Planning a honeymoon, and I think I am leaning towards Antigua. But she likes Cayman. If you had to choose between the 2 which would you lean towards and why. She hasn't reseached Antigua at all, but is open. Either one we will be staying one of the better hotels. As always any respone will be greatly appreciated.
Grand cayman vs antigua
- Thread starter stokesj19
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Bryan Cunningham
Contributor
I lived in Antigua for 5 years, until last year. Let me know if you want info on it. Which to choose depends on what time of the year you are planning and what you want from your holiday. Email me at bentdiver@live.com
If you want a dive holiday, I would head for Cayman.
If you want a dive holiday, I would head for Cayman.
drrich2
Contributor
Antigua isn't noted as a particularly popular dive destination, from what I understand. I'm not knocking it, but out of curiosity, off all the possible destinations in the Caribbean, what made Antigua appeal to you? Have you been there & had a good experience, or know someone who has? Is there a particular resort or are there particular activities you know of there?
Any idea what activities you want to do on your honeymoon? I ask in part because some things, like commercial dolphin encounter excursions, would cut the # of potential destinations way down.
Richard.
Any idea what activities you want to do on your honeymoon? I ask in part because some things, like commercial dolphin encounter excursions, would cut the # of potential destinations way down.
Richard.
arris
Registered
Grand Cayman is very nice, clean, friendly. little or no poverty with great restaurants. It is pricey for an islands. Diving is best at the East End, but also very good off the 7 mile beach. Shore diving is available, but boat diving is better
I am interested for a few reasons. Galley Bay looked nice, and seemed reasonably priced. I also like the idea of sandals because of the unlimited scuba. I am going in october, and looking for the nicest beach with as few people on it as possible. Scuba is not a top priority, but it is def one.
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You might look at Providenciales - Turks/Caicos also. It's a smaller Grand Cayman. One casino, some nightlife, shopping etc. Equally as expensive as Grand Cayman.
There's several AI resorts that offer diving nearby off NW Point but the better diving is 45mins. by boat at West Caicos and French Cay. Grand Turk might also be another option, it's much smaller and quiet though. Depends what you're looking for. http://www.turksandcaicostourism.com/
Bryan Cunningham
Contributor
The only good diving in Antigua is on the South Western Quad. Sandals in way up north and has really poor diving. Your best bet if you want diving is something like St James Club. For activities, south Antigua is a fun place during yachting season, end Nov to May, but virtually shuts down during other times. Beaches it has, and they are great.
skearse
Contributor
Wife & I got married, honey mooned, and completed her OW certs at Sandals Antigua a month or so ago. We haven't been to Cayman yet, so I really can't speak to that but I thought I'd add my thoughts on Antigua.
We had a great time at Sandals (overall) but, it depends on what you want the honeymoon to be-a diving trip that doubles as a honeymoon or a honeymoon where you can also get some diving in. For a honeymoon site that also has diving (and for making your entire trip as stress free as possible) Sandals Grande Antigua was great. Now, there are a LOT of negative reviews of SGA on tripadvisor, so check them out fully before you book. We didn't have a single issue BUT there were a few people there at the same time we were that did. As far as the dive op itself goes, well, again...it's a dive op that's 'bolted onto' a resort, not the other way around. More cattle car type boat diving that some, more experienced, more individual divers would likely steer clear of, but overall the diving was pleasant. "Rental' (loaner, since it's included) equipment is SP (Pilot BCs & MK2 regs) that is in pretty good shape.
As far as the diving goes, yes, the diving on Antigua isn't generally as good as other locales in the Caribbean, but, if you haven't really done too much in other locations, the sites on Antigua are good for getting wet. As her first OW experience, wife had a fantastic time. But, again, she didn't have any other experiences to compare it too. Overall, mostly smaller reef fish, with some nurse sharks, reef sharks, a turtle here or there if you're lucky, and on her OW 3 a lone dolphin shot through the 'theater' about 20 yards or so in front of us as we were making our way back to the anchor line.
Anyway, hope this helps, and if you need any more info, feel free to hit me up on PM!
-Stacy
We had a great time at Sandals (overall) but, it depends on what you want the honeymoon to be-a diving trip that doubles as a honeymoon or a honeymoon where you can also get some diving in. For a honeymoon site that also has diving (and for making your entire trip as stress free as possible) Sandals Grande Antigua was great. Now, there are a LOT of negative reviews of SGA on tripadvisor, so check them out fully before you book. We didn't have a single issue BUT there were a few people there at the same time we were that did. As far as the dive op itself goes, well, again...it's a dive op that's 'bolted onto' a resort, not the other way around. More cattle car type boat diving that some, more experienced, more individual divers would likely steer clear of, but overall the diving was pleasant. "Rental' (loaner, since it's included) equipment is SP (Pilot BCs & MK2 regs) that is in pretty good shape.
As far as the diving goes, yes, the diving on Antigua isn't generally as good as other locales in the Caribbean, but, if you haven't really done too much in other locations, the sites on Antigua are good for getting wet. As her first OW experience, wife had a fantastic time. But, again, she didn't have any other experiences to compare it too. Overall, mostly smaller reef fish, with some nurse sharks, reef sharks, a turtle here or there if you're lucky, and on her OW 3 a lone dolphin shot through the 'theater' about 20 yards or so in front of us as we were making our way back to the anchor line.
Anyway, hope this helps, and if you need any more info, feel free to hit me up on PM!
-Stacy
drrich2
Contributor
Stacy:
Glad you shared. To my thinking, some sharks & a dolphin ain't bad diving! Of course, someone might go & see none of that, but I'm glad you did.
Richard.
Glad you shared. To my thinking, some sharks & a dolphin ain't bad diving! Of course, someone might go & see none of that, but I'm glad you did.
Richard.
You're going on a Honeymoon or a dive trip? or is that your honeymoon? Antigua is hands down the place to go on a honeymoon. Grand Cayman is very westernized. As for diving I've been diving pretty regularly and I would say the sites have improved. Everyone forgets the hurricane of 95 and the damage it did. Oh did I mention I live in paradise (Antigua). Should you end up in Antigua try Dive Antigua Extreme Marine Great service nice Captain. Hey let us know and congratulations where ever you go
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