Grand Cayman : Where to stay?

[kywash]

Diveski

So glad you said that, my husband and I are heading out to GC for the first time at the end of May and are spending the first week at The Reef before heading to the west coast for a week.

Think we've been sold on Ocean Frontiers due to the outstanding recommendations on this board. Especially good to hear they take note of dive experience when choosing dive sites, from reading some of the other posts I'm not so sure all dive operators are the same. That said, although I'm quite new to scuba I'm not the kind of person to be bullied into diving when I don't feel competent.

I'm assuming those yummy frozen drinks contain booze so I'm sure we'll be heading to Rum Pointe too

 

[bridgenet]

Just got back from the Cayman's myself and headed back the end of May for another week. I dive with DiveTech, nice bunch of people. Have done Bob Soto too which is a bit more crowded, was happy with them too but DiveTech has a more personal touch. Wouldn't hesitate with either. DiveTech tends to be better with more advanced divers but still they will cater to your needs.

Kev

 

[jhspb]

I would encourage you to check out Red Baron when you get to the west end. They go South, West, and North. They are a small operator with a couple of great 8 person boats. We dove with anywhere from four to six of us. We were there through a nor'wester and were able only to get south and west. Our planned dive days were too rough up north.

We've done the big ops (specifically, Red Sail and Sotos). Personally, Redsail is ok for a quick afternoon dive if your at one of their resort sights; experienced divers buddy up for unguided dives while a DM and photog set off with any resort course divers. Sotos I could take or leave.

But Nick, Patrick and a small boat with a Yamaha 250 leaving the shore at 7:45 or so (while others are still waiting for roll call and permission to board) is the only way to dive Grand Cayman, if you're not in the East End. These guys are knowledgable, fun, and really focused on high quality service.

Unless we're East there it for us in future travel to GC!

J

 

[Northeastwrecks]

DiveTech gets my vote.

Great people, minimal interference with my dive plan (only got chewed out once for doing deco dives), great boats and they will pick you up at the hotel. They can accomodate anything from new divers through tekkies.

 

[jhspb]

Had heard a lot of great things about Divetech too, but no personal experience> I have heard a management change may be redirecting them from tech diving and into mass market west end efforts.

Is there any truth to this ?

 

[leadweight]

I have not been there, but I have heard some great things about the East End. I would expect it to be much quieter than 7 Mile Beach. On the West side, I have used Soto's (before Tibits bought it) and Red Sail. I can't say either was great, both rush you out of the water, but Soto's does have some packages that are real price busters.

 

[dc4bs]

jhspb once bubbled...
Had heard a lot of great things about Divetech too, but no personal experience> I have heard a management change may be redirecting them from tech diving and into mass market west end efforts.

Is there any truth to this ?

Say it ain't so!

I've stayed at Cobalt Coast and dove with Dive-Tech for the last few Cayman trips... I like em just the way they are.

The last trip was to Bahamas but that was only because the tri-mix1 course I took was there. The shop I did it with (not my usual LDS) shipped the helium tanks a week or two before as it's really hard to get there.

Stuarts Cove was quite good to dive with but I won't ever stay at the South Ocean Golf And Beach Resort again by choice even though it is next door to Stuarts.

I like the Caymans much better. The price of the hotel alone for the week was about what I paid for hotel, good food and all diving in GC for a week... With a nicer room... And MUCH, MUCH better service...

 

[mattengstrom]

leadweight once bubbled...
I have not been there, but I have heard some great things about the East End. I would expect it to be much quieter than 7 Mile Beach...

Very much quieter. If you've been to Maui, East End is to Hana as Seven Mile is to Ka'anapali. (For those of you who haven't been to Maui, East End is very quiet. One Gas station, one convenience store, one small grocery store, and nightlife consists of sleeping so that you're well-rested for the next day's dives.)

 

[Drew Sailbum]

...East End is very quiet. One Gas station, one convenience store, one small grocery store, and nightlife consists of sleeping so that you're well-rested for the next day's dives.)

we have two gas stations in East End now!

Had heard a lot of great things about Divetech too, but no personal experience> I have heard a management change may be redirecting them from tech diving and into mass market west end efforts.

Is there any truth to this ?

I know there was some personnel changes around a year ago when Dan & Tara left Divetech to take over the dive operation at the Seaview Hotel. I haven't heard of any changes in management at Divetech lately, but it is a long way away on the other end of the (23-mile-long) island. I don't get up there often.

Dan & Tara have since decided to hang up their fins and head back to Canada for a little while. If they haven't already left the island, they will be soon.

 

[bridgenet]

I think the problem DiveTech has run into is the lack of Tech Divers visiting the Cayman's. If they want to survive they need to cater to the typical recreational diver as well. When I was there a couple of weeks ago, the instructor and I were the only ones doing tech diving the entire week. Regardless, they run a great operation and are trying to adjust to the times.

Kev