Only one weekend... where to focus efforts?

[Rhone Man]

I am travelling to Grand Cayman on business and I am going a couple of days early to get some diving in over the weekend. Never been to GCM before, but one of my friends who has done something similar strongly recommended I head to the East End, and recommended I go with Ocean Frontiers (which was what he did). He felt the diving was much better out that way.

But.

I am a wreck guy, and I would really like to dive the Kittiwake if I can. And I am most likely to be staying at the Marriott. Both of which sort of suggest more sense in trying to work out a package with an operator in the 7 mile beach area.

I don't mind driving around to different dive ops, but it cuts into the diving time. Prefer boat diving to shore diving and not on a particularly tight budget.

Would certainly welcome any thoughts and recommendations from the board.

 

[EastEndDiver]

You have lots of options.7 Mile Beach has a multitude of operators to choose from and most will pick you up at the Marriot.

I use DNSdiving pretty much every trip

The Way to Dive Grand Cayman « DNS Diving Grand Cayman

Ambassador would be my second choice

If possible ask to dive the North Wall.

There are many other dive ops such as Indigo,Wall To Wall, etc..All are good .

 

[diversteve]

It would be a long drive from the Marriott to Ocean Frontiers - maybe 45mins+? Ocean Frontiers doesn't do a Saturday afternoon dive either.

There are some really good dives on the north and west sides also. Sites like Ghost Mountain, Eagle Ray Pass, Hammerhead Hill on the North Wall or Trinity Caves, Orange Canyon on the west side are among the best in that area.

There's also the Doc Poulson wreck - it's not as good as the Kittiwake but you can swim thru it. It's shallow so maybe you could double it with the Kittiwake

While I can't fault the choice of DNS, either Ambassador or Wall to Wall will do a 2 tank in the afternoon also - assuming they have the business. IDK if DNS does.

I think Ambassador will go with 2 divers also. Several of the diveops with flat bottom boats will pick you up off the beach also.

 

[Rhone Man]

Thanks, guys.

 

[ConchyJoe]

Like EastEndDiver said, DNS Diving all the way. They have an awesome flat top for Kittiwake/Seven Mile Beach, and a sweet twin Yanmar Dive boat for North. And you can do morning/afternoon to fit your schedule. I recommend Kittiwake in the afternoon if there are cruise ships in.

I would also consider Sundivers over in West Bay by the turtle farm. Ollen Miller is a local long time divemaster and has a small shop there. It is an awesome shore night dive, so something to do "after work". You have to make arrangements up front, so he can see your C card and put out tanks and weights.

Have fun!

 

[ianr33]

You doing recreational stuff or can you squeeze some deeper dives in?

For recreational boat dives go with Ocean Frontiers on the East End.

If technical use Divetech. One of my all time favorite dives is the shore dive from Lighthouse Point. (depths to several thousand feet easily available ! )


And clear your mailbox out!!!

 

[nipi]

Contact Jason at Ambassador Divers (jason@ambassadordivers.com & 345 916 1064) for the Kittiwake. He might add on the Doc & make it a 2 tank trip. He will pick up.

East End diving is superior to Seven Mile Beach so the drive to OF is worth it if you have time. Plus East End topside is also superior to SMB.

 

[Rhone Man]

You doing recreational stuff or can you squeeze some deeper dives in?

For recreational boat dives go with Ocean Frontiers on the East End.

If technical use Divetech. One of my all time favorite dives is the shore dive from Lighthouse Point. (depths to several thousand feet easily available ! )


And clear your mailbox out!!!

I thought about that, but given I am only in town for a short period of time I didn't want to hump all my tec gear across and then only have a couple of deep dives with (relatively) short bottom times.

Next time...

 

[ConchyJoe]

I thought about that, but given I am only in town for a short period of time I didn't want to hump all my tec gear across and then only have a couple of deep dives with (relatively) short bottom times.

Next time...

You should at least link up with Nat Robb at Indepth. He does that tec thing..

 

[ianr33]

I thought about that, but given I am only in town for a short period of time I didn't want to hump all my tec gear across and then only have a couple of deep dives with (relatively) short bottom times.

Next time...

You can always rent tech gear if you want. The real beauty of Cayman for tech dives is the deco is all part of the dive. Gradually get shallower looking at the pretty fishes. None of that hanging on a rope in the middle of nowhere stuff.

East End and Ocean Frontiers are the best rec dives I've ever done.

I dived with Nat Robb a few times when he was with Divetech. Great guy. Very highly recommended.
http://www.indepthwatersports.com/ Might work well for you. Looks like a heck of a boat.