Shore diving - where?

[pelan-pelan]

Would like to be able to shore dive from the beach/jetty of the hotel.

Is it possible to shore dive on Cayman Brac or Little Cayman - if so where/which hotel?

Same question about Grand Cayman - but excluding Spanish Bay Reef. Which other hotels provide shore diving off their beach?

I also remember from years ago that some of the dive centres had shore diving off their jetty. I remember Eden Rock, but are there any others?

Thanks in advance for the info. I tried a search but couldn't find exactly this info.

 

[Misty89]

Sunset House, Cobalt Coast and the Turtle Farm (old Turtle Farm site) all have nice shore dives.

 

[Damselfish]

Yeah, those are about it for diving from a hotel at GC. Turtle Reef isn't actually at a hotel either, but part of the package if you're diving with Divetech at Cobalt Coast and worth the little extra effort to get there. Note that the shore diving at Cobalt Coast is a bit of a swim, also more exposed to the north and may get blown out sometimes especially during winter. (As much as I like diving from my hotel, I'd rather stay at CC and drive down the road to Turtle Reef, rather than staying at Sunset House and diving there - the quality of both the op, hotel, and shore dive is so much better IMO.)

On Little Cayman, I think you can shore dive from Sam McCoy's.

 

[divingjd]

I've been to Little Cayman Beach Resort and Divi Tiara on Cayman Brac and neither of them has good shore diving from their beaches or piers. I don't think any of the other resorts on either island does either. There is some shore diving at othe places on those islands.

 

[pelan-pelan]

Thanks. Hoping to go out over Christmas and New Year.

Any general comments on the best operations = professional, knowledgeable about the critters and things? Happy to stay in hotel which is near a good operation and make a transfer rather than have to have the dive op on-site.

Any favourite low/mid-range hotels? We like to get out down into town which is why I'm to too keen on Spanish Bay Reef.

I wouldn't want to invite negatives - but are there any bulk-dive style ops which might not suit us as we like to take our time and learn about what we're diving over?

 

[sdwho]

Thanks. Hoping to go out over Christmas and New Year.

Any general comments on the best operations = professional, knowledgeable about the critters and things? Happy to stay in hotel which is near a good operation and make a transfer rather than have to have the dive op on-site.

Any favourite low/mid-range hotels? We like to get out down into town which is why I'm to too keen on Spanish Bay Reef.

I wouldn't want to invite negatives - but are there any bulk-dive style ops which might not suit us as we like to take our time and learn about what we're diving over?

We are devoted fans of Cobalt Coast and Divetech. We just got back from our third visit in the last 18 months. The shore diving at Turtle Reef (which is only five minute drive from Cobalt Coast and Divetech can generally arrange transportation) is fantastic. We did that dive at least two times a day almost every day of our trip and we were still seeing things that we've never seen before (such as a viper moray on a night dive). As for getting out downtown, that would be an issue. We generally rent a car (you can get some pretty good deals if you search) which (a) facilitates our afternoon and night shore diving and (b) let's us go over to Seven Mile Beach and/or G'town for dinner, drinks, shopping, etc. when we want. Its not a terribly long drive.

 

[-hh]

Here's a basic shore diving guide for Cayman Brac. Sorry its a bit dated.

On Little Cayman, there's shore diving from Sam's (as mentioned), plus a couple of other spots that typically require transportation to get to, such as Cumber's Caves. Officially, you're not supposed to dive at Salt Rocks, plus the exit/entry leaves something to be desired. IIRC, the ladder that used to be at Splash House was taken out by Ivan...don't think its been replaced. I have heard of individuals doing the Soto Trader (outside of South Hole Sound) as a shore dive, but as per my map, its a long 500m (EACH WAY) swim...that's further than swimming out to Owen Island, and at least the 'swim' to Owen can be half done as a wade (ie, stand up to rest). Overall, for a lot of this, you need a jeep to get around...its cheaper to go find a PM diveboat.


-hh

 

[Damselfish]

If you were staying at Spanish Bay or especially Cobalt Coast I would suggest getting a car. Cars aren't too expensive on GC. Sure you can survive without one by taking cabs and bumming rides (like from people who did rent a car ) but a car will make your trip much nicer. It is not that long a drive to SMB and restaurants and stuff.

 

[Lightning Fish]

These might help.

Bill.

http://www.shorediving.com/Earth/Caribbean_/Cayman_Islands_/index.htm

http://www.shorediving.com/

 

[pelan-pelan]

Thanks for all the info.

Still looking at dive ops. Neptunes is obviously great but we can't use them as they don't have a marine head on the boat and there are family issues there. One of our tribe still has a "virgin" wetsuit and will not "add to the ocean".

We are looking at Red Sails but they seem to be a bulk carrier. I have emailed them asking how they deal with differing levels of skill and ratio of dive guide to divers.

So - please - any recommendations of ops on Seven Mile? Thanks for mention of divetech but they seem to be "round the corner".

Over Christmas - would it be advisable to book actual days diving? I wonder how busy/crowded diving will be.