GC Real diving even if arriving on cruise ship?

[SailNaked]

Are there any dive operations in Grand Cayman that cater to real divers arriving on the cruise ship (carnival).

We do not want a cattle drop in the dead zone. There are 5 of us traveling together so a 6-8 person boat is about max.

I do not know what the specifics are in Grand Cayman, never been there before.

Marc.

 

[Alex777]

Are there any dive operations in Grand Cayman that cater to real divers arriving on the cruise ship (carnival).

We do not want a cattle drop in the dead zone. There are 5 of us traveling together so a 6-8 person boat is about max.

I do not know what the specifics are in Grand Cayman, never been there before.

Marc.

I have no doubt that "real" divers would enjoy going with Wall to Wall, Off the Wall, Indigo or Deep Blue. The 5 of you could just hire 1 of these for the day as they are 6-8 person boats.

 

[diversteve]

Deep Blue and Wall to Wall are also a Real short distance from the cruise port - maybe 4/10ths of a mile.
http://www.lobsterpotdivecenter.com/

 

[BUDMANOK]

+1 deep blue

 

[Drew Sailbum]

Any of those operating out of the Lobster Pot are small ops. You have enough to more or less fill a boat for them so should be able to arrange something. I'd go with Off the Wall, but any can arrange good diving for you.

 

[Oldbear]

Since Sting Ray City is a hugh "attraction", how do these dive operators handle diving there?

I went to a couple of sites listed above and both mentioned trips to Sting Ray City.

I have seen pictures of 20+ boats at a single time there, it doesn't seem like much fun with that many people wading around in the shallows.

I would not mind diving it (if it gets deeper than 4'), but not with that many people in the water stomping around...back to the Cattle Drop analogy.

~Michael~

 

[danvolker]

Are there any dive operations in Grand Cayman that cater to real divers arriving on the cruise ship (carnival).

We do not want a cattle drop in the dead zone. There are 5 of us traveling together so a 6-8 person boat is about max.

I do not know what the specifics are in Grand Cayman, never been there before.

Marc.

Actually, anywhere off the big beach, a real diver can swim out to the wall and not require anything beyond tanks and air from any of the shops....it is not a long swim, the whole way out are pretty and shallow corals, and there are no sharks, because there are no fish to eat

 

[Alex777]

Since Sting Ray City is a hugh "attraction", how do these dive operators handle diving there?

I went to a couple of sites listed above and both mentioned trips to Sting Ray City.

I have seen pictures of 20+ boats at a single time there, it doesn't seem like much fun with that many people wading around in the shallows.

I would not mind diving it (if it gets deeper than 4'), but not with that many people in the water stomping around...back to the Cattle Drop analogy.

~Michael~

They dive at the "real" Stingray City which is a different location from the Stingray City Sandbar shown in those photos you are looking at. Anyway, the OP did not mention Stingray City ...

 

[Oldbear]

They dive at the "real" Stingray City which is a different location from the Stingray City Sandbar shown in those photos you are looking at. Anyway, the OP did not mention Stingray City ...

Got it ... two different sites. That clears up a lot in my clouded mind.

Thanks Alex

 

[diversteve]

There are several threads discussing the differences including this one: http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/cayman-islands/363714-diving-snorkeling-stingray-city.html

From my post there:

This is the dive:

This is the part of the Sandbar snorkel:

We chose the dive. It's 45 mins. in 15' of water and as long as the squid lasts you're pretty much going to get mauled by the Stingrays. If you have non-divers with you they can also snorkel off some of the dive boats for a reduced rate.

Many of the dive operators dive SRC in the early afternoon. Most also keep a boat on the Sound just for it and shuttle you over by van to the dock. It's a short ride out to the site so depending on scheduling you might be able to work it into your plans.