West Side dive op recommendations

[mi000ke]

I'm looking for an OP for the first two weeks in May. Most places have spots open and I notice that Living the Dream prices are $95 for a 1 day 2 tanker compared to $110 to $120 for other shops. They all look quite good (and I'm sure they all are) from their websites. LTD says they limit their divers, they have big modern boats, fresh towels, free wetsuits and computers and they have a shop dog so I'm leaning towards them. Anyone have first hand experience with them?

Did my AOW with them a couple of years ago, and just started diving with them again recently (they are one of the few that do an afternoon 2-tank dive, which I like) and they are great. Uncrowded boat, high level of service, good equipment, nice folks. They bring your gear to you while you sit on the dive platform, and take it off for you when you get back on the boat, so if you have a bad back like I do, it makes life just a bit easier. That said, all of the ops I have used on GC are good.

 

[Doctorfish]

Living the Dream is just fine. I've dived with them in the past and enjoyed the experience. Dedicated owners, Gary and Liz; one of whom is usually aboard. Good DMs, big new boats. I am friends with the owner of one of the other shops, but if he were full, would have no problem with LTD as a back up.

 

[Saboteur]

Looks like I'll give LTD a shot...thanks mi000ke and DocFish

 

[dberry]

OP here... I just booked with Living the Dream for my 4 days on 7mi beach. Thanks to all for the advice.

 

[Doctorfish]

Great. Report back.

 

[SJT1961]

Pirate Divers

 

[phuertas]

I'm looking for an OP for the first two weeks in May. Most places have spots open and I notice that Living the Dream prices are $95 for a 1 day 2 tanker compared to $110 to $120 for other shops. They all look quite good (and I'm sure they all are) from their websites. LTD says they limit their divers, they have big modern boats, fresh towels, free wetsuits and computers and they have a shop dog so I'm leaning towards them. Anyone have first hand experience with them?

Yes, we used them in December of last year and I highly recommend them! In fact, we have another trip scheduled in October and already booked them. They are truly valet service! From the pickup and drop off at your hotel/condo to getting your gear on when you are on the boat. They bring it to you at the edge of the boat so you just have to put it on and step into the water. They limit the number of divers so it is never crowded and the dive masters are really knowledgeable. They make sure not to duplicate sites for divers that have been with them for a few days. Great company and they just got a new boat!

 

[Doctorfish]

Almost every operator on the West Side provides valet service as per phuertas description above. LTD is a good operator as are pretty much all of them. Every poster seems to have a favorite but hard to go wrong.

 

[Alucard]

I agree with Doctorfish - what phuertas describes is similar to what I have have experienced on Grand Cayman, with three different dive ops (Divetech, InDepth Watersports and Cayman University Divers). I am personally a fan of looking after my own gear, so get a tad nervous when someone sets up for me, but that usually just means I need to double-check things before I enter the water. The boat captains will usually vary the sites so that regular visitors get to dive a variety of sites, often canvassing folks on board to find out which sites they have been to this trip.

 

[Doctorfish]

I like to set up my own gear as well. Most ops will be happy to let you do so if you ask. Just get to the boat early to be able to do so.