Cayman vs. Cozumel

[divematt]

I would like to hear the opinions of seasoned divers who have dove both places and get their favorite between the two. I already know that it's more expensive in the Caman Islands, but which is the better dive destination? My vote goes to Cozumel but that may be because I just did 20 dives there and have only snorkeled from a cruise ship in Grand Caymen.

Thanks

 

[KidK9]

I have dove both, and I just cannot get away or vote against Cozumel. Hands down, love it there.

 

[Jean-o]

I just got back from Cayman. Did 5 dives there with Ocean Frontiers. Great Dive Op! I did 2 dives in Cozumel last year, so not really enough to compare. But by those dives, I would say I liked Cayman better, but it may have just been the sites we visited in Cozumel. I am actually going back in August to get a better taste! I may change my mind after that!
Jean-o

 

[zf2nt]

Which Cayman? There are three of them, and they are all very different from each other.

My dive buddy and I (it's ok...we're married!) went to Cozumel first...and loved it. A couple of years later, we went to Grand Cayman. It was way too expensive, but definitely as good as Cozumel and without some of the problems that go along with being in Mexico. A couple of years later we went to Cayman Brac for a week and we felt that was a big step up from Grand Cayman. The best thing about the Brac trip, though, was the day excursion over to Little Cayman. The next year, we went to Little Cayman..and the year after that and the year after that. Then we bought some land there, then built a house there. Now I live there, 6 months out of the year, and am quite certain there isn't any better diving in North America than on Little Cayman.

But back where you started, comparing Grand Cayman and Cozumel...try them both! But save Little Cayman for last, because it's all downhill from there.

 

[Perfect1]

Divematt,

 

[Perfect1]

Divematt, Greetings from a diver in Huntrsville. I have been to both locations. For the $$$ go with Mexico. Best part of Coz. were the several 700 lb. Jew fish. The best diving is C. Brac. Animal life, viz, and layed back atmosphere. I'm heading to Saba next week for 10 days. If you need specific dive sites in let me knowBrac or Coz. , I'll check the old dive book.......see you on the bottom. Dan

 

[carlislere]

I have to agree with Zf2nt. Little Cayman is the best diving I have ever done. We are going back there in June along with some time on Grand Cayman as well. Can't wait.

 

[divematt]

Perfect1,

I just did 20 dives on 20 different reefs and walls and even asked about Goliath Groupers, (Jewfish) and never saw one. The dive guides never mentioned that it was a good place to see them. I've seen a lot of them in S. E. Florida around West Palm Beach and a bit north and south. Where in Coz did you see them? Which specific reef? I loved Coz so much, we're going back for 9 more days in 2 months. That is why I started this thread, to see if there is diving better than Coz. It sounds like I need to see Little Cayman and Cayman Brac! I can't imagine anything measurably better than Cozumel! I knew Grand Cayman was expensive. How hard is it to get to the other Caymans? Without doing any reaserch yet, I haven't checked to see if you can fly there directly or need to go the Grand Cayman first.

 

[Natasha]

Matt:
I was in Coz the same time as you. I saw Jew fish all around the C- 53 on Tuesday May 4th.

 

[AggieDiver]

I have to put in my vote for the Cayman sister islands. We have been to Brac twice and we are going to Little Cayman this Sept. We also have been to Coz, and ZF2NT is correct. We were spoiled before we got there. I think I am one of the few people I am aware of who didn't really care for the diving in Coz. It may have been our operator taking us to bad sites or something, but I never had a single dive on Coz out of 15 dives that was better than my worst dive on Brac or Little Cayman. Speaking of operators, I have never seen any operators as thoroughly safety conscious and knowledgable about safe diving as those we experienced in the Caymans. I don't doubt that such operations exist on Coz, but our experience there did not include one.

To me the biggest difference is the lack of current (for the most part) in the Caymans. I know most people love the "relaxing" diving they get drifting with the current in Coz. However, I am one who loves to sit for long times exploring smaller parts of the reef, so having to work to get out of the current to do so, and having the pressure of keeping up with the rest of the group didn't suit my diving style well at all in Coz. Nearly all of our dives on Brac and LC were moored dives with little or no current, so you were free to head out in whatever direction suited you, and had no pressure to follow anybody or to keep up with a group. I also think the health of the Cozumel reefs just wasn't as good as what we saw in the Caymans. In the end, we could probably do more frequent cheaper trips to Coz, but if we hold out for an extra couple of months, we can afford to do the Caymans, knowing that we will both enjoy it alot more. Factor in the extra costs of taxis, meals eaten out, etc, and Coz isn't necessarily that much cheaper if you go with comparable accomodations and dive operators.

Enjoy your trip to Coz, but take the time to go to the Sister Islands sometime and I guarantee you won't be disappointed.