Bonaire, Little Cayman (or Cozumel) for mix of non divers, beginners, and advanced?
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PatW
Contributor
Little Cayman is generally easy diving. Generally good visibility and no current. Also, most of the dive sites at Little Cayman have the moorings in about 20’ of water with the wall nearby. So you can putter around in shallow water to your heart’s content. The drawback is for non divers there is virtually nothing on Little Cayman. Cayman Brac has similar diving but it tends to be deeper. For non divers, the resort has a larger footprint. Also people actually live on Cayman Brac so there are some shore based amusements.
You might think of Turneffe Island Resort. You dive from skiffs with drift diving. The diving is generally at 60’. They take people out to snorkel in the lagoon. The lagoon is usually dead calm, high vis, max depth of 14’ and it has all sorts of things there - morays, turtles, coral heads. There is fishing, small sail boats, kayaking and some tours. But if you are looking for night life, this isn’t it. And it is pricey. The place caters to divers, people fly fishing for bonefish, tarpon and permit (which is $$$) and people just kicking back.
You might think of Turneffe Island Resort. You dive from skiffs with drift diving. The diving is generally at 60’. They take people out to snorkel in the lagoon. The lagoon is usually dead calm, high vis, max depth of 14’ and it has all sorts of things there - morays, turtles, coral heads. There is fishing, small sail boats, kayaking and some tours. But if you are looking for night life, this isn’t it. And it is pricey. The place caters to divers, people fly fishing for bonefish, tarpon and permit (which is $$$) and people just kicking back.
After reading all of the responses and checking out both Bonaire and, per some of the responses on this thread, Curacao, I am leaning towards Curacao. The LionsDive Beach Resort or Sunscape Curacao Resort are options, though LionsDive seems like it may be more suitable for diving? After mentioning travel plans to a few friends, it now seems as if 3 other couples, and perhaps up to 5 couples, will be joining us, not all divers. I'm thinking they may find more to do on Curacao.
I'll be checking out both Bonaire and Curacao a bit more, and book in the next few days.
Thank you all for your responses - it's been super helpful. If we do choose Curacao, I highly suspect Bonaire will be on the list for next year.
I'll be checking out both Bonaire and Curacao a bit more, and book in the next few days.
Thank you all for your responses - it's been super helpful. If we do choose Curacao, I highly suspect Bonaire will be on the list for next year.
AggieDiver
Contributor
Good plan! Just for your future planning purposes or anybody else reading who may be planning a trip, Little Cayman matches a lot of your asks, except there is nothing topside to do for non-divers unless they are really into bird watching. There is snorkeling available from the shore on the north side of the island and if there is room on the boat, they do allow snorkelers to come along (check with the dive shop about whether or how much they charge).
The diving on Little Cayman is generally perfect for new and/or beginner divers when you are able to dive the north side of the island because the diving is all from moored locations, the seas are generally fairly calm, any currents are typically very minimal, and the moorings are mostly in very shallow locations. However (you knew there had to be a "but" coming, right?), the timeframe you were looking at, late fall and early winter coincides with the time most likely to have winds and seas that will prevent diving the north side of the island. The dive sites on the south side are ok, but nowhere near as nice (or shallow) as the north side sites.
The diving on Little Cayman is generally perfect for new and/or beginner divers when you are able to dive the north side of the island because the diving is all from moored locations, the seas are generally fairly calm, any currents are typically very minimal, and the moorings are mostly in very shallow locations. However (you knew there had to be a "but" coming, right?), the timeframe you were looking at, late fall and early winter coincides with the time most likely to have winds and seas that will prevent diving the north side of the island. The dive sites on the south side are ok, but nowhere near as nice (or shallow) as the north side sites.
Thank you for this information. Perhaps this will be a location for a future excursion for me and my hubby. When is the best time to dive on the north side of Little Cayman?
As it turns out, after mentioning Curacao to some friends, there are now 7 more people that will be "joining us", with another 4 potentials. Some are non divers, so the "top side" attractions that the island seems to boast will be much appreciated.
Again, thanks for all the responses and suggestions!
AggieDiver
Contributor
The mid-spring through about early October is when the trade winds are generally from the east or southeast, leaving the north side relatively flat. During the winter, you can get a few days or a week of favorable winds from time to time, but the winds from the northeast or north are more common, which makes north side diving conditions unfavorable. During early spring the winds can be favorable directions, but are often stronger than later spring and summer.
My favorite time is late summer (July-September). It is hotter, but unless there is a hurricane nearby, the winds are typically nearly dead calm and visibility can be excellent. The Caymans tend to get more storms later in the season in most years, so going at or before the typical mid-september peak of the caribbean hurricane season gives you a good chance of really good conditions.
The water that time of year is usually 85+F and you can dive in just a skin or a rash guard and shorts. Most of the resorts besides LCBR shut down in September, so the already quiet island is that much quieter that time of year. LCBR usually runs attractively priced packages during that time of year as well so it makes it more affordable. If you are willing to take a chance (generally low) of having your trip altered by tropical storms, it is a great time to go.
Thank you for the information! I may put it on my calendar for early September of next year.
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