Recommended Dive Operators in Grand Cayman

[1KWIK_69]

If we decide to go with someone other than Sunset, we'll probably just drive up to meet the boat. The rest of our group are all staying at 7 mile beach anyway. We'll
have a rental car.

 

[Damselfish]

I don't know about another op picking up at Sunset House pier, it doesn't seen like something that would be done for several reasons. Aside from any competition thing, Cayman isn't a place where they run from pier to pier (most places don't even have them) to pick people up - the boat is waiting someplace convenient to where they plan to dive, and people are picked up by van or whatever. That's much more efficient there.

I would normally say it makes no sense to stay at Sunset House and dive with someone else, since IMO the only reason to stay there is the convenience of the whole arrangement. It's been longer since I stayed there but I was never too impressed by the dive op when I did. They certainly still have the same crappy slow boats they've had forever, actually worse since the Manta seems to be long gone. So if you're committed to staying there, it might be worth driving someplace else or getting picked up (by vehicle.) There are much better dive ops (and much nicer places to stay.)

 

[diversteve]

I'd have to agree, I liked Sunset House for shorediving (and My Bar) but I wouldn't stay there unless I was diving with them. Actually I wouldn't stay there anyway, it's too in-town for me - especially since you've got to run the cruise-ship gauntlet to go north. If there's 2-3 ships in port (typically), it's a huge pita driving through Georgetown. And since you're driving on the other side of street, the cruisers are oblivious and step out in front of you - even more than usual.

And did I mention the jets? Look at a Cayman map - notice that the end of the runway points directly at Sunset House. Not that it's very often but they're still low when they go over.

You might check with Neptune's also, in the winter some of the diveops move a boat south so you might be closer to them than you think.

 

[divesergeant]

RE: Sunset House

I was trying to be kind of delicate about it, in case they've improved lately, but it sounds like my memory of Sunset House might still be accurate.

I think Sunset's biggest attraction is convenience. Still, we've always found Neptune's, DiveTech and Ocean Frontiers to be head and shoulders above our Sunset experience and well worth the driving to get to the dive boat.

Of course for me, having the planes going right over head is a bonus for Sunset House. I love airplane noise!

DS

 

[diversteve]

From what I've read - haven't been there in a couple of years - they did do a lot of renovation after Ivan? hit them pretty hard. At least I think the rooms were renovated. I think My Bar was closed for a time due to roof damage also.

 

[1KWIK_69]

Sunset House runs a good operation.They basically dive the west side .

We're wanting to do a 2 tank on the East end our last day on the island but I'm not finding any operators over there that aren't "all inclusive" resorts that require you stay with them or at least book three days of diving minimum. Do you know any places on
that end that will book just one day?

 

[1KWIK_69]

Thanks everyone for all the usefull info. I've been wanting to go to Grand Cayman for years and it took my nephew getting married there to finally plan a trip. I think we'll be happy staying at Sunset. I've heard it's a good place with great Indian food and I like the idea of having decent shore diving right there for doing a check out dive and maybe some night diving. Plus the price was right for my 4th dive trip in the past 10 months. Since this is my first trip to the island, I'm using it to sample different operators and dive sites to find out more about the place for my next trip. I love this site. Just learning how the shops operate makes being a member all worth doing. In Cozumel the operators boat from one hotel peer to the next to pick up the divers. I'm glad I now know it doesn't work that way in GCM. We've reserved a little bubble clown car so we'll be able to get wherever we need to be to go out on the boats.

 

[Daz]

The East End Op is Ocean Frontiers. There are no AI only resorts out east. OF does have condos, but they don't require you to stay there to dive with them. The Reef does now offer AI as an option, but that's for meals/drinks and has nothing to do with diving. Their dive op is OF.

I don't know where you're hearing about EE AI only dive ops - I'm not aware of any AI only dive ops out East End and I've been going there regularly since '99.

If you want to dive East End, Ocean Frontiers is the op to use..

 

[1KWIK_69]

Great! I hadn't found Ocean Frontiers site yet. That looks like a winner. The Cayman Diving Lodge is the one that only sells AI packages according to their web site.

 

[slowjen2000]

Recently dove with dive tech in November 2008 ,and the owner of the dive shop was great and accomodating. This is the only area I have dove.The reefs were a little beaten down in this area. Sting ray city was over rated. Shore diving was awful and it was easy to get lost. I would not recommend this unless they visiably mark this area. The guided tours were wonderful and very informative. The rooms at cobalt coast has a bad smell and had ants in the room. The food was good but repetitious. I would use Dive Tech again but would definitely stay at another hotel. I heard Ocean frontiers was great I would check them out. Good luck and have a great time.