Little Cayman - How easy to get to, etc.

[ggunn]

I am looking for an alternative dive spot in the Caribbean, and I'm seeing some intriguing stuff in here about Little Cayman.

How easy is it to get to from Texas? How expensive are the travel, diving, and accomodations as opposed to, say, Cozumel? What are the options for a place to stay? Is there good seafood? Is the diving good year round?

I'm thinking about a few days in early March as a birthday present for my wife, and something a little different from our regular Cozumel trips.

 

[carlislere]

ggunn,
Cayman Airways and Continental fly to Grand Cayman out of IAH in Houston every week. From Grand Cayman, take Island Air to Little Cayman. The links follow:
http://www.caymanairways.com/
http://www.continental.com/
http://islandair.no-ip.com:8080/

 

[Drew Sailbum]

It's a destination for those who are seeking to get away from it all.

Getting there from the US is on Island Air from Grand Cayman. Be prepared for landing on the grass runway.

Cayman Airways flies from Houston to Grand Cayman where you can make the transfer to LC. It's not unusual for many to overnight on Grand Cayman coming or going. Continental also flies to GC from Houston, so you may be able to arrange decent connections.

It will probably be more expensive than Cozumel, since it's a much smaller market. Not much to do but dive, eat, sleep, and lounge about.

Diving is exceptional. Bloody Bay Wall is considered by some to be the single best diving area in the entire Caribbean.

 

[carlislere]

I have stayed at Pirates Point (http://www.piratespointresort.com/). It is owned by Gladys Howard, a gourmet chef. The food and seafood are outstanding. If you stay there, tell them I sent you. I have some friends working there.
There is also Little Cayman Beach Resort, Sam McCoys, Southern Cross among others. See the Cayman Islands website for more info; http://www.caymanislands.ky/.
I'm sure there will be others answering with experience at the other resorts. I would highly recommend a trip there.

 

[thxlogan]

Are you limited to 2 dives a day at Pirates Point? I didn't see anything mentioned about afternoon dives or night dives on their web site. Can you do 2 am and 2 afternoon dives a day at Pirates Point?

 

[Damselfish]

thxlogan once bubbled...
Are you limited to 2 dives a day at Pirates Point? I didn't see anything mentioned about afternoon dives or night dives on their web site. Can you do 2 am and 2 afternoon dives a day at Pirates Point?

They only do a 2 tank morning dive at PP. My understanding from chatting to people in what passes for the airport, is it's relaxed and no rushing, with long bottom times if you have the air. Lots of folks seem to like it and rave about the food. The 2 tank thing has discouraged me from checking the place out though.

Little Cayman does 3 a day, and occasionally a night dive. We like it enough to have been there 4 times. (I have to admit, 3 a day there can seem rushed at times, maybe that's because the island puts you in the mood to move slowly!)

Another place not mentioned so far is Paradise Villas.

 

[cowdog77]

We're from San Antonio area and are also looking for an alternate to Cozumel. Granted it will be hard to beat the airfare and overall costs of Coz. Did you go to Little Cayman or find another dive spot in the Carib? Any new ideas would be appreciated.

~jerri

I am looking for an alternative dive spot in the Caribbean, and I'm seeing some intriguing stuff in here about Little Cayman.

How easy is it to get to from Texas? How expensive are the travel, diving, and accomodations as opposed to, say, Cozumel? What are the options for a place to stay? Is there good seafood? Is the diving good year round?

I'm thinking about a few days in early March as a birthday present for my wife, and something a little different from our regular Cozumel trips.