Grand Cayman Activities

[uncfnp]

Thanks. Good to know about the snorkeling at TNI and the tanks for night diving at Turtle Reef. I was just trying to look up their hours of operation. May pm for other advice. Appreciate the offer.

 

[diversteve]

Eden Rock downtown rents tanks for off-site use as does Divers Supply in West Bay. If you're diving a site with a shop on-site - rent from them. They don't allow/discourage outside tanks since it's their property to the water's edge. Also most have added docks/facilities etc - including the all important ladders over the ironshore. It's not the ironshore, it's the drop...lol.

You're too early for the Silversides migration so pass on making Eden Rock/Devils Grotto one of your shore dives - lots of cruisers haven't done either much good. Both are pretty average sites - the Grotto has a lot of rocky swim-thru's.

I'm a fan of Turtle Reef having never dove Lighthouse Pt. Head west and you'll run into a Tarpon cave at about 40' along the mini-wall. I'd dive both since you're going to be on-site at Divetech - Turtle Reef is a 5-10min. drive east. Ollen at Sundivers used to provide guide services thru Happy Fish Divers at night if you want one. It's pretty hard to lose track - there's not a lot that looks like Macabuca/Cracked Conch from the water in that area.

I'm guessing Divetech still has their scooters so they might do some fun escorted dives with those also. We actually rented them w/o a guide (and little to no scooter experience at the time) but that may have changed. They used to run the West Bay Express between Cobalt Coast and Lighthouse Point when they were on-site at both - they follow with a boat.

If you don't want to drive all the way north for an afternoon shore dive - TNI is reasonably close to Sunset House, the AI Dive resort in Georgetown. Fun afternoon: dive the Mermaid, the Nicholson (small) wreck, Cathy Church photo gallery/store and My Bar has good food.

Smith's Cove is just south of there - it's a shallow dive but you'll have to get tanks in Georgetown first - Sunset House has a no removal policy. I thought Divetech did also but I'm not sure.

The shops/ops I mentioned: Cayman Islands Tourism Association - Watersports
Some of this is pretty dated: Scuba Shore Diving Site Listing for: Cayman Islands, Caribbean

My buddy stays at TNI and dives with Ocean Frontiers. Ask about Babylon among other dives. It's actually a shore dive also but I think you'd have to get tanks in Georegetown - I've not read that OF, Red Sail/Tortuga Divers (at Morritt's) or the operator at the Reef Resort rent offsite.

 

[KathyV]

I'm so jealous, we love the Turtle Nest Inn, and Macabuca (Turtle Reef) is our favorite shore dive too.

Here is Tsetudo's excellent guide for snorkeling sites: http://snorkelblog.tumblr.com/

Below are links with information about things to do topside. If you have a Garmin GPS (or can borrow one) and a car charger then I suggest bringing them with you. Navigation around the island is not difficult but the Garmin will guide you through the roundabouts and help you to pick the correct exits. It is also helpful in Georgetown where there are narrow, twisted, one-way streets. Garmin used to have their international offices on Grand Cayman and they are said to have the best maps of the island.

Have fun and be sure to give us a report when you get back!

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g147365-c164561/Grand-Cayman:Caribbeanriving.Tour.A.Guide.html

http://danilew.biz/blog/2014/03/03/grand-cayman-paradise-found/

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/cayman-islands/437891-topside.html#post6532430

http://www.caymangoodtaste.com/

http://abcnews.go.com/Lifestyle/skip-cayman-islands/story?id=32807539

http://www.compasscayman.com/whatshot/

http://www.barefootman.com/

 

[KathyV]

What day are you arriving? If you come in on a Saturday you should do some grocery shopping because most of the stores are closed on Sunday. If you arrive on Sunday then I can tell you about the few places that sell groceries and/or liquor.

Alcohol is very expensive on the island and we usually buy a couple of bottles at the duty-free shop in the airport after we pass security and before we leave the US.

Very close to Turtle Nest Inn is a small food stand on the beach called the Grape Tree Café. They have wonderful fried fish but are only open on the weekend, see the link below:

The Grape Tree Cafe, Bodden Town - Restaurant Reviews & Photos - TripAdvisor

If you are driving East from TNI you will find Over the Edge in Old Man Bay, see link below. It is a friendly local restaurant and bar with a spectacular view of the water. I feel that the food used to be better (they got a new chef) but it is still a nice place to stop.

Over the Edge, Old Man Bay - Restaurant Reviews, Phone Number & Photos - TripAdvisor

 

[KathyV]

You should plan to dive (not snorkel) Sting Ray City but go very early before the cruise ship passengers arrive or later in the day when they are departing.

We thought the Kittiwake was an interesting dive, not the greatest wreck dive ever, but good.

We haven't shore dived the house reef at Sunset House in years but I have heard that the reef is getting rather beaten up, but I can't confirm that.

Cathy Church's photo studio is at Sunset House and it is very worthy of a visit.

There is nice snorkeling right in front of TNI, it is shallow and not the best snorkeling on the island but quite good and very easy. We have seen tarpons and lots of sea life and the biggest jawfish ever!

Don't bother driving to Hell, it's not worth it IMO.

 

[EastEndDiver]

uncfmp Sundivers number is 345-916-0862

 

[uncfnp]

Thanks Kathy. I have pulled each link up for a peek but plan to read through them all today. Looks like some great info.

I plan to activate my phone (Verizon) on island and have GPS through an app but instead will ask around to borrow one. We had a stand alone unit may years ago but ditched it in favor of a smartphone when it needed its last update.

We are booked for the Kittiwake with Divetech. Haven't decided on Stingray City.

 

[uncfnp]

uncfmp Sundivers number is 345-916-0862

Thanks EastEndDiver. Plan to send you an pm later today.

 

[EastEndDiver]

You really don't need a GPS on island it is only 23 miles long and about 3 miles wide .It's hard to get lost.

Kathy has given very good advice and I know she has spent lots of time on island.

 

[Goingforsound]

Yeah everyone knows were the spots are on the island! No need for gps