Hubby and I jetted off from YYZ to Grand Cayman on Air Canada's direct flight for a three night get away just before Christmas. We had never been to GC and chose Sunset House on the strength of a recommendation from our dive shop - great call.
We dropped our bags in our recently renovated Ocean View Room - clean, large & awesome balcony where I happily took in the sunrise every morning while sipping my coffee - and headed to the Dive Shop to check in with them.
Check in is simple, the usual cert cards are required and then you are assigned a locker in exchange for a $ 10 deposit. Our lockers were right accross from the shop - super convenient to boat and shore diving. We were in the water 2 1/2 hours after our plane's wheels had touched the ground and snapping photos with the Mermaid in the House Reef. Loved the salt water pool entry - waves were up the first day, but we were sheltered in the pool.
We ate dinner, and most of our meals, at My Bar on the Hotel property. The snack menu portions are large and reasonably priced - I loved the fish tacos. I also enjoyed the Chicken Tika Masala one night off the Indian menu - great food. Breakfast is in included and after day one we stayed away from scrambled egg based dishes, feeling the pancakes and eggs done other ways were tastier options.
First day of diving we did the two tank morning boat dive. Capt. Robert took us on our required guided first dive (after that you can choose to be guided or not) and then Erin took us on our first coral cavern dive ever in Cheeseburger Reef. Lots of tarpon & two lion fish were spotted during that dive - one of which was huge.
The afternoon of day two we dove the Kittiwake - definitely need to go back and dive it again as there is so much to see!
Day two Capt. Robert took us out with Jackie, who was as fantastic as Erin- can't say enough about the dive crew - they're fun & safety conscious. Hubby & I did our first non-guided dive in the Carribbean ... and even made it back to the boat <G>. Saw a massive turtle & tonnes of fish - but that turtle, I could have watched it all day. Second dive of the morning Capt. Robert guided us through Eden Rock caverns - amazing amazing amazing.
During the morning interval between the two dives Capt. Robert told us and another group who had signed up to dive Stingray City with Sunset House that they would not be going out due to a lack of demand. However, knowing that we were there a short time, they arranged for us to go with another dive shop so we wouldn't miss out. Capt. Robert even drove our group in the mini van to the other shop & picked us up from the dock when it was done after a very long day & with a smile on his face - he is fantastic !!
Stingray City was interesting and we agreed it was something that is a once in a lifetime for us, but we wouldn't do it again. The waves were up and the current kept shoving our group, but the rays didn't care, they were there to feed and show off. One ray in a hurry when we arrived shoved me aside and brushed along my cheek in her rush to the squid .... what a squishy feel on my face (insert shudder here <g>).
After day two we were done with diving. We left Sunset House & went to Rackam's for dinner - great food (lobster encrusted grouper) for a reasonable price ($16.50) in GC. The resto is on a pier & we saw tonnes of lights from night divers as we dined. We walked back to SH after dinner - the light show at Bodden House, accross from Sunset House is not to be missed - there must be literally 3 million lights on the property for Christmas.
Final day we taxied to 7 mile beach & walked back to Sunset House popping in Dive Supply shops & tourist shops as we went.
Funny thing - the gift shop at Sunset House has the best selection of things we were looking for AND we received 2 8x10 Cathy Church photos for free as part of our package - what a great gift.
We will be back !
We dropped our bags in our recently renovated Ocean View Room - clean, large & awesome balcony where I happily took in the sunrise every morning while sipping my coffee - and headed to the Dive Shop to check in with them.
Check in is simple, the usual cert cards are required and then you are assigned a locker in exchange for a $ 10 deposit. Our lockers were right accross from the shop - super convenient to boat and shore diving. We were in the water 2 1/2 hours after our plane's wheels had touched the ground and snapping photos with the Mermaid in the House Reef. Loved the salt water pool entry - waves were up the first day, but we were sheltered in the pool.
We ate dinner, and most of our meals, at My Bar on the Hotel property. The snack menu portions are large and reasonably priced - I loved the fish tacos. I also enjoyed the Chicken Tika Masala one night off the Indian menu - great food. Breakfast is in included and after day one we stayed away from scrambled egg based dishes, feeling the pancakes and eggs done other ways were tastier options.
First day of diving we did the two tank morning boat dive. Capt. Robert took us on our required guided first dive (after that you can choose to be guided or not) and then Erin took us on our first coral cavern dive ever in Cheeseburger Reef. Lots of tarpon & two lion fish were spotted during that dive - one of which was huge.
The afternoon of day two we dove the Kittiwake - definitely need to go back and dive it again as there is so much to see!
Day two Capt. Robert took us out with Jackie, who was as fantastic as Erin- can't say enough about the dive crew - they're fun & safety conscious. Hubby & I did our first non-guided dive in the Carribbean ... and even made it back to the boat <G>. Saw a massive turtle & tonnes of fish - but that turtle, I could have watched it all day. Second dive of the morning Capt. Robert guided us through Eden Rock caverns - amazing amazing amazing.
During the morning interval between the two dives Capt. Robert told us and another group who had signed up to dive Stingray City with Sunset House that they would not be going out due to a lack of demand. However, knowing that we were there a short time, they arranged for us to go with another dive shop so we wouldn't miss out. Capt. Robert even drove our group in the mini van to the other shop & picked us up from the dock when it was done after a very long day & with a smile on his face - he is fantastic !!
Stingray City was interesting and we agreed it was something that is a once in a lifetime for us, but we wouldn't do it again. The waves were up and the current kept shoving our group, but the rays didn't care, they were there to feed and show off. One ray in a hurry when we arrived shoved me aside and brushed along my cheek in her rush to the squid .... what a squishy feel on my face (insert shudder here <g>).
After day two we were done with diving. We left Sunset House & went to Rackam's for dinner - great food (lobster encrusted grouper) for a reasonable price ($16.50) in GC. The resto is on a pier & we saw tonnes of lights from night divers as we dined. We walked back to SH after dinner - the light show at Bodden House, accross from Sunset House is not to be missed - there must be literally 3 million lights on the property for Christmas.
Final day we taxied to 7 mile beach & walked back to Sunset House popping in Dive Supply shops & tourist shops as we went.
Funny thing - the gift shop at Sunset House has the best selection of things we were looking for AND we received 2 8x10 Cathy Church photos for free as part of our package - what a great gift.
We will be back !
