Grand Cayman, sell it to me!

[rjgiddings]

Just got back from Grand Cayman.

Yes to Sunshine Suites - get one w/ a kitchenette - we did and saved over $ 300.00 on meals. They charge 150.00 for incidentals - which is refundable- and also $ 35.00 a day as a resort fee which is not.

By staying at Sunshine Suites- you still get access to the Ritz Carlton access and amenities - like walking across the street- where the beach is. And it's a flippin gorgeous beach. Amazing. 50 metre visibility. I've never seen anything so clear. Its ridonkulous.

Easiest diving I've done. 10 lbs weight? No wetsuits needed ? I was diving in a tshirt and shorts. Are you for real? Amazing.
Until my air integrated computer conked out. Meh. It happens.

Plan to spend an additional $ 220.00 on a car rental - you are coerced to buy their insurance while on their island, as they dont take any American auto insurance ( State Farm, Progressive, etc.) They dont tell you any of this until you are there in their offices. Total bummer. I had always thought the insurance covered the driver. Not automatically. You can decline this $ 200.00 shakedown, but recognize you will have zero coverage while there.

They will also add $ 20.00 for a 'learners permit'. They drive on the left...but the steering column on the right...just like the UK I think.

There are cheap eats out there, but a bit harder to find. Try Heritage Kitchen ( West Bay).

There were so many tourist traps down towards GeorgeTown- where the cruise ships unload hordes of hapless tourists - the shops sell either craptastic t-shirts, or overpriced Rolexes. It's exactly the sort of place I avoid while I'm on vacation. The rest of the island is a mix of dense jungle and postcard beautiful beaches. Almost primeval, like Jurassic Park or something. Reminded me a lot of Kauai... just flatter.

American Airlines charges $ 25.00 per bag. Believe me when I say that adds up really quickly. This was I think $ 300.00 all the way out and back for my GF and myself. One checked bag each.

I did the math and for just my own budgeting I spent less than $ 2500 with airfare from Seattle and back. Spent a night in West Palm Beach, 4 nights in Grand Cayman at Sunshine Suites, and then a return night in Miami. Then home. Not too shabby !

Would I go back? Yep.

 

[mcohen1021]

I pack 2 sets of gear plus a few extras in a single checked bag and it adds up to ~49#:

2 BCDs
2 1.5 mil heater tops
2 masks
2 sets of fins
2 sets of boots
2 snorkels
2 flashlights
1 wrist mount dive pc
1 12 oz bottle of sunscreen
My toiletries

I carry the 2 regulators, go pro and laptop in my backpack that I carry on.

Note: On the return, you may need to make adjustments – damp/wet boots and wetsuit tops do push it over the magical 50# weight limit.

 

[Damselfish]

We've not done a boat yet, but we'll look into it.

You should plan on boats. While Grand Cayman has some shore diving, and occasionally people will go there and concentrate on that, it is really a boat diving destination. If you stay on the East End there's no shore diving out there, or at least none practical for a visitor. Little Cayman (which I also recommend) is also a boat diving place, again any shore diving there winds up being impractical for a visitor. If you had decided on Cozumel, that's definitely a boat diving destination.

As far as Little Cayman I will discuss with them about moving the location. They might be up for it or they could be staunch about not moving it again.

If you haven't made any reservations yet, you're not really moving anything.

 

[pinshootr]

Cozumel

 

[Kharon]

1. The exchange rate is $1.25 US to $1 GC. A $12 tank rental for a shore dive is actually $15 US.

2. They will charge you for weights. Sometimes a daily fee ($5-$6). Sometimes a per pound fee ($0.50 - $0.75).

3. If you do go, make sure to find sites away from the cruise ship haunts. Eden Rock and Devil's Grotto and sites near to them are basically dead rock with little coral, sponge, or bryozoan growth and few fish. Very beat down. I've been told that there are a lot of really good sites - just not in that area.

3. Though it might be called shore diving, don't think you can get out of the water anywhere. There is no shore. There is a ladder to access the dive site/water. To get out you have to find that same spot. Not especially easy when the "shore" is a rock wall that all looks the same. Pay attention to navigation and find something recognizable on shore.

Would I go back? That's a definite nope!

 

[pinshootr]

1. The exchange rate is $1.25 US to $1 GC. A $12 tank rental for a shore dive is actually $15 US.

2. They will charge you for weights. Sometimes a daily fee ($5-$6). Sometimes a per pound fee ($0.50 - $0.75).

3. If you do go, make sure to find sites away from the cruise ship haunts. Eden Rock and Devil's Grotto and sites near to them are basically dead rock with little coral, sponge, or bryozoan growth and few fish. Very beat down. I've been told that there are a lot of really good sites - just not in that area.

3. Though it might be called shore diving, don't think you can get out of the water anywhere. There is no shore. There is a ladder to access the dive site/water. To get out you have to find that same spot. Not especially easy when the "shore" is a rock wall that all looks the same. Pay attention to navigation and find something recognizable on shore.

Would I go back? That's a definite nope!

And then what it cost for beer!!!!! WELL NOT FOR ME !!!!

 

[Crazybaldarcher]

If you haven't made any reservations yet, you're not really moving anything.

Damselfish have you ever helped someone move a car or van and when you went to push they would leave their foot on the brake?

That's what it's like trying to get these people to change their minds or listen to reason.

 

[mcohen1021]

And then what it cost for beer!!!!! WELL NOT FOR ME !!!!

I buy duty free alcohol at the MIA airport prior to landing in GC. I bought a bottle of tequila and grand marnier for about $60 and it was literally double at the small liquor store next to sunshine suites

 

[Damselfish]

1. The exchange rate is $1.25 US to $1 GC. A $12 tank rental for a shore dive is actually $15 US.

2. They will charge you for weights. Sometimes a daily fee ($5-$6). Sometimes a per pound fee ($0.50 - $0.75).

3. If you do go, make sure to find sites away from the cruise ship haunts. Eden Rock and Devil's Grotto and sites near to them are basically dead rock with little coral, sponge, or bryozoan growth and few fish. Very beat down. I've been told that there are a lot of really good sites - just not in that area.

3. Though it might be called shore diving, don't think you can get out of the water anywhere. There is no shore. There is a ladder to access the dive site/water. To get out you have to find that same spot. Not especially easy when the "shore" is a rock wall that all looks the same. Pay attention to navigation and find something recognizable on shore.

Would I go back? That's a definite nope!

and none of this applies to boat diving, which is what most people do there. Or the shore diving if staying one of the (few) places that includes on-site shore diving. There may not be a beach, but there is most certainly a shore. You may need to pay more attention to navigation some places that others, but it's really not that hard there. It's not like Bonaire, but no one claims it is. Eden Rock and Devil's Grotto are well-known to be well-worn, and don't represent Cayman diving in general.

 

[EastEndDiver]

Crazybald I own on island (Turtle Nest Condos,Boddentown) there has been quite a bit of good info on this thread I will just add that you can easily do Cayman for less then 5K easily!
There are many lodging options and diving options both shore and boat figure most boat dives are going to average $100.+ per 2 tank dive and shore dives about $15.per tank.
There are somewhat cheap restaurants on Island I am used to NYC prices so they may be normal to me but expensive to others.
The supermarkets on Island are stocked well just like any here in the States
Most shore dive sites have there own dive op onsite for tanks etc. and navigation is very easy on most sites
If you would like more info feel free to contact me.
One last thing I do Eden Rock at least once every trip it can be a nice dive.

John