Diving: Caymans vs. Cozumel

[Skaught]

I swear I asked this already, but I can't find the post....Anyway!

When I was a kid, I dove in Grand Cayman. Nowhere that special, but it was one of my best dives ever due to the water clarity and the amount of sea life. I'll be on the Oct 22 western cruise, so I'm trying to decide if I should dive Grand Cayman again, or Cozumel. I also want to weigh into the decision which Island would be better to see. If I dive, I won't see as much of the island that day. Also, I'll be leaving my wife and two young kids when I dive. Whether or not they go ashore or stay on the boat is up in the air.

Any comments or advice would be appreciated!

Thanks,

Scott

 

[b&j's_mom]

I am not a diver, but I have heard the Cozumel is one of the best places to dive. Your wife and kids to go to one of the beaches (I've heard that Paradise Beach is very kid friendly) in Cozumel. I think they have a water trampoline, iceburg, etc. and they serve food and drinks. Good luck and have fun!

 

[ASROBERTS]

My DH is a diver. We're doing the Western next month. In GC he's doing a wall dive. In Coz we're going to Chanakaab Park, they have dive shops there and will take him off shore diving while we play in the park.
Angela

 

[pdarrah]

Hi Skaught,

Both Grand Cayman and Cozumel are known for their diving. That is what put Cozumel on the map - Jaques Coustou (spelling?) raved about it and the first regular "tourists" there were divers.

I'm afraid I can't be of much help in choosing - I only snorkel! One option in Cozumel is to book a dive with a company that will allow your wife and kids to come with you. We had a wonderful time with Eagle Ray Divers last year. We were snorkeling, but there were 4 others along who were diving. The divers weren't that far from us (the boat dropped them with their guides first and then moved a little ways off and dropped us and our guide). I assume they were at a deeper part of the reef and we were more shallow. The boat than waited for everyone somewhat in the center - they could get to any of the groups (2 groups of divers and us) quickly.

You didn't give the ages of your kids - we took DS5 snorkeling on that trip. He had his own life vest and ended up not wanting to snorkel, but was perfectly happy bobbing around in the waves with our guide while DH & I snorkeled. It was such a wonderful time, that we have booked it again for this year. The folks at Eagle Ray are extremely friendly and if your DW and kids just wanted to go out with you and wait on the boat, they would probably be happy to accomodate that also! If you are considering it, just email them with any questions. I have found that they usually get back to me in just a day or two.

Have you been to the cruise meet thread for our cruise yet? Your name looks familiar, but the thread has gotten so long that I can't remember everyone who has stopped by! Also, if you are interested, there is a link to a website we have for our cruise in my signature.

Pdarrah

 

[Skaught]

The kids will be too small to snorkelt - 4 and 19 months. My wife could handle one, but not both in the water. She'll either stay on the boat until I get back or take them shopping. Or maybe put the 4 year old in the club and take the 19 mo with her shopping.

Does either place have a good wreck dive?

Scott

 

[Skaught]

Any other thoughts?

Scott

 

[ThreeSmiths]

Hey fellow diver, well consider this coz will tend to be a drift dive around 80 ft of water , and a second dive to around 50. In cayman it will be about the same depths but probably on a wall. Im diving both through disney. I going on the same cruise so maybe we can dive together. Im aow and nitrox certified.. Forgot to mention it is captains choice the day of the dive and the option for a wreck is in cayman..


eric from ncarolina,