cardzard
Contributor
Hello All
Dive report from vacation to Grand Cayman 7/22 - 7/29
DIVE OP- DON FOSTERS first 5 days
COMPUTER READINGS
WATER TEMPS ON ALL DIVES 81-84
DAY 1 7/23
DIVING SITES MAX DEPTH BOTTOM TIME
Marty's wall/Pulsson wreck 100' 40 mins
Killer Puffer 52' 55 mins
DAY 2 7/24
LITTLE TUNNELS 103' 40 mins
BONNIES ARCH 69' 58 mins
DEVILS GROTTO (shore dive) 41' 45 mins
DAY 3 7/25
WHITE STROKE CANYON 107' 39 mins
QUEENS THRONE 56' 54 mins
STINGRAY CITY 13' 55 mins
DAY 4 7/26
TRINITY CAVES 111' 41 mins
SPANISH ANCHOR 52' 56 mins
ARMCHAIR (night dive) 72' 46 mins
DAY 5 7/27
BLACKIES HOLE 111' 41mins
ARMCHAIR (daytime) 67' 57 mins
DAY 6 7/28 DIVE OP BOB SOTO's
MAINSTREET 107' 39 mins
BLACK FOREST 67' 41 mins
The diving was very good with viz 100-150 depending on the site. Seas were flat to 3'
The diving on the NORTH SIDE had much healthier reefs than the WEST SIDE but overall the diving was very good. I particularly enjoyed the night dive on ARMCHAIR followed by a daytime dive there. It was very intresting to compare my memory of the night dive to the way the reef looked in the daytime. The dive op DON FOSTER was VERY GOOD we never felt rushed and as you can see they gave us decent bottom times. They also let those with computers do their own thing only asking to watch your time. Their boats were very big and we never felt cramped for space even with as many as 14 divers onboard. GREAT DIVE MASTERS TOM , ESTABAN , GABRIEL they always briefed us on the dive site and never rush surface intervals. VERY PROFESSIONAL dive op.
DAY 6 dive op BOB SOTOS
First let me say this was a last minute decision to sneak in 2 more dive before the next days flight. This was a STEP DOWN compared to our previous 5 days diving. We had to wait cuz they forgot some of the gear at shop for folks that dove with them the day before. Much smaller boat and bottom times were stated at 30 mins computer or not. We did dive 2 very good sites and we streched their time limits so overall not too bad. However I'm very glad we choose Don Foster for most of our diving.
HOTEL TREASURE ISLAND RESORT
This is GOOD DIVE HOTEL DO NOT expect resort and be prepared to put up with some construction workers (RITZ CARLTON) that take over the lobby at night. Apprently about 40-60 of them are staying there. VERY nice grounds and pools. GOOD SNORKELING from beach with lots of marine life less than 50' offshore. Staff were helpful but not overly friendly. Resturants on site were decent at best and VERY expensive in my opinon.
Drinks were VERY EXPENSIVE. This hotel did have lots of places to eat or buy discount alcohol within walking distance. The in room refrigerator & safe were a big help.
DINNING OVERALL
We found most of the food was very good but VERY EXPENSIVE and most folks would roundup the conversion rate when you paid with cash. 1.00 us = .80 CI
I quickly learned to use the credit card and let the machine calculate the price.
OVERALL REVIEW
We did enjoy the diving and most of the people were friendly. However I don't see us ever going back with so many other places in the carribean to dive. We are going to cross this spot off our list for return diving due to HIGH COST.
Before I get all the CAYMAN FOLKS UPSET it was very nice diving just not worth the cost overall. I live in Florida and can get the same type diving except WALLS & STINGRAY CITY with just as much marine life for much less. Maybe with all the hype you read in the dive magazines it got my expectations to high.
Dive report from vacation to Grand Cayman 7/22 - 7/29
DIVE OP- DON FOSTERS first 5 days
COMPUTER READINGS
WATER TEMPS ON ALL DIVES 81-84
DAY 1 7/23
DIVING SITES MAX DEPTH BOTTOM TIME
Marty's wall/Pulsson wreck 100' 40 mins
Killer Puffer 52' 55 mins
DAY 2 7/24
LITTLE TUNNELS 103' 40 mins
BONNIES ARCH 69' 58 mins
DEVILS GROTTO (shore dive) 41' 45 mins
DAY 3 7/25
WHITE STROKE CANYON 107' 39 mins
QUEENS THRONE 56' 54 mins
STINGRAY CITY 13' 55 mins
DAY 4 7/26
TRINITY CAVES 111' 41 mins
SPANISH ANCHOR 52' 56 mins
ARMCHAIR (night dive) 72' 46 mins
DAY 5 7/27
BLACKIES HOLE 111' 41mins
ARMCHAIR (daytime) 67' 57 mins
DAY 6 7/28 DIVE OP BOB SOTO's
MAINSTREET 107' 39 mins
BLACK FOREST 67' 41 mins
The diving was very good with viz 100-150 depending on the site. Seas were flat to 3'
The diving on the NORTH SIDE had much healthier reefs than the WEST SIDE but overall the diving was very good. I particularly enjoyed the night dive on ARMCHAIR followed by a daytime dive there. It was very intresting to compare my memory of the night dive to the way the reef looked in the daytime. The dive op DON FOSTER was VERY GOOD we never felt rushed and as you can see they gave us decent bottom times. They also let those with computers do their own thing only asking to watch your time. Their boats were very big and we never felt cramped for space even with as many as 14 divers onboard. GREAT DIVE MASTERS TOM , ESTABAN , GABRIEL they always briefed us on the dive site and never rush surface intervals. VERY PROFESSIONAL dive op.
DAY 6 dive op BOB SOTOS
First let me say this was a last minute decision to sneak in 2 more dive before the next days flight. This was a STEP DOWN compared to our previous 5 days diving. We had to wait cuz they forgot some of the gear at shop for folks that dove with them the day before. Much smaller boat and bottom times were stated at 30 mins computer or not. We did dive 2 very good sites and we streched their time limits so overall not too bad. However I'm very glad we choose Don Foster for most of our diving.
HOTEL TREASURE ISLAND RESORT
This is GOOD DIVE HOTEL DO NOT expect resort and be prepared to put up with some construction workers (RITZ CARLTON) that take over the lobby at night. Apprently about 40-60 of them are staying there. VERY nice grounds and pools. GOOD SNORKELING from beach with lots of marine life less than 50' offshore. Staff were helpful but not overly friendly. Resturants on site were decent at best and VERY expensive in my opinon.
Drinks were VERY EXPENSIVE. This hotel did have lots of places to eat or buy discount alcohol within walking distance. The in room refrigerator & safe were a big help.
DINNING OVERALL
We found most of the food was very good but VERY EXPENSIVE and most folks would roundup the conversion rate when you paid with cash. 1.00 us = .80 CI
I quickly learned to use the credit card and let the machine calculate the price.
OVERALL REVIEW
We did enjoy the diving and most of the people were friendly. However I don't see us ever going back with so many other places in the carribean to dive. We are going to cross this spot off our list for return diving due to HIGH COST.
Before I get all the CAYMAN FOLKS UPSET it was very nice diving just not worth the cost overall. I live in Florida and can get the same type diving except WALLS & STINGRAY CITY with just as much marine life for much less. Maybe with all the hype you read in the dive magazines it got my expectations to high.
