Question Trip to Grand Cayman or ?????

[Xterra]

I have been to Cozumel multiple times for diving and know pretty much all the major dive spots, I love them and like the value it offers.
But for my birthday trip I wanted to dive somewhere special and different. I also dived other Caribbean islands, already and been to Belize, Roatan, St. Lucia, Jamaica, Dom Rep, Tobago, Barbados.
How is Grand Cayman and where is a good Dive and sleep Resort? I heard a lot of Sunset House but what other options are there for a 1 week trip?
Solo traveler, always try to find others on the boat to buddy up with, so shore diving is a bit a problem.
Or Turcs and Caicos? Any place in October in the Caribbean that has direct flights from IAH
Thanks for ideas and suggestions

 

[rongoodman]

Little Cayman or Cayman Brac, I wouldn't bother with Grand Cayman. A liveaboard to Turks and Caicos would be my top suggestion.

 

[Snoweman]

Can't say anything about the other two Caymans, but I was very disappointed with Grand Cayman.

Bonaire is fantastic diving, but it's a lot of work compared to someplace like Cozumel. When I go back, I will try to organize more boat dives

 

[ROUS]

Grand Cayman is my go-to destination. Matter of fact, I'll be there in about three weeks. For me, it just offers the best combination of dive sites, dive operators, lodging, and food. I'll be diving with my favorite operator (Just Dive Cayman) and staying at an Airbnb. Many people rent cars, but I'll be on foot. I'm never disappointed by a trip there. That's my $.02.

 

[aquabluegreg]

If you are looking for an alternate destination, Curacao is a great spot, LionsDive Resort. I had a group of 40 there a month ago and they love the resort, dive operation, food and culture. Many will be going back in 2025. Otherwise, skip Grand Cayman. Little Cayman or Cayman Brac. T&C is expensive. If you want to stay in the Caribbean, as suggested a liveaboard might be an option with Explorer Ventures.

 

[scubadada]

Hi @Xterra

I would not give up on Grand Cayman. Consider Compass Point/Ocean Frontiers

Best Cayman Islands Scuba Diving & Snorkeling Trips - Ocean Frontiers

Enjoy Cayman Islands scuba diving or snorkeling with the award-winning dive operator and get ready to be wowed. We also offer PADI dive courses & boat trips.

www.oceanfrontiers.com

They have a special through October.

I would not do Turks & Caicos from land, too far to the dive sites, too much travel time.

 

[tkaelin]

I would also recommend ocean frontiers compass point on east end grand cayman. Great op. Very good diving. My preferred side of the island. Not as developed.

 

[Moondance1]

October is prime hurricane season so consider trip insurance with named storm coverage. We narrowly escaped Beryl while on GC last month.

We visit Grand Cayman often but only when diving on the North wall is most likely (May - November typically). We have been less than impressed with West side diving. We dive with Living The Dream. They are a wonderful full service operation. Fantastic team, excellent boats, new well maintained equipment if you don’t bring your own gear and small groups although we usually just charter the whole boat when we are traveling with two other divers. LTD just opened a small resort, Ocean Cabanas, on the iron shore in West Bay. Wonderful condos and they pick you up for diving every day. Vivo restaurant next door as well as shore diving capabilities. Macabucca, best night dive on the island, is right down the road. They base their boats in the North Sound when diving/sea conditions allow.

We have been diving with Ocean Frontiers in the past but really prefer LTD. Did a trip around the island last month on a non dive day and stopped in to OF for a drink at Eagle Ray cafe - everything looks so tired there but can’t comment on the diving.

 

[abdallas]

October is prime hurricane season so consider trip insurance with named storm coverage. We narrowly escaped Beryl while on GC last month.

We visit Grand Cayman often but only when diving on the North wall is most likely (May - November typically). We have been less than impressed with West side diving. We dive with Living The Dream. They are a wonderful full service operation. Fantastic team, excellent boats, new well maintained equipment if you don’t bring your own gear and small groups although we usually just charter the whole boat when we are traveling with two other divers. LTD just opened a small resort, Ocean Cabanas, on the iron shore in West Bay. Wonderful condos and they pick you up for diving every day. Vivo restaurant next door as well as shore diving capabilities. Macabucca, best night dive on the island, is right down the road. They base their boats in the North Sound when diving/sea conditions allow.

We have been diving with Ocean Frontiers in the past but really prefer LTD. Did a trip around the island last month on a non dive day and stopped in to OF for a drink at Eagle Ray cafe - everything looks so tired there but can’t comment on the diving.

How large are the groups at LTD without chartering your own boat? Thanks for the information!

 

[caymaniac]

I was on Grand Cayman last Spring for 3 weeks. Diving is good there, but not as good as the Brac or Little Cayman. I have been to Brac and Little more than a dozen years and we have been to Grand Cayman to dive maybe six times. The Bracs walls start deeper than Little Caymans walls. There is a touch more sites to dive on the Brac, which is 5 miles from Little Cayman. There isnt much to see on the Sister Islands above water, but is at the top of the Caribbean underwater. If you are choosing between the 3 islands, Choose one of the sisters.