Best Shore Dives for Cruise Group in Grand Cayman

[Zsuzsika]

I need some input and hoping you can help with a trip to Grand Cayman I have planned for June 2010. I will be leading a dive goup of about 10 divers from a cruise in Grand Cayman - as this will be our first opportunity to get wet, I think we are going to dive from shore. It's also more economical, considering we are doing boat dives in all the other ports of call.

I have done some of the shore dives below, but not all of them. I am hoping you can give me your input on the list I have here - I know this list is old, and know that some of the sites might no longer be easily accessible (like Seaview which I understand now has condos on the property).

I would like to know how far these sites are from town (so I know what transportation issues are involved) and what there is topside nearby - for food and drinks, beach, etc. I would also like to know how much of a surface swim it is to the dive site. Finally, I'd like to know your opinion of the site which were good which to avoid.

About my group: Some experienced divers with hundreds of dives and a few with less than 60 dives. No newbies.

Thanks in advance for your feedback.

1) COCONUT HARBOUR RESORT

2) SUNSET HOUSE

3) SEAVIEW HOTEL

4) EDEN ROCK DIVE CENTRE

5) ABANKS DIVE CENTRE

6) DON FOSTER'S DIVE CAYMAN

7) BOB SOTO''S REEF DIVERS PIER

8) CEMETERY

9) DIVETECH PIER

10) COBALT COAST RESORT

 

[calcoin]

sunset house is a short 1-2 mile taxi ride and great dive
Eden rock is walking distance from cruise ship drop off
Divers Down is just A 1 mile or less easy walk. deepest depth is 30 feet and there is a broken up wreck.
Don Fosters a 5 mile taxi ride
Cemetery reef is beach entry a hassle have to rent tanks and on the outskirts of 7 mile beach area
Dive Tech and Cobalt coast are a good 10-15 minute taxi ride away.

Food is close or onsite to Edens rock and divers down. Depending on the number of dives the divers have done would depend which site you dove. Divers Down has a dock and easy shore entry, you can rent all gear and weights there walk down the pier, go down the stairs get in water and swim and easy 50-100 feet out and never go below 30 feet unless you bring a shovel.

Edens rock is the same sort of entry down stairs and the ability to rent all gear there, but slightly deeper may 50 feet max and all reef. Like I said you can easily get off cruise ship and walk to both of them. BUT if the water is surgy or wavy they may close the dive sites. Call the day before you get to Cayman and check on the conditions... Normally will be good in June.. Hope this helps