Cayman possible border reopening without quarantine by April or May!

[scubadada]

I would imagine that Florida was a recipient. I was there in June and, despite unusual conditions, operators were busy. I followed reservation calendars over the summer and they were often full. I just got back from a trip and some of the scheduling was quite competitive, especially for Goliath Grouper related activities.

 

[drrich2]

T&C has set records this year compared to pre-pandemic numbers. Supposedly a tourism minister said a big part of that was because Cayman is closed.

Good to see numbers for them! Provo.'s got beach (as does G.C.), but from what I understand lacks Grand Cayman's shore diving and since it's not a regular cruise port, I doubt it has the well-developed topside excursion offerings of Grand Cayman. T&C diving also tends to be a bit deeper, with a rep. for long boat rides out if you don't go by live-aboard. Given issues between the Cayman Aggressor V and the Caymans, it's not clear there'll continue to be a live-aboard option in the Caymans, whereas in T&C it's seen as the best option for divers and there are 2 strongly reputable ones. All that said, I wonder if T&C will keep stealing a little of the Caymans' thunder after the latter open back up? At least more people going and having a good time means more trip reports and word-of-mouth raising awareness.

For USA-based divers, St Croix becomes far more attractive due to the fact that it's not an international flight and there is less testing required.

Yeah, I've been hearing about St. Croix more on Scuba Board since the pandemic kicked in. Awareness seems up! And it's a good place.

 

[AggieDiver]

I’ll be there on Oct 2. Report to follow.

Any first impressions yet? Looks like it has been a bit rainy there. How was the PLS airport experience?

 

[kensuf]

Just wanted to stop by and say that I feel sorry for everyone in the dive industry in the Cayman Islands given that the CIG keeps playing games with re-opening. Yesterday's 3PM meeting to tell everyone "we'll let you know sometime that we will be opening someday" was a classic let down for a number of people.

 

[gstrek]

Just wanted to stop by and say that I feel sorry for everyone in the dive industry in the Cayman Islands given that the CIG keeps playing games with re-opening. Yesterday's 3PM meeting to tell everyone "we'll let you know sometime that we will be opening someday" was a classic let down for a number of people.

Not only the ever-changing reopening date but they are also now considering removal of 'verifiable' proof of vaccination. Fortuitously my hospital system just implemented the SMART QR code on our Epic Systems e-charts.

Edit to add: We have given up on considering a trip to Grand Cayman for the next many months and have booked a trip to Cozumel. We've been to both places a dozen times so not a hardship, although the beaches are much nicer on Cayman (non-diving spouse love them).

Government weighs removing verifiable vaccination requirement for Cayman arrivals

 

[kensuf]

Edit to add: We have given up on considering a trip to Grand Cayman for the next many months and have booked a trip to Cozumel. We've been to both places a dozen times so not a hardship, although the beaches are much nicer on Cayman (non-diving spouse love them).

This evening the wife and I are booking tickets for New Years to Curacao for similar reasons.

 

[Jake 10]

This evening the wife and I are booking tickets for New Years to Curacao for similar reasons.

I heard many things about Curacao , and I'm curious to learn how the diving sites are around the island. I would gladly read any report you may have regarding dives in the island.

 

[Redfoot]

I heard many things about Curacao , and I'm curious to learn how the diving sites are around the island. I would gladly read any report you may have regarding dives in the island.

From the trip report master himself..... @drrich2

Trip Report - Curacao Trip Report with SB Surge Jan. 2019

Jan. 2019 Curacao Trip Report -----Was blessed to join the ScubaBoard 2019 Surge to Curacao Saturday Jan. 12 – 19th. Took my wife, 5-year old daughter and mother-in-law along, stayed at Sunscape Resort Curacao and dove the 10 boat dives (included in the package deal) with Ocean Encounters. Due...

scubaboard.com

Curacao Trip Research Notes

Hi: I plan trips in advance, researching the destination. I'd long wanted to try Curacao and was intrigued with Sunscape Resort Curacao, an all-inclusive resort with on-site beach and dive op. (Ocean Encounters) near topside attractions (e.g.: Curacao Sea Aquarium, the capital Willemstad...

scubaboard.com

 

[Jake 10]

From the trip report master himself..... @drrich2

Trip Report - Curacao Trip Report with SB Surge Jan. 2019

Jan. 2019 Curacao Trip Report -----Was blessed to join the ScubaBoard 2019 Surge to Curacao Saturday Jan. 12 – 19th. Took my wife, 5-year old daughter and mother-in-law along, stayed at Sunscape Resort Curacao and dove the 10 boat dives (included in the package deal) with Ocean Encounters. Due...

scubaboard.com

Curacao Trip Research Notes

Hi: I plan trips in advance, researching the destination. I'd long wanted to try Curacao and was intrigued with Sunscape Resort Curacao, an all-inclusive resort with on-site beach and dive op. (Ocean Encounters) near topside attractions (e.g.: Curacao Sea Aquarium, the capital Willemstad...

scubaboard.com

thank you @Redfoot

 

[mi000ke]

Just announced by Premier in press conference currently in progress: cayman will reopen borders on November 20. No quarantine required if vaccinated. More details to follow.