Shore Diving

[CJ's]

We just got a notification on the bottom of our monthly bill saying that they no longer rent tanks offsite. Maybe this hasn't got down to the staff onsite yet...or maybe they know and trust you Nipi!!

 

[Damselfish]

Every time I say there's some shore diving on GC but mostly at the official shore diving facilities, someone jumps all over me and says there's lots of shore diving. (Applies to LC too, don't know about Brac.) Perhaps true, but this is the problem for visitors - besides that the knowledge about access and conditions is not well documented or obvious (like Bonaire for example), it always seems the status of who can rent tanks to take off site, and at which shops, is too unreliable for someone traveling there to depend on. I've heard "yes you can, no you can't, yes they do, no they don't" for years! It's not exactly encouraged.

 

[cerich]

Here is a link to a guide on shore diving in Grand Cayman. Ian is a good friend and we did all the exploration dives together. The picture he is using on the CD is actually one I took.
http://www.comdive.com/gc.htm

 

[Damselfish]

but what do I breath?

 

[cerich]

Divers Supply in the West Shore Center (Pink Mall by Wendys). They are anal about the VIP and hydro on the tanks. They can also get Nitrox if you want, most of the time they just have a couple on hand so let them know how many you figure you'll need and they WILL have them on hand for you. They are open at 8am and close at 6pm or 8pm (they have had a staff shortage thus the 6pm but had planned to be back to 8pm by this month)

Tell Ales (manager) I sent you!

Best,

Chris

 

[CJ's]

but what do I breath?

:huh: As mentioned in earlier posts Divers Supply in the West Shore centre (next to Wendy's!) rents tanks and their opening hours are convenient for just about everybody!
Yes, you can take their tanks "offsite", guaranteed. It would be a pretty boring dive otherwise as they are landlocked.

As I said before however these tanks are only useful to you if you are going to a shore dive site which does not have a dive shop present (or if you go to a place after the dive shop is closed!)

 

[nipi]

We just got a notification on the bottom of our monthly bill saying that they no longer rent tanks offsite. Maybe this hasn't got down to the staff onsite yet...or maybe they know and trust you Nipi!!

I think perhaps we get special dispensation. For non West Bay dives though Divers Supply has to be the best bet at the moment until Don Fosters get their extra tanks here. Another option for residents is to buy a tank - Peter Milburn's currently selling some of his for CI$50.00 each - they're 72s I think if that bothers anyone & recently inspected. Doesn't help visitors though of course.

 

[cerich]

If you are planning to dive a location that has a diveshop, then it's just polite and mostly required to rent from the on location dive shop. There are tons of great shore dives that even many locals (which I was for 5 years) aren't aware of. The important thing is to be aware of the property owners and respectful. Quite a few of the truly great virgin dives are not an easy entrance and involve some swimming. Pick a bad current day not being familar with the site and you'll find yourself a few hours later flagging a fisherman or dive boat down.

Unless you work in hospitality and the crazy hours buying a tank is a PITA, it's cheaper to rent. I had a circle of friends who did work in hospitality and a dive at 3am was at least a weekly event so we needed our own (plus I taught an awful lot outside of normal work hours)

You could shore dive Grand Cayman for the rest of your life and never get bored and see new things that you have never seen before on a regular basis.

 

[nipi]

Cerich - what's your favourite shore site?

We're planning to do The Gallery this w/end.