GC Spanish Bay Reef Resort (shore?)

[DeepBlueSea45305]

I've already booked a week at spanish bay reef resort and have already heard all the horror stories about the accomodations, im sure i will find out more about that on June 20th. What im wondering is, how is the shore diving at the resort. I understand its right off the north wall. Me and my fiance are doing our checkout dives there (PADI) and want to just hang out at the resort and do some solo at our own pace shore diving. I have heard a lil bit about it being packed while the cruise boats are in. Will we be able to enjoy some shore dives there without feeling like were part of a cow round-up?? Any info on shore diving Spanish Bay Reef Resort will be appreciated. Thanks

 

[Drew Sailbum]

Spanish Bay is tucked away in West Bay in a very quiet corner of the island. It will not be subject to crowding from cruise ships.

Speaking of cruise ships, check the Port Authority web site to see how many ships will be in port the week of your stay. To feel better, compare your week to any week in January, Summer is definitely low season for cruise ship arrivals.

Spanish Bay is a sister operation to Beach Club on Seven Mile Beach. That section of Seven Mile Beach can get quite crowded with cruise ship passengers.

I'm sure you will enjoy the shore dive at Spanish Bay. The main wall is a little bit of a swim out, but as new divers you shouldn't worry about that. You'll want to stick to the shallows after your certification dives anyway.

 

[IndyDan]

We stayed at SBR last Oct, and had no complaints about the accommodations. The resort is a bit old, and not luxurious, but it was clean and the service was good. It was nice not being on Seven Mile beach, we were able to relax. We felt like we got a good value for the $$$, especially considering what prices are on GC.
As for the shore diving there, there is a nice mini-wall right offshore with plenty of fish and nice coral growth. Unfortunately, we only dove it once, because high surf ruined visibility most of the week. Another good option for shore diving is Turtle reef, just a few minutes away. DiveTech has a shop there, right next to the turtle farm. We saw plenty of sea turtles there, and a large school of tarpon. The shore diving on GC was easy, enjoyable, and so much cheaper than boat dives.
Enjoy,
Dan

 

[zf2nt]

I've already booked a week at spanish bay reef resort and have already heard all the horror stories about the accomodations, im sure i will find out more about that on June 20th. What im wondering is, how is the shore diving at the resort. I understand its right off the north wall. Me and my fiance are doing our checkout dives there (PADI) and want to just hang out at the resort and do some solo at our own pace shore diving. I have heard a lil bit about it being packed while the cruise boats are in. Will we be able to enjoy some shore dives there without feeling like were part of a cow round-up?? Any info on shore diving Spanish Bay Reef Resort will be appreciated. Thanks

Yes, George Town is an absolute zoo when the cruise ships are in...and that's about every day except Sunday. All you have to do is watch the scene for a few minutes and it will convince you NEVER to consider taking a cruise!

The good news, though, is that Spanish Bay is very isolated from all the congestion in town. The cruisers are not going to make it out your way, and there's no reason for you to go down to their neighborhood unless you get really bored with the diving and decide you just have to go browsing through the endless array of T-shirt shops. From my own limited experience on Grand Cayman, Spanish Bay has the optimal location on the whole island. It's right by the best diving...it doesn't get the prevailing winds and rough seas you get on the east side...and it doesn't have the congestion you have on 7 Mile Beach. It's been many years since I stayed at Spanish Bay (17, I think!) so I have no idea how efficiently it is being run these days. But I do think the location is optimal.

Bruce

 

[ScubaK-Dawg]

The diving at Spanish Bay is great. Don't let anyone tell you differently. A little bit of a swim out to the reef, but nothing major. It's nice you can do a deep wall dive, or stick to the shallower reef. I also thought to resort itself was great.

 

[DeepBlueSea45305]

Thanks all. What you have described is pretty much like what i have heard and what caused me to go with this package. I wasn't knocking SBR i was just trying to say i have heard the bad reviews and lets just say i viewed them as coming from a snobby upitty upitty type guest. I don't expect my butt to be whiped while a guest at SBR. My glass will be half full the entire visit im sure. I can't wait till i am under the water lookin for that wall i have heard so much about. Is it June yet??????