Little Cayman Beach Resort Trip Report June 2012

[smokey braden]

For the third time in a row, I joined a group of advanced divers from Tampa in their annual trip to Little Cayman Beach Resort (LCBR). We were there for a full week diving Blood Bay Wall, over 20 individual sites, which can easily keep one happily occupied for the week. The resort is set up to accommodate both divers and fishermen (personally, I did not do any fishing). We went diving twice in the morning and once after lunch. Incidentally, three of the days, the Cayman Aggressor was only a few moorings away from our dive boat. The diving was very good. We saw turtles on every dive. We saw many different varieties of grouper, who were all friendly. There were many schools of smaller fish. We saw a very large spotted eagle ray; he was at least 6 feet in diameter, maybe 8 feet. The water temp was 82 with visibility between 60 and 100 feet. I was pleased that even with my older prescription mask, I was able to spot a scorpion fish and point it out to my dive buddy, Al. Several lion fish were seen during the week. I saw more trigger fish than I’ve ever seen before. It was pretty cool that I happened to do my 500^th logged recreational dive while at LCBR!

They have three chefs in the kitchen and they prepare fantastic meals. Anyone with food allergies/intolerances is also taken care of well. My wife, who is gluten free, traveled with me previously to LCBR and had a great experience dining there. This time another diver in our group was gluten free and he raved over the quality and safety of his meals as well. The bartenders and dining room staff are all excellent. They make you feel like you are their favorite guest and that you’re special. For example, I was served a special dessert after my 500^th dive. That was unnecessary, but appreciated.

LCBR is one-stop shopping in my opinion. It can be described as a liveaboard that doesn’t float, which is great news for those who don’t want to stay on a boat. I can see why people return time and time again for the quality, value, and personal touches offered by the LCBR diving and resort experience.

Regards,
Smokey

 

[drrich2]

Sounds like a great trip. Bit pricy for me, but then again, rated well at Trip Advisor and by the time you figure in the 'all inclusive' (Full American) plan, well, maybe not as pricy as I think.

My frame of comparison is from Bonaire trips, but cost of groceries & eating out, and a tank of gas, has to be figured in, too. I assume you fly to Grand Cayman & they pick you up there?

Richard.

 

[keyshunter]

Nope. For LCBR, you fly to Grand Cayman and then fly on a Twin Otter (small plane) to Little Cayman. The Cayman Aggressor operates as you assume!

 

[AggieDiver]

When you start factoring in all of the little things that you pay for at other non-inclusive locations, the cost isn't really all that different. When you factor in meal costs, taxis or car rental, gas, plus simply the time it takes to go find a restaurant or cook your own meal, the time it takes to get a cab or find a parking place for your rental, etc. it really goes far beyond the monetary value. I like to describe diving at LCBR as effortless. Once you get off the plane on LC, you really have to do very little, and your time is your own. You have already paid for your food, diving, transportation, etc...all that is left to do is enjoy it. You don't have to decide which restaurant to eat at, you don't have to worry about hauling gear from the boat back to your room at night, etc. The toughest decision all week is usually which hammock to lay in after the afternoon dive and which of the many desserts to try after meals (I recommend trying all of them...just don't declare the extra calories on your customs form).

 

[Dan G]

Thanks for the trip report. These are the sorts of threads I am seeking as we research a trip for one of the Caymans. I don't know much about the Caymans and need all the info I can get as we decide where to go.

 

[tstormdiver]

I was there, likely a week before you in a group of 16. We had a blast! The diving wasn't too bad (I've been spoiled by Asian diving, unfortunately), but it seemed there some sites in which there was all kinds of critters to find & some that weren't as,..... well..... productive. Could just be a matter of being in the right place at the right time. That's how it goes sometimes. We also had to ask for the removal of 1 diver from the boat. She was not in our group, exceptionally rude & dangerous to everyone diving near her. She tromped up & down the boat like she owned it, walking on top of everyone's equipment, loudly declaring that these "Redneck Divers could never make it". In the water, she kept tangling her regulator up in her strobes (huge strobes almost as big as she was, on a point & shoot camera & housing). To take a shot, she would lay down on the coral, instead of getting neutrally buoyant. She had to be pick up off the reef by the dive masters several times. She then decided to berate the dive masters for protecting the reef. Found out later that she also got kicked off the other boat she was assigned to.

Our dive masters Sharon & Alyshia (SP?) were fantastic! Excellent guides & knowledgeable about the area. The food was phenomenal. The rooms were very nice & roomy. I have absolutely no complaints about the resort or the dive staff. They would do anything within their ability to see that we were happy. I would certainly go back.

 

[caymaniac]

I've been spoiled by Asian diving .

The Pacific has a lot more in the way of marine life to offer, but for the Caribbean, LBR is about as good as it gets. I've also been to Australia, Papua New Guinea and the Red Sea, diving in those places can easily surpass the dive experience in the caribbean but going to the Caymans takes so much less time and energy to get to, and the experience is one that will make you want to go back.

 

[4dawgma]

Great photos! One week away from my first trip to LC. I could leave right now though.....

 

[danpass]

so off season's $799, full meals, 3 nights, leaves, literally, only the airfare?

 

[4dawgma]

Beach side hammocks, big breasted bartenders and bodacious diving???? What else do you need man??