Cayman, Coz, Costa Maya and Roatan???

[Tiki_Man]

Ok, there are probably threads about each, but I am lazy. Need an Independent Operator for each of these 4. I have dove all but Costa Maya (and my lovely wife would prefer I do a beach day with her that day). Just need suggestions for an I.O. for each with these time limits

 

Cayman - 7am - 4pm

Coz - 9am - 6pm

Roatan 8am - 5pm

 

I did Anthony Key and it was blah, been with the old Don Foster's and they were great but looking for new outfit, Coz - Papa's or suggestions????? Just me, would like a small operator with good equip (not bringing my own). 100+ dives but prefer boat, not shore (again, lazy). Any suggestions would be great. Going first week of Aug on the Soltice.

 

Thanks in advance

 

Tiki

[Friscorays]

Just dove this itinerary on the Solstice at the end of June.

 

Grand Cayman: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1181178

Cozumel: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1206871

Costa Maya: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1093960&highlight=blue+ocean+safari (Dove with them twice now, first this February and again this June).

Roatan: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1216324

[Tiki_Man]

Frisco

[Tiki_Man]

Frisco

 

I saw your earlier posts and your suggestions have been very helpful. Did you have any trouble making the times for meeting the dive boats? Did you bring your equip or rent (I am probably going to rent due to luggage issues.)? Any suggetsions (taxi's, meeting places, etc)

 

Thanks - Wife is not diving this trip, so I am solo and don't want a cattle boat.

 

Mark

[ScubaCruiser54]

On Grand Cayman there are a number of good operations.

 

We just came back and used Divers Down. www.diversdown.net Clean boat and a nice operation. We private chartered so that we could go to Stingray city and make a dive on the wall.

They are located just about two blocks to the left of the tender terminal. Not a bad walk and we were carrying gear. Had a fun time. James was our divemaster.

[islandwoman]

Grand Cayman

Eden Rock Diving is within walking distance of the cruise ship tender docks. You can rent everything you need including lockers at their shop and then do two interesting, but not so deep, shore dives right off their dock. They will give you an orientation before you enter the water. We like to do our first dives of the season there. They also offer escorted shore dives and boat dives.

http://www.edenrockdive.com/

 

Roatan

Subway Watersports caters to independent cruise ship passengers. They will pick you up at the ship, transport you to their shop/boat and get you back in time. We dove with them twice and have been very happy with their service and the dive sites they showed us. But you should know that if your ship docks at Mahogany Bay, you might have to walk along the road over a hill to find your transportation. When we were there in May, only cruise ship excursions were allowed to pick up in the dock area. All the local vendors were kept out of sight.

http://www.subwaywatersports.com/Other/shore_excursion.htm

[Friscorays]

Frisco

 

I saw your earlier posts and your suggestions have been very helpful. Did you have any trouble making the times for meeting the dive boats? Did you bring your equip or rent (I am probably going to rent due to luggage issues.)? Any suggetsions (taxi's, meeting places, etc)

 

Thanks - Wife is not diving this trip, so I am solo and don't want a cattle boat.

 

Mark

 

I had no problem making any of the dives.

 

The only potential snag would be Grand Cayman as you need to tender. However the Solstice docked at 7 am (6 am local time). I caught the first tender, 7:30 am ship time, and was on the correct portion of 7 mile beach with about an hour to spare before I met up with Neptune Divers.

 

My wife does not dive either but enjoyed the snorkel trip she accompanied me on with "Scuba with Alison".

 

Bananarama dive in Roatan also has a nice beach for the wife to hang out on while you dive with them.

 

In Costa Maya, my wife and I love Maya Chan resort (who arranges for the dive boat to pick you up directly from their beachfront property).

 

I like to bring all my equipment, except tank and weights. I know how it functions and that it has been well maintained.

[skubanut]

Hey Tiki_Man,

 

Might we be on the same cruise? I'll be diving all four spots. Does your ship sail on August 1st? If so, may be can hook up, take same transport, etc...

[Tiki_Man]

We are on Celebrity Solstice, leaving Lauderdale on Aug 1st.

 

It would be great to have a dive buddy. I have reservations at the following

 

Tues - Aug 3 - Cayman - Divers Down (not paid yet, but they are holding me a spot)

 

Wed - Aug 4 - Coz - Dive with Alison (looking forward to this dive)

 

Thur - Aug 5 - Costa Maya - Maya Chan (http://www.costamayabeachresort.com) My wife is staying on the beach while I dive - we have paid reservations

 

Fri - Aug 6 - Roatan - Michelle at Bananarama has asked me to find a Dive Buddy, I am the only one signed up. No problem going with a different operator, just not Anthony's Key.

 

So the only ones that are definite for me are Coz and Costa - if you have other plans or ideas, I am open.

 

We have a VERY active Roll Call going on also, take a look and sign up if you want.

 

Mark