Just Certified! Grand Cayman Cruise

[scf1270]

Hello! My husband and younger daughter just certified this weekend and this is my first scubaboard post - so please be gentle ! Not sure how much info will be helpful to share, so this is a bit long (sorry):

We are taking a family cruise in December: Grand Cayman, Cozumel, Costa Maya, and Roatan. The plans is for the 2 of them to dive in GC and Roatan. All the planning falls to me (luckily, it's fun!), so here we go:

Grand Cayman, Monday December 13 Tendering approx 7am -4pm
Looking for a smaller dive operator, maybe a "valet" service.
They each have mask, snorkel, boots and fins. Would need to rent everything else.
An underwater camera would be good, also.
As they will be first-timers, their Dive Instructor recommends max of abt 60'.

Our older daughter and I don't dive or snorkel. Thinking about going our separate ways (2 & 2)and just doing one of the Stringray trips. Also open to the idea of going with them and just enjoying the ride, maybe giving the snorkeling or diving a try.

Really want to avoid a crowded "cattle" boat and to be sure they'll get plenty of attention in case they need assistance (both did very well in the PADI course - but's it's still all new). Also worry that they could end up on a boat with very experienced divers who would very reasonably want to do a dive beyond newbie ability.

If I sound like a concerned/worried wife/mom - yeah - I am!!! They are excited to start diving and it should be a great exp for them.

So... any advice, suggestions, dive operators, etc that work with our ship's timing would be very welcome.

btw - we will be in Roatan on Thursday, December 16 so any similar info for there would also be welcome.

Thank you very much!
Sara

 

[diversteve]

On Grand Cayman the cruise dive operator is Don Foster's - they're walking distance from one of the cruise docks. Since they deal with a lot of infrequent divers off the cruise ships, they're likely set up for that. It's not really what I'd call valet diving though - large boats, lots of divers. Welcome to Don Foster's Dive Cayman Come Dive with Us

A lot of Cayman 1st dives are in the 80-100' range with a 2nd shallower dive. So emphasize that you want a shallower dive with anyone you contact.

Also open to the idea of going with them and just enjoying the ride, maybe giving the snorkeling or diving a try.

Understand that you don't just get on the boat and go for a dive. For example, Foster's program is 3 hrs. in the classroom/pool followed by a shallow dive off their property. Welcome to Don Foster's Dive Cayman - Discover Diving

The snorkeling would likely be better on a snorkel trip. The shallow dive sites off Cayman - except for Stingray City - are going to be 40' deep or so with not much to do on the surface.

We had a few snorkelers on our SRC dive - it's only 12-14' to the bottom there. The majority of snorkel trips go to the SandBar nearby - you can stand up there. Expect that to be crowded - there can be a dozen boats in that area at the same time. Here's a visual: http://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/01/03/88/50/stingray-city-sandbar.jpg

For "valet" diving you might check with Indigo Divers. Not sure of the logistics for getting to them off the cruise - they may pickup nearby. Other small 6-8 pax dive ops often recommended here are Ambassador Divers, Neptunes Divers, Off the Wall and Wall to Wall. The last two book thru the Lobster Pot Dive Centre in Georgetown. The other option for shallow diving/snorkeling in town is the shore dive at Eden Rock. Cayman Islands - Travel and Tourism Site - Diving has links to all of them.

On Roatan, one option is Barefoot Divers. They run a cruise program and are five minutes by taxi from the cruise port. Cruise Ship Shore Excursions, Roatan 5 Star PADI Dive Shop

The cruise dive is with Anthony's Key Resort They shuttle you to their location on the North side of Roatan - about 1/2 hr. each way.

One interesting option for you and your non-diver to do would be the Dolphin Encounter while the others are diving. Roatan Dolphin Encounter & Dolphin Swim | Anthony's Key Resort

In fact the Dolphin Dive is only to 60' so that would be an option for the divers - you wouldn't want to snorkel it though as it's 60' deep at the dive site.

 

[randykiw]

Check out "living the dream divers" Cayman Islands Scuba Diving Company | Best of Grand Cayman Dive Companies | Living the Dream Divers on grand cayman, 8 divers max and pick up and drop off at the cruse ship port and you will get personalized service. Just let them know you are newly certified so they can pick the sites to keep you at a depth you are looking for. I dove with them back in August and very satisfied

 

[scf1270]

Diversteve - Thanks for all the great details!

Actually, I have been in touch with Barefoot Divers in Roatan and they sound really good. Want to get GC diving set-up first, then move on to that one. Have also contacted Lobster Pot and Living the Dream, waiting for replies.

Def want them to have a small group expereince, so Don Foster is not a consideration.

I understand what you said abt a non-divers 1st dive. I was thinking more along the idea of a Discover Scuba experience, but did not express that well. The more we think abt, Liz and I may just go do something that is just Stringray snorkeling or such.

Randy - Thanks, also for your LTD recomendation. I read their website and they have both have interesting dive backgrounds!

Any other suggestions are welcome, and I'll let you know how it goes.
Sara

 

[EastEndDiver]

SCF Here are a few threads which might give you more information on Grand Cayman Dive Ops:

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/cayman-islands/343083-family-trip-grand-cayman.html

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/cayman-islands/352291-grand-cayman-shore-dive-question-2.html

Hope this helps.

 

[scf1270]

East End Diver - those are both good threads, thank you.

You've all given us a lot of good advice and things to think about. In fact, my head may explode soon - I'm sure I'm making this more complicated than it needs to be - but these are people I love sucking air through a little tube !

We are brand new at this and the thought of shore dives hadn't even occured, so...:
How sound is the logic of going for shore dives in GC (very first post-certification dives), then doing boat dives 3 days later in Roatan?

btw - Contacted Lesley at Ocean Frontiers, she suggested that we try Lobster Pot. Se felt that they were too far away from the pier and that their schedule would not accomodate cruise passengers. It was a really nice and professional response. Very classy!

Sara

 

[rivers]

If they are new divers, I would not suggest them renting an underwater camera. They will still be getting used to their gear, maintaining buoyancy, watching their air etc, to worry about taking pictures. That is just my 2 cents however. I have dove with Don Foster's a few times, and I do like them as a dive op. But, depending on the time of year, how many ships are in, etc, there is a chance of it being a cattle boat (luckily I have only had this happen once). There are many dive shops around Cayman, but it is not required for divers to have a DM or guide in the marine park so be aware you may have to pay extra for one. Also, if there is a DM/guide going out with a group, the group may go to 80+ ft. Your husband and daughter always have the option to stay above the group in a depth they are comfortable at. The diving in Cayman is great. Nice and easy dives, little to no current. Hope they enjoy it, whoever you end up diving with.

 

[scf1270]

Thanks for the info! Had to take a "vacation" from trip planning as our monitor fritzed out after a power outage. Just replaced it. So, back in business!

Have gotten so much good info. I've emailed Sunset House (twice) and Off the Wall, but no replies. Sunset House was recommended by our local dive shop, they have a group tour booked there next summer, so disappointed not to hear back.

Sara

 

[keithdiver]

Thanks for the info! Had to take a "vacation" from trip planning as our monitor fritzed out after a power outage. Just replaced it. So, back in business!

Have gotten so much good info. I've emailed Sunset House (twice) and Off the Wall, but no replies. Sunset House was recommended by our local dive shop, they have a group tour booked there next summer, so disappointed not to hear back.

Sara

Hi sara, email Cobalt Coast, they have a great pkg deal with flight thru caradonna travel. Im sure they will get back to you, or just call there 800 number directly.

 

[scf1270]

We did hear back from Sunset House and have two shore dives set up with a private dive instructor. Might be overkill, but it will be their 1st post-cert dives and why not cover all the bases?

Keithdiver - thank you for your reply. We are going on a cruise, but will keep your info in mind for the future. Sara