We need some advice, and being that there are alot of experienced divers out there, we thought we might get a recommendation on where to stay in the Cayman Islands, preferably Grand Cayman. We are open to opinions re: Cayman Brac and Little Cayman.
We were going to use our air miles to go to Bonaire, but with AJ pulling out, it's impossible.
Any advice would be greatly recommended.
Thanks
Lisa and Lou Z.

Hi Lisa and Lou!

I have been to Grand Cayman 4 times and stayed AWAY from 7 Mile Beach...stay ANYWHERE but 7 Mile Beach! I would recommend Ocean Frontiers as a dive operation and they have accommodations called "Compass Point Resort". Ocean Frontiers stays away from the "West Side" dive sites and concentrates on the East, North and South sides. Now, granted, it's a bit rougher "sea-wise", but the reefs are absolutely pristine.

I've also dived with Sunset House, but they had more of a "cattle boat" approach (like 20 divers). With Ocean Frontiers, there are 6 divers to 1 divemaster and no more than 12 on a boat (so 12 divers and 2 divemasters). It's IDEAL. Plus, Ocean Frontiers has not forgotten the little things. I've been diving with them since 1998. They are a great bunch of people. A+++++ all around.

Great places to eat include Portofino's, Lone Star, Chicken Chicken. I'm not sure that the Lighthouse is open yet. There is Subway, Burger King, Pizza Hut on the island.

Try not to travel to George Town between 7-9 a.m. and 4-6 p.m...it's RUSH HOUR!

Check the cruise ship schedule (George Town Port Authority website) and go to George Town when there are 2 cruise ships or less in port. If not, George Town is a ZOO!

Another thing to remember is that Cayman is still recovering from Hurricane Ivan. You may not realize it if you've never gone to Grand Cayman. Little Cayman and the Brac were scarcely touched, but Grand Cayman took a big hit.

Crime has escalated a bit since Ivan. Don't walk alone, lock doors and windows...be cautious. Just use common sense. It's hard for me to say that...crime was virtually unheard of before Ivan.

You can contact me off list, if you desire.

Little Cayman, hands down.

I'm with you Seb.

Lisa~ L Cayman is nice!!! There are only a handful of places to stay on the island. Choose one that sounds like it suits your needs and I'm sure you will have a wonderful vacation.

Lisa and Lou,
I have stayed on Little Cayman twice. I am not a certified diver, but I took a Discover Scuba dive both times (my first experience scuba diving!).

I stayed at Pirate's Point once and Southern Cross Club once. Both places were very nice. Good food, clean and spacious rooms (cabins, really), and friendly staff, although the management at Southern Cross Club has changed since I was there (2000). Southern Cross Club has its own dock, whereas Pirates Point does not, and they truck you to another resort that has a dock to get on their dive boat (at least that's what they were doing when I was there). Both resorts cater to birders and relaxers as well as divers, and Southern Cross Club also has fishing guides for bonefish, tarpon and big game fish.

Part of my two 10 day trips were spent on Grand Cayman (Marriott on 7-mile beach). Sally is right about 7-miile beach. It is a zoo! And stay out of downtown when the cruise ships visit! Other restaurants I would recommend (if they are still there) are Papagallo (west end of town, nice romantic dinner overlooking a wetland reserve), Grand Old House (dinner on the beach and watch the sun go down), and The Wharf (ask for a seat by the water and watch the tarpon feeding at 9pm).

When I go back, I will definitely stay on Little Cayman again, but I would also go to Grand as well. The two are such a contrast, and each has its positives.

Little Cayman is very laid back and quiet. We bicycled to Jackson beach to snorkel and had the whole beach to ourselves. Mosquitos were a bit of a problem on my second trip because recent rains had left standing fresh water. Little to no shopping or restaurants, if that's your thing, but I had plenty of fun chatting or playing cards with other guests at the resorts, or sitting on the dock looking at the stars. Pirate's Point may still have an art contest where you create a work of art from things you find on the beach. The winner got a free stay at the resort!

Grand has the restaurants and shops, and Stingray Sandbar or Stingray City. Snorkelling or diving with the stingrays is not to be missed! Take a tour of Grand Cayman with one of the locals and learn about the history of the island from someone who grew up there. Visit the turtle farm and the town of Hell. Go for a horseback ride on the beach.

So to wrap up... sorry I couldn't give much advice on the diving, but all the divers staying at Pirate's Point and Southern Cross Club seemed very pleased with their experiences (we talked a lot over dinner!). I hope my other advice is helpfull, and I'm sure you will get opinions about diving from other BT'rs.

Amy

We would like to thank everyone for their input. It is greatly appreciated. We have decided that Grand Cayman may be a bit too crowded for us, so it is now between Little Cayman and Cayman Brac.
Decisions, decisions.

Let me add my vote for Divi Tiara resort on Cayman Brac--wonderful dive operation, good food, dive til you drop and sleep soundly at night!

I've never been to Brac, but pals tell me there is some decent shore diving there at some resorts. So if you like to dive more than 2 or 3 times a day, and more night dives, Brac might be the deal. But, as I always say, there are boats that go from Brac to Little Cayman to dive, but no boats leave Little Cayman to go dive Brac!

Lisa. I live on Grand Cayman and, if you are looking for the best diving in the Caymans, there is no doubt that you should go to Little Cayman. I would recommend staying at Southern Cross.