Brac Reef Trip Report

[spschneer]

Hi

My daughter and I just returned from a week at Brac Reef Beach Resort and I want to post a trip report. The Staff and facility at BRBR is absolutely first class. We arrived late on Saturday, due to Cayman Air waiting on a Houston flight before leaving for Cayman Brac. We were pretty worn out when we got to the resort but cheered up when we found they had held dinner for us... The room was nice but we needed a double/double instead of the king. As soon as I was able to ask, they switched us, even tho' they had to be close to full-up...

The info sheet in the room about the diving procedures had almost all questions answered up front. Just had to fill in the personal info, have the gear bag filled by 7:30 in the morning and be at the dive shop by 8:00 for releases and briefing.

Next morning, I ate light, just in case the waves I could see down at the beach were a portent of the conditions...however, the food was really good and if there was anything specific needed, they made arrangements for it (e.g. some of our party needed soy milk...)

After breakfast we made our way to the dive shop for releases, and orientation, etc. This was the only part of the whole week I'd say I had a problem with...the release that the dive op required signing was pretty standard (e.g.:ridiculous conditions that probably wouldn't stand up in court)...Just reading it got my blood pressure up...(the dive industry and divers need to reach some middle ground...It's patently ridiculous for me to be expected to release the op from their negligence...unfortunate combinations of conditions, sure; outright negligence no way:no...but as they stated, you don't sign, you don't dive)....

We finally got on-board and met our crew. All week we dove from the same boat with the same staff as well as mostly the same divers(we had 12 divers on our trip and there were about 16-18 on the boat most trips - held 24-8?). After a safety and boat feature briefing, we headed out the channel to the ocean. As I mentioned earlier, there were 4-6 foot waves breaking on the reef outside the hotel...as we pushed thru the cut, we started feeling the ocean swells but they were significantly different from the ones on the East coast of Florida or even the Keys...the boat handled them much easier and with much less "action"...plus the plan turned out to be that we motored around the end of the island (about 15 minutes) to get on the lee side from the wind and waves. This put us into calm to 2 foot seas for the entire dive.

Each day's dives consisted of a two-tank morning dive and an one-tank afternoon dive with optional evening dives on Tues and Thur nights. The first morning we did a couple of shallow (30'-50') reefs to allow everyone to dial-in all their gear and get their weighting correct. After we splashed in, we were given the choice of "doing- our-own-thing" within the limits (110' hard depth limit, 45-50 minute time, back on board with 500psi, and no violations on the computer) or getting a guided tour by the in-water staff member. We usually tagged along with another buddy pair that had been there before or with the in-water guide...As the week went on, we got more adventurous and went sight-seeing a little more on our own(more later)...During the first dive, we saw more and better "stuff" than I'd ever seen in all my previous dives (30 or so both Atlantic, Gulf and Keys). Healthy and full of critters with minimal damage from divers even tho' these were pretty heavily used reefs. We saw several lobsters, just grinning at us since they were in the protected reserve...also saw a Hawksbill turtle cruising along watching us...after way too soon, my air was getting low so we headed back up for our safety stop and the boat.

Did I mention, this is "valet diving" ? Your gear gets carried from the racks on the sides to the back benchs for you, while you put on your fins and mask they assist you with your BC and Tank. You check your pressure, and test your air, put the reg in your mouth and giant stride in...no killing your back getting up from your seat, shuffling from the bench to the back of the boat, and all that stuff:14:...after a repeat for the second dive of the set, we were taken back to the dock and let loose for lunch and a dip in the pool before the afternoon dive.

Lunch was buffet and had tossed salad, a cold salad, two or three hot entree's and sides, a meat tray, and a dessert tray to die for......After lunch, there was usually an hour to lay around the pool before heading down to the dock for the afternoon dive.

The afternoon dive was a single-tank on a moderate reef (40-60') again with tons of critters and abundant stuff to see...sponges, hard and soft corals, tons of reef fish, and some special critters (lobsters, Lettuce leaf slugs, Donkey Dung slugs, turtles, Southern Sting Rays, spotted Eagle Rays, Black and Red Grouper, etc).

After the afternoon dive, we were free to lay around the pool, or go to the spa, the exercise room (yeah, right) or take a nap...I usually did the latter...:14: and Happy hour. This was an opportunity to discuss the day's dives and sightings and discuss everyone's experiences...then get ready for dinner....

Dinner was a buffet again, with salads, cheeses, three entree's, GREAT veggies (loved that buttered Pumpkin), and again a Superb dessert selection (2 or 3 at least)...

After dinner, there was usually something to do, Karioke night, Night Dive, Movie (and Popcorn) night under the stars, extended happy hour, etc, etc,..then back to the rooms to get up early for the next day's diving(8:15AM boat call:11....

One day of the week, we went to the Russian Warship 356 (aka Keith Tibbets) for a wreck dive and video production (they do the filming of everyone on the dive and edit it into a really nice video memento for you and you can also purchase copies of pictures that are taken during the day's dives).

Another day of the week, we went across the channel to Little Cayman and got to dive at Bloody Bay wall...World famous and worth every word that's been said/written about it...but even better was the shallow reef (Sarah's Set) that followed... We were about 25 minutes into a normal shallow reef dive and my daughter motions to me to look and then does the shark sign
I look where she's pointing and see the tail of some kind of shark going around the corner of the reef...I nod and respond that I saw it, and she starts pointing even more vigourously...I look again and there are two sharks now...as we meander closer, we see they're probably Carribean Reef sharks and they're just doing lazy figure-8's around the corner of the reef...as we get closer, we think about the rest of our group and turn and signal to them to come look...as we get closer to the corner of the reef, another buddy team arrives and starts taking pictures ... as we notice there are now 3 sharks lazily crusing around...as more of the folks from the boat start coming over, we see there's now a 4th reef shark joining the group and they're now crusing with a little more purpose:11:....we see a Grouper down on the reef that they might be checking out, right next to the 8' Nurse Shark that's laying down in the reef ... The number of divers has grown to about 12 and we've got 4 sharks circling, one laying on the reef, and a couple of dozen other miscellaneous reef fish (including grouper, snapper and others) just hanging around adding color...Needless to say, all of us got on the boat with just barely 500(er, 320) psi left....Dive of a lifetime....for sure...

Another day or two of diving (nothing quite matching the above) and a couple of wonderful days at the resort eating their wonderful food, and it was time to hop aboard Cayman Air back to Grand Cayman and fly back to Tampa...

A WONDERFUL time and I would highly recommend Cayman Brac Beach Resort for a diving vacation...not too much else for the non-diving family to do there, but I thougth it was terrific and highly recommend the Resort and the folks at Reef Divers II (the dive operation at the resort)...

Steve

 

[caymaniac]

Nice report, what was the water temp? Did you explore the Island at all? Only once to Little Cayman is not enough. Did you take any pics?

 

[MichaelBaranows]

I was part of that Houston group at the Brac last week so I sorry you have to wait. I would have even been willing to switch rooms with you since I had 2 double and would have liked a King size bed. I have to agree that Brac Reef Beach Resort is a very nice place and will probably be going back again next year.

The water temp was 84 in the morning and 86 in the afternoon on my computer for most of the days. Most of our group of 17 divers just wore swim suits, but I wore a shorty.

Here are a few pics. I really haven't gone thru all my photos yet.

 

[Scubasw]

Was there last year with our group. The resort is pretty decent, and the dive operation is good. I don't personally like the "valet diving" I prefer other people to keep their hands off my rig. We had a problem, where three times, they did not change the tanks as they were suppossed to, and once the diver started a dive with 300PSI in his tank. Yes, I know it's his fault, but when someone else is responsible for setting up your gear each time, it's too easy to relax and not make those checks you should. As far as the diving is concerned, it was great. 18 dives over the 5 1/2 diving days. I really wish they had had a 2 tank dive in the afternoon, but that wasn't an option. On the night dive days they skipped the afternoon dive altogether. Water was clear, and warm 85 to 87 every site. I wanted to do the Russian Destroyer more than once, but again not an option.

There isn't much to do on the island other than dive. No town to speak of, no other amusements. You can ride a bicycle around the island and visit the 100ft cliffs on the far end.

Would I go again, Maybe in 5 or 6 years.

Good news is I leave in 10 days for Bonaire. Unlimited diving on my schedule. Can you say 30 dives in 6 days.

 

[MichaelBaranows]

I understand that some people don't like the valet diving. But I always check over my gear before I get in the water anyway so it isn't a big deal to me.

 

[spschneer]

Hi Mike & others,
I wasn't complaining about waiting ... I was remarking that it was kind of nice to see...I'd hate to be on a connecting flight and know there's nothing else till the next day...was really refreshing to see they used some common sense instead of "the schedule says....."

I don't yet have an underwater housing (camera is a Canon 710IS and takes great above-water pics...I've seen some examples over on the Canon forum that look pretty great too...)

We spent most of the middle of the day Friday (no dive due to flying out on Saturday 6:20 AM) renting a car and sightseeing around the island...Neat geological features and really laid back place to live....don't know if I could stand it tho'...


Steve

 

[carriemak]

Our group regularly travels to either Brac Reef Beach Resort or Little Cayman Beach Resort. I can't say enough good things about the valet diving, the great food and the quality of service we receive. I guess that is what keeps us going back year after year.

Next year is Little Cayman June 14 - 21! We have spots open if anyone is interested.

 

[jdcpa]

I understand some people don't like others laying hands on their stuff. (Frances, if you get it? Think Stripes, the movie.)

But, they always make an announcement before you leave the dock to check your air. And they always make an announcement during the surface interval to check your air.

They bring extra tanks for problems like that.

Just my experience.

JD

 

[-hh]

Was there last year with our group. The resort is pretty decent, and the dive operation is good. I don't personally like the "valet diving" I prefer other people to keep their hands off my rig...

Personally, I just make it a point to be to the boat on time, whereupon one of my tasks is to inspect how they set up my gear. Its not like there's really all that many things that can be done wrong. I also do my first air pressure check, as there can also occasionally be the short fill. During the SI between dives, I'll repeat this again. Overall, it simply saves me from having to lift/carry tanks.

Water was clear, and warm 85 to 87 every site.

These would be typical summer surface water temperatures. Winter can be expected to be up to ~10F cooler.

I wanted to do the Russian Destroyer more than once, but again not an option.

Most wreck fans seem to usually want ~3 dives on the 356 before they're pretty well satisfied that they've seen most of what there is to see. Since the wreck broke up, I've been spending more time away from it than in it, taking peeks off the deep wall, spending time in the sand flat on the far side of the arch, etc, and otherwise poking around to see what else is around.

FWIW, if it really bugs you, on your next trip down, be aware that it can be done as a (long swim) shore dive, assuming that you maintain awareness for the typical longitudinal current that's in this area that tends east-->west.

There isn't much to do on the island other than dive. No town to speak of, no other amusements. You can ride a bicycle around the island and visit the 100ft cliffs on the far end.

A lot of people say that there's "nothing" on the Brac. Little Cayman too. For the Brac, there's a small museum in Stake Bay (a town), or you can do a shore dive from the entry here. Going further up-island to Spot Bay (another town), there's a heritage house up here, you can go visit Starry & Tennison at NIM Things and swap fish stories, or go behind their house to the Bluff and take the trail up to Peter's Cave...and possibly even the topside trail all the way out to the Lighthouse. Or at the end of Spot Bay road, go out to Long Beach and walk up to the Indian and Little Cayman Brac...this is not the same as the walk on the southside where you can go out to First Cay.

Ignoring the Mastic trails that are topside on the Bluff and the Parrot Reserve, which all have natural sights and birdwatching, the Brac is also known for its rock climbing.

Closer to the hotel, on the north side in West End, roughly across the street from a public park that has a lowlands trail, there's this shore entry/exit spot at a place known as the 'Buc:

...don't know if there's an easier shore entry spot anywhere. But if you don't feel like getting wet, there's an interesting trail along the shore here to the west, through an area of extremely eroded/undercut ironshore karst that's sometimes called "Grandma's Toilet" for all of the gurgling sounds it makes. Consider taking along your snorkeling gear, though, as there's some interesting lagoons along the coast, frequently with *huge* tangs and other critters you wouldn't expect to find near shore. The 8ft green turtle that used to sleep here hasn't been seen in several years, but keep an eye out anyway. This trail ends shortly after passing a 19th Century windlass that's on the beach onto a paved road...right out in front here is a shallow snorkeling spot known as 'Aquarium' (it's inside of the scuba site known as 'Lobster Pot'); not much coral, but a nice fish nursery which is also known to have regular visits by nurses and hawksbills.

Or if you don't feel like going all that far from the resort, I assume that you found the Tarpon that hang out at the dock at night. Plus on the small access road right behind BRBR, walking to the west, there's a series of braccish ponds parallelling the air strip which support a lot of migratory bird life. If you have a good eye, you can expect to see the West Indies Whistling Duck, an endangered species.

Would I go again, Maybe in 5 or 6 years.

YMMV. Just more for the rest of us

Good news is I leave in 10 days for Bonaire. Unlimited diving on my schedule. Can you say 30 dives in 6 days.

30 in 6 days = too much like work AFAIC. I'd need a vacation afterwords to rest!


-hh