Staying in Cayman Kai and Need a Dive Operator

[grkmbee]

I need some advice. My family and I are staying at a condo in Cayman Kai (close to Rum Point) this August and we are looking for a dive operator. There are three divers; two of whom are Open water with >30 dives. The other one is a Master Scuba Diver but hasn't dove in a year (pregnancy has that effect).

I was looking into Ocean Frontiers after reading many positive things regarding them. However, my concern is threefold:
1) They are located on the east end and I've read that diving there can be very rough/seas are choppy. With some of the people in our group being prone to sea sickness, this could be a problem. Also, being not the most agile/experienced divers, I worry that it may be out of our leauge. Is August any different in terms of sea conditions? Do they dive any western locations?
2)Also, one of the members of our group is an air hog (I love him, but still...), and deep dives severely shorten the length of our dive. (Always, respecting nitrogen absorbtion rules, of course) To they offer dives to accommodate this? Is it possible to follow along at a shallower depth or is the beginning/edge of the wall at 80'?
3) Their main location is at the southeastern tip of the island. Not exactly a short drive. They have another location off with Reef Resort...but do they allow people not staying at the hotel to dive there? Do the areas of the island that are dived differ between the two locations?

Also, another question for people who have dived with OF, is there a dive guide in the water?

Ideally, there would be a great dive shop up at Rum Point. (How is Red Sail Sports?...I've heard not always positive things about them.) Do you know of any operations (other than private charters, which seem to be a little to expensive for just 3 divers) that would pick up in the Rum Point area?

The drive to other dive shops along 7MB is long (not to mention that gas isn't getting any cheaper!). Also, there are other family members (mom and baby) who are staying back and we would rather be spending time with them rather than commuting.

So is there any solution? The condo is booked so that isn't going to change...plus we love the relaxed location of Rum Point. I'm starting to think that maybe I should have looked into the diving more before proceeding with other plans.

I really appreciate all your comments and advice and look forward to reading!

 

[Fredkin]

try Absolute divers

 

[ianr33]

1) They are located on the east end and I've read that diving there can be very rough/seas are choppy. With some of the people in our group being prone to sea sickness, this could be a problem. Also, being not the most agile/experienced divers, I worry that it may be out of our leauge. Is August any different in terms of sea conditions? Do they dive any western locations?
2)Also, one of the members of our group is an air hog (I love him, but still...), and deep dives severely shorten the length of our dive. (Always, respecting nitrogen absorbtion rules, of course) To they offer dives to accommodate this? Is it possible to follow along at a shallower depth or is the beginning/edge of the wall at 80'?
3) Their main location is at the southeastern tip of the island. Not exactly a short drive. They have another location off with Reef Resort...but do they allow people not staying at the hotel to dive there? Do the areas of the island that are dived differ between the two locations?

Also, another question for people who have dived with OF, is there a dive guide in the water?

Ideally, there would be a great dive shop up at Rum Point. (How is Red Sail Sports?..

1) August is probably pretty good for sea conditions. If the sea is rough OF will most likely pick sites that are a short ride and maybe even come back to the dock for surface intervals if needed (been there done that!)

2) the edge of the wall is generally around 60 feet. Should be OK to do the dive at that level but talk to them first about it.

3)The location at the Reef is just an office (maybe some retail??) All diving is from their main location.

They will have a guide in the water on the first,deep,dive for sure. Probably on the second dive as well. Second dive you can either follow the divemaster or do your own thing.

Red Sail ? drive to OF! Its not that far and its scenic.

If you want a change of scene make a day of it and shore dive with Sundivers at the Turtle Farm or Divetech at Lighthouse Point (Both in West Bay) in the morning,then another shore dive or 2 in the afternoon at Sunset House. Watch the sun go down over a beer at My Bar and pick up some groceries on the way back to Rum Point.

 

[fah]

I just dove with Redsail out of Rum Point and Morritts and was very pleased. From Rum Point to Morritts was about 20 min easy and pretty drive.