Is Little Cayman worth it?

[-hh]

...
hh,
I don't think that there has been a verified sighting of a Blacktip Shark on Little Cayman in years. The sharks that caused the (highly exaggerated) problem are Caribbean Reef Sharks.

I think you're right, although I don't know if there's all that significant of a difference between the two to merit differentiation behaviorally (just markings). I'll check last month's pics just on the outside chance of making a 'verified'. Over the years, I've also seen Nurses, plus a Lemon & one Hammerhead (a long time ago) on Little.

Insfoar as the exaggeration (or "drama") on the interaction bit, I think that that's pretty much to be expected, since the same DMs are also routinely telling divers that the wall's drop-off goes promptly to a gazillion thousand feet, despite the navigational maps that reveal that it isn't quite that dramatic.

-hh

 

[AggieDiver]

When we were there last August, the sharks were already starting to spook the DMs a little with how eagerly they were anticipating fresh lion fish. And that was within a few weeks of the DMs starting to spear them. I am not surprised at all to hear they changed their spearing tactics. Until that trip last year, I had seen exactly two sharks (other than nurse sharks) in four previous trips to LC and the Brac. During our trip in August, we saw Caribbean Reef Sharks on nearly every dive and they were much less skittish and willing to tolerate much closer approaches for photos.

-hh,
During that LC dive, we were actually diving with Divi Tiara from the Brac. I don't remember for sure what the videographer's name was, but for some reason Cathy Church comes to mind, but I don't know if it was actually her or not. Those were our first open water dives outside of Texas lakes, and on that trip over to LC, I had rented a Nikonos camera for the day. The videographer was watching me use it and had coached me on how short the focal length was, but I still was having issues with how close things seemed underwater when viewed through the viewfinder of the camera. We were on one of the sites and came across a very large green moray (6-7 feet) free swimming on top of the reef. He kind of tucked himself into some coral heads when we approached and I tried to take his picture. The videographer could see that I was too far away to get a good shot and started trying to push me closer (gently), while I was looking through the viewfinder and seeing nothing but teeth and thinking I was close enough for my tastes. I think my wife just about flooded her mask laughing at us fighting over how close I wanted to be to that eel. She was right though...the pic didn't really turn out very well, but the memory is priceless.

 

[-hh]

-hh,
During that LC dive, we were actually diving with Divi Tiara from the Brac. I don't remember for sure what the videographer's name was, but for some reason Cathy Church comes to mind, but I don't know if it was actually her or not.

Your Cathy Church reference nails it as Aileen...she had first worked at Divi (with Chris & Donna McLaughlin) went to Grand and worked for Cathy Church, then came back to Divi...and then worked with Ed Beatty (IIRC) and moved over to LCBR on Little Cayman. She had to permanently retire from the dive industry (which is a shame) after getting a bad DCS hit on an LC daytrip over to dive on the 356 Wreck. Last time that I conversed with her, she was working in the Tampa, FL region.

Those were our first open water dives outside of Texas lakes, and on that trip over to LC, I had rented a Nikonos camera for the day. The videographer was watching me use it and had coached me on how short the focal length was, but I still was having issues with how close things seemed underwater when viewed through the viewfinder of the camera. We were on one of the sites and came across a very large green moray (6-7 feet) free swimming on top of the reef. He kind of tucked himself into some coral heads when we approached and I tried to take his picture. The videographer could see that I was too far away to get a good shot and started trying to push me closer (gently), while I was looking through the viewfinder and seeing nothing but teeth and thinking I was close enough for my tastes. I think my wife just about flooded her mask laughing at us fighting over how close I wanted to be to that eel. She was right though...the pic didn't really turn out very well, but the memory is priceless.

Yes, that sounds like Aileen! She was very good at encouraging getting close to "Fill the Frame" and to get good color, and was quite generous in providing guidance & advice.


-hh

 

[MAGELLAN]

So your dive time is limited at Little Cayman Beach Resort, is that correct? I can't go for that! No way. My wife and I go over 60 minutes every dive. Why should we be punished for poor air management on the part of the rest of the group? Not to mention, we only get to dive once or twice a year and the idea of being told when to "get out of the pool" just infuriates me....

 

[BDSC]

So your dive time is limited at Little Cayman Beach Resort, is that correct? I can't go for that! No way. My wife and I go over 60 minutes every dive. Why should we be punished for poor air management on the part of the rest of the group?

It really has little to do with "poor air management" of other folks on the boat. It has more to do with a schedule to keep like folks getting in two dives in the morning but having to be back for lunch at a reasonable time for the kitchen staff. Also the boat crew has to have time to eat and then prepare the boat for the afternoon dive as well. The LCBR is definitely not the place for you because you are also going to be told "when to be at the boat" and "what time meals are served". You'd probably stay mad all week.

 

[keyshunter]

I agree with BDSC. LCBR (and also BRBR) do have a certain amount of regimentation with regard to dive times, meal times, etc. If this is a problem, then these resorts are probably not for you.

 

[scubadada]

So your dive time is limited at Little Cayman Beach Resort, is that correct? I can't go for that! No way. My wife and I go over 60 minutes every dive. Why should we be punished for poor air management on the part of the rest of the group? Not to mention, we only get to dive once or twice a year and the idea of being told when to "get out of the pool" just infuriates me....

It really has little to do with "poor air management" of other folks on the boat. It has more to do with a schedule to keep like folks getting in two dives in the morning but having to be back for lunch at a reasonable time for the kitchen staff. Also the boat crew has to have time to eat and then prepare the boat for the afternoon dive as well. The LCBR is definitely not the place for you because you are also going to be told "when to be at the boat" and "what time meals are served". You'd probably stay mad all week.

I agree with BDSC. LCBR (and also BRBR) do have a certain amount of regimentation with regard to dive times, meal times, etc. If this is a problem, then these resorts are probably not for you.

My son and I spent a week on Little Cayman at LCBR in July 2010. We did 18 dives with an average dive time of 63.5 min (53-68 min) We dived independently and never felt overly controlled. We did make attempts to keep the boat on schedule as requested. Could we have had longer dives based on our available gas, certainly. Was the quality of the dives and the dive time worth the trip, most certainly so. Get over it, sometimes you must participate in the overall plan. I will return to Little Cayman as soon as I have the opporunity.

Yes, I took my avatar picture, that's Turks and Caicos and is another story, I'd consider a trip there http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ztf....com/user/gullsuit&feature=player_profilepage.

Best,

Craig

 

[BDSC]

My son and I spent a week on Little Cayman at LCBR in July 2010. We did 18 dives with an average dive time of 63.5 min (53-68 min) We dived independently and never felt overly controlled. We did make attempts to keep the boat on schedule as requested. Could we have had longer dives based on our available gas, certainly. Was the quality of the dives and the dive time worth the trip, most certainly so. Get over it, sometimes you must participate in the overall plan. I will return to Little Cayman as soon as I have the opporunity.

Craig

Right on Craig!

I can go to Bonaire and get in 60, 70, even 80 minute dives if I want to and the diving is good there. I'm not knocking it. But it just doesn't compare to the diving in Little Cayman. I'll gladly give up a few extra minutes underwater for the overall quality of the diving........and the food there!

 

[scubadada]

Right on Craig!

I can go to Bonaire and get in 60, 70, even 80 minute dives if I want to and the diving is good there. I'm not knocking it. But it just doesn't compare to the diving in Little Cayman. I'll gladly give up a few extra minutes underwater for the overall quality of the diving........and the food there!

Oh, the food, it was absolutely excellent. What a trip!

 

[smokey braden]

next month i will be breaking one of my ''carved in stone'' rules.
i will be diving with same group, same island, same resort, same dive op and maybe the same room.
i have never done the same trip two years in a row.
why, you might ask?
because the reef and fish are fantastic.
the resort is in great shape and they work hard to keep it that way.
the dive op is spot on.
the food is very good.
the group from tampa are a hoot.
i have a blast and get some of the best photos yet.
i'm an old man and three hour long dives a day is fine with me.
i'll be there june 17-27 and can't wait to get there.
my dive gear is allready packed.
regards,