Grand Cayman - WTD: dive site/food suggestions..?

[Howling Moose]

Hello all - nice to find this Froum so close to departure for Grand Cayman (June 6th)

I'm taking my 18 year old to Morritt's for a week of diving and general "father/son bonding" - and maybe a rum punch or two...or three

Anywho, he's taking hios cert dives Moday and Tuesday, which leaves "popps" free to dive both days....

Recommendations for sites would be GREATLY appreciated - I've been under 45+ times...Maui, Tortola, Barbados, Bahamas,
Kauai, Cozumel...and hold an Advanced card...looking for great marine life, wrecks, swim through caverns/tunnels... you know, entertaining stuph

and if you have any suggestions on good eat's at reasonable prices, throw those in too!

THANKS!

Howling in Colorado

 

[cobaltbabe]

Just wanted to welcome you to the board. I don't have the information that you requested but if you look down under the club section there are piles of divers in the Grand Cayman area who I am sure would help you with your request. Dive safely and happy bonding.

 

[Lamar Jr]

Great to hear you and your son are getting some bonding time together.

Grand Caymen is full of wonderful dive sites, and has plenty of top side activities as well, including great places to eat.

Go to the Greater Caribbean forum in the Travel Destinations section of Scubaboard and do a search on Grand Caymen. There are hundreds of good threads with the kinds of information you are looking for.

Enjoy your trip.

 

[diversteve]

Recommendations for sites would be GREATLY appreciated - I've been under 45+ times...Maui, Tortola, Barbados, Bahamas,
Kauai, Cozumel...and hold an Advanced card...looking for great marine life, wrecks, swim through caverns/tunnels... you know, entertaining stuph

Big Tunnels is a 110' tunnel swimthrough on the North/West side of GC. There's also other swimthroughs/caves in the area. Boat dive only.

Best 50' dive on GC for marine life has to be Aquarium. If that's your thing(it's ours) it's a great experience.

Get out on the North Wall at Divetech. There's usually some Tarpon hanging around and maybe a couple of Turtles at their Turtle Reef location. And it's fairly easy to get in/out of the water, they're in a little protected cove with a ladder and the mini-wall starts just about 100 yards offshore, well marked with a buoy. This would actually be a good dive to do with your son also as I think it's only about 60/70' deep with a nice wide sand plain along the wall. And if you're feeling adventurous, head out to the North Wall drop off, it's only about 6000 feet deep!!!

The best wreck is probably the one where the Cruise Ships dock (can't remember the name) A couple of the diveshops go out there at night after the ships have left. It's only a night dive due to traffic in the channel.

I've heard Trinity Caves is good but I've not dove there.

Dives to do with your Son:

Go to Sunset House and see the Mermaid. She's only in 50' of water a short swim out. Bring a camera, it's usually bright enough for photos, even with an inexpensive camera.

Good food in the Sunset House Bar/Grill also - reasonably priced with a great view. And if you get there before 6pm see the Cathy Church photo gallery in the lower level of the main house.

Stingray City - the most fun you'll have in 15' of water. Although the rays get pretty aggressive while trying to get you to drop the bait, it can be a little intimidating for a new diver. You'll also probably be able to get up close and personal with one or more Green Morays.

Dive I'd pass on: Eden Rock/Devil's Grotto. It's in the harbor, there's JetSki's nearby, the reef is worn out and the ships throw their garbage overboard, we saw a bunch of concrete debris and some old tires.

and if you have any suggestions on good eat's at reasonable prices, throw those in too!

If you find any, let me know, we never did. Although the Grill at Sunset House was reasonable. I also was told by a fellow diver that they had a good meal at the restaurant above DiveTech's Turtle Reef location, don't know about the cost, but it looked pretty reasonable. It might be "something Conch" or similar.


THANKS!

You're welcome.

 

[Pandora]

Hey! Thanks for the great info! My husband and I are going July 24-31 and have been looking for some suggestions!

Howling Moose - I'd love to hear how your trip goes and good luck to your son , what a great expereince for both of you to share!!

 

[Drew Sailbum]

While the recommendations posted by sjspeck are good ones for those staying on the west side, Morritt's is all the way out in Colliers in East End.

The drive from East End into Georgetown for a morning dive is a long one, often sitting in gridlock as the locals commute to work. Allow 90 minutes. I would humbly suggest that you might enjoy the diving much more by booking a couple boat dives from East End.


Site selection in East End is largely dependent upon the wind direction and strength. Typical summertime winds are from the ESE and favor diving along the north shore of East End. If the winds are suitably light, the four shallow sites off the east tip in front of Morritt's are dived. Those are some of the best shallow dives in the Cayman Islands.

East End does not have wrecks for diving, but the four east sites as well as several on the south shore are loaded with tunnels and swim throughs. Let the captain know the type of site which interests you. Based upon conditions he will see what is available.

 

[Yazmeen]

While the recommendations posted by sjspeck are good ones for those staying on the west side, Morritt's is all the way out in Colliers in East End.

The drive from East End into Georgetown for a morning dive is a long one, often sitting in gridlock as the locals commute to work. Allow 90 minutes. I would humbly suggest that you might enjoy the diving much more by booking a couple boat dives from East End.


Site selection in East End is largely dependent upon the wind direction and strength. Typical summertime winds are from the ESE and favor diving along the north shore of East End. If the winds are suitably light, the four shallow sites off the east tip in front of Morritt's are dived. Those are some of the best shallow dives in the Cayman Islands.

East End does not have wrecks for diving, but the four east sites as well as several on the south shore are loaded with tunnels and swim throughs. Let the captain know the type of site which interests you. Based upon conditions he will see what is available.

Regarding restaurants:

Aside from "My Bar" at Sunset House, "Naked Fish" just down the road at the Seaview hotel is quite good and reasonably priced. "LoneStar" bar and grill is great and a must. One of our other favorites is "Deckers" along 7 mile beach. Most of the bars along the shoreline down in Georgetown are fun and reasonable money-wise with great food. "Rackam's Pub" is always solid and fun. The more formal restaurant at Sunset House, the "Seaharvest" is quite good although a bit pricier. You can get both the bar menu and the restaurant menu at "My Bar." The shrimp stir fry on the bar menu is to die for, and try the beef samosa appetizer. YUM!!!!!!!!