Recommendations for dive op for Kittiwake, uv night dive, stingray city dive

[terramar]

We're going to be in Grand Cayman, at the Compass Point Resort from June 6 to 12. We're staying at Compass Point, and are diving with them each morning.

We'd also like to do a Kittiwake dive one afternoon, but they may be full up, so I'm looking for a recommendation for a different operation to do this. Any suggestions?

Likewise, they offer Stingray City snorkel trips. But the 4 of us are certified divers - would this be better as a dive trip rather than snorkel?

And we'd like to do a UV night dive, but their one night of the week is tuesday, the day we arrive, and I don't think my kids first dive in almost a year should be a night dive - probably better for them to get a few dives in first.

So I'm hoping to find another operator for this for a different night.

Can anyone make some good recommendations?

Thanks-

Tom

 

[Joneill]

We're going to be in Grand Cayman, at the Compass Point Resort from June 6 to 12. We're staying at Compass Point, and are diving with them each morning.

We'd also like to do a Kittiwake dive one afternoon, but they may be full up, so I'm looking for a recommendation for a different operation to do this. Any suggestions?

Likewise, they offer Stingray City snorkel trips. But the 4 of us are certified divers - would this be better as a dive trip rather than snorkel?

And we'd like to do a UV night dive, but their one night of the week is tuesday, the day we arrive, and I don't think my kids first dive in almost a year should be a night dive - probably better for them to get a few dives in first.

So I'm hoping to find another operator for this for a different night.

Can anyone make some good recommendations?

Thanks-

Tom

Don Fosters and Divertech do Kittiwake dives - just don’t do it on a day with cruise ships in port or the site will be crowded.

Divetech also does a Stinray City dive trip (on the deeper (12 ft) site and not the sandbar where the masses are. They also do a UV night dive on the excellent miniwall right off their shop. They sometimes do a night Kittiwake dive too!

 

[caydiver]

Almost every one does them. Personally I think Stingray City is awesome whether you go to the dive site (13 to 15ft) or the Sandbar (5 to 7ft). Most ops take both snorkelers and divers to Stingray City (to fill up the boats) and of course the Sandbar is walking around. Don't worry about the cruise ships. They are in everyday (I think only Disney on Sundays right now) but because of the cruise ship schedule they are on a different timetable that the trips that go out with stay over visitors. It is very rare that you find day guests and stayover guests on the same boats/schedules. Because they tender guests, cruisers need to be on their way back to the port in the afternoon rather than on a dive boat anyway. That said the cruise ship schedule is slated to be revised so in the future that may be different. Many smaller ops will do the night dive whenever there are enough guests signed up to do it, so if you can pick and choose what would suit you best. With regard to the afternoon Kittiwake you will be better off with a six pack. The bigger boats go out around 1 so it might be an issue getting back from the morning and driving up catch a 1 pm boat. However with the smaller ops can customize especially for four

 

[terramar]

I talked to Divetech. While it sounds wonderful, their kittiwake dive leaves at 12:30, and there's no way we'd be able to get all the way across the island (they estimated 60-90 minute drive) in time for that, when we're doing two dives with Compass Point each morning.

Are there operations that leave a bit later, or from somewhere around georgetown? I know that the wreck itself is by West Bay, so it would be a longer boat ride, but at least maybe we could get there in time!

 

[Saboteur]

I talked to Divetech. While it sounds wonderful, their kittiwake dive leaves at 12:30, and there's no way we'd be able to get all the way across the island (they estimated 60-90 minute drive) in time for that, when we're doing two dives with Compass Point each morning.

Are there operations that leave a bit later, or from somewhere around georgetown? I know that the wreck itself is by West Bay, so it would be a longer boat ride, but at least maybe we could get there in time!

Try Cayman University divers. They leave out of West bay docks or the yacht club. They have a small (6 max) fast boat and maybe they can accomodate your group.

 

[diversteve]

If I'm not mistaken - they make reservations for the Kittiwake for dive operators so possibly CITA has a lis of those with later times. www.cita.ky

afaik most SRC dives are in the afternoon - many shops use the same boat after they've done their morning 2 tanks.

Ocean Frontiers books the Kittiwake so their trip may be more East End accommodating. I believe they use a west side shop for tha actual dive.

All the Kittiwake operators are listed here; Dive 365

 

[Joneill]

Almost every one does them. Personally I think Stingray City is awesome whether you go to the dive site (13 to 15ft) or the Sandbar (5 to 7ft). Most ops take both snorkelers and divers to Stingray City (to fill up the boats) and of course the Sandbar is walking around. Don't worry about the cruise ships. They are in everyday (I think only Disney on Sundays right now) but because of the cruise ship schedule they are on a different timetable that the trips that go out with stay over visitors. It is very rare that you find day guests and stayover guests on the same boats/schedules. Because they tender guests, cruisers need to be on their way back to the port in the afternoon rather than on a dive boat anyway. That said the cruise ship schedule is slated to be revised so in the future that may be different. Many smaller ops will do the night dive whenever there are enough guests signed up to do it, so if you can pick and choose what would suit you best. With regard to the afternoon Kittiwake you will be better off with a six pack. The bigger boats go out around 1 so it might be an issue getting back from the morning and driving up catch a 1 pm boat. However with the smaller ops can customize especially for four

I would absolutey worry about the # of cruise ships in port if going to Stingray City (the sandbar - not the dive site) as it can be an absolute parking lot out there on morning trips. I know 2 people who did a morning trip when cruise ships were in and there was like 10 boats there packed to the gills with cruisers - to the point they had a hard time getting to any rays.

We have always gone on a day when no crusie ships are in or an afternoon trip if they are in port. A much nicer experience as you almost have the sandbar to yourself and the attention of many rays. This was one of our trips with no ships in port = awesome and uncrowded:

Versus a cruise ship day:

 

[Joneill]

I talked to Divetech. While it sounds wonderful, their kittiwake dive leaves at 12:30, and there's no way we'd be able to get all the way across the island (they estimated 60-90 minute drive) in time for that, when we're doing two dives with Compass Point each morning.

Are there operations that leave a bit later, or from somewhere around georgetown? I know that the wreck itself is by West Bay, so it would be a longer boat ride, but at least maybe we could get there in time!

Agreed - you’d be hard pressed to get to Divetech by 12:30. We dive it with Don Fosters and they have a 1:30 check-in Sat dive that should be easy to make.

However, Ocean Frontiers also runs their Kittiwake dive on Tuesdays and it leaves at 2 from the Lobster Pot dock in Georgetown - that should be easy to make after a morning 2 tank with OF and keeps your booking through OF.

 

[jgttrey]

I would absolutey worry about the # of cruise ships in port if going to Stingray City (the sandbar - not the dive site) as it can be an absolute parking lot out there on morning trips.

True that.

But, you can check the Port Authority website and see how many ships are in port and pick a good day in advance.

Also, if you go early, you can beat the crowd. But, if there are 3 ships in port and you go at 9 or something, it's terrible.

Same same if you are interested in Turtle Farm, g-town shopping or anything else you'd rather not experience with 10,000 folks coming off the cruise ships. Just plan around it.

 

[Joneill]

True that.

But, you can check the Port Authority website and see how many ships are in port and pick a good day in advance.

Also, if you go early, you can beat the crowd. But, if there are 3 ships in port and you go at 9 or something, it's terrible.

Same same if you are interested in Turtle Farm, g-town shopping or anything else you'd rather not experience with 10,000 folks coming off the cruise ships. Just plan around it.

Right - That is what I was said: avoid these places when the ships are in.