Wall to Wall Divers

[Submarinismo]

Just wanted to post a quick report on our trip Nov 28-Dec 5, 2007 to Grand Cayman.

Diving: Wall to Wall
I give this company and 11 out of 10. Our guides were Dusty and Gary, they were awesome. Good guides, fun and entertaining as well (good looking too). We were lucky enough to get to dive the North, West and SouthWest portion of the island. We loved every site they took us to and winter is supposedly the least favorable diving. However, we have fantastic weather and calm water. Giles at Wall to Wall also guided us on Sunday and loved the SouthWest spots he took us to. Highly recommend this company if you are looking for smaller groups and a laid back atmosphere with top notch service.

Accommodations: Christopher Columber Condos
Excellent place to stay and relax on the west end of SMB. Beautiful beach, great pool, and the condo was first rate. Had everything we needed in the kitchen. Lisa, the manager, was excellent. Will be booking here again. Snorkeling is great just off the condos and up a little west.

 

[Scuba_Newbie_Doo]

We must have just crossed paths. My wife and I stayed at the Christopher Columbus condos from Dec 1st-11th. We also dove with Deep Blue Divers, who share docks and shop space at the Lobster Pot with Wall-to-Wall.

Both outfits seem to cater to the smaller crowds, in fact on one of our outings with Deep Blue Divers to Stingray City, we were joined by a Wall-to-Wall dive master, Ivan.

Sounds like we all had a great time. We certainly plan on making the Caymans a regular vacation spot.

 

[barrmust]

We will be staying there this June and would some info about the condos. What do they provide in the kitchen and is there a grocery store close by? What are the average prices for food in GC.

I have heard that it is pricey but something one person considers pricey another my not. Like what does a loaf of bread cost at the store or lunch out at a casual place for a burger and fries.

Does the condo have elevators? Is the beach in front of the hotel nice? How is the diving from the beach? What size unit did you stay in? We are renting the 3bedroom penthouse and we wondering what it will be like. Thanks for the help.

 

[Scuba_Newbie_Doo]

My apologies to Submarinismo, it's not my intent to take over this thread. But to answer Barrmust's questions:

-the kitchens at the Christopher Columbus Condos are equipped with the basic eating and cooking utensils (a dozen sets of knives, forks, spoons, as well as numerous pots and pans).

-there's two Fosters grocery stores on 7-Mile Beach, one at the Strands Shopping Center and a smaller one in West Bay (north of the condos). Be aware the stores are closed on Sunday, so do your shopping by Saturday (I believe they're open late ~11pm).

-we live in Manhattan, but even we were surprised by the cost. The prices are in Caymanian dollars, so your final bill will be 25% higher. Groceries for us cost about 30% more than what we would have paid here.

-the condos did NOT have elevators; we stayed on the third floor as well and had to lug our scuba gear up and down (as well as the groceries).

-the beach in front/back is well maintained. Not that interesting for snorkeling. Down the way at the Poinsettia Apts/Condo beach is the Wreck of the Gamma and up the road, near the cemetery, the fish are more abundant.

I hope that helps.

 

[Jamini]

I think they might be affilliated with OFF the Wall divers, both great outfits! I've been diving with Danny at Off the Wall a few times now and after diving with quite a few outfits on Grand Cayman and Little Cayman I give them the highest praise.

 

[Cayman Cow]

I must concur with Submarinismo about Wall to Wall divers...they were an 11 out of 10 for us as well. Giles helped us coordinate our trip just a few weeks ago in Grand Cayman. We dove with Dusty and Gary for all 3 days we went on boat dives and they also took us to Stingray City. They were very engaging, knowledgeable, professional and experienced. We had fantastic dives and fun conversation. They chose only the best dive spots, taking into consideration weather, current, our experience and what we wanted to see most. They provided as much, or as little, support as the diver wanted. Their boat was kept in good order, easy to enter/exit and there was ample room to stow any gear and move around. All in all it was a great experience for us and we'd highly recommend diving with Wall to Wall in Grand Cayman!

 

[trevorr77]

My apologies to Submarinismo, it's not my intent to take over this thread. But to answer Barrmust's questions:

-the kitchens at the Christopher Columbus Condos are equipped with the basic eating and cooking utensils (a dozen sets of knives, forks, spoons, as well as numerous pots and pans).

-there's two Fosters grocery stores on 7-Mile Beach, one at the Strands Shopping Center and a smaller one in West Bay (north of the condos). Be aware the stores are closed on Sunday, so do your shopping by Saturday (I believe they're open late ~11pm).

-we live in Manhattan, but even we were surprised by the cost. The prices are in Caymanian dollars, so your final bill will be 25% higher. Groceries for us cost about 30% more than what we would have paid here.

-the condos did NOT have elevators; we stayed on the third floor as well and had to lug our scuba gear up and down (as well as the groceries).

-the beach in front/back is well maintained. Not that interesting for snorkeling. Down the way at the Poinsettia Apts/Condo beach is the Wreck of the Gamma and up the road, near the cemetery, the fish are more abundant.

I hope that helps.

I didn't try this...but did anyone try heading out of 7 mile to do their shopping? I wonder if the food is cheaper out where the residents do their shopping...anyone know if that is true??

 

[CJ's]

I hate to break the news but residents do their shopping in exactly the same places as tourists do. We also pay the same prices that tourists do!

 

[Alex777]

Yep, as CJ says, sad but true.