Grand Cayman in June

[Washy]

Hello all. I'm very new to the whole messaging boards thing, and I’ve been reading loads of your posts with interest. I’ve read a lot of the reports covering the Caymans as I’m planning a dive trip there this June.

I was wondering whether any of you had some definitive guides of where to dive, what to avoid, must see, etc. ????

I'm staying in "Colliers Bay East" is this good? (Be honest)

I’m new to the whole diving fraternity (started 2001) so until now have relied on equipment rents at the dive sites. I’m starting to gather equipment but do you know if there are any must have for the Caymans (eg. wetsuits)???

Bring on the Caymans……….Yesssssssssssss!!!!!

 

[wb416]

Washy once bubbled...
Hello all. I'm very new to the whole messaging boards thing, and I’ve been reading loads of your posts with interest. I’ve read a lot of the reports covering the Caymans as I’m planning a dive trip there this June.

I was wondering whether any of you had some definitive guides of where to dive, what to avoid, must see, etc. ????

I'm staying in "Colliers Bay East" is this good? (Be honest)
I’m starting to gather equipment but do you know if there are any must have for the Caymans (eg. wetsuits)???

If I recall correctly, Colliers Bay is on the Northeast side of the most Eastern side of the Island. That means you're just up the road from Cayman Dive Lodge (CDL). Last I was on Cayman was 2001, but I just quickly reviewed their site and I still recognize most of the staff. I did several "day trips" with them, but they made me feel as welcome as if I was staying at their lodge.
Cayman Dive Lodge

Although I haven't tried them yet, I here good things about

Ocean Frontiers. They are also just down the road from where you're staying.

Most of the action is on the other side of the island, about 50 minutes away, at Georgetown and 7 mile beach. If you like quiet, then you're on the correct side of the island.

Enjoy,
wb

 

[Drew Sailbum]

FYI, I work at the dive shop at Morritt's Tortuga Club.

Colliers is in the district of East End - my stomping ground. I'd guess you are probably staying at The Royal Reef or Morritt's Tortuga Club. Both are timeshare resorts. There are also a few rental vacation homes in the area.

East End is quiet. There is nothing within walking distance of the two resorts, so a rental car is a must. Georgetown is about a 50 minute drive away except in rush hour. (Cayman has a real rush hour traffic problem. Don't plan on a quick drive into Georgetown or 7 mile beach in the morning nor an easy exit from town in late afternoon.

There are three dive shops in East End operating a total of six dive boats. Tortuga Divers is located at Morritt's Tortuga Club, and next door to The Royal Reef. CWB has given you links for Ocean Frontiers and Cayman Dive Lodge. All dive the same area around East End.

You can rent gear at any dive shop, but you may not need a wetsuit. Water temperatures should be 82-84 degrees by June. I didn't wear a wetsuit last June at all. But, you may want one. Early June is still thimble jellyfish season, and their larvae can cause itching and rashes in susceptible individuals.

In June, expect winds to be from the ESE on average. If the winds are moderate to brisk, the East End dive shops will be diving the north shore of East End. If the winds are light, dives could be anywhere, but all six EE boats will try to dive the four shallow sites just out front of Tortuga Divers. Those four sites are perhaps the best shallow sites on Grand Cayman. One, Snapper Hole, was ranked in the top ten for shallow dives in the entire Caribbean in a poll by Rodale's Scuba Diving magazine. This week we had the same divers request Snapper Hole three days running. Don't miss it!

Stingray City is the greatest diving/snorkling attraction on the island. It is an interaction experience with wild southern stingrays which have been hand fed for many years. There is a sandbar area which is quite shallow for snorkling with the rays, and diving is done a short distance away in 15ft depths.

If you want to avoid the crowds, plan your time in Georgetown for days when the cruise ship traffic is down. Check the scheduled cruise ship arrivals at caymanport.com for the week of your stay. During the summer months, there are some days with no cruise ships. Bliss!

If you have any questions, feel free to ask me.

 

[wb416]

Drew Sailbum once bubbled...
FYI, I work at the dive shop at Morritt's Tortuga Club.

You can rent gear at any dive shop, but you may not need a wetsuit. Water temperatures should be 82-84 degrees by June. I didn't wear a wetsuit last June at all. But, you may want one.

Awe yes... my first trip there I wore a dive skin and was tired by the end of the trip. My last trip I wore a 2mm Shortie. Even though I did 38 dives over 2 week period, my core temp stayed higher and I wasn't as tired.

In June, expect winds to be from the ESE on average. If the winds are moderate to brisk, the East End dive shops will be diving the north shore of East End. If the winds are light, dives could be anywhere, but all six EE boats will try to dive the four shallow sites just out front of Tortuga Divers. Those four sites are perhaps the best shallow sites on Grand Cayman. One, Snapper Hole, was ranked in the top ten for shallow dives in the entire Caribbean in a poll by Rodale's Scuba Diving magazine. This week we had the same divers request Snapper Hole three days running. Don't miss it!

Definitely have some remarkable dive sites on the East End. Especially when compared with the West side which gets so much diving pressure.

 

[Washy]

Thanks guys - I really appreciate the replies. I'm looking forwards to the warm Carribean waters.

It beats the arse of the murky depths of South East England!!!

Washy.

 

[diveski01]

I'd highly recommend diving with Ocean Frontiers www.oceanfrontiers.com. They are a top notch dive op and the wall dives and shallow dives are excellent. They will come and get you and drop you off for diving. Their boats are VERY nice and the staff is VERY knowledgeable, helpful and friendly. I'm heading back to them in late June myself - staying at Royal Reef Resort.

I agree that you will require a car to get around the island as you are a good 50 minutes to Georgetown and there isn't much in the area near where you are staying. There is a small grocery store, Little Hurley's, in East End and a couple of restaurants but you will likely find yourself heading to Georgetown or Seven Mile Beach during the week for touristy things.

If you like to relax with a cold adult beverage-type drink, I'd recommend an afternoon at Rum Pointe. The waiters serve you right in your hammock. You can also take the ferry from Rum Pointe to SMB if you want a shorter route.