Grand Cayman East End

[nutts]

I'm considering diving the East End at Grand Cayman, but I understand it can be pretty windy (and rough). When is the best (and worst) time of the year to plan this trip?

 

[Alex777]

IMHO, the best is mid-March to mid-August. The worst is any other time. But it can be windy ANY time of the year if luck is against you.

 

[hul kogan]

But it can be windy ANY time of the year if luck is against you.

Spot on.

I just returned from a week-long stay on Grand Cayman. The first half of the week was very calm. The first day I went out diving the water on the North side was literally a sheet of glass. As a front moved in toward the middle of the week, it became windier as each day passed up until I left. We were still able to get out and dive, but it was certainly choppier than the first day.

I was on a cruise back in December and Grand Cayman was our last port of call. That day Mother Nature decided to throw a fit and GC officials closed the port to guests.

Point is, it's really hit or miss. They're just starting the hurricane season at this point, just as an FYI. Supposed to have 16 (?) named storms this season...if I recall what the DM told me correctly.

Chances are that if on a certain day the East end is to rough, you can probably get some diving in on the North or West side if you are up for the drive over to the SMB area. Most North dives leave from the Yacht Club and West dives leave from the public beach area between Calico Jack's and the Tiki Bar. I'd highly recommend Dive 'N Stuff if you are planning to dive the North or West. Dusty runs a great operation and only takes out small groups, so you get a great and personal experience. I dove with him the whole week I was there.

On the East End, I have heard nothing but good things about Ocean Frontiers. They were also recommended by the condos where I stayed in the Bodden Town area. I just decided to do all my diving on the North/West for this trip so I didn't get a chance to try them out.

 

[Byte Me]

Nutts - here's a shot I took of the day we dove w/ Ocean Frontiers on 4/22 this year. HIGHLY recommend them - one of the best dive ops I've ever experienced and FANTASTIC diving. It was as Mr. Kogan put it, sheet of glass. In fact, there is a wreck visible sticking out of the water in about 10' or so just east of OF, on our surface interval they motored over there so we could snorkel it! They haven't been able to do that but maybe a couple times a year.

On the North / West side with dove 3 days with Neptunes and a consistent group of guys, they thought we were nuts for going to the east side. I would have traded all my dives on the north/west for more on the east.

Obviously I know every day isn't as calm as we had it over there but the boats are great, the people are great and the diving is some of the best I've done. Don't let a little rough water scare you away - unless it's port closing bad! And if its close to that no reputable shop would take you out anyway.

I'd email OF and ask them about it - they'll be straight with you.

 

[Blastman4444]

We went out today with Ocean Frontiers swells were about 3-4 not much wind had a good dive but It was my first time diving so I don't have much experince. There hasn't been much wind today.

 

[ianr33]

Ocean Frontiers location gives them the option of diving either the North East or the South East coast. Normally one of those should be O.K. depending on where the wind is coming from. Boat rides can get a bit rough sometimes but that's part of the fun.

 

[Drew Sailbum]

"Sheet of glass" calm is very rare for Cayman. A handful of days each year.

Generally the west side has smoother seas only because it is usually the lee shore and the island has knocked down any waves.

There is little difference between sea conditions on the north shore of East End and the North Wall. The North Wall is simply the north stretch of diving on the western half of the island.

 

[hul kogan]

"Sheet of glass" calm is very rare for Cayman. A handful of days each year.

Indeed. That's exactly what my DM told me when we arrived at the first site. He said it was a 'rare treat', which was nice since it was my first time jumping into the ocean.

 

[jjgwarren]

Generally the East End is going to have more wind, but as they say, that's part of the fun - once you are below the surface, you don't really know it.
Hope you have some great dives - mine with OF has always been good!
Jane

 

[Deac in the Wake]

Great photo of Nauti-Cat.

Love that boat.