Cobalt Coast/Reef Divers and Shore Diving

[gkrane]

I am looking into possibly booking a trip to CC for the summer of 2017. They seem to have good packages for families and I have a child diver. Would like to do LCBR but seems quite a bit more expensive so may save that trip for later. Has anyone been there since Reef Divers took over the dive op? How is the shore diving now that Divetech is no longer in the picture? Is it limited to the site out front or can you still go back and forth to the previous sites? In the summer is there a great chance it will be too rough to shore dive there?

 

[jdcpa]

I don't believe that Reef has taken over yet.

Memory tells me that December 1 is their start date.

There should be another thread on this page that outlines their start date.

I would assume that the other sites would not be included, since they are DiveTech sites. Assume is the key word.

 

[scubadada]

Correct, Reef Divers takes over from DiveTech on December 1. In the News Cobalt coast will only have free shore diving at the resort. I have stayed there twice in summer and was not able to shore dive there once due to conditions

DiveTech is located at Lighthouse Point and has free shore diving only at that site Grand Cayman Scuba Diving Divetech.com

Turtle Reef is independent of either Cracked Conch Grand Cayman Ocean Front Seafood Restaurant and Tiki Bar

I have dived the mini-wall and main wall from each of these sites, all are good with pros and cons. I think I actually like Turtle Reef the best.

My last two trips to Grand Cayman have been to Compass Point/Ocean Frontiers, very good diving, great operator, not much to do for non-divers, a long way from Seven Mile Beach and Georgetown Home

 

[Insta-Gator]

Are they still flushing the dolphin experience and/or turtle farm into the water at turtle reef? Years ago it used to be so clear and clean. The last couple of times we visited the water was dirty looking and the reef itself was not flourishing. I hope it's better now.

 

[scubadada]

Are they still flushing the dolphin experience and/or turtle farm into the water at turtle reef? Years ago it used to be so clear and clean. The last couple of times we visited the water was dirty looking and the reef itself was not flourishing. I hope it's better now.

Good point, I've not dived at Turtle Reef for some time. Dolphin Discovery and Turtle Farm are going strong, however. Perhaps folks who have dived Turtle Reef recently would comment, I'd be interested.

 

[Doctorfish]

I dived Turtle Reef in April and it seemed pretty healthy to me. There has been some deterioration in the soft corals and sponges over the years, but no more so than the rest of the island. Vis was 50-70 at the time.

There was still lots to see, particularly as a night dive. No evidence of excess dolphin and turtle droppings.


Shore diving at Turtle Reef and Lighthouse is relatively inexpensive (10-12 a tank) compared to boat diving, and is a pretty nice way to spend an afternoon or evening.
There is a good bar near the entry at Turtle Reef to hang out at after diving, as well.

I don't think that having a new operator at Cobalt can change the diving. From shore there in the summer, I would guess that you will be able to dive most days. The only downside is that if you are staying and diving at Cobalt, shore diving at Lighthouse will not be included in the package price.

LCBR usually offers some summer deals. I would check them out. IMO, LC beats GC by a mile as far as diving is concerned. They also have bikes, kayaks and a hobie for rent at reasonable price, so plenty for a family to do. Not much near Cobalt Coast.

Also, have a look at the resorts on the east end of GC, they offer nice beaches, snorkelling, watersports as well as some of the best diving on GC.

 

[Doctorfish]

Today's Cayman Compass has an article announcing sale of Cobalt Coast to owners of Brac Beach Reef Resort.

For sure there will be some changes in the resort, not just the dive op.

 

[gkrane]

Today's Cayman Compass has an article announcing sale of Cobalt Coast to owners of Brac Beach Reef Resort.

For sure there will be some changes in the resort, not just the dive op.

I would suspect so as well. One thing that seems apparent is that the shore diving options will be limited. I would hate to plan on shore diving every day only to wing up getting blown out because of weather at the house reef. Seriously looking at LCBR also.

 

[Insta-Gator]

I would suspect so as well. One thing that seems apparent is that the shore diving options will be limited. I would hate to plan on shore diving every day only to wing up getting blown out because of weather at the house reef. Seriously looking at LCBR also.

Lighthouse and Turtle are not there far away. Sometimes when Cobalt is blown out, these two are still viable. Depends on the wind direction. Were you planning to rent a car?

---------- Post added October 22nd, 2015 at 12:18 PM ----------

I need to get to LCBR. Have heard tons of good things about it.

 

[gkrane]

Not planning to rent a car.