DiveTech GC Diving

[Richard_T]

I am diving for a week with DiveTech at Cobalt Coast next month and wanted to get a smattering of opinions as to options. My son is 10 years old and will complete his open water dives in the Keys before we leave for GC. I know he cannot make my deep dives, so we're saving the shallow dives (ncluding the Kittiwake) for after a couple of mornings of boat dives for me and adventure dives off the shore for him. Also, we have not yet purchased any equipment for him. So, if you have the patience, I have a few issues that I am soliciting any information or opinions on:

1. Other than SRC and the Kittiake, any other shallow dives recommended for my son and I;

2. DiveTech has the breakfast vs. the entire meal plan. I am sure that the meal plan is wonderful, but I expect to spend some afternoons checking out Georgetown, the Turtle Farm and other spots. Does it make sense to have lunch a la carte and dinner in Georgetown and other spots? If so, I assume that I must rent a car. Thoughts?;

3. Any particularly good family restaurants and food spots around the west and north ends?

4. At 10 years old, it does not seem to make sense to invest in gear that will be soon outgrown, i.e. wetsuit, booties, gloves and BCD. Does anyone have some contrasting thoughts and supporting reasons? Also and even more importantly, should I invest in a dive computer for him? I have an air integrated comp. I assume that I should not be thinking of holding out on buying him a computer because one day they should have better, cheaper air integrated versions to purchase with a reg. I spyed an under $200 Oceanic Veo 180 computer with tons of features for the pricepoint. His safety and enjoyment are my chief concerns (with a huge gap between the two). Nevertheless, any thoughts about renting vs. buying him a dive computer are appreciated.

5. Lastly, I have never been to the Caymans. So, any miscellaneous thoughts are appreciated.

 

[ianr33]

1) The shore dives from Cobalt Coast and Lighthouse Point(Both owned by Divetech) are good and easy shore dives (provided there are no waves) Depths range from 6 to 6000 feet! Snorkelling in the Shallows at Cobalt Coast is excellent. Underneath the dock at night is good as well.

2)I don't eat dinner out in Cayman, too expensive for my tastes!

4)Personally I would not bother with a computer on shallow dives,but if you get one cheap it can't hurt.

5)If you get a car head out to the East End at least once.Good way to spend the last day before flying home.

 

[Damselfish]

2. Personally I would stick with the breakfast plan, rent a car, and check out other places to eat. Food is pretty good there but I'd still get tired of eating there while missing all the good places to eat. There are plenty of places that would be fun for kids for one reason or another. There are even some more reasonable places if that's an issue, and you will probably have a fridge in the room for sandwich stuff and doggie bags for lunch as an option. (There was a supermarket not too far that had a pretty good prepared foods section too, don't know if that's still true.)

4. If you are choosing between renting and buying a computer I'd buy, if you buy a basic Nitrox computer you'll break even pretty quickly and it should be useful for a long time. And one thing about a computer is he can't outgrow it. If he is not getting his own regs yet stick with a wrist model, many could be put in a console later if you want. (Plus if it turns out you son isn't really into diving you can easily use it as a backup.)

That said, AFAIK Divetech includes free use of a dive computer in their packages if someone doesn't have one, so probably this decision could just be put off.

 

[diversteve]

Other shallow dive options:

Eden Rock is the dive site in Georgetown just north of the cruise pier. So if you see any of those big ships out in the harbor - don't go there then...lol.

It's a little tired - lots of cruisers over the years haven't done it much good - but your son may like it. I had to just about kneel on the bottom to get to 39'. Some of the reef clusters were shallow - maybe 10-15' below the surface. There's also a lot of sand between the reef clusters in some areas so if his buoyancy isn't that good he can kneel there. Easy entry down some stairs also.

There's shallow diving off Sunset House in S. Georgetown. The reef maybe starts in 20'? in some areas, the Mermaid is at 55'. Cathy Church has a photo gallery/school there that's worth a look

There's Lighthouse Point - the other Divetech location:

LIGHTHOUSE POINT is located on the NW tip of Grand Cayman - a great quiet getaway from Seven Mile Beach and just 20 minutes North of town. Here you will experience a shore dive on the mini wall or wall that is rated amongst the top on the island! 50 yards off shore makes easy access to a 35' vertical mini-wall that runs from 25' to 60', where an abundance of corals, sponges and marine life will be seen. The dive site is pristine and unspoiled with southern, eagle and lemon rays, octopus, scorpion fish, bristle stars, crabs, anemones, eels, tarpons and an abundance of reef fish from juveniles to old timers seen on a daily basis.

The Anchor is a little off the dock at 15'. He might like "finding" that.

Turtle Reef is an excellent shallow dive. Might be a little too deep for him though - the top of the mini-wall starts at 40' and bottoms out in the sand at 60'ish. There's often a lot of tarpon hovering to the south. But it's 0-40' once you get outside the cove, there's really no good shallower diving there.

IDK that's it's especially kid-friendly but the Cracked Conch restaurant is at Turtle Reef - it's gotten a lot more upscale. There's also an outdoor bar next to it - Macabuca - wasn't there when we last dove it.

There's Wendys, Subway, KFC, Pizza Hut for lunch. The Hard Rock downtown was pretty quiet mid-week. Kids can feed the Tarpon at the Wharf. It's not the cheapest but they do have a kids menu.

Many of these have links to menus/prices: http://www.caymanrestaurants.com/

Definitely get a car. Cabs are pretty expensive - 1 r/t and a car is cheaper. Andy's at the airport was a good option for us - they had LH drive U.S. models - it's a little weird going through the rotaries and drive-thrus...lol.

Cobalt Coast is in a mostly residential area about as far north as you can go. Unless it's changed recently there isn't more than about 1/2 dozen restaurants nearby. The market Damselfish mentioned is probably Fosters in West Bay.

Another option is the bus. The farthest east point shown on the map(s) (for buses #1 & 2) might be at/near Cobalt Coast. http://www.grandcayman4u.com/transport/buses.htm

Buses run on eight different routes that are color coded for easy recognition. The main bus depot is located in George Town. From there the bus from George Town to West Bay runs every 15 minutes and the fare is just under $2(USD) per person each way. This line runs from 6:00 a.m. until 11:00 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and until midnight on Friday and Saturday.

hth, we're going back in June.

 

[jdcpa]

I am trying to remember the name, but isn't Liberty the local restaurant not too far from there?

Good local type food, not too expensive.

 

[Drew Sailbum]

I know you don't want to put much into gear for your growing diver, but the water is running bit colder than normal. Kids with lower body mass already get colder faster than adults. Typically rental wetsuits are shorties and there are few choices in kids sizes. If your little diver is cold then diving will not be fun.

I would encourage you to consider a full length wetsuit, probably 5mm, that would properly fit your child. You can probably resell it on EBay once he outgrows it.

 

[billinwilliamston]

Absolutely rent a car. Is it just the two of you? IMO it's much easier to make the transition to driving on the other side of the street (if it's not right, it's ...) if you get a car with the steering wheel on the right. The first couple of options price-wise at most places will be right hand drive.
You will find yourself turning on the windshield wipers when you want to make a turn though.

 

[scubadada]

Hi Richard T,

My son and I stayed at Cobalt Coast and dived with DiveTech for a week in 2008 and a week in 2009. Wonderful resort and very good dive operator. Arie is a great host and makes sure all in right for you.

Assuming your son is also signed up for the boat dives, DiveTech supplies complimentary computers to divers without one.

Personally I'd get the meal plan. The food at Duppy's is very good. Nothing easier that coming back from the AM boat dives and having a good lunch prior to heading out for an afternoon of fun (diving). As stated, the DiveTech shore dives included in the package at the resort and Lighthouse Point are very good. We also use an operator off SMB for additional afternoon and night dives. We use Cayman 6 Pack as Renee Knight is a friend and very flexible in her scheduling. The shore dive from the Cracked Conch at Turtle Reef is also very good, run by Sun Divers, all you need there is a tank. The dinner's at Duppy's are very good. If you want to go for a night dive, they will take a preorder and have your dinner for you when you return. We always blow off a couple dinners on the plan and eat somewhere in SMB or Georgetown.

Regardless of your meal plans, I would rent a car. Cobalt Coast is quite remote and it's fun and convenient to be able to get around on your own schedule whether that's for off site diving, dining, or sight seeing.

I'm sure you'll have a great time on Grand Cayman, enjoy.

Good diving, Craig