Looking to take FULL advantage of Cayman diving!!!!!! :)

[Azure]

Hello Folks,
Travelling to the Cayman Islands from 8/17-8/25 and in dire need of assistance as to where we should spend the majority of our time. We would like to do some reef, some wall, some wrecks (if possible), basically every type of diving the islands have to offer. So, I need a help on how I should divide those 7 days between GC and LC, or among (GC,LC & CB). I want to do as many dives as possible at the time I want to do quality dive as well. Should I just stay in LC? or should I just stay in GC or should I divide the trip? If so, which island should I stay longer? I aplogize for many question. Any suggestion is MUCH appreciated. THANKS,

Azure

 

[sdwho]

Hello Folks,
Travelling to the Cayman Islands from 8/17-8/25 and in dire need of assistance as to where we should spend the majority of our time. We would like to do some reef, some wall, some wrecks (if possible), basically every type of diving the islands have to offer. So, I need a help on how I should divide those 7 days between GC and LC, or among (GC,LC & CB). I want to do as many dives as possible at the time I want to do quality dive as well. Should I just stay in LC? or should I just stay in GC or should I divide the trip? If so, which island should I stay longer? I aplogize for many question. Any suggestion is MUCH appreciated. THANKS,

Azure

For a week long trip where you want to maximize the number of dives and the types of dives, you can go either of two ways, IMO. You can spend all your time on GC, where you can do a two tank morning boat dive in a variety of locations, particularly the NOrth Wall. There's plenty of shore diving as well. On the other hand, LCBR gives you three boat dives a day, but shore diving is less common (not impossible, just less common). Wrecks? The wrecks in GC are pretty wasted at this point. Keep in mind that traveling between LC and GC will probably kill a day of your trip.

 

[Damselfish]

For one week in Cayman I would pick one island. (I think this is a good rule most places really, you just lose too much time in the whole move when you should be diving, especially if flying is involved.) If you have at least 9-10 nights it seems more worth splitting it between 2 locations, plus a break from diving in the middle isn't a bad idea then anyway.

LC is a great place to spend a week and get your fill of great walls and reefs, you won't be ready to leave after only a few days there.

GC would be good too but you just want plan to dive mostly the North or East, the West won't compare. If you really want the variety afforded by staying different locations, you could split a trip between West and East end, at least you don't have to worry about flying in the middle. But for a week I wouldn't bother.

 

[Azure]

Hi!
Thank you very much for the fast response. You guys helped me a lot.
So, our plan is gearing towards LC now!!! It seems like LCBR a good place to stay and to dive with. I'm very interested in booking my stay there. I also found relatively less expensive place called Sam McCoy's. Do anybody have any experience with them or heared anything about them? I'm sure they are great as well but I'm hoping that the any opinion, words of experienced or suggestion would make our decision easier.

Again, thank you so much!

Azure

 

[Damselfish]

LCBR is a little more resorty, we've always stayed there. McCoys is more rustic B&B/inn-like. I've not stayed at Sam McCoy's as I avoid rustic if I can. I've read a real mix of reviews of the place over the years, nothing much lately though. It's a family run place and what I've read gives me the impression it might be inconsistent, like your food, diving, etc. may vary a lot depending on who is there (or not) at the time.

Here's one old thread that discusses LC options some. And another thread. You'll find many more in a search, probably more recent than those but not too much has changed.

 

[Azure]

Hi All~
Thanks for the infomation. I read the old thread and learned more about cayman Island diving. Thank you.
Unfortunatelly, the flight that we need from GC to LC on the day that we planned to go is all sold out!!! (18th-24th) I should have known that....... pretty upset.
So, our next plan is wether to say in GC or brac. I found the flight from GC to Brac on those days. I was wondering now if you guys have any opinion on which island would be the best bet....... Do you know any good place to stay or good dive shop? I'm looking into Divi Tiara now. I will keep looking for other places as well tonight.
I hope to hear form you...

Thank you!

Azure

 

[Mantasscareme]

I personally enjoyed diving with Ocean Frontiers www.oceanfrontiers.com on the East End of Grand Cayman. It's in a pretty remote part of the island, giving you that "outer island" feel, but it doesn't require the extra flight. The dive op is very professionally run, the people are friendly, and the reefs are in excellent condition. There are a lot of swim throughs and caverns (no special training required), as well as deep, or not so deep, diving off awsome walls. I have not been to Cayman Brac, so I can't honestly say that one's better and one's worse, but I can say that I enjoyed diving the East End of Grand Cayman.

In terms of accommodations: The Reef Resort www.thereef.com.ky , which is served by Ocean Frontiers, is downright luxurious (all beachfront condominiums) at a reasonable price, and has great snorkeling right off the beach that you can check out on your off-gas day. Ocean Frontiers also operates its own resort, Compass Point, which is cheaper. I have not stayed there.

 

[Azure]

Thanks for sharing. As a result of a long discussion amoung us, we have postpone the trip to the end of this month and decided to forcus on Little Caymay. We will be stayin at LCBR. It seems like this is the place to stay. I hope no hurriane will come. :> I was not sure if I should book for afternoon boat dive trips. I've read that shore dive is great there. Would the shore dives be as awsome as the boat dives in the afternoon? Have you done night dive there? We will look into the Grand Cayman diving especially the place Mantasscareme suggested for the last 2 days of the trip back to GC.

Again, thanks a lot!!!!



Azure

 

[Damselfish]

I'd book the afternoon boats if you want to dive afternoons. There is no shore diving right at LCBR, it (along with SCC and Conch Club) are in a shallow grassy lagoon. A few people on here have talked about doing lots of shore diving on LC but I think it's a little easier when you're local. First you will need to make sure LCBR is letting you take tanks off site for shore diving - their packages may say something about unlimited tanks for shore diving but in reality pretty much no one staying there ever does it so I'd verify that. Then you need to get to other places to shore dive - unless you're going to carry your dive gear on one of the bikes this probably means a car rental, which are expensive on LC.

 

[ScubaCatgirl]

I personally enjoyed diving with Ocean Frontiers www.oceanfrontiers.com on the East End of Grand Cayman. It's in a pretty remote part of the island, giving you that "outer island" feel, but it doesn't require the extra flight. The dive op is very professionally run, the people are friendly, and the reefs are in excellent condition. There are a lot of swim throughs and caverns (no special training required), as well as deep, or not so deep, diving off awsome walls. I have not been to Cayman Brac, so I can't honestly say that one's better and one's worse, but I can say that I enjoyed diving the East End of Grand Cayman.

In terms of accommodations: The Reef Resort www.thereef.com.ky , which is served by Ocean Frontiers, is downright luxurious (all beachfront condominiums) at a reasonable price, and has great snorkeling right off the beach that you can check out on your off-gas day. Ocean Frontiers also operates its own resort, Compass Point, which is cheaper. I have not stayed there.

I loved these people too!!! Fantastic dive shop. They DO everything for you & you even get a print out of all your dives after your last dive. The dive spots are not so worn out as the West end & it does give you variety, walls, reefs, swimthru's etc. Next time I go to GC I'm only diving w/Ocean Frontiers! There the way to go!!!