Cayman Recomendations

[NYCDVR]

Ok I want to take my Girlfreind to Cayman she is certified but not overly excited about diving she wants a nice beach/resort where she can relax

I want diving so I am looking for a resort that has both in that the Boat is at the resort or there is good shore diving and there are topside activities for her

The best case would be a resort with good shore diving but also with a nice beach, bar, and restuarant with boat diving option as well

Any recomendations as I hear that different parts of grand cayman offer different things

I have never been to Cayman but I am comfortable at recreational limits 135+ and like Wrecks as well but Shallow reef diving would probaly interest my GF the most she is OW and I am AOW, DRY, Nitrox is there a place that has it all?

Any suggestions? Also a place with a dive package would be nice as well

thanks

 

[oly5050user]

Ok I want to take my Girlfreind to Cayman she is certified but not overly excited about diving she wants a nice beach/resort where she can relax

I want diving so I am looking for a resort that has both in that the Boat is at the resort or there is good shore diving and there are topside activities for her

The best case would be a resort with good shore diving but also with a nice beach, bar, and restuarant with boat diving option as well

Any recomendations as I hear that different parts of grand cayman offer different things

I have never been to Cayman but I am comfortable at recreational limits 135+ and like Wrecks as well but Shallow reef diving would probaly interest my GF the most she is OW and I am AOW, DRY, Nitrox is there a place that has it all?

Any suggestions? Also a place with a dive package would be nice as well

thanks

I can suggest a place that has the diving both on boats and beach.Very convient clost to Georgetown..The bar at the resort is considered one of the busiest on the island..Sunset House should fit the needs..Beach virtually nonexistant for the shore is ironshore but there is a pool ..restaurants on site..PM if interested in more details.I took a group of 30 there last year and it was done easily with no problems..I see you are in NYC,we are located in Bronx on City Island @capt mikes diving..Give call at 718 885 1588 if we can help with anything..

 

[diversteve]

On Cayman you have your choice of a dive resort with no beach or a beach resort with no shorediving. Sunset House is about as close as it comes to both except for a complete lack of a beach. My Bar, the bar alluded to by the previous poster, is the diver's hangout there, also there's another good restaurant on the property. There is a pool overlooking the water there. Everything else is 2 minutes to Georgetown from there.

The other "dive resort" on the (North)west side is Cobalt Coast. It has diving offshore, boat diving from their dock, and a big sundeck. But no beach. Someone once told me there's a nice beach a long walk/short drive away. It's drawback is that it's so far north that anything else is a 10min drive back to north Seven Mile Beach or 20mins. to Georgetown. They're an AI since nothing else is nearby.

Almost every dive operator will pick you up anywhere along Seven Mile Beach so I'd suggest staying on SMB and going for diving. There's no shorediving along SMB which is why it's such a good "beach". Try the Marriot or Comfort Suites. Nicer there's the Westin or Ritz Carlton on SMB.

Almost everybody bundles a dive package on Grand Cayman. All the resorts and condos. Some of the dive operators even offer a package with specific resorts. I've heard good things about Neptune's Divers or WalltoWall Diving. Or Indigo Divers for a more personal experience. Personally we chose not to book with Fosters or Red Sail as they seemed to be larger outfits.

You could also consider Morritt's/Tortuga Divers or Compass Point/Ocean Frontiers on the East End. But it's a 45min-1hr. drive back to Georgetown or the airport.

www.caymanislands.ky should get you started.

 

[Damselfish]

The other "dive resort" on the (North)west side is Cobalt Coast. It has diving offshore, boat diving from their dock, and a big sundeck. But no beach. Someone once told me there's a nice beach a long walk/short drive away. It's drawback is that it's so far north that anything else is a 10min drive back to north Seven Mile Beach or 20mins. to Georgetown. They're an AI since nothing else is nearby.

Dive boats do not leave from Cobalt Coast but you can shore dive from their dock, assuming conditions are ok - it's the North Wall where you sometimes get blown out just like boat diving is sometimes in winter. Even better shore dive is at the other Divetech shop at Turtle Reef a short drive away, kind of around the corner of the coast so it's more protected and has a very protected entry. Divetech has a shop at CC and drives everyone and their gear to whichever dock they are leaving from that day. It is different than some ops picking you up on SMB, since it's generally all people staying at CC going directly to the boat, not driving around stopping at a bunch of places. Just grab your gear and toss it in the truck right next to the lockers.

I personally I don't think Cobalt Coast is all that far away from stuff 10 minute drive is nothing, but then I live in the boonies and drive further than that to get to much of anything at home. I see it as a nice compromise not a drawback, quiet and away from the crowds but easy enough to go down to restaurants and stuff. CC isn't any more AI than Sunset House, you can buy a meal package if you want but from what I've seen most people don't. And I wouldn't recommend it, the food is fine but you'd probably get bored with their menu eating dinner there every.

Sunset House is closer to town and has slightly more convienient diving then CC but I'd say the shore diving isn't as nice and the boats aren't nearly as good. Cobalt Coast is a nicer hotel. Unless they're rearranged things, you actually have to cart your gear further at SH.

 

[smokey braden]

nycdvr,
we stayed at aqua bay.
http://www.aquabayclub.com/
dive tech would pick us up and bring us home.
regards,