GCM - Diving in March... weather??

[1gromit]

Hi all,

Well, my friend and I booked our our Grand Cayman trip for the middle of March (the only time we had off...). We're staying at the Marriott on 7 mile; we'll be there for 8 days and would like to dive at least 6 days.



Question: What is the weather like for diving in March? Still a lot of wind? Settling down yet? What should we expect? ...Bring my bonine?

Thanks!

- Al

 

[Drew Sailbum]

On average, March still falls within the winter wind patterns. Typical wind direction is ENE with the possibility of a front brining winds from the NW. Wind speeds from 10-15 knots are likely, but higher winds are possible.

March can be busy depending upon how Spring Break schedules fall. Book early.

 

[scubawife]

Hi Al!

I used to go to Grand Cayman in Feb/March every year. We stayed on the east side at Cayman Diving Lodge (which is no longer thanks to Hurricane Ivan). It can be windy, but in the last 3 years we went we never lost a day of diving. Water temps were never above 80 in March.

If you can swing a day of diving on the east end, go for it. I liked it much better then the north and west. I think Ocean Frontiers and Tortuga are the only shops out there now since CDL has not been rebuilt. And also, if you're blown out with operators on the north and west side, the east end shops should still be running. You would miss the morning dives but would still be able to book an afternoon dive.

 

[1gromit]

cheers,

Thanks for the info - very helpful!

- Al

 

[wb416]

Hi Al!

I used to go to Grand Cayman in Feb/March every year. We stayed on the east side at Cayman Diving Lodge (which is no longer thanks to Hurricane Ivan). It can be windy, but in the last 3 years we went we never lost a day of diving. Water temps were never above 80 in March.

If you can swing a day of diving on the east end, go for it. I liked it much better then the north and west. I think Ocean Frontiers and Tortuga are the only shops out there now since CDL has not been rebuilt. And also, if you're blown out with operators on the north and west side, the east end shops should still be running. You would miss the morning dives but would still be able to book an afternoon dive.

Sorry to Hijack... but why didn't CDL ever rebuild? I liked diving with them, even as day trips... they had such a pleasant atmosphere and staff.

 

[Alex777]

<< Sorry to Hijack... but why didn't CDL ever rebuild? I liked diving with them, even as day trips... they had such a pleasant atmosphere and staff. >>

I cannot say specifically why, in their case, but the general view in the dive industry here has been that the market wasn't / isn't big enough for the number of operators we had before the hurricane. Therefore, Hurricane Ivan caused a shakeout and several ops did not rebuild. A friend of mine looked seriously at buying 1 of these dive ops after the hurricane, but passed, saying the profitability just isn't there.

 

[scubawife]

Sorry to Hijack... but why didn't CDL ever rebuild? I liked diving with them, even as day trips... they had such a pleasant atmosphere and staff.

Last I heard they still plan to, eventually. I read somewhere on the board that they are finally going to raise what's left of the building soon. I saw the plans for the new lodge. Very different and it included owned units on the beach. I think their issues were that they couldn't get contractors out to east end and maybe some permit and approval stuff. We're talking about trying Ocean Frontiers this year and renting a condo at Compass Point. I need my East End diving fix and I can't wait for CDL forever.

 

[nipi]

CDL will not be rebuilt. I believe something else will be built on the site.

 

[scubawife]

CDL will not be rebuilt. I believe something else will be built on the site.

So, the plans Jim had, and that were posted on CDL's site about a year ago are no longer? It was nothing like the original but it would still have been a great place to stay and dive. Can't say that I'm completely suprised given the time frame. Staying at diving at CDL was the main reason we kept going back to Grand Cayman. Tried Seven Mile Beach and an operator on that side once and went back to East End there after.

Hope Jim and Kim have found something they enjoy and are doing well.

 

[mesulind]

My husband & I dive with Ocean Frontiers every Feb/Mar. We have been going there for about 15 years now. Most years the weather is very good. The winds do not affect our diving east end as OF will boat either north or south depending on the prevailing conditions. I have never yet lost a day of diving with them! We have encountered storms earlier in the winter. At those times, not many people will dive and we usually go out on the old Nauti-Cat which has a stable catamaran bottom. It is actually a fun ride in rough seas! Definitely try them out.