SHore Diving ~ Grand Cayman

[Wijbrandus]

I agree with the shore excursion idea. Not only does it give you a secure place to keep your equipment, but you have the advantage of local expertise for a reasonable price.

Once you've gotten your "feet wet" in scuba, and are able to read and adjust to changing conditions, you can branch out like this.

The biggest advantage to a shore excursion is that the boat won't leave you behind if for some reason you get back late. Doing your own thing doesn't quite work that way. I've been on five RCCL cruises, and two of them the captain announced we were leaving people behind because they didn't make it back by the deadline. The sites you go to will definitely be newbie friendly, though, because the contracted op has to accomodate the lowest common denominator.

Some of the disadvantages are you will likely be on a cattleboat. The boat will usually be crowded (with other newbs though, so it's not a bad thing entirely). Dive times will sometimes be kept short if you have to go a ways out.

Anyway, if you do go on and do the shore dive, make sure to get plenty of advice from wherever you are getting your tanks and weights. A local DM can warn you of anything you should be aware of.

In fact, you might want to contact them well in advance, explain your situation, and see what they recommend. They might point you to a "secret spot" that is great local diving and where the tourist excursions don't go.

 

[fearnosurf]

Thanks for the very informatie posts!

Turtle Reef @ DIvetech is still sounding good as we will most likely have a few snorkerler's with us as well, so we kinda need the best of both worlds. That Mini wall sounds very interesting as well.

 

[diversteve]

Thanks for the very informatie posts!

Turtle Reef @ DIvetech is still sounding good as we will most likely have a few snorkerler's with us as well, so we kinda need the best of both worlds. That Mini wall sounds very interesting as well.

That would work, one of the Cayman web sites lists Turtle Reef as a snorkel location accessed through the Divetech facility. And it's a great dive, probably more interesting than Sunset House, we went there to get photos with the mermaid and discovered it was pretty good also.