New to diving and going solo in Grand Cayman - Nov 9-16

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jonesg11

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Hello all,

I'm just finishing up my NAUI course here in Vermont this next week. My wife and I are going to Grand Cayman from Nov 9-16th and she does not dive.

Any suggestions on who to use and how to go about diving when I show up on my own? I certainly don't want to ruin someone's dive because they're paired with a newbie but also don't want to get thrown in with a jerk and worry about my safety at the same time.

Thanks
-Greg
 
Most operators are used to dealing with new/cruise divers there. So it shouldn't be a problem.

If you wanted to pick a couple with a higher % of newer divers that would be Red Sail or Don Fosters. Fosters used to do almost all the cruise dives but they recently gave up the contract. Downside with them is that you'll be part of a larger group of divers in any skill category - that's how they assign DM's/guides. So maybe do that once or twice then pick a smaller operator for the rest of the week.

But really any of the SMB-based operators can accommodate you and more experienced divers at the same time - they're used to splitting groups and since it's the law, they'll assign a DM/guide to each group. Most DM's on Cayman are actually certified instructors, demand for jobs there allows them to be selective.

Many 1st dives off Cayman go deep of the wall. It doesn't mean you have to. Just tell whoever you select about your experience level when you contact them. Most 2nd dives on Grand Cayman are going to be above 60'. And most moorings at the deeper sites are at that depth or shallower. At most there's plenty to see without needing to go any deeper.

One of the signature dives - Stingray City is 15' deep. And it's timed at 45mins. - if you run out of air sooner, surface and wait on the boat with the captain. I once saw someone swim up, drop their gear and then snorkel back down. But it's likely you'll have enough air for most/all of it.

If you want to try a wreck later in the week, the Kittiwake is an easy one. It was dive-prepped before sinking in 60' - the top almost breaks the surface. You'll only be allowed on the first two (or 3?) levels and it's required that the operator provide a guide for people in your group. On a smaller boat - that could be just you - if the others have AOW, they're allowed deeper - many dive operators only take 6-8 divers max per trip.

Here's a link to the Kittiwake website. There's also a list of several dozen CITA operators down the right side of the main page. I often recommend Ambassador Divers, Neptune Divers, Wall to Wall or Indigo Divers but honestly they're all good - it's a very competitive market and everyone charges the same so the differentiation is that they all provide good service. Plus prices are pretty much the same anywhere also.

If you wanted to do some escorted shore diving, Eden Rock is a really shallow site and with a little notice they can provide a guide. Try to do it when the cruise ships aren't in as they're about 100 yds. from the cruise port. Since you're staying two weeks, Saturday would be good. Or check the schedule here. The Grotto is the better part of that dive - it's shallow and has a lot of swim-thru's - most open to the surface so it's relatively benign for newer divers. You will see some Tarpon lurking there - 3-4' skinny silver fish. (they're not barracuda...lol)

Turtle Reef on the north side is about the best shore dive that's easily accessible, it's shallow, you walk in off stairs, and Happy Fish Divers can provide paid guides there thru the on-site operator - Sundivers. Off the mini-wall there you'll see lots of turtles, tarpon and occasionally rays. The mini-wall bottoms out in the sand around 45-50' going south and 60-70' going north so it's not a very difficult dive.

The only exception would be if you're staying diving on/near the East End/Rum Point/Old Man Bay area. Then your choices are either Ocean Frontiers at Compass Point or Tortuga Divers(Red Sail) at Morritt's - it's all that's out there. My buddy had good dives with OF last January.

Videos for many of the dive sites: iDive | A Social Community Designed for Divers
 
i'm a single also when it comes to diving and deep blue divers have always been very accommodating about pairing me up with another single or team.
 
I've heard a lot of good things about Ocean Frontiers from the guys where I was trained. I'll look up Deep Blue as well.
 
Where are you staying ? The reason is if you are staying on 7 mile beach Ocean Frontier is on the other side of the island and a car is needed and about 30-45 minutes each way.
 
Yea, we're planning on renting a car no matter where we stay. Likely we'll end up on the East end.
 
If you stay on the East End then Ocean Frontiers will be the closest.

If you stay in the 7 mile beach area there are lots to choose from and most will pick you up at your hotel/condo.

Some of the ones there are DNS Diving,Ambassador,Wall to Wall,Indigo to name just a few. If the weather allows they will dive the North Wall which is spectacular.
 
It has been a number of years since I was there and used them, so perhaps there has been a lot of staff turnover, but I thought Ocean Frontiers was excellent. What I really liked about them may be not what you would like about them, though. They did a great job of accommodating the more advanced diver. In contrast, in my one experience with a Red Sail operator (on the East End), everyone on the boat was required to follow the DM on a real beginner level dive, with no options for the more experienced diver. As a new diver yourself, that may be exactly what you are looking for.
 
If you are diving the east end I would also recommend Ocean Frontiers. Just let them know ahead of time your experience level and that you are a single diver and then again when you arrive. We dove with OF in May and I thought they did a nice job accommodating divers of all experience level. For example we were assigned to a boat with a grandfather diving with his grandchildren newly certified. The DM did a nice job keeping the newer divers in their comfort/experience zone in the shallows and on the edge of the wall while the more experienced divers were given leeway to go down the wall deeper. Have fun.
 
Yea, we're planning on renting a car no matter where we stay. Likely we'll end up on the East end.

One thing to consider is activities for the wife. If she doesn't dive, you might consider SMB as it's close to George Town shopping, lots of food, and the beach is beautiful. Happy wife = happ diver = more diving. Plus there is tons of easy shore diving on the west.

But then again, it comes down to what type of experience you want.


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