North Wall access: SMB Dive Op or East Bay Dive Ops

[EastEndDiver]

I bet the West Bay Marina is right next to Hepp's condos.....HA

 

[dberry]

I'm sure the OP is referring to the West Bay Dock, i.e. just north of West Bay Diner and Alfresco.

 

[DawgFan]

The download of google maps is great advice. I’ve ready KathyV posts before and picked up this tip. I used it this morning to explore the island some and drive from SMB to Ocean Frontiers and Tortuga. Already thinking about our next trip where I want to dive some on the East End. I kept the my phone on airplane mode the whole time so no data getting used and the google maps got me exactly where I wanted to go without getting lost!

Okay, but "short drive" is a relative term in my experience and you only have 4.5 days of vacation. When you live there or visit often you become familiar and you can get around short and quick. When you are just learning your way around "it feels far" and you can get confused and lost (at least we have!) although there are fewer roads and roundabouts in the more remote areas - but poorer signage, too.

I suggest downloading interactive Google maps before arriving on the island so you don't have to use up lots of data and roaming charges. I've never had much luck with paper Cayman maps. We bring a Garmin GPS and car charger with us because Cayman is included in their North American maps and we find it helpful, especially when negotiating the roundabouts and the narrow, angled, one-way streets of George Town, and trying to avoid heavy traffic. If you stay on the main roads you should be okay. Have a great trip and please post a report when you return.

 

[KathyV]

What is the West Bay Marina? Near West Bay public dock or The Cayman Islands Yacht Club? Just can’t picture it.

I'm really not sure where the "West Bay Marina" is, either.

I'm sure the OP is referring to the West Bay Dock, i.e. just north of West Bay Diner and Alfresco.

The OP probably picked up the phrase from me because I have used it in the past. I have heard the public dock in West Bay informally referred to as the "West Bay Marina". In fact I recall a dive op telling us to meet the boat at the public dock in West Bay Marina - but perhaps I misunderstood him - but anyway, the boat was at the dock when we got there.

I have also heard it referred to as the "West Bay Public Dock" which I think is the official name (?) but I have also heard or seen it referred to simply as the "West Bay Dock" and "The Public Dock at West Bay" but if West Bay Marina is confusing, I will try not to use that phrase any more. Thanks for the information.

 

[EastEndDiver]

I have heard of the West bay Dock referred to as West bay marina also by a dive OP I think I have also seen it on Tour busses for the cruise ships they seem to be adding that area to their tours as you can see all the local vendors there....it is misleading and confusing I thought they were referring to the Yacht Club at first

 

[KathyV]

The download of google maps is great advice. I’ve ready KathyV posts before and picked up this tip. I used it this morning to explore the island some and drive from SMB to Ocean Frontiers and Tortuga. Already thinking about our next trip where I want to dive some on the East End. I kept the my phone on airplane mode the whole time so no data getting used and the google maps got me exactly where I wanted to go without getting lost!

Glad that it helped, how is your trip going so far? About how long did it take to drive from 7MB to Ocean Frontiers?

 

[KathyV]

I bet the West Bay Marina is right next to Hepp's condos.....HA

Good one, thanks!

Places pick up common names and sometimes it doesn't matter, and sometimes it makes a difference and leads to confusion - and I am sure that we have all been inadvertently guilty at one time or another.

For instance, I frequently hear ALL of the dive sites on the north side of Little Cayman referred to collectively as "Bloody Bay Wall" and that's fine but the structure and topography of the Jackson's Bight dive sites are quite different from BBW. It's still great diving, but you need to plan for a different kind of dive, but the dive op always draws a map so it's probably not a big deal whatever you call it.

 

[DawgFan]

Glad that it helped, how is your trip going so far? About how long did it take to drive from 7MB to Ocean Frontiers?

We’re renting a condo near the Fosters IGA grocery on SMB and it was just under 45 minutes drive to Ocean Frontiers.

It’s been a great week and sadly packing now to head home in the morning. I’m here with my wife and two teen boys. We all got certified last summer and have about 45 dives so still new. We had 12 great dives this trip on the west side including our first night dives at turtle reef and the balboa which was fun.

We dive most days but not all. With teens we have to leave plenty of time for other activities which often turns into them sleeping late. This is our third trip to GC and we’re big fans of the place.

 

[KathyV]

We’re renting a condo near the Fosters IGA grocery on SMB and it was just under 45 minutes drive to Ocean Frontiers.

It’s been a great week and sadly packing now to head home in the morning. I’m here with my wife and two teen boys. We all got certified last summer and have about 45 dives so still new. We had 12 great dives this trip on the west side including our first night dives at turtle reef and the balboa which was fun.

We dive most days but not all. With teens we have to leave plenty of time for other activities which often turns into them sleeping late. This is our third trip to GC and we’re big fans of the place.

Sounds like fun! we don't dive every day on Grand Cayman either, there's too much else to do. when we're on the sister islands we dive every day because there's not much else to do, but that's fun too!

 

[EastEndDiver]

Kathy I still say you give the most concise accurate up to date info on the Cayman Islands !!