Good place for novice diver to go in mid April 2019
- Thread starter Tim Myers
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Doctorfish
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I personally would not be concerned. The wall usually starts at 40-50 feet and there is no real need to go much deeper. There are also many shallow and shore dives there.
mi000ke
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Exactly. I've dived the deep wall many times with people who just stay to the reef at the top of the wall at 60 feet or less. Sometime I hang up there just because the marine life scenery may be better. And the second dive is always a shallow reef. And there are ops that offer two shallow reef dives as well.
take a look at curacao. wife and i were there in september. we rented a condo at marizul dive resort in westpundt. (westpundt is about an hour drive from the airport) and dove with go west diving. the shop is a padi 5 star and located right on the water. great shore diving right off the dive shop. at marizul, the condos overlook the ocean on a cliff. no sand beach but there are two sets of stairs to the water for diving. we rented a jeep compass from D&D car rental in williamstead right near the airport. they were awesome. we ran into a problem on our flight down when a knothead passenger on the plane got stupid and the air marshalls had to escort him off the plane. we missed our connecting flight in miami and had to take a later flight landing around 9 pm in curacao. texeted the rental company from miami and the would get us as soon as the flight arrived. as we woulndt get to the condo unitl close to midnite, we also let the dive shop know we wouldnt make the morning boat dives. they said no problem and would have the boat stop back for the second boat dive in the morning to pick us up. they also added a second afternoon boat dive, so we did get three tanks in that day. the rental company will supply you with a pre-programmed gps with all the attractions, restaurants and grocery stores on the island. really nice!!!! if you do go, plan on stopping for groceries when you land as there is not a lot in westpundt. there is a sand beach right next door to marizul and a couple real nice restaurants there.
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While there are excellent shallow dives on Grand Cayman - Aquarium or the Kittiwake come to mind, the standard profile for many shops is 1st dive deep down the wall, 2nd shallower. I stayed shallow at Big Tunnels once. If it hadn't been for a curious turtle, I'd mostly have been hanging in blue water watching the groups bubbles rise up thru the tunnel cracks.
Also you need to specify if you're going to want a DM to stay shallow as some go with the group and watch you from 30-40' below. Assuming they're not leading a dive thru an obstruction. I don't think it costs anymore - our operator but both a leading and trailing DM in the water but I would not expect more than one on the boat normally.
Cayman is really pricey also. Even the cheaper accommodations off-water at the two Suites properties are in the several hundreds during high season A condo works best if there's more of you.
I believe high season ends sometime in April.
Food in the markets was a shock also.. All imported so it costs.At least for lunch there's Burger King, Subway's etc. I recall BK being high but not outrageous when we stopped once.
Also you need to specify if you're going to want a DM to stay shallow as some go with the group and watch you from 30-40' below. Assuming they're not leading a dive thru an obstruction. I don't think it costs anymore - our operator but both a leading and trailing DM in the water but I would not expect more than one on the boat normally.
Cayman is really pricey also. Even the cheaper accommodations off-water at the two Suites properties are in the several hundreds during high season A condo works best if there's more of you.
I believe high season ends sometime in April.
Food in the markets was a shock also.. All imported so it costs.At least for lunch there's Burger King, Subway's etc. I recall BK being high but not outrageous when we stopped once.
@Tim Myers, if you are interested in Cayman then it is a good place for divers of all levels, including novice divers, because there are so many different diving options and quality dive ops. The reefs are close to shore and there are lots of shallow dives and even the wall dives usually start around 60 feet, so it is usually easy to stay shallow if you wish. Most dive ops will have a divemaster in the water during boat dives - and usually you can follow him/her or go off on your own.
Also, we have frequently had good luck in finding RT airfares to GC at a reasonable price - but that may not be true if you will be traveling around Easter, anywhere in the Caribbean (or Florida or the Bahamas.)
When we are on Grand Cayman we are not usually interested in staying at a place with a meal plan because there are so many condos, hotels, grocery stores, restaurants, and eateries, and good food choices - but things can get expensive. So a small, all-inclusive dive resort like Cobalt Coast might be a good choice because you do get a lot for a decent price, see the 2 packages below that are offered over the April months - if they still have availability.
Reef Divers is the onsite dive shop at CC and they also provide dive computers for free while you are diving with them; so that is one less thing to worry about renting. I looked at some of other dive ops on GC and renting a dive computer was running about $12 per person per day at some places.
CC is "off the beaten path" and I would recommend renting a car for at least part of the time because it would give you a chance to explore the island, but you can get by without a car if you are mostly interested in eating, sleeping, relaxing and diving.
The unlimited shore diving on the house reef at CC is good but it can get winded out during the winter months, but by April that may no longer be an issue. We have never stayed at CC but we have visited the property and dived with them and thought that it was a very nice place with good boats, and very good dive shop and staff - and good diving!
Depending on your budget, there are many dive vacation options available in the Cayman Islands - and elsewhere in the Caribbean. If you could give us a ballpark budget - and some info about the things that you like to do on vacation - that would help in making recommendations.
You might also talk to your local dive shop to see if they have any trips or travel affiliations in April, and you can ask if they have any decent-quality, used equipment for sale.
Grand Cayman Dive Packages at Cobalt Coast Resort
COBALT COAST & REEF DIVERS: Classic Cayman. Includes 7 nights (can be adapted for 6 or 5 nights too), tax, transfers, all meals, 3 drinks/day (alcoholic or non-alcoholic), 6 days 2-tank morning dives + 5 days 1-tank afternoon dives (17 dives), shore diving from resort dock (weather permitting), use of dive computer, wifi, welcome rum punch, Manager's cocktail reception (usually Mon's), fees, gratuities and taxes. Dive gratuities not included: $1720 pp/do - $2245 pp/do (depends on room type).Travel Jan - Dec 31, 2019.
COBALT COAST & REEF DIVERS: Cayman Escape: Includes 7 nights (can be adapted for 6 or 5 nights too), tax, transfers, breakfast and dinner daily, 6 days 2-tank morning dives (12 dives), shore diving from resort dock (weather permitting), use of dive computer, wifi, welcome rum punch, Manager's cocktail reception (usually Mon's), fees, gratuities and taxes. Dive gratuities not included: $1420 pp/do - $1945 pp/do (depends on room type).Travel Jan - Dec 31, 2019.
Also, we have frequently had good luck in finding RT airfares to GC at a reasonable price - but that may not be true if you will be traveling around Easter, anywhere in the Caribbean (or Florida or the Bahamas.)
When we are on Grand Cayman we are not usually interested in staying at a place with a meal plan because there are so many condos, hotels, grocery stores, restaurants, and eateries, and good food choices - but things can get expensive. So a small, all-inclusive dive resort like Cobalt Coast might be a good choice because you do get a lot for a decent price, see the 2 packages below that are offered over the April months - if they still have availability.
Reef Divers is the onsite dive shop at CC and they also provide dive computers for free while you are diving with them; so that is one less thing to worry about renting. I looked at some of other dive ops on GC and renting a dive computer was running about $12 per person per day at some places.
CC is "off the beaten path" and I would recommend renting a car for at least part of the time because it would give you a chance to explore the island, but you can get by without a car if you are mostly interested in eating, sleeping, relaxing and diving.
The unlimited shore diving on the house reef at CC is good but it can get winded out during the winter months, but by April that may no longer be an issue. We have never stayed at CC but we have visited the property and dived with them and thought that it was a very nice place with good boats, and very good dive shop and staff - and good diving!
Depending on your budget, there are many dive vacation options available in the Cayman Islands - and elsewhere in the Caribbean. If you could give us a ballpark budget - and some info about the things that you like to do on vacation - that would help in making recommendations.
You might also talk to your local dive shop to see if they have any trips or travel affiliations in April, and you can ask if they have any decent-quality, used equipment for sale.
Grand Cayman Dive Packages at Cobalt Coast Resort
COBALT COAST & REEF DIVERS: Classic Cayman. Includes 7 nights (can be adapted for 6 or 5 nights too), tax, transfers, all meals, 3 drinks/day (alcoholic or non-alcoholic), 6 days 2-tank morning dives + 5 days 1-tank afternoon dives (17 dives), shore diving from resort dock (weather permitting), use of dive computer, wifi, welcome rum punch, Manager's cocktail reception (usually Mon's), fees, gratuities and taxes. Dive gratuities not included: $1720 pp/do - $2245 pp/do (depends on room type).Travel Jan - Dec 31, 2019.
COBALT COAST & REEF DIVERS: Cayman Escape: Includes 7 nights (can be adapted for 6 or 5 nights too), tax, transfers, breakfast and dinner daily, 6 days 2-tank morning dives (12 dives), shore diving from resort dock (weather permitting), use of dive computer, wifi, welcome rum punch, Manager's cocktail reception (usually Mon's), fees, gratuities and taxes. Dive gratuities not included: $1420 pp/do - $1945 pp/do (depends on room type).Travel Jan - Dec 31, 2019.
NAUI Wowie
Contributor
Cabo San Lucas has a lot of great beginner dives right out by the arches. Pelican rock, lands end, etc. Its where I got my open water. by far the best operation there is Manta. Ive used a few and they are very strict on safety and have the most modern boats and multiple. Others not so much.
Ive heard bad stories about stuarts dive cove in bahamas.
thats all the info i got for ya.
fyi you can do Cabo super cheap. its a longer flight for you east coasters but its awesome. Google Cabo Pulmo which Jacques Coustau called the worlds aquarium
Doctorfish
Contributor
That is what I would call hearsay. If you have no personal experience, why make a statement of that derogatory nature?
I just got back from Cozumel. I went with my 20 year old son who was on his 10th+- open water certified dive. I have more experience. We dove with ScuaLuis. Luis has his own boat, takes up to 6 divers and is a second generation dive master. I have been with him on other trips and have always been impressed with his skills / manner. He dives with the group ( up to 6 ) and acts as a guide / dive master. While the diving can be on the deep side for open water, 100'+ on the wall you can request any level you are comfortable with. The first day we were there Luis took us on two check out dives on top of the reef, no deeper than 60'. Once he was comfortable with our skills he guided us to deeper locations. His operation is what I would call "white glove service", very professional and hands on. Exactely what I was looking for with my new diver son. He is all in now. Cost was resonable. We used American Vactions and were able to fly, eat, sleep and dive for about $350 a day for two. The diving is fantastic with plentiful marine life, 79*, 30 - 100m vis and a healthy reef. Highly recommend.
The important thing on your first trip is to tell the DM and ask them to show you the world. I have given this advice to many of my students and have in turn heard them give the same advice. Just remember to tip the DM extra f they do a good job.
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