Grand Cayman Dive Operators Recommendations

[cruzbound]

Hi there,

We will be visiting Grand Cayman in April 2016, via cruise ship. I was wondering if anyone can provide me with some div operators to check out for a two tank dive. We are advance and nitrox certified. If we like the diving in Grand Cayman, we will make plans to go to one of the Cayman islands for a week in the future. We like to check out the diving on the islands via cruise ship first, that way we know if we will want to go back for a week of diving. Please give me your best dive operator suggestions so we will have a great dive excursion.

I already check with Ocean Frontiers but the cruise ship docks too far away from them for us to make their schedule.

Thanks,
cruzbound

 

[KathyV]

I don't think that diving during a cruise ship stop is the best way to evaluate Cayman diving options. IMO some of the dive operators that service the cruise ships run cattle boats and take divers to the nearest and most abused reefs - again just my opinion.

I think that the best Cayman diving is off of Little Cayman and you are not going to see that during a cruise ship stop; but there are good diving options off all 3 of the Cayman Islands including GC. Try DNS Diving (link below) and see if they can accommodate you; they are a small local operation. Red Sails is another option. There are also some nice (but not spectacular) shore diving options at Turtle Reef and Lighthouse Point. You can take a cab to those locations.

DNS Diving Grand Cayman DNS Diving Grand Cayman

 

[Doctorfish]

DNS leaves the dock at West Bay or theYacht Club at 7,30.
Probably not the best op for cruiseshipers.

 

[CNYMAD]

I don't think that diving during a cruise ship stop is the best way to evaluate Cayman diving options. IMO some of the dive operators that service the cruise ships run cattle boats and take divers to the nearest and most abused reefs - again just my opinion.

I think that the best Cayman diving is off of Little Cayman and you are not going to see that during a cruise ship stop; but there are good diving options off all 3 of the Cayman Islands including GC. Try DNS Diving (link below) and see if they can accommodate you; they are a small local operation. Red Sails is another option. There are also some nice (but not spectacular) shore diving options at Turtle Reef and Lighthouse Point. You can take a cab to those locations.

DNS Diving Grand Cayman DNS Diving Grand Cayman

I totally agree greed with this. There is no way that diving during a cruise ship port stop gives you accurate information for future dive vacation options. Have a good time on the cruise and plan a dive vacation separately. DNS is a wonderful suggestion. DM Chase is a lovely young man.

 

[diversteve]

Don Fosters in Georgetown has most of the cruise ship contracts - Red Sail the rest. To get to Red Sail requires a $20 cab ride so IDK why you'd bother. Both have larger boats and cater to the cruise trade.

I recommend Lobster Pot Dive Center - both Wall to Wall and Deep Blue work out of there. It's a short walk north of the tender port - even with gear. Their boats leave from there. I often recommend WtoW as I have personal exp. with the owner but Deep Blue has a good reputation also.
Cruise Ship Visitors to Grand Cayman |

Off the Wall also works out of that area - Off The Wall | Grand Cayman Scuba Diving for Small Groups

Divers Down also has a cruise ship location in Georgetown - Cruisediver.net. I know nothing about them.

I think you're going to be too late for DNS also. Georgetown is a tender port - most of the west side shops want to be out b4 8AM since many use the same boat for Stingray City or the Kittiwake in the afternoon. If you're sailing around 5 you could reasonably risk an afternoon dive also.

Turtle Reef might be a stretch due to the distance - there can actually be congestion along Seven Mile Beach at times - but Sunset House is 5mins. by cab south of the port. My Bar is great for lunch and get a picture with the mermaid. Very pleasant afternoon there and off to the north you'll see your ship moored. Don't miss the Cathy Church gallery if you go. Ask her to sign a print if she's not in the water. Sunset House - George Town - Cayman Islands

Even some of the afternoon single tank ops could be a possibility - a couple might even pick you up near the port. It's going to take maybe 10-15 mins. to get to their boats on the Sound - which will likely dive the North Wall from there - or Stingray City. Here's a pretty complete list of options: Cayman Islands Tourism Association - Cayman Islands Watersports

 

[Lopez116]

Agree with the comments above. The best you'll be able to do is dive turtle reef up at Macabuca. Anything south of there won't be nearly as good. And, even turtle reed isn't representative of the walls cayman is known for.

Cruises suck. Just fly someplace directly.

 

[billinwilliamston]

I would try Epic Divers EPIC Divers – Grand Cayman | Dude, what an EPIC ride I've seen a couple of TA reviews that say they will pick you up. Great boat and crew. FWIW TA is all good: Epic Divers (Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands) on TripAdvisor: Address, Phone Number, Scuba & Snorkeling Reviews

 

[cruzbound]

Thank you for your input. I know we will definitely not get the full effect of diving via cruise ship. We will probably go back to the Cayman Islands for a week dive trip but this time we are going with a bunch of friends on a cruise but we don't want to not dive, so we figure we will dive in two of the stops - Grand Cayman and Cozumel. We have an excellent dive operator we use in Cozumel since we have been there a few times already but we have not been to Grand Cayman yet. We don't want to use the cruise ship operators because they take too any people. We would like to find a smaller operation with more personalized service. I have sent an inquiry to Wall to Wall and am waiting for a response from them. I will check out the other operators that everyone has suggested. Any more operator suggestions are welcomed.

Thanks!

 

[Manneca]

Don't waste your time going to Sting Ray City. It is awful. I went just after they started, eons ago and just went back in May. The water is green, you sit in a circle. If there is surge, you're getting pushed into other divers. I was disappointed in the coral there, too.

 

[Alex777]

I was disappointed in the coral there, too.

There is no coral there - it's a sand flat.