Turtles, Walls and Wrecks in the Cayman Islands - Part 2

Go a bit off the beaten track however and you can find some excellent resorts built by divers for divers.

Sunset House is described as “a combination of rural ambience and Old Cayman charm” just a 20 minute drive from the airport. It has a freshwater pool suitable for diver training, a salt water Lido and a photo centre on site in addition to the well-established Sunset Divers. The house reef is lovely and is home to a 9 foot bronze mermaid known as Amphitrite.

Sunset Divers took us out for a 2-tank dive trip on their custom-built new catamaran.  We were at the mooring of the USS Kittiwake wreck in just a few minutes, full of anticipation following a thorough briefing.  The Kittiwake is one of the world’s most iconic wrecks.  She was scuttled in 2011 after a 50 year service in the Navy as a submarine rescue vessel.  She originally sat upright between 5-18 meters but in 2017, Hurricane Nate listed her onto her port side.

The visibility was excellent and the sand that she rests on dazzled brilliant white underneath her bulky grey hull.  The wreck is easily accessible for penetration diving but I enjoyed staying on the outside photographing her many features such as propeller, helm and the plaque displaying her history.  We followed the wreck dive with a pretty reef called Paradise with schooling yellow-lined snapper and some lovely macro life.

What better way was there than to finish our days diving with a beer at MY bar and a Tandoori meal at the Seaharvest restaurant?!   

Grand Cayman’s East End is around 45 minutes away from the hustle and bustle of George Town. Compass Point has some of the best diving the island has to offer and has condominium- style accommodation.  Land at the airport, pick up your rental car, stop at the supermarket on the way for groceries and drive to your condo!  They all have large balconies, a separate living area, dining table and kitchen with washer-dryer and American size refrigerators.  

Of course if you prefer, transfers can be provided and there are enough local eateries to keep your stomach happy for a week in addition to the on-site bar and grill - Eagle Rays.

Ocean Frontiers dive centre have “Limo-style” boats and valet diving service.  On a 3 tank safari you can expect to get to the other side of the island (to sites such as Stingray City).  Repeat clients strive to complete the ‘Green Short Challenge’ which is diving all 55 East End sites.  This rewards you with a plaque on the way to the jetty and a pair of sought-after green shorts (of course!).

I loved the East End diving – deeper plateaus and drop offs, cathedral-like swim-throughs and the anticipation that something big might appear from the blue at any minute.  There was very much a family atmosphere at Ocean Frontiers.  The primarily British dive team seemed to enjoy our company and created a sociable atmosphere on the boat.

I also visited Lighthouse Point in the West End during my time on Grand Cayman which has Dive Tech in residence.

The condos here felt warmer, more like a home from home. The Vegan restaurant on site - “Vivo” - features an organic, sustainable menu.  I loved the wooden plates and al-fresco dining.  The house reef has been voted one of the best in the world and is popular with the technical community for its sub 100 meter wall.

To complete our Cayman tour we were whisked off to the International Divers Hall of Fame gala dinner.  It felt a real privilege to spend the evening with both local and global pioneers of our favourite sport.  Conservation, support of the local young diving community and home-grown talent was the flavour of the evening. The Caymanians are very proud of their waters and I am very much a new fan of island life!   

Contact the team for more information on diving in the Cayman Islands.