randykiw
Contributor
I and my so will be there july 30 - aug 6 staying at the westin also. Diving with "living the dream divers" all week. When will you be there?
Family trip to Grand Cayman
- Thread starter hawkeye58
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Longhorn Diver
New
I returned yesterday from a one week trip to GC with my family. This was our second trip to GC. My wife and 15 year old son were just certifed 3 weeks ago. My 18 year old son and I were certified last year.
On Day 1 we did a guided shore dive with Eden Rock. It was a great way to start the week. Ann was our guide. She was very patient and worked well with my wife and youngest son on their first open water dive. We did Devil's Grotto and encountered lots of marine life. Did a swim through which was very cool. Max depth was 45 feet. It was a great experience for my wife who remains somewhat nervous about diving. She did great and her confidence increased ten fold. Do not be mislead by the appearance of this place - they do a good job briefing you on the dive sites at this location and are very helpful on just about anything you need.
On Day 2 we did a shore dive at Turtle Reef (at Cracked Conch). Sun Divers is the operator at this site and they did a great job briefing us on the dive. Go down the ladder and swim out about 50 to 75 yards to the first buoy. Descend then swim out to the mini wall. There is another buoy at that point so navigating is easy. The mini wall basically runs north and south so it is easy to just swim the wall. There is a slight current which runs from north to south. Go north into the current, it makes coming back a breeze. It will be no problem for younger divers. We swam out on the bottom of the wall and stayed around 60 feet. You can actually go deeper as some areas on the wall are easily 75 feet. The mini wall is really gorgeous. Most persons I have talked to say this is the best shore dive in GC. We returned on the top of the wall which is around 30-35 feet.
Day 3 we did a 2 tank boat dive with Wall to Wall Diving. We were the only 4 on the boat. Giles is a great guy and has a first class operation. We did 2 sites on the north wall. Once going down I realized this is why I decided to get certifed in scuba. I cannot describe in words how incredible both dives were. On the first dive we did Eagleray Pass. Descended to about 45 feet then started to swim out to the wall. We were not in the water 4 minutes when a Hawksbill turtle swam right up to us. He came to within 6 inches - just curious I assume. He swam around us for a couple minutes then went on his way. Then we continued to the wall. This is probably the most beautiful site I have ever seen. Suddenly you look out and the bottom is 6,000 feet down (of course you can't see it). We swam the top of the wall at about 60-70 feet. On the second dive we did Pete's. Very similar dive. Again, the wall was breathtaking. Saw a nurse shark, green turtle, barracuda, several lobster, and lots of other marine life. The only problem with these two dives is that they went by too fast. The next time I go to CG I will use Wall to Wall Divers again. Giles really has a good operation.
I have heard good things about Living the Dream but have not used them. I wanted to dive w/ Divetech but they were overrun by kids for Sea Camp last week. I have heard great things about Divetech and will consider them on my next trip.
Other things to consider while in CG: Restaurants - we tried several different restaurnats during our stay. The Wharf has great food and a great view, but is on the really expensive side. Also tried Cblue one night. It is on the water in George Town. Great place to see the sunset. Not overwhelmed by the food but the prices were not that bad. Since you are staying at the Westin, walk across the street to Eats Cafe. Probably the best food for the money on the island. They have a great breakfast.
On Day 1 we did a guided shore dive with Eden Rock. It was a great way to start the week. Ann was our guide. She was very patient and worked well with my wife and youngest son on their first open water dive. We did Devil's Grotto and encountered lots of marine life. Did a swim through which was very cool. Max depth was 45 feet. It was a great experience for my wife who remains somewhat nervous about diving. She did great and her confidence increased ten fold. Do not be mislead by the appearance of this place - they do a good job briefing you on the dive sites at this location and are very helpful on just about anything you need.
On Day 2 we did a shore dive at Turtle Reef (at Cracked Conch). Sun Divers is the operator at this site and they did a great job briefing us on the dive. Go down the ladder and swim out about 50 to 75 yards to the first buoy. Descend then swim out to the mini wall. There is another buoy at that point so navigating is easy. The mini wall basically runs north and south so it is easy to just swim the wall. There is a slight current which runs from north to south. Go north into the current, it makes coming back a breeze. It will be no problem for younger divers. We swam out on the bottom of the wall and stayed around 60 feet. You can actually go deeper as some areas on the wall are easily 75 feet. The mini wall is really gorgeous. Most persons I have talked to say this is the best shore dive in GC. We returned on the top of the wall which is around 30-35 feet.
Day 3 we did a 2 tank boat dive with Wall to Wall Diving. We were the only 4 on the boat. Giles is a great guy and has a first class operation. We did 2 sites on the north wall. Once going down I realized this is why I decided to get certifed in scuba. I cannot describe in words how incredible both dives were. On the first dive we did Eagleray Pass. Descended to about 45 feet then started to swim out to the wall. We were not in the water 4 minutes when a Hawksbill turtle swam right up to us. He came to within 6 inches - just curious I assume. He swam around us for a couple minutes then went on his way. Then we continued to the wall. This is probably the most beautiful site I have ever seen. Suddenly you look out and the bottom is 6,000 feet down (of course you can't see it). We swam the top of the wall at about 60-70 feet. On the second dive we did Pete's. Very similar dive. Again, the wall was breathtaking. Saw a nurse shark, green turtle, barracuda, several lobster, and lots of other marine life. The only problem with these two dives is that they went by too fast. The next time I go to CG I will use Wall to Wall Divers again. Giles really has a good operation.
I have heard good things about Living the Dream but have not used them. I wanted to dive w/ Divetech but they were overrun by kids for Sea Camp last week. I have heard great things about Divetech and will consider them on my next trip.
Other things to consider while in CG: Restaurants - we tried several different restaurnats during our stay. The Wharf has great food and a great view, but is on the really expensive side. Also tried Cblue one night. It is on the water in George Town. Great place to see the sunset. Not overwhelmed by the food but the prices were not that bad. Since you are staying at the Westin, walk across the street to Eats Cafe. Probably the best food for the money on the island. They have a great breakfast.
LTD Divers
Registered
The operators mentioned are great but cater to cruise ships or large numbers. If you want personal service that cater to your individual needs. A big boat with only eight divers, pick up and drop off and outstanding customer service. Check out living the dream divers!
conman
Registered
How does Wall to Wall cater to cruise ship operators when their boat takes 8 divers??? I dove with Wall to Wall in Jun and they were outstanding...
Testudo
Contributor
It's called knocking the competition. 
The dive ops which 'cater' to cruise ship divers are Don Foster's and Red Sail. But this is only an issue on Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Thursdays, the days when cruise shippers are here in large numbers. 4 days out of 7 you will find smaller groups on these boats.
Just so we're clear: The following dive ops which were mentioned before Living the Dream's post knocking the competition (unfairly) do not in fact "cater" to cruise ship divers or to "large numbers":
DiveTech
Wall to Wall
Neptune
Off the Wall
Ambassador
SunDivers
@LTD:
Next time, stick to the facts. A reputation for telling it like it is could be useful to you in the long run.
DiveTech
Wall to Wall
Neptune
Off the Wall
Ambassador
SunDivers
@LTD:
Next time, stick to the facts. A reputation for telling it like it is could be useful to you in the long run.
EastEndDiver
Contributor
Alex thank you for bringing that to everyones attention.As you know I own on island and have dove with most operators I doubt if I will ever dive with Living The Dream now that they have falsley knocked the competition.
I have dove with all the Dive Ops that Alex mentioned and they are all good operations !!
I will be on island the last week of Sept. and the first week of Oct. if you would like to try to get togther for a dive or two it would be appreciated.I know we have attempted this in the past and it didn't work but this is a true vacation for me and not a working vacation.Let me know.Thanks again.
John
I have dove with all the Dive Ops that Alex mentioned and they are all good operations !!
I will be on island the last week of Sept. and the first week of Oct. if you would like to try to get togther for a dive or two it would be appreciated.I know we have attempted this in the past and it didn't work but this is a true vacation for me and not a working vacation.Let me know.Thanks again.
John
Damselfish
Contributor
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