eco Tours | Top Things To Do in Matanzas | Scuba Combo packages, Bikes and Snorkelling

I haven’t considered Cuba but I will now!