Reef Divers/Brac Reef diving question

[diverrex]

My wife and I are thinking of a quick week to Brac Reef Resort. We have become spoiled from using small 6 pack boats and it concerns us that Reef Divers may take out as many as 20 divers on a trip. We haven't done that in years and swore we never would again. Does anyone who has been diving with them have any comments about Reef Divers and the dive group size?

 

[SEVADiver]

We were there last week. Our boat had between 12-16 divers everyday. But the boat is large and very well layed out (a 46' Newton Dive boat). So there was lots of space on the boat and we never felt cramped. In the water you can follow the dive master or go on your own. We usually lagged the group and did our own thing, but kept them in sight so we knew where we were. No pressure on dive times either. And the valet diving was great for us lazy types.

 

[AggieDiver]

I agree with SEVA, the groups I was out with were usually 12-16 people (or less a few days), but the boats are large with alot of open space. With 3 entry locations and 2 ladders to exit on, there really isn't a problem with group size. The dives are all from moored locations with little current, so you don't have to follow the DM/group and can do your own thing. It is called valet diving, and once you have experienced it, it is hard to enjoy going back to any other way of diving.

 

[diverrex]

Thanks SEVADiver and AggieDiver or the feedback on Reef Divers. So you both liked the op, how was the diving? Was there a lot of fish and of an interesting variety?

 

[BDSC]

Just to let you know if you don't know already, they are running a heck of a deal for the first three weeks of October. One person pays and one goes for free. I think it works out to be a little over $900 each and thats for all meals and 17 dives for the week.

We were there back in May and the diving was really good. Over the week our group actually spotted three hammerhead sharks as well as several nurse sharks. The fish life is abundant with the typical caribbean type of fish, turtles, rays, corals, etc. We even got to see the divemasters kill some lionfish and then watch the ever friendly grouper eat them right off the stick.

Like the others have said, the dive boats never feel crowded. I do video so a lot of the time I would be one of the first in and then we would go off and do our own thing. I don't think you'll be disappointed with the diving, the boats, or the crew. The resort itself is beautiful and the food is awesome!

 

[Deac in the Wake]

I've gone out with them many times over the last ten years. You will not dive with a better operation than Reef Divers. Mick, Ian, BJ, Manny, Jen, Brett, Barbara, Video Ed et al are consummate dive professionals. They make diving fun but always safe. I've never had a single complaint about anything with Reef Divers. You can be on a boat with as many as 13-15 divers but while that may sound daunting, they manage the group with smooth efficiency. Other times, there may be only 5 or 6 on board. The valet service includes them bringing you your dive rig while you sit on the stern platform to lessen divers standing in lines, shuffling aft to dive in.

Perhaps it's the contrast from being on vacation on Brac and the relaxing way of life there, but it never ceases to amaze me how hard the crew at Reef Divers works. They're just great people.

 

[SEVADiver]

I agree with BDSC..a very healthy marine environment. Reef Divers is currently the only dive op on the island, so the reefs don't get a lot of "traffic." I'm jealous, we didn't see any hammerheads! But we did spend about 20 minutes on our last dive laying in the sand watching a spotted eagle ray feed...at very close range. The Tibbets is a nice wreck dive and has a residence goliath grouper that is pretty impressive.

 

[caymaniac]

Last time we dove with BRBR we had about 7-8 divers, not that many and plenty of room for your gear.
This file fish was hiding up against the channel markers where Reef Divers take the cut on the south side.

Plenty of small stuff to find

Sometimes you see the schools

 

[diverrex]

Thanks for all the info. We dived the East End of Grand Cayman a few years ago and were disppointed with the low number of fish, hopefully Cayman Brac is much better.

 

[caymaniac]

Thanks for all the info. We dived the East End of Grand Cayman a few years ago and were disppointed with the low number of fish, hopefully Cayman Brac is much better.

I've had that same experience, it all depends on how you hit it but generally there are more fish at LC and the Brac. If you bought the dive pkg., you'll get a day diving on LC too, most likely Bloody Bay wall.
If you are looking to see flying gunards on the Brac, ask for "school bus wall", here the wall starts at 90' but in the sand shallows 50-60 are where we've seen the gunards.