munkispank
Contributor
Just a short one to add to the recent posts.
On Grand Cayman over thanksgiving shore diving only. This was my second trip - buddy's first.
Hotel:
Stayed at the comfort suites on seven mile beach - nice property - got it cheap. Each room has a microwave, fridge and coffee maker- which saves a ton of money on eating out. Has a sofa and small eating area- you also get free breakfast in the morning, hot-tub and pool, walk to seven mile beach and a great bar - oh and free wireless internet.
Not ideal for divers as it only has a shower, not a tub to rinse gear. However, we manged with the dunk tanks at dive shops and with using the kitchen sink. Worked out well for us. Location is great - you can walk to other bars and restaurants.
Dive ops
I have to give thanks and Kudos to the staff with the new operator sundivers (I think that is their name)at cracked conch. I got there ready to dive with my newly serviced reg only to find there was a bit missing from my depth gauge. They worked hard to fix me up, but I ended up having to rent a reg. They then gave me advice to get to divers supply and what to ask for. I also have to say that the staff at Divers supply were also great- very friendly and nice, and they fitted the part and tested the reg on a tank (which is clearly what my LDS here did not do). So thanks to both staff.
Diving
day one:First dive was the mini-wall at Cracked conch. We were a bit concerned as sites had been closed due to weather before we got there. We were advised not to try for the wall as the surface was a little choppy making the swim out a bit tiring. First dive was an afternoon dive, so the fish life was not great, but the dive overall was very enjoyable. I was really pleased by the quality of the coral. hovered around the 65ft range for most of the dive, 58 mins, no current.
Day two: Returned next morning to dive the same site- did it twice as the sun was out and there was lots of fish-life. The tarpon hanging in the hole were awesome. Similar profiles as the day before. Moved onto Eden rock - did a nice dive with quite a lot of fish. Mild current in parts.
Day three: went to dive the wall at divetech- surface swim was hard work as there was some wave/wind. decided to go for option two and drop down at the mini-wall and use the rope to guide us to the drop-off. I got a little spooked as it was quite a distance and seemed to be deeper before getting to the drop off (?) so we aborted the attempt half-way and went back to the mini-wall. This was a mistake for us as I felt the mini-wall here was not as good as the other location. I'm sure the 'big' wall is great, but I wouldn't bother with this site just for the mini-wall.
Tried to dive cobalt coast, but waves abs surf were crazy. Then tried sunset house, but they had no shore diving sign. So we gave up.
Day 4: went back to eden rock to dive Devils grotto and re-do eden rock. Manged to do then both in one long shallow dive- nice and relaxing for the last dive of the trip.
Overall, the shore diving was nice, but not super-fantastic. I would go back, but only if I can;t get to Bonaire.
On Grand Cayman over thanksgiving shore diving only. This was my second trip - buddy's first.
Hotel:
Stayed at the comfort suites on seven mile beach - nice property - got it cheap. Each room has a microwave, fridge and coffee maker- which saves a ton of money on eating out. Has a sofa and small eating area- you also get free breakfast in the morning, hot-tub and pool, walk to seven mile beach and a great bar - oh and free wireless internet.
Not ideal for divers as it only has a shower, not a tub to rinse gear. However, we manged with the dunk tanks at dive shops and with using the kitchen sink. Worked out well for us. Location is great - you can walk to other bars and restaurants.
Dive ops
I have to give thanks and Kudos to the staff with the new operator sundivers (I think that is their name)at cracked conch. I got there ready to dive with my newly serviced reg only to find there was a bit missing from my depth gauge. They worked hard to fix me up, but I ended up having to rent a reg. They then gave me advice to get to divers supply and what to ask for. I also have to say that the staff at Divers supply were also great- very friendly and nice, and they fitted the part and tested the reg on a tank (which is clearly what my LDS here did not do). So thanks to both staff.
Diving
day one:First dive was the mini-wall at Cracked conch. We were a bit concerned as sites had been closed due to weather before we got there. We were advised not to try for the wall as the surface was a little choppy making the swim out a bit tiring. First dive was an afternoon dive, so the fish life was not great, but the dive overall was very enjoyable. I was really pleased by the quality of the coral. hovered around the 65ft range for most of the dive, 58 mins, no current.
Day two: Returned next morning to dive the same site- did it twice as the sun was out and there was lots of fish-life. The tarpon hanging in the hole were awesome. Similar profiles as the day before. Moved onto Eden rock - did a nice dive with quite a lot of fish. Mild current in parts.
Day three: went to dive the wall at divetech- surface swim was hard work as there was some wave/wind. decided to go for option two and drop down at the mini-wall and use the rope to guide us to the drop-off. I got a little spooked as it was quite a distance and seemed to be deeper before getting to the drop off (?) so we aborted the attempt half-way and went back to the mini-wall. This was a mistake for us as I felt the mini-wall here was not as good as the other location. I'm sure the 'big' wall is great, but I wouldn't bother with this site just for the mini-wall.
Tried to dive cobalt coast, but waves abs surf were crazy. Then tried sunset house, but they had no shore diving sign. So we gave up.
Day 4: went back to eden rock to dive Devils grotto and re-do eden rock. Manged to do then both in one long shallow dive- nice and relaxing for the last dive of the trip.
Overall, the shore diving was nice, but not super-fantastic. I would go back, but only if I can;t get to Bonaire.
