Who are some of the better all inclusive resorts. Taking recommendations for all 3 islands. My wife and I are going for our thrid anniversary in October. We like the convenience of all inclusive with diving included. We enjoyed Bonaire's diving but want the food included. Whose the best food, best dive operator, etc. Also how neccessary is a vehicle? I'm sure the shore diving is not quite like Bonaire but is it still relatively easy?
All Inclusive Dive Packages.
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I don't claim to be any expert, but I'll get this thread rolling. As far as I could tell, the Caymans doesn't really do the true "all-inclusives", like Jamaica, for example, with resorts like Couples and Sandals including absolutely everything, including diving. Grand Cayman does have some dive resorts though. (can't speak for other 2 islands) I haven't stayed at them, but we dined and/or dove at a few, and I was taking note for possible future dive shop trips.
Sunset house has a great location, fairly close to town, but too far to walk. On Grand Cayman you need a car to not be resort bound. They have a restaurant and an outdoor bar/restaurant. The resort itself *looks* basic, but hey, I didn't see inside the rooms. They do have shore diving right there.
We also dove out of Compass Point. The dive staff were excellent there, and they are really into pampering (bringing gear to/from boat, rinsing, hanging, setting up gear on board, etc.) The resort itself looks really nice, even have a bit of a beach, which Sunset doesn't have, but I don't believe they have a restaurant (I even checked their website) Also, they are quite a ways out in the East End.
We also checked out Cobalt coast in West Bay. It's close to the North end of SMB, so better location. We didn't dive there, and in fact the shore diving was a no-go due to weather. The Divetech staff seemed friendly and helpful though, and they get good reviews. The resort looks pretty nice and they do have a restaurant.
Oh, and we had lunch at the Macabuca? tiki bar (Cracked Conch). They have shore diving there, but no resort.
That's what I found out in just 3.5 weeks there. I'd love to hear more feedback on these 3 and others that I may have missed?
Shore diving is not like Bonaire where you take your tanks in your truck and stop anywhere and dive on easy access, well marked sites. Each resort requires you to rent tanks from them only (even post big "no outside tanks" signs).
Weird thing (and I just have to say it) is that if you aren't staying at one of these places, night diving is a pain in the butt. They typically close at 5:00 (or a bit earlier if they so decide to close up early), so you have to get there well before, then hang around until at least 6:30 to do a night dive. Hence we had many dinners at Sunset house waiting for dark (perhaps that's their plan) after the guys rushed from work to make it there on time to get tanks. One day we didn't make it (because they closed early) and went to Eden Rock (open until 5:30... maybe), but then couldn't take the tanks to Sunset house. And then when you get out they're closed, so you have to take the tanks home and back again next morning. It's a strange system, but I guess no staff want to bother hanging around for night divers. I personally far preferred boat diving.
Sunset house has a great location, fairly close to town, but too far to walk. On Grand Cayman you need a car to not be resort bound. They have a restaurant and an outdoor bar/restaurant. The resort itself *looks* basic, but hey, I didn't see inside the rooms. They do have shore diving right there.
We also dove out of Compass Point. The dive staff were excellent there, and they are really into pampering (bringing gear to/from boat, rinsing, hanging, setting up gear on board, etc.) The resort itself looks really nice, even have a bit of a beach, which Sunset doesn't have, but I don't believe they have a restaurant (I even checked their website) Also, they are quite a ways out in the East End.
We also checked out Cobalt coast in West Bay. It's close to the North end of SMB, so better location. We didn't dive there, and in fact the shore diving was a no-go due to weather. The Divetech staff seemed friendly and helpful though, and they get good reviews. The resort looks pretty nice and they do have a restaurant.
Oh, and we had lunch at the Macabuca? tiki bar (Cracked Conch). They have shore diving there, but no resort.
That's what I found out in just 3.5 weeks there. I'd love to hear more feedback on these 3 and others that I may have missed?
Shore diving is not like Bonaire where you take your tanks in your truck and stop anywhere and dive on easy access, well marked sites. Each resort requires you to rent tanks from them only (even post big "no outside tanks" signs).
Weird thing (and I just have to say it) is that if you aren't staying at one of these places, night diving is a pain in the butt. They typically close at 5:00 (or a bit earlier if they so decide to close up early), so you have to get there well before, then hang around until at least 6:30 to do a night dive. Hence we had many dinners at Sunset house waiting for dark (perhaps that's their plan) after the guys rushed from work to make it there on time to get tanks. One day we didn't make it (because they closed early) and went to Eden Rock (open until 5:30... maybe), but then couldn't take the tanks to Sunset house. And then when you get out they're closed, so you have to take the tanks home and back again next morning. It's a strange system, but I guess no staff want to bother hanging around for night divers. I personally far preferred boat diving.
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Afaik the only AI on SMB is Beach Club Colony. But this may be a problem:
Cobalt Coast has a meal plan so I guess you could consider it an AI, but their base rate only includes breakfast.
You will want a car. The more known shoredive spots are spread all over the west side of the island. Sunset House is in south Georgetown, the Don Fosters site (don't know the name) and Eden Rock are in Georgetown, Cemetary Beach is on the North end of SMB and Turtle Reef and Lighthouse Point are farther north still. Except for CB, all are going to have affiliated dive operations on-site so what Debbie posted above applies.
If you did stay at Cobalt Coast you'd be driving back to SMB or Georgetown for just about everything not at the resort. It's in a mostly residential area.
Wall to Wall, Off the Wall and Neptune's Divers get good reviews. Best is pretty subjective. They all only take small groups out. The bigger cattleboat operations seem to be Red Sail and Don Foster's judging from the size of and quantity of boats they run. Divetech at CC gets good reviews but they don't boat dive from there, they shuttle you in a van to their boat in a nearby harbor. You can dive the North Wall from there though off their dock. It's a long swim so they rent scooters.
Brac Reef Beach Resort on Brac offers a meal plan. I don't know anything about LC. Brac and especially Little Cayman are pretty small so you'd likely mostly be eating at a resort there anyway. The Divi on Brac closed last year, it was the other AI.
All your options are on: Cayman Islands - Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman, Travel and Tourism Site
Of which there are thousands in port daily...
Cobalt Coast has a meal plan so I guess you could consider it an AI, but their base rate only includes breakfast.
You will want a car. The more known shoredive spots are spread all over the west side of the island. Sunset House is in south Georgetown, the Don Fosters site (don't know the name) and Eden Rock are in Georgetown, Cemetary Beach is on the North end of SMB and Turtle Reef and Lighthouse Point are farther north still. Except for CB, all are going to have affiliated dive operations on-site so what Debbie posted above applies.
If you did stay at Cobalt Coast you'd be driving back to SMB or Georgetown for just about everything not at the resort. It's in a mostly residential area.
Wall to Wall, Off the Wall and Neptune's Divers get good reviews. Best is pretty subjective. They all only take small groups out. The bigger cattleboat operations seem to be Red Sail and Don Foster's judging from the size of and quantity of boats they run. Divetech at CC gets good reviews but they don't boat dive from there, they shuttle you in a van to their boat in a nearby harbor. You can dive the North Wall from there though off their dock. It's a long swim so they rent scooters.
Brac Reef Beach Resort on Brac offers a meal plan. I don't know anything about LC. Brac and especially Little Cayman are pretty small so you'd likely mostly be eating at a resort there anyway. The Divi on Brac closed last year, it was the other AI.
All your options are on: Cayman Islands - Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman, Travel and Tourism Site
Damselfish
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The 3 main dive resorts on Little Cayman are AI (room/meals/diving/maybe drinks/no toga parties) since there's only one restaurant not part of a resort. It is possible to eat at the other resorts, you generally need to make reservations, but I don't think people do it often. Look into Little Cayman Beach Resort (where we usually stay), Southern Cross Club, or Pirates Point, all good bets and all have their fans. LCBR packages generally don't include drinks but I think you can add that if you want. Brac Reef on Cayman Brac is a sister resort to LCBR and has the same AI setup, but personally I'd just go to LCBR between those 2.
The one classic AI type place on Grand Cayman was Spanish Reef, but it's closed now. Cobalt Coast will certainly do an AI room/diving/meals package and I've known people to do it. Their food is good but you still might be itching for a different menu partway through your trip. I think Sunset House will do an AI package, or at least used to. The first time we stayed there long ago we took a package with all breakfasts and some dinners. Food in the restaurant was better back then though. I would always pick Cobalt Coast over Sunset House these days - CC is a much nicer place, better food, better dive op IMO. However, I personally wouldn't do AI on Grand Cayman, there are so many good restaurants to go to. Even staying at Cobalt Coast, which is a little bit away from things (a good thing IMO), it's not that far a drive to lots of restaurants.
I don't think the places on the east end offer AI plans, since the 3 main places (Reef Resort, Morritts, and Compass Point) are condos and people will eat in a lot. I wouldn't do an AI plan at the Reef if they had one, since they don't offer breakfast early enough to make the dive boat and I thought their restaurant was not very good when we were there. Dreary, lousy service, lousy food, and a waitress switching between holding the baby at the next table then delivering food to others!) We thought the food at Morritt's was better. Compass Point doesn't have a restaurant but I think they're planning something. There are a few other restaurants in the area, and some a bit further drive.
The one classic AI type place on Grand Cayman was Spanish Reef, but it's closed now. Cobalt Coast will certainly do an AI room/diving/meals package and I've known people to do it. Their food is good but you still might be itching for a different menu partway through your trip. I think Sunset House will do an AI package, or at least used to. The first time we stayed there long ago we took a package with all breakfasts and some dinners. Food in the restaurant was better back then though. I would always pick Cobalt Coast over Sunset House these days - CC is a much nicer place, better food, better dive op IMO. However, I personally wouldn't do AI on Grand Cayman, there are so many good restaurants to go to. Even staying at Cobalt Coast, which is a little bit away from things (a good thing IMO), it's not that far a drive to lots of restaurants.
I don't think the places on the east end offer AI plans, since the 3 main places (Reef Resort, Morritts, and Compass Point) are condos and people will eat in a lot. I wouldn't do an AI plan at the Reef if they had one, since they don't offer breakfast early enough to make the dive boat and I thought their restaurant was not very good when we were there. Dreary, lousy service, lousy food, and a waitress switching between holding the baby at the next table then delivering food to others!) We thought the food at Morritt's was better. Compass Point doesn't have a restaurant but I think they're planning something. There are a few other restaurants in the area, and some a bit further drive.
tammymacb
Guest
Spanish Bay wasn't fancy by any stretch of the imagination, BUT the people were awesome, the food and drink was good quality and the diving was really good. It was truly my favorite place to stay on the island. They're closed now, but their sister resort Beach Club Colony is open. I've never stayed there and it is on 7 Mile Beach ( beware of cruise shippers ) but I've seen some fabulous deals pop up online recently and would stay there if the time was right for room and food only You would obviously have to dive somewhere else.
I stayed at Sunset House this summer and there was no AI available. May have been an option in the past, but no more. You can get a package with breakfast but that's it. We booked our diving through Don Fosters so we couldn't even get the breakfast with the room. ( Not even for my birthday morning- I specifically asked. )
Though I did enjoy Sunset House, my return visit will be to Cobalt Coast. Great staff, North Wall diving, and good food. They do have AI packages you can add to your stay.
That is, unless Spanish Bay came back- though sadly, I don't think it will ever be the same.
I stayed at Sunset House this summer and there was no AI available. May have been an option in the past, but no more. You can get a package with breakfast but that's it. We booked our diving through Don Fosters so we couldn't even get the breakfast with the room. ( Not even for my birthday morning- I specifically asked. )
Though I did enjoy Sunset House, my return visit will be to Cobalt Coast. Great staff, North Wall diving, and good food. They do have AI packages you can add to your stay.
That is, unless Spanish Bay came back- though sadly, I don't think it will ever be the same.
I hope the poster is enjoying all this great feedback. I know I am! 
I would have to agree with choosing Cobalt Coast out of the 3 mentioned. It certainly seemed to have a quieter, more private atmosphere too. Many rooms at Sunset house open right up onto the parking lot, which you walk across to get to the teenie pool, water, or restaurant. There are lots of off-resort people coming into dive, eat, and drink at the bar. Seriously, with your blinds open people would be looking straight in at you. I'm sure the diving is fine through them, and the food was ok (but would become dull fast), but it's a busy place.
I walked by the Beach Club Colony on my many SMB walks. When the ships are in (which is almost always, unfortunately), there are hundreds of people dumped there from the ships crowded on the beach there. I kid you not. I know the cruise ships are good for business, being the primary source of tourism for the island, but there can be 5 or 6 ships in, which equals as much as 15-20,000 people. Not that all of them come ashore, and many do various tours and things, but I thought it was horrible (unless you love crowds, noise and screaming children) Sorry, but you couldn't pay me to stay at that place.
There are some really nice condos/resorts on SMB, and if you like a little less congestion, further North (towards West bay where the Cobalt coast is) is much, much nicer IMHO. A lot of dive shops will even pick up on SMB, so that could be another option? (if you're going to be dining out anyway)
I would have to agree with choosing Cobalt Coast out of the 3 mentioned. It certainly seemed to have a quieter, more private atmosphere too. Many rooms at Sunset house open right up onto the parking lot, which you walk across to get to the teenie pool, water, or restaurant. There are lots of off-resort people coming into dive, eat, and drink at the bar. Seriously, with your blinds open people would be looking straight in at you. I'm sure the diving is fine through them, and the food was ok (but would become dull fast), but it's a busy place.
I walked by the Beach Club Colony on my many SMB walks. When the ships are in (which is almost always, unfortunately), there are hundreds of people dumped there from the ships crowded on the beach there. I kid you not. I know the cruise ships are good for business, being the primary source of tourism for the island, but there can be 5 or 6 ships in, which equals as much as 15-20,000 people. Not that all of them come ashore, and many do various tours and things, but I thought it was horrible (unless you love crowds, noise and screaming children) Sorry, but you couldn't pay me to stay at that place.
There are some really nice condos/resorts on SMB, and if you like a little less congestion, further North (towards West bay where the Cobalt coast is) is much, much nicer IMHO. A lot of dive shops will even pick up on SMB, so that could be another option? (if you're going to be dining out anyway)
caymaniac
Contributor
Cobalt Coast = Grand Cayman
Brac Reef = Cayman Brac
Little Cayman Beach resort = Little Cayman
Pirates Point = Little Cayman
Southern Cross Club = Little Cayman
Choices for AI; there may be some other partial All Inclusives, sadly some have dissappeared like the Divi Tiara and Cayman Diving Lodge. "My Bar" (Sunset House)serves a mean burger and beer, especially when you just arrive and want to take a minute to relax and have a great view and warm breeze over the West Bay especially if you're coming from a cold climate.
Brac Reef = Cayman Brac
Little Cayman Beach resort = Little Cayman
Pirates Point = Little Cayman
Southern Cross Club = Little Cayman
Choices for AI; there may be some other partial All Inclusives, sadly some have dissappeared like the Divi Tiara and Cayman Diving Lodge. "My Bar" (Sunset House)serves a mean burger and beer, especially when you just arrive and want to take a minute to relax and have a great view and warm breeze over the West Bay especially if you're coming from a cold climate.
carriemak
Contributor
I agree with you about Little Cayman Beach Resort, much better all the way around than Brac Reef!
nipi
Contributor
The best way to night dive these places (& indeed any in Cayman) is (assuming you have a car), to rent your tanks from Diver's Supply in the West Shore Centre on West Bay Road (open till 8 p.m.). You will not get hassled for having outside tanks when night diving after the dive shop has closed at places like Eden Rock, Sunset etc.
-hh
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There's also Sam McCoy's on Little Cayman, although it might be "too rustic" for some divers. It does, however, offer being the only resort on the North side, and a friend of mine who goes there 2-3x/year has told me about DIY shore diving in the afternoon.
I was going to try them myself this past Thanksgiving, but didn't plan enough leadtime so couldn't get good flights.
-hh
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