Recommendations for a lone diver in the Caymans

[AndrewA]

I am looking at my first visit to the caymans next spring. I would welcome suggestions for both accomodation and dive operations. I will be on my own for this trip and am just looking for a week or so of good relaxing dives. Thanks in advance

 

[Shark Bait!]

I would suggest Oceans Frontier if you want to stay on the East End or Dive Tech @ Light House point.

Last time i was in Grand Cayman i did a weeks worth of solo dives w/ Oceans Frontier since 90% of the Caymans i know don't dive, and the 10% that did, where in the states. And i have nothing but great things to say about there operation.

 

[Ericthediver]

Dive Tech does not allow solo divers. You have to go on their boat dives, find a buddy or rent one of their "guides."

 

[Alex777]

Dive Tech does not allow solo divers. You have to go on their boat dives, find a buddy or rent one of their "guides."

If you ask a dive op "Do you allow solo diving?" they will always say "No", for liability reasons.

The reality is that almost ALL dive ops allow you to dive solo if you just book and show up alone. On the boat, the DM may try to attach you to some other buddy team but, if that proves difficult or you don't want it, he/she will say something like "Just stay with the group" and - guess what! - you're diving solo. That includes DiveTech.

For shore diving, you will never have a problem finding someone to enter the water with between 9 AM to 330 PM or so. Just get geared up and hang around looking enthused and experienced.

 

[Shark Bait!]

I'm sure the OP meant solo diving as he/she wasn't coming to the island with a diving buddy, not that he wanted to dive by himself. That being said and as Alex has pointed out, everytime i dive in Grand Cayman, i always get on the boat by myself, sometimes i will follow the guide, other times i will swim my own dive profile, if i find someone who is competent enough to insta buddy with, that is cool to. But that doesnt happen to often as alot of people are just vacation divers. All in all if your going to the island solo, you shouldn;t have any problems diving your profile, wheather that be following a guide, insta buddy, or kinda sorta in a way staying with the group. And if you do have any concerns, talk to the DM on the boat, let him know what type of dive profile you want to do, and im more then sure they'll accomodate you.... LOL works for me

 

[Roombaguy]

Hi,

I don't have loads of on-island dive buddies, so I have been solo many times for boat dives and its always easy to match up with 1 or 2 others. I would not worry about this at all. 50% of the time we are an even number on the boat so there is someone else who is quite happy that there is another solo to match up with.

Cheers and happy diving

M.

 

[sunshinecat]

I am also planning a trip without a dive buddy. As a fairly new diver, are there any particular dive operators I should look at that would either provide me a DM as my buddy or have other single divers at my skill level who I could go with? Would it be best to go with a big or small boat if I'm looking to find a buddy?

 

[Alex777]

I am also planning a trip without a dive buddy. As a fairly new diver, are there any particular dive operators I should look at that would either provide me a DM as my buddy or have other single divers at my skill level who I could go with? Would it be best to go with a big or small boat if I'm looking to find a buddy?

No dive op will truly give you a DM as your dive buddy free of additional charge because the DM's job is to be available to everyone on the boat. However, phone the day before and, for an additional fee, most can arrange for a DM to be your buddy.

I think you will find that MOST dive ops here are oriented toward inexperienced divers. That's where the market is. Having said that, I would suggest: Don Foster's or Red Sail Sports. You are more likely to find a compatible buddy on a bigger boat (which these 2 dive ops have).