New and needing advice - Cayman's

[SeaCak]

I am newly certified and planning a trip to the Caymans, Cozemel, and Belize. I will be traveling on a cruise ship so I only have one day at each stop.

I am looking for recommendations for my first dive in the Caymans and in Cozemel. Also a dive company that you would suggest I contact. The dive offered by the cruise ship in the Caymans averages 80 ft and that's a little deep for my first open water dive.

I welcome any suggestions!

[mitsuguy]

where in the Caymans are you going??? If you want to take it easy, I'd suggest doing a shore dive or two... within walking distance of the cruise ship dock in Grand Cayman is Eden Rock... The best shore and Boat diving in Cayman

When I was newly certified, I dove there - nice easy, like 40-50 feet, from shore, great coral... not bad at all... just one suggestion...

[obrules15]

Originally Posted by SeaCak

I am newly certified and planning a trip to the Caymans, Cozemel, and Belize. I will be traveling on a cruise ship so I only have one day at each stop.

I am looking for recommendations for my first dive in the Caymans and in Cozemel. Also a dive company that you would suggest I contact. The dive offered by the cruise ship in the Caymans averages 80 ft and that's a little deep for my first open water dive.

I welcome any suggestions!

I would stick to the cruise ship dives. BECAUSE, if something goes wrong and you miss your boat they are responsible for getting you back on. I have done the Cayman dive from the cruise ship 3 times and it was never the described dive so I wouldn't worry so much about the description.

[mitsuguy]

Originally Posted by obrules15

I would stick to the cruise ship dives. BECAUSE, if something goes wrong and you miss your boat they are responsible for getting you back on. I have done the Cayman dive from the cruise ship 3 times and it was never the described dive so I wouldn't worry so much about the description.

Nah, not necessary... not there at least... You can walk to a shore diving spot that's really nice diving... Also, in St. Croix, we deal with cruise ship passengers all the time... Not only do we do the contract work for the ship, but passengers also come to our place for shore diving as well... Not had a problem getting our people back to the ship... Usually they are back with 3-4 hours to spare...

Cruise ship dives are also typically 1.5 -2x the cost as well...

[mselizann]

Eden Rock is a great shore dive- I dive with Don Fosters, right next door. It is pretty shallow, and the coral and fish are beautiful there.

[SeaCak]

Originally Posted by mselizann

Eden Rock is a great shore dive- I dive with Don Fosters, right next door. It is pretty shallow, and the coral and fish are beautiful there.

Thanks for the info.... I will contact Don Fosters and sign up for a guided shore dive. I am the solo diver in the group I am traveling with so connecting with a good dive shop is important. Looking forward to logging some time underwater.

Thanks again.

[DMWiz]

It sounds like you're doing a 7 night western caribbean cruise! That's my favorite route. Not too many sea days and just enough ports.

I'n Coz I would suggest Dive with Martin they are right by the ships on International pier.

Enjoy your cruise.

[SEMO Scuba]

I did 'Try Scuba" shore dives at Sunset House and Don Fosters two years ago. That's what convinced me to get a C-card. Both did a good job. Eden Rock, Sunset House, and Don Fosters are all very close together. Eden Rock would probably be the most crowded from cruise passengers because it is so close to the entry port.

[johnyringo]

Check out Divers Down. They're just down the road from the Cruise dock. I think you can get in two dives and they'll work around the ships schedule.

[ianr33]

I'm going to have to disagree with a couple of posters.

IMHO Eden Rock dive site sucks as do the staff in the shop.Just an overdived pile of rubble.
Sunset House is a little further away but much better. Also has an excellent bar.
Further away again is Sundivers at the Turtle Farm. Now that is a dive I never get tired of. Sundivers - Home Page