GC Beach, Snorkel, & Dive - need advice.

[diverfrog]

We will be visiting GC as a group of 4 in Sept. We want to stick together but one of us likes a nice sandy beach, one wants to snorkel, and the other 2 want to dive. Is there an area other than Eden Rock that would accommodate everyone? Any suggestions welcome. Thanks!

[sjbowler]

I would check out Neptune Divers. we dove with them last November and it was good. The boat comes right up to the beach to pick you up and takes you out. the beach is 7 mile beach which is a public beach so the ones that don't want to dive can snorkel or just lie around on the beach.

her website is: WWW.NEPTUNEDIVERS.COM

[caribbean dreams]

We have been to Grand Cayman 4 times and always have the same problem as you, here is a website with all the beaches that has snorkeling and diving right off shore.

 

http://caymanislandsdiscounts.com/OffshoreSnorkeling.htm

[bruce-r]

Is there an area other than Eden Rock that would accommodate everyone?

In a word, no. You will not find decent snorkeling on a sandy beach. The diving would probably be a waste of time. Good snorkeling and/or diving almost always means a rocky shore.

[thedebbied]

There is no beach at Eden Rock.

[diverfrog]

Thank you for all of your suggestions, they have been very helpful. Does anyone know much about Smith's Cove? Also, which would be a better shore dive, Eden Rock or Sunset House? Thanks again.

[thedebbied]

Smith's Cove is not nearly as nice as it was Pre-Ivan, unfortunately. The beach is much rougher (was in Cayman early July for a week and a half). I would probably skip it for now. Sunset is a better dive overall. More in the way of corals and fish. There is a really nice open air bar for non-divers (or after your dive), freshwater shower, etc. It would require a cab. Eden Rock is very close in to town and convenient. The Devil's Grotto side has more swim throughs. We dive them all every time we go to Cayman.

[bruce-r]

.... Also, which would be a better shore dive, Eden Rock or Sunset House? Thanks again.

I'd pick Sunset House as there will probably be fewer people there.

[Tn Travelers]

You might want to check out the DiveTech site at Turtle Reef. It is at the north end of 7 mile beach, next to what was the Turtle Farm (now Boatswains Beach - http://www.Boatswainsbeach.ky) Boatswains Beach offers a pool and snorkel pools, as well as the turtle farm, an aviary, restaurants and shops.

[sportsterjohn]

You may consider as someone mentioned, booking a trip with neptune divers. They can take your divers and snorklers on the same boat. They pick you up right at sea grape beach so your beach person gets to hang out at a very nice beach while you dive. The dive boat will drop you off right at the beach so the divers / snorklers also get some beach time after the dive.

[diverfrog]

Wow! So many choices. Thanks for all of the information. Looks like Beach Bumb and Snorkler have decided to do their own thing, most likely the turtle farm then a beach on the way back to the boat. We have decided to do some shore diving from Sunset House since one of us likes underwater photography and Cathy Church's is next door. Camera rental is very reasonable there. If anyone has any tips on shore diving from Sunset we are all ears!