Grand Cayman recommendations 4 me

[JKDiver]

Thinking of diving Grand Cayman in January with my husband and our teen diver (newly certified). Any recommendations for dive companies and family -friendly hotels or condos on the beach. Would like to walk to restaurants and beach bars. Any suggestions??

[scubagirlj]

stayed at sunset house 2 weeks ago-full breakfast, 2 am boat dives and all shore diving free with stay-friendly, clean,lockers and rinse tanks, fantastic staff, great & reasonably priced food & drinks, near to town but don't think i'd walk, free g/t from airport-went to dive sites on north end when weather permitted but did a different site every dive everyday, usually by choice among divers-can't wait to return

[ipd909]

You might try diving at Edens Rock. They have a really nice shore entry and the dive shop is on the beach. Great for a new diver and not too deep (about 50 feet). Two tanks and weight will cost you about 25.00.

[Defman]

Cobalt Coast is awesome, but might not meet your walking to restaurants part though.

[Rockhound76]

X2 on Cobalt Coast and Divetech. Arie will make you feel right at home. No walking to restaurants there, but the house restaurant is good and you can ride the bus (my wife did this a lot) or rent a car.

Lots of neat places to go on the island, so you'll end up in a taxi, bus or rental, anyway.

My son was 15 when we went. I thought the DiveTech operation was first rate and the diving is on the North Wall, which is primo. The house reef isn't bad either.

We made on day of diving at Bob Fosters (West Wall and to do the Oro Verde) and they were fine. We visited Sunset House and thought it looked okay, as well, but again, I doubt you could walk to many restaurants from there. I'm a big fan of Cathy Church and if you love photography, you need to visit her shop there.

[mselizann]

There is no Bob Fosters on Cayman, there is Don Fosters....and Bob Soto
Don Fosters is who we dive with...if you stay at any of the resorts on Seven Mile Beach (an area where you can walk to tons of restaurants and shopping, but it is higly developed and busy) they will come get you for diving.
Someone mentioned Sunset House- it's in a mix of residential/commercial properties, you could walk to a few places from there.....and they have diving on site.
For a more traditional "island" experience Cobalt Coast may be the best bet- more quiet, but as someone said- no restaurants within walking range. Many places will come get you to dine though.....

[fire diver]

I used Neptune's Divers when I was there last time. I was very happy with them. Great capt (and owner), nice boat, friendly and helpful crew, great dive sites. They were very helpful and informative when we exchanged emails to find out the info and set up the dates / times.

[Damselfish]

Sunset House and Cobalt Coast are on the water but it's ironshore, not beach, if that is important to you. (But does allow for shore diving.) They've both got good waterfront bars and places to hang out though. You can walk to some places from Sunset House, it's a mile or so to town, but not from Cobalt Coast. I think a car is a good idea either place. First time we stayed at SH we started without a car and decided eithin a couple days to rent one.) Cobalt Coast is much nicer than Sunset House.

If you really want to be on the beach and walk to stuff you are talking about the larger hotels and condos along Seven Mile Beach. Personally, the area that is best for walking to a lot of stuff, is way too busy for my taste. If I really wanted to be on the beach, I think I'd rent a condo towards the north end of the beach which is a bit quieter, and still rent a car.

[Rockhound76]

Originally Posted by mselizann

There is no Bob Fosters on Cayman, there is Don Fosters....and Bob Soto
Don Fosters is who we dive with...if you stay at any of the resorts on Seven Mile Beach (an area where you can walk to tons of restaurants and shopping, but it is higly developed and busy) they will come get you for diving.
Someone mentioned Sunset House- it's in a mix of residential/commercial properties, you could walk to a few places from there.....and they have diving on site.
For a more traditional "island" experience Cobalt Coast may be the best bet- more quiet, but as someone said- no restaurants within walking range. Many places will come get you to dine though.....

See what happens when you get old. We just went last year. LOL. Dain bramage. My teenager did it....

[lucidblue]

I've been looking at Grand Cayman and Cobalt Coast for the last few days. As of now, I think I'm leaning in that direction for my December trip. They have a Fall special that looks pretty good.