Dive Ops in Grand Cayman, which one(s)?

[hul kogan]

Ok, I'm going to look toward those that have had experience with dive operations in Grand Cayman before on this one...who is the best? Throw out names/experiences/prices, if you'd like! I leave for Grand Cayman in a few weeks and I'd like to book ahead or be prepared to visit certain operators when I get there. I've looked at quite a few on the web.

This will be my first OW dive in the ocean, so I don't really want to be jumping in off a 'cattle' boat. I'm not traveling with a dive partner so I'd like to get paired up with the DM, if at all possible, since I'm still a newb (just finishing up my OW cert next week, right in time to leave. :bigeyes:

 

[billsreef]

Last trip I made there, I dove with Ocean Frontiers. Very good operation. They are on the east end of island and do sites on the east end and north wall.

With traveling solo, most operations will look to pair you up with another dive on the boat. The DM usually does not make a good dive buddy as you would think, as they are busy looking out for everyone and playing tour guide for everyone.

 

[hul kogan]

Good to hear another recommendation for Ocean Frontiers. They are also recommended by the place that we are staying. It doesn't appear that they do any shore dives, which seems to be common with a number of other operations on the island.

Interesting point in regards to the DM, I didn't think of it that way. I'm sure no one will want to be paired with a fresh fish like me, but I hope that doesn't mean I'll be partnered up with another novice. Is that how they normally handle pairing people?

 

[billsreef]

I'm surprised there are ops doing much shore diving. Last time I was there the only shore diving was next to the Turtle Farm, Eden's Rock/Devil's Grotto, and the Sunset House.

There is a dive shop under the Cracked Conch resteraunt (next to Turtle Farm), with a ladder entry to get you in and out along the iron shore. It's an excellent dive site, also good for snorkeling. The dive shop can probably hook you up with a dive buddy for that site.

Eden's Rock/Devil's Grotto is just outside of George Town with easy entry. Used to be a dive shop there, but they were out of business last couple visits. It's also a good snorkel site, as well as an easy shore dive.

Sunset House is Cathy Church's hotel and dive op, just a short way east of Eden's Rock. Similar diving also.

With pairing up single divers, they typically ask on the boat if anyone needs a buddy. If you are the only single, they will likely find a pair that will take you along. When they do pair you up with someone (even if it's a DM), keep in mind you are now diving with a stranger. Consider yourself as diving solo with company, and keep a close eye on your gauges. It's easy to get absorbed in the new experience and excitement of the reef and forget to keep tabs on your air and depth. Don't expect someone else to do it for you, and don't assume your buddy (or anyone else in the group) is paying attention to theirs either. It's also easy to loose track of depth on the walls, they drop pretty straight down to about 3,000 - 4,000 feet. So I'll repeat myself, watch your gauges

 

[hul kogan]

Thanks for the insights, Bill!

The LDS I am certifying through wants to refer me to a dive op called Dive 'N Stuff. I checked out there website and it looks like a smaller op, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. I'd rather not get mixed up in one of the 'cattle' boats. They seem to provide a more personal experience with a boat that caters to the West/South side and another that hits the North Wall and Stingray City (when the weather is cooperating). A quick search of their name on Google will turn up the site, if you're curious. Their prices seem fair so I might take up my LDS on the referral.

In other news, I did my first two OW checkout dives last Friday. Water was about 60 degrees on the surface and down to around 52 by 30ish feet. I'll be doing my last two tomorrow at the same site. I'm getting excited for Cayman next week!

 

[billsreef]

Small ops are definitely better than the cattle boats. I'm not familiar with that particular one, but if your LDS is recommending them based on actual experience it is likely a decent outfit.

Your local water temps sound pretty good. We're just hitting 50 at the surface now. Haven't gotten in yet this year, hoping to get wet this weekend

 

[Monkeyfish]

Haven't been there yet, but on my August trip I'm booked with DiveTech http://www.divetech.com/. The op was well spoken of and they're attached to a nice resort that's away from the touristy areas. I've never heard anyone say other than good things about Ocean Frontiers.

 

[billsreef]

IIRC Dive Tech is Bob Soto's operation. The dive op that carries his name was sold by him, his wife started the Cracked Conch restaurant and he later opened Dive Tech under the restaurant.

 

[hul kogan]

Well, we arrived back from our week in GC very early Sunday morning. We were greeted by severe storms and tornadoes that ravaged parts of the area. One of the tornado paths came within a few miles of our house, but luckily that's all the closer it got.

The trip was amazing! I haven't been to GC for six years, so it was really nice to be back. I did 8 dives while there, all with Dive 'N Stuff (http://www.divenstuff.net/). They were all boats dives, with six on the North side and two on the West. I can't recommend DNS more, they were absolutely great! Dusty runs a first-class operation and it was really an absolute pleasure. His two other divemasters, Jerry and Lisa, were fantastic, as well. The most people I dove with was 7 on one day, the others dives were 4-6. So if you're after a personal experience, this is certainly an operation where you won't just be a number.

So many highlights that I can think of but my favorite moment was probably swimming along with a sea turtle. Close enough that I could have grabbed onto its shell. It was awesome to see it one so close in its natural habitat (and not frightened at all!). My favorite dive site would have to be Trinity Caves on the West side. There is just something about going through a cavern 100 ft below the surface with the end opening to the wall drop off that's just amazing!

 

[brandon429]

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Reading this brought me back to '96 where we stayed in the original cayman diving lodge outside of boddentown east end, the way it looked for the movie
"the firm"

then ivan wiped it out in 2004 sad sad sad. on google maps I could only see the dock where I took my first submersion!!!!!!!!!!!

Have the built the new lodge, and is it still owned by a dentist named John from Lubbock Tx is what Id like to know. I was able to travel vicariously back in time nice post, pics would be nice eh
B