 | Grand Cayman Sports Travel | Tips 1 - 10 of 14 |  |
Popular Sports Travel | Other Sports Travel Tips | All Tips (14) I went with Sunset Divers for the not-to-be-missed dive trip to Stingray City. It was an hilarious experience, like nothing I've ever done before!
Our dive master filled us in on the stingray feeding protocol. First we were given more weight than normal, so we'd be able to kneel on the sandy floor easily. The dive was on a clear sandy bottom in about 15 feet of crystal clear water. They have very tender skin on the underside, so we weren't wearing any snorkels either. Oh, by the way, they don't sting unless stepped on, that's why we were to kneel in place. Leave a Comment Theme: Scuba Diving
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Then we were instructed to assemble in a tidy circle and remain stationary for the entire experience, not to swim around. The dive assistant would bring each of us some chopped up squid bait to feed the stingrays, and then the rays would come up to us to be fed. He showed us how to hold the bait in our fists, and to lead the stingrays around for a bit before feeding them by pushing the bait into their mouths. Oh, and by the way, they have no teeth, not to worry, but they might give you an occasional hicky from sucking on your arm. So far, so good. Leave a Comment Theme: Scuba Diving
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I quickly found myself engulfed by a pair of huge rays flapping all around my face, like a pair of aggressive wet blankets. I wasn't afraid, just completed discombuberated! They bowled me over easily, and I stole a quick glance around to see everyone else in the same dilemma, blowing bubbles wildly and struggling to remain upright. Oh, and by the way, it's not advisable to laugh when breathing through a regulator... Leave a Comment Theme: Scuba Diving
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With the added weights the rest was pure fun, if somewhat insane. We'd been informed beforehand that the females are the ones to feed, they know how to play the game. They are quite a bit larger than the males, and they will swim up into your face to be fed, so it's not hard to distinguish them. Stingrays' eyes are on top and their mouths are on the bottom, so they have to guess where the food is by sense of smell. We all learned to hold our bait-filled fists up to their mouths, leading them around in circles and loops, and finally shoving the bait into their mouths quickly as we opened our fists, so the fish wouldn't swim up and snatch it from them. Leave a Comment Theme: Scuba Diving
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What ensued was utter chaos. About ten of us entered the water in rapid succession, and swam over to the rock landmark to assemble. Before we could even approach anything like a circle, a cloud of stingrays engulfed us, demanding to be fed, with the inevitable school of hungry fish close behind. Oh, and by the way, the snappers DO bite, so watch out for those guys coming at you! Leave a Comment Theme: Scuba Diving
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Clearly I needed a bit more weight if I was to assume and maintain the proper position, so I bolted for the boat. The dive master smirked, "Oh, did you get freaked out? Do you want to come up?"
"Hell, no!" I gargled at him, "I just need more weight so I can stay still enough to feed them!" I stuffed the weights into my belt and raced back down to re-join the melee. Leave a Comment Theme: Scuba Diving
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Just as we'd been told, the males (who generally don't get bigger than about 12 inches across) just flapped around our feet uselessly, never quite catching on to the feeding game. Mindful that they might sting if stepped on, we struggled to remain kneeling till the end. Once the bait was all gone and the females swam on to the next gaggle of tourist divers, the males hung around a while longer to play with us. Cute, but clueless! Wait - I think I used to date one of them... Leave a Comment Theme: Scuba Diving
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There is such a range of diving experiences to be had in the Caymans, from the popular shore dives right off the main oceanside drive (see DiverX's Cayman Islands page for a great write-up of these), to Stingray City (see tips below for my experience there), to the pristine East End of Grand Cayman, and I never even touched on the outer islands. Everything you want is here.
East End Divers gave me the exciting opportunity to dive less frequented areas, including one dive I loved, with swim-throughs and canyons in the reef, and fish that had probably never seen divers before.
But when I go back, I'd like to stay part of my time at one of the dive hotels previously mentioned, and just enjoy the convenience of wandering into the water any time I'd like for a shore dive.
You can rent whatever you don't bring, not to worry. I usually like to do carry-ons only, so I just bring my dive mask, snorkel, dive booties & a lightweight pair of snorkeling fins, then I rent the rest.
I found the equipment I rented here to be first rate, not beat-up backpacker divers' gear like on some other islands. Leave a Comment Theme: Scuba Diving
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Way up on the north end of the island, past the Turtle Farm & Hell, is a very laid back diver's resort called the Spanish Reef Resort. Anyone is welcome to snorkel or shoredive at their facility, and a nice little dive shop is there on the premises for your convenience, Resort Sports.
Since I was with Mom on this trip to Grand Cayman I mostly snorkeled, but decided to do one little shore dive up here. It was an easy and fun excursion, and the resort definitely looks like a pleasant laid back kind of spot for diving couples who don't want the hectic crush of the crowds around Georgetown at some of the other dive resorts in town.
The dive shop has all you need if you didn't bring your own equipment - EXCEPT they do not rent out wetsuits! The water was actually warm enough while I was there that a wet suit wasn't required, but I had a dive skin to use anyway (for my personal protection from bumping into fire coral or jellyfish). Leave a Comment
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We did 5 dives with Don Foster's on the West Side, which also included the Stingray City Dive. For the most part it was enjoyable. Don Foster's dive operation expected you to set up your own equipment. Before beginning your dive, do check that your tank is full as sometimes people put the caps back on & you might end up with a empty tank. We were not pleased that we did our giant stride off the back of the boat & rather than descended right there were expected to swim against the current to the front of the boat & then descend. It cost a lot of us a lot of air! Other than that, the dives were pleasant with both walls & reefs. We saw a variety of marine life including Turtles, Eagle Rays, Purple Wrasse, Blue Tang, Nudi Branches, Butterfly Fish, etc., & at one point even a nurse shark. There were swim throughs that were fun. First time I ever did that & have to admit I enjoyed it. I do have to admit though that the West End is beginning to show it's wear and tear as the marine life is not as prolific nor the coral beds as beautiful as the east end. But all in all, I would recommend diving the west end, it gives you chance to have some variety & truly appreciate the beauty of the east end. As far as Don Foster's. Although they are very pleasant & one of the Divemasters, Ryan, in particular, was very helpful, they are lacking in customer service. The next time I dive the west end I think I will try another dive shop
There is no need to bring any special gear or equipment other than your swimsuit. We can't have you running around naked now can we? LOL All the dive shops have tanks, weights, belts, wetsuits, fins & masks for rent. Personally, I would recommend that you bring your own mask. A mask that fits your own unique face has less of a tendancy to leak. Theme: Scuba DivingAddress: Casuarina PointPhone: 1-800-833-4837Directions: In Georgetown, just before going into the South Sound on West Bay RoadWebsite: http://www.donfosters.com/ Other Contact: 345-949-5679
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on June 5, 2004
on January 8, 2006
