We area planning to travel/dive Grand Cayman sometime in June 2012. Which operation, Cobalt Coast/Divetech or Compass Point/Ocean Frontiers would provide us with the most consistent, varied easiest diving; ie flat seas and little current? Both gorups seem to get great reviews; anything which sets them apart? Is there a more preferable time to dive Grand Cayman? Which, when and why would you choose?
Hey cbrussell,
I've periodically visited Grand Cayman since 1997 and have just under 200 dives there. I stayed at Cobalt Coast and dived with DiveTech in March 2007 and May 2008. I stayed at Compass Point and dived with Ocean Frontiers in September and November of this year.
Both Cobalt Coast and Compass Point are excellent dive resorts with their operators on site. As mentioned, both are remote, especially the latter. Cobalt Coast has ground transportation but I would suggest a car to partake of the island. Compass Point really requires a car, one is included in their package deals. The rooms at Cobalt Coast have small refrigerators but no provisions for cooking. Lodging comes with breakfast included. They have a very good restaurant on site and lunch and dinner can be included as all-inclusive. They also have a bar on site. There are many fine restaurants In West Bay, SMB, and Georgetown if you want to drive. The rooms at Compass Point are condos with full kitchens. We stock up at Hurley's Supermarket and Blackbeards liquor store next door in Grand Harbour on the way to East End and then make our breakfast and lunch and usually go out to dinner. There are plenty of good restaurants within a reasonable drive.
DiveTech offers an AM 2-tank dive. Dive times are relatively strictly limited to 60 minutes. You may dive on your own or with a DM. In March 2007, we were limited to diving the West due to weather and sea conditions. In May 2008 we dived almost exclusively in the North. They offer dives on the Kittiwake and to Stingray City and are conveniently located for both. On both visits we did a DPV dive between Cobalt Coast and Lighthouse Point, the West Bay Express, that was a real blast over infrequently dived reefs. In 2007, we did a CCR experience dive that was a lot of fun. There is unlimited shore diving, including nights, at two very good sites, Cobalt Coast and Lighthouse Point included in their dive packages. By neccessity, you care for your own gear, take in on and off the boats, pack it for shore dives, rinse and dry it.
Ocean Frontiers offers both AM and PM 2-tank dives every day and boat night dives on Mondays and Thursdays, the latter being a UV light dive. They offer a great 3-tank safari to more distant North sites once a week in season, May-October. They also offer a Kittiwake and a Stingray City afternoon dive but it's quite a trek from the East End. I'm unaware of easy, convenient shore diving opportunies on East End. You place all your dive gear in a crate ourside your room the day you arrive and that's the last you touch it until you pick it up to leave. It's set up on the boat for all your dives and they rinse and dry it each night. I must admit, it's very relaxing not having to pack, unpack, carry, rinse, and dry all your gear every day. Again, you have the choice of diving on your own or going with a DM for the first half of each dive. Dive durations have no limit and you're free to dive to decompression or gas limits. This lack of restriction is very refreshing. In September there was little wind and calm seas, we dived mostly in the North. On our visit in November, winds were brisk and seas were rougher, we did nearly all our diving on South sites.
Both Cobalt Coast/DiveTech and Compass Point/Ocean Frontiers are great choices in dive resort and operator. I'm very glad that I've had the opportunity to utilze both with their unique attributes and personality. In most ways, it comes down to personal choice. My next visit to Grand Cayman will likely be a return to Compass Point and Ocean Frontiers, but you really can't go wrong.
Good diving, Craig
