Grand Cayman-Where to stay.....

[auto]

No resorts, only Airbnb type lodging, just a geo or specific AirBNB property

Particulars-
1. Will most likely have car(s)
2. Will be over Christmas 2019
3. Does not have to be in town, but on a beach, near good food
4. Equi Distance between shore and dive operators
5. Quiet Property, i.e. lack of screaming rugrats

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[diversteve]

I would pick something on Seven Mile Beach north of the Ritz - it tends to be a quieter area and IMO the beach is better. Almost every dive shop will pick you up (by van) from any of the condo properties streetside - most keep their boats in a couple marinas on the Sound behind SMB.

The good shore dives are Turtle Reef, Lighthouse Point and at Cobalt Coast. None of them have a beach - it's all ironshore (mostly) in that area. Plus it's kind of quiet and most food is a drive.
About a 10min. drive from the area I'm suggesting.

A lot of the good restaurants are also located on the Sound or at the resorts along SMB.

Some also downtown but check the cruise schedules or go late after they've all sailed - there can be 4-5 big ships in at once.

On lesser cruise ship days you could dive Eden Rock/Devils Grotto also but it's best in summer when the silversides are in. Otherwise it's a bunch of rocky swim-thru's with wishful Tarpon hanging around. Our least favorite shore dive since it's 50 yds. from the cruise port so pretty tired. Also a couple years ago a container ship dragged the reef and partially collapsed one of the cavrens.

Also skirt Georgetown - take Quesns Hwy south past the airport then cut over to Sunset House one afternoon My Bar is a diver's hangout the food is good, they have 2 different shore dives and the Cathy Church photo gallery/store. Pleasant afternoon and just too far for most cruisers

Also rent tanks at either Eden Rock or Diver's Supply - a few minutes farther south Smith's Cove is a decent shallow dive/family beach. No facilities there and Sunset does not let you remove tanks from their premises. Most shops on-site don't.

About 15-20 mins. south depending on traffic - there can be some at times south of the Ritz b/c most of the resorts/shops/etc. are there.

I don't havea specific condo recommendation but some are pretty pricey so that may rule out kids. One to avoid is the timeshare as they also use their beach for cruise excursions - sorry don't know the name

If you dive Turtle Reef head left. A short distance in the mini-wall is the tarpon cave - around 40' Move slowly and you can swim among them. Also you'll likely see Turtles there since they're released from the Turtle Farm across the street - sometimes intentionally, sometimes hurricanes..

Sundivers is on site for tanks. Ollin doesn't advertise much but he's got info on the Cracked Conch restaurant website since he shares space.
Also Macabuca Tiki Bar - the dive stairs come up between them.

Divetech is also at Lighthouse Point - in fact they pickup at a couple condo properties closer to Georgetown and take you there to dive. Reef Divers is at Cobalt Coast - a semi-AI a little farther north - IDK much about what they do since they took over from Divetech some years ago.When Divetch had the concession there, they used ot tow divers out to the North Wall and drop you - swim mostly south back to the resort.

If there was a time weather would be a factor at those sites - it's Winter. So call first b4 you drive up. Also if Cobalt Coast is blown out, the others might still be Ok ask they're around the point. Most westside diving is largely unaffected.

 

[flyboy08]

We rented a nice home in Rum Point with a pool and enjoyed that over hotels on 7 mile beach, but a car is necessary.

 

[KathyV]

No resorts, only Airbnb type lodging, just a geo or specific AirBNB property

Particulars-
1. Will most likely have car(s)
2. Will be over Christmas 2019
3. Does not have to be in town, but on a beach, near good food
4. Equi Distance between shore and dive operators
5. Quiet Property, i.e. lack of screaming rugrats

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

You need to give us a ballpark budget because that is the peak season and the 7MB condos will be very expensive.

Most of the 7MB condos are 2 and 3 bedroom and are popular with families. The 1 bedroom 7MB condos are fewer, but more likely to attract couples but they will sell out quickly for Christmas week. Look for 1-bedroom condos on 7MB and try to avoid the touristy areas around Royal Palms or close to George Town.

The West Bay area is on the water but not on the beach but it is quieter and not far from 7MB and George Town and the wide range of popular restaurants, and it is cheaper than 7MB.

There are lots of options in a variety of locations and prices. Are there other things that you really like to do on vacations besides dive, beach, eat? Is it likely that you will be diving most days or for a few days?

 

[auto]

Thanks for all the info, budge would be less than $400/night total if possible. Looking forward to this. Some beach time, some exploring, food/drink, and photography.

 

[Doctorfish]

Try Christopher Columbus and Anchorage. They should have 2 BR garden view units at or near your price range. These condos are located at the north (quiet) end of 7MB and are only a few minutes drive from West Bay dock and Yacht club for boat dives and maybe 10 minutes from Turtle Reef and Lighthouse for shore diving. There is a Fosters Food Fair a few minutes up the road as well as a few restaurants in West Bay.

You might also look at Coconut Bay Condos near Northwest Point. A bit further away but less expensive. As a bonus, there is shore diving right on site with tanks and weights available. If interested, contact Daryl at Stingray Watersports. He manages the rentals at Coconut.

 

[Doctorfish]

Flyboy, how was Rum Point from a diving perspective? Are there any operators nearby?

 

[flyboy08]

Flyboy, how was Rum Point from a diving perspective? Are there any operators nearby?

Some time ago...I dove..wife said we drove to the other side of town..can't recall the operations though...at that time, my friends wernt divers...they are now, so I didn't do too many dives. Been to LC and going to Brac next month...that's where we seem to dive more over GC ...Rum point is very relaxing with incredible sunsets...

 

[auto]

So.... How populated is Rum Point with dive sites and food/drink options>

 

[Damselfish]

Diving and dining options are limited around Rum Point. Maybe 2 nicer restaurants and 2 beach joints that I know of, and a place called Over the Edge along the north coast road. (My limited experience: the Rum Point beach place can be inundated with day trippers and cruisers, and is nothing to write home about. The nicer restaurant there we've not gotten around to. The nice place at Kaibo YC has been good, and the Kaibo beach place never seems to be open when we're there. Over the Edge is decent and I like the atmosphere. If I was renting a place around there, I'd be cooking in a lot.)

Dive sites aren't the issue as much as dive ops - Red Sail sports has a location there but it's more about snorkeling and other tours, not diving. I believe they have a dive boat leaving from Rum Point one day a week, other than that you have to go to their East End location for diving, about 30 minute drive. (Also about the next closest few restaurants are located there.)

So maybe a nice place to get away from it all and relax, but not an ideal location if you want to dive a lot.