Turtle Reef

[laningham23]

My girlfriend and I will be in Grand Cayman on July 10 with Carnival Cruise Lines. We have decided on some shore diving and were going back and forth between sunset house and turtle reef. We thought we had finally decided on turtle reef until our local dive shop in Tennessee started talking about how good sunset house was. Just wanting to get some opinions on which is better. Is it worth it to go to turtle reef instead of sunset house? I know sunset house is a lot closer to the port and would probably be more convienent, but if turtle reef is worth the drive we definitely don't mind making the trip.

 

[EastEndDiver]

I prefer Turtle Reef.I believe there are lots more marine critters to see especially the large schools of Tarpon.I have dove both places many times.

 

[Lopez116]

+1 for Turtle Reef although the weather may dictate where you dive.

 

[diversteve]

Turtle Reef is a better dive than Sunset House in terms of what you'll see. Unless you want to see the mermaid or possibly the Atlantis sub drive by. For a 1 day on Cayman shore dive TR is probably the best.

We didn't see as much interesting stuff at Sunset House - mostly reef fish. We swam all the way out to the Nicholson wreck - kind of a wasted effort as it's just an old landing craft. And the area around the mermaid was a little sparse.

At Turtle Reef there's always a group of Tarpon south of the entry - they've been there since the 1st time we went in 2003 and Turtles as they get released from the Turtle Farm across the street - both as part of their program and during hurricanes. Also one dive at Turtle Reef we saw about 20 eagle rays go flying overhead. They don't show it on the video but there's one area where the mini-wall is more vertical, it's literally solid with fans, soft corals, fish etc. You almost don't know where to look first.

Turtle Reef Scuba « iDive Global Locations

Either is a simple entry, both have good food - My Bar at Sunset House, Macabuca Tiki Bar at Turtle Reef. So either would be good for the day. If you catch a cab, you could be up there in about 20mins. - depending on SMB traffic. In July, weather shouldn't be a factor. We were there over the 4th, it was clear and sunny all week.

 

[billinwilliamston]

@lopez116 is absolutely correct about the weather. If possible don't make a decision until you're on-island then call. I think the correct phone numbers are Sun Divers (Turtle Reef) 1-345-947-6606, Sunset Divers (Sunset House) 1-345-946-6789.

 

[Doctorfish]

I echo Diversteve. The people at your LDS are totally out of touch. Turtle reef is a much better site. Sunset has had a lot more dive pressure over the years and there is less alive. Turtle reef is a miniwall at the NW corner of the island with a lot of nutrients coming past so the soft corals, sponges etc. are much healthier and in my opinion, there are a lot more fish including 20-30 tarpon. The on site dive shop at Turtle Reef is very good as well. Owned by a Caymanian, Olin Miller, who seems a bit crusty but runs a good safe op with quality rental gear if you need it. If the conditions aren't safe, he pulls out the ladder.

We often go up there for a two tank afternoon as going north and south are very different dives. We have frequently seen turtles, rays, lots of eels, as well as the tarpon at Turtle Reef. The only time we dive Sunset is if the wind and waves are coming from the Northwest so that Turtle Reef is blown out. It is our last choice. I'm not saying Sunset is bad, just that Turtle Reef is much better.

The bar/restaurants are comparable at both sites.

Lighthouse Point is on the same miniwall as Turtle Reef and has comparable diving and a good shop, but there was no bar there in the fall when we were last there. I gather that a small restaurant has opened since.



If the weather is good, Cobalt Coast is a great shore dive as well, but even further from town.

 

[Damselfish]

Sunset House is ok and may be more convienient, but for quality of the diving Turtle Reef is way better.

 

[laningham23]

Alright thank you all! I think we are gonna do turtle reef, it sounds like a much better dive. Is the weather being too rough to dive there common? Or just something I need to check on before I go?

 

[Lopez116]

When I was there last August, it was perfect for a week straight. This last trip (April) it was blown out for a few days. From talking to other divers there, I think it's kind of a crap shoot. When the winds blow from the north (i.e. just look at the palm trees), it may be too rough up there. But, just because it's calm and glassy down south and in George Town, doesn't mean it will be that way up north.

I have gotten into the habit of making a quick phone call to Sundivers from the hotel before I drive up. They'll be straight with you.