Main diving sites on GC, from what our certified scuba daughter claims, are best and most safely accessed via a dive operation and never something one ought do on his/her own with independent diving buddies who most likely are not very familiar with the area. She did her certification many years ago on GC and have been diving there for the past 12 years!

She is also on a budget these past few years since graduating from college, working, and "off the parental dole" but feels happier, and safer diving with a reputable operator, even though it means less dives, and has said she gets the max out her dives doing it that way even though it means fewer dives. And the upside is she enjoys more snorkeling and laid back beachtime during her tenure on the island:)

There are no dive sites easily accessible along SMB. The reefs are a little too far to swim out to and there is boat traffic and jet skiis between the beach and the reef. There are lots of places to do shore dives from -- Sunset House, Eden Rock, Turtle Farm, etc. You can get tanks and weights, etc at the dive ops at these places (I don't think you can take tanks away from ops == may be wrong). It is much easier to get a buddy on a boat -- they will assign one for the buddy dive if you don't have one. It is not so easy to hook with one unless you are staying at a place like Sunset House (or others). The shore diving is excellent -- we have had great dives at these spots and it is cheaper than boat dives -- why not rent a little car? Happy diving!

Look at

www.caymanactivityguide.com/Diving3.htm

My boyfriend loved it and found a buddy (a young couple)The current was strong. He loved the diving.

He does not like crowds or boats.

What about Eden Rock? Is that a bus ride or short taxi ride? Is it possible to find another couple to tag along with if I go at a popular time and wait around?

The bus is certainly an option for both Eden Rock and Sunset House. I am sure that there will be others like yourself looking for a buddy. My comment about the boat is more that you will have one instantly instead of waiting. The shore diving is wonderful -- hope you have a great time!

Hi,

When I first started diving in Cayman many years ago, I actually was told that there was no diving allowed along the 7 Mile Beach area, but I can't really find that stated anywhere. I don't think I've ever actually seen anyone just walk into the water with tanks along the beach. However, I've seen them up at the Cemetary sometimes, but I just don't think it would be worth it there. Plus, as someone else said, the actual dive sites are too far out from the beach to access from shore. Now, the shops you hear mentioned all the time....Eden Rock, Sunset House and Turtle Reef at the Cracked Conch have great shore diving....plus, they rent tanks and weights and all of that. Now, this probably doesn't concern you cause it sounds like you aren't planning to get a car (I highly recommend renting a car!), so you probably don't care if you can rent tanks from those shops and take them elsewhere, but I think you can. I don't know for sure about Turtle Reef at the Cracked Conch...they may have their own policy, but I know that Eden Rock and Sunset House let you take their tanks anywhere else you want to go cause I've done it many times. That's done all the time, but, of course, you'd need a car.

There are shore dive sites all over the island, not affiliated with those shops, but some are downright tricky to access and get into. Some are much easier.

Your bottom line problem is not having a buddy. I can't imagine just going to one of those shops and hanging out waiting for a buddy. Besides, how do you know that a buddy you find is any good? I know for a fact, that the Turtle Reef at the Cracked Conch will take you out on a guided dive of the mini-wall there.....that would cost a bit more, of course, but it would solve the no buddy problem.

I'd highly recommend a couple of shore dives and all the rest boat dives. Especially since you don't have a dive buddy. Even though you'd be matched up with a stranger on the boat, at least you'd have the divemasters looking out for you.

I guess your other question is if any of these shops are within walking distance....maybe bus, but not walking (rent a car).

I am planning on going on several boat dives, with an operator that I have dived with during my last two trips, and not having a buddy is no problem there. But, I am going to be in GCM for 8 days and can't afford $100 a day (and I am spoiled because we have our own boat and dive off SE Florida all the time, so I have to go on a six pack or 8 divers max boat - can't stand the cattle boats). So, I am looking to supplement the boat diving with a beach dive or two, and a lot of snorkeling off SMB.

Cattle boat doesn't happen in GC even if you are stuck on a cruise boat. The number of divers is limited with a guide covered by the water sports authority. I believe the number is 10 and in honesty we are dive masters and would rather have 10 picked out of 30 than dive with a group of 8, 2 or 4 of which are totally limited by experience. I believe the number of customers is only limited by the experience of the customers -- the only times I have seen "cattle boats" was the GBR in OZ and it wasn't pretty! Going on a boat that has 20 customers and three DM's is better than going on a boat with 8 customers and one DM. In any event diving in GC is easily accessible, world class and totally worth the dollars spent. Happy diving!