Cayman Brac / Little Cayman or Grand Turk?

[Rogerrdaltx]

I'm brand new to the board and planning a week long trip this August for about 10 adult friends who are all experienced divers (Advanced, Rescue and Instructor types). Diving is the first, second and third consideration. Followed by of course good food / decent service and a relaxing laid back place to stay. A little night life would be nice, but it's not a big deal nor is shopping and there are no kids to consider.

We're down to considering Little Cayman / Cayman Brac or Grand Turk. I've never been to any of the destinations and am looking for suggestions on high points of each / dive operators and where to stay. I want to keep the diving and accommodations between $800 to $1200 per person double occupancy.

I'd really appreciate your thoughts.

Thanks in advance
/Roger

 

[Striker-1]

Hi Roger, I just got in today from the Grand Turks. It was Great diving the town is very very laid back and very simple lifestyle, the food was fantastic the people were friendly. There is not much to do but dive there. I am planning a trip to the Caymens for late July.
Hope this helps Howard

 

[robint]

I'm brand new to the board and planning a week long trip this August for about 10 adult friends who are all experienced divers (Advanced, Rescue and Instructor types). Diving is the first, second and third consideration. Followed by of course good food / decent service and a relaxing laid back place to stay. A little night life would be nice, but it's not a big deal nor is shopping and there are no kids to consider.

We're down to considering Little Cayman / Cayman Brac or Grand Turk. I've never been to any of the destinations and am looking for suggestions on high points of each / dive operators and where to stay. I want to keep the diving and accommodations between $800 to $1200 per person double occupancy.

I'd really appreciate your thoughts.

Thanks in advance
/Roger

Little Cayman Resort and Brac Reef Resort are both all-inclusives (food, room, and diving) so they are a bit higher than what you are asking. But I do think they are what you are looking for. A friend went to Brac Resort a year ago and said the resort has some of the best food he has ever eaten anywhere (and he travels alot). Other friends of ours say that Little Cayman is their favorite destination EVER as the diving is so great and resort is very low key and relaxed. With a group of 10 you could probably get a group discount at either place.
Check with Caradonna Dive Adventures - Dive Travel and Vacations for some good deals on both resorts. August is off-season so you might find a great deal. I wouldn't wait too long to book though with a group that size.

robin

 

[Eau_Girl]

I haven't been to Cayman yet. I have done two trips to Turks & Caicos. One to Provo and land based. The second I started in Grand Turk and then did the T&C Aggressor.

Grand Turk very small. The diving was good, but I preferred the sites that we did closer to Provo. GT sites were all close to shore. There is very little to do on Grand Turk -- not a bad thing, just know what you're in for.

Provo has more on offer with respect to hotels, restaurants and grocery stores, shops, etc. The good dive sites are about 90 minute boat ride from the island so long days. Not a problem if your entire group dives. If there is weather the rides out and back can get rough. The liveaboard option is great in T&C, but probably not what you are after on this occaision.

I'd definitely go back to T&C.

 

[Tim Ingersoll]

I'm brand new to the board and planning a week long trip this August for about 10 adult friends who are all experienced divers (Advanced, Rescue and Instructor types). Diving is the first, second and third consideration. Followed by of course good food / decent service and a relaxing laid back place to stay. A little night life would be nice, but it's not a big deal nor is shopping and there are no kids to consider.

We're down to considering Little Cayman / Cayman Brac or Grand Turk. I've never been to any of the destinations and am looking for suggestions on high points of each / dive operators and where to stay. I want to keep the diving and accommodations between $800 to $1200 per person double occupancy.

I'd really appreciate your thoughts.

Thanks in advance
/Roger

Been to all three. CB 1X, LC 2X, GT 1X. There is no real night life on any of the three unless you think of a quiet bar as nightlife. There is no shopping on any of the three to speak of. Of the three I would give the best diving to LC. Its hard to beat Bloody Bay Wall in terms of Caribbean diving. Little Cayman Beach Resort is the lower end offering. Conch Club Condos the middle and The Club at Little Caymn is the high end. I've sayed at the last two and had a meal plan at LCBR for both stays. Food was exceptional. Diving was the best I've seen this side of the Pacific.

 

[ronski101]

Been to all three and you can't go wrong if you like great diving. All require a puddle jumper plane ride but it is worth it. LC and GT are more wall diving while CB is more tongue and groove. All three have some of the best diving in the Carribean. GT has 5-10 min boat rides to most of the sites. CB has 15-30 min rides to the dive sites while LC has 30-50 min rides to the dive sites. LC had the best food. All are quiet with very little shopping or restaurants. All are more expensive than other places in the Carribean but worth it. We will be at LC in early Aug.

 

[Alex777]

I have dived on all 3 islands also, and agree with the previous 2 posts. All 3 are very quiet but, socially, there is a bit more to do on Grand Turk. For dive sites, I would give the edge to LC.

 

[Rogerrdaltx]

Folks, Thanks for the replies. We decided on Cayman Barc and will be staying at Brac Reef Beach Resort. It seems to get pretty good ratings for food and service and the inclusive fall special pricing was attractive. Reef Divers will also get us to Little Cayman so we won't miss Bloody Bay Wall Marine Park. Cayman Brac geographically is a bit more interesting than Little Cayman with it's caves and cliffs and we have a rock climber or two in the mix. It should be a great trip. Next year I think we'll look at live aboard options for Turks & Caicos Islands. We're not going until late August '08 but I'll try to post a follow-up trip report for future Googlers when we get home.

Thanks again
/Roger