Looking for diver ops in Grand Cayman

[lynnemari]

We are comming to Grand Caymen October 25th - November 1st. Looking for a good dive operation. We are staying at the Morrits, ( a time share ). So a place close by would be good. I know they have one, but would like to know which ones are the best. We were told that we need to book the dives 2- 3- weeks before we come ( for the dive shop at Morrits, is that true? any infor would be great! Also any shore diving on th island?
thanks Lynne

Also we were told all the construction is done at the Morrits, hope that is true.

 

[diversteve]

Besides Tortuga Divers at Morritt's, I think your only other option on the East End is Ocean Frontiers. I have no experience with either.

The only shoredive I know of nearby is Babylon. It's supposed to be excellent. This list pretty much sums up all the options on the West side. Seaview isn't there anymore, it's condos so I'm not sure if you can dive it now.

You'll also need to work out getting tanks as a lot of the diveops don't let you take them off-property. The one place I know of to rent them is in West Bay. Although if you're going to drive over, Eden Rock, Sunset House, Turtle Reef and Lighthouse Point among others all have affiliated diveshops on-site. IMO Turtle Reef is one of the best shore dives on Cayman but from Morritt's it would have to be about 1-1/2 hrs. driving. I've read Lighthouse Point (nearby) may be even better.

 

[marshallkarp]

We stayed next door at the Reef Resort on the East End in June. I thought nothing of strolling into the on-site Ocean Frontier dive shop to book my dive trips the day of our arrival. Bad idea. They were very booked up for the week and I was on waiting list twice. Fortunately, things worked out and I got to dive everyday, but I would think about booking ahead. By the way, Ocean Frontier was a fine operation with good customer service.

The last day, my buddy and I drove back to Georgetown and dove at the Eden Rock Dive Center, though you can do the same at Don Foster's just up the street. There is a marine park with no boats allowed in the back and really enjoyed the shore diving. The only downside was that it was an hour drive each way, but we enjoyed this nonetheless.

Here is the link to my East End HD Dive Video

Grand Cayman East End Dive Report on Vimeo

and in case you have never been to GC before, here is the vacation video

Grand Cayman Island Vacation 2008 on Vimeo

 

[dashark]

Ocean Frontier is the best on the East End. i believe morrits uses red sail as there operation. You can't go wrong with Ocean Frontiers. You can find many good reviews on them throughout Scubaboard. You are going to love the diving on the east End!

 

[Alex777]

Ocean Frontiers, for sure. But book NOW.

There are shore dives in the East End but they are for relatively "advanced" divers. For example, Babylon is about 350 (?) yards off-shore from an unmarked entry point in an area subject to unpredictable currents. It's a great dive, but ask locally for the latest conditions and assess your experience level realistically.

 

[lynnemari]

thank you every one, we will book at ocean frontiers. Does any one know about the resort is it finished with the construction? Is the west side better diving? is that why alll the dive shops are there? and... has the reef been hurt by the hurricane?
the resort I am asking about is Morritts. and one more question... is it better to rent a car once there or book in advance.
thank very much we appreciate all the info
Lynne

 

[ianr33]

Is the west side better diving? is that why alll the dive shops are there?

is it better to rent a car once there or book in advance.
thank very much we appreciate all the info
Lynne

The East has the best diving on Cayman. Most dive shops are on the West because that is where the cruise ships and development is.

Rent a car from Andys Grand Cayman Car Rental - Andy's Car Rental Cayman Islands book it on the web before you leave.

 

[dashark]

The east end is the windward end and gets more wind a current. Because of that and the fact that it is so far from 7 mile beach and the cruise ships, it gets a lot less diving and the reefs are pristine.
When I go back, i will be doing most of , if not all of my diving on the East end.
I saw Morrits from the water when i was diving with Ocean Frontiers. it looks like a great setup. nice beach.

 

[sixgears]

My wife and I dove with and stayed at Ocean Frontiers/Compass Point this past August. Great operation and very good customer service. Although I would want to try out the West Bay operators (i.e. DiveTech) we've been spoiled at the East End enough that I think we will be going back there again for training and diving.

 

[Drew Sailbum]

For the moment Morritts is not under construction. They still have one more building to rebuild from the damage done in 2004 by Hurricane Ivan. I don't know when they are planning to start that project.