Hello Honza!
30 Jun 95 16:23, Honza Gritzbach wrote to All:
 HG> I and my friends plan the diving trip to Cayman Islands. We have never
 HG> been at Caribean area so we have no experiences, no informations. We 
ave
 HG> decided that Caymans would be a good start point to discover Caribean 
sea.
 HG> þ is CMAS certifications known there ?
Yes.  I would think any shop that accepts PADI or NAUI would also recognize 
CMAS, particularly since they've both been affiliated at one time or another.
 HG> þ Which months are good for diving there, and on the other side - in
 HG> which months we should stay at home ? I mean - weather, turistic
 HG> traffic, posibility of out-of-season discounts etc.
It's hot down there all the time, so summer heat is no reason to stay away. 
The high season is winter.....everyone wants to escape the cold so they all 
want to go to Cayman.  Hurricane season in the northern hemisphere runs all 
summer through maybe October, but you're really only at risk between 
mid-August to the end of September.  If I were planning a trip I'd go right 
now.
 HG> þ On which Island we should stay (Grand, Little or Brac) ? Take
 HG> account on accomodation, shore diving ... We don't need a super
 HG> X-star hotels and dancing in the night -  we prefer a good prices and
 HG> good diving
Grand Cayman has by far the best selection of hotels, so accommodations are 
far easier to arrange.  Depending where you stay, there is both excellent 
shore diving and boat diving.  Seven Mile Beach is one of the most 
spectacular beaches I've ever seen.....absolutely incredible.  White sand, 
tiny waves.
On the other side of the island they have what is known as ironshore. 
Excellent shore diving.
Cayman Brac is tougher to get accommodations at, since it's much less 
developed, but the diving's even better, if that's possible.  Pretty much 
dead at night.
Little Cayman is almost impossible to get accommodations at, but it's the 
least dived of all the Caymans.....beautiful reefs.
 HG> þ Should we plan all our trips with services of DIVING centers or is
 HG> better to rent a boat and travel and dive ourselves ?
I would get a package deal with the hotel and two 2-tank trips per day 
included.  Depending on where you stay, the divemasters are excellent, and if 
you're an experienced diver, they will allow you some latitude in your 
ving.
 HG> þ Is necessary to book diving trips a longer time before ?
Only around big holidays.  July 4th and Labor Day weekend (1st weekend in 
September) are big in the states.....you'd have to book well in advance for 
then.  I guess it depends on how rigid your schedule is.  If you're flexible, 
you can usually find a place on fairly short notice.  I've seen people show 
up at hotels down there without reservations and get a room.  I don't think 
I'd try that myself if I was coming all the way from Ceskoslovensko.
 HG> þ Covers a trips with DIVING centers all interesting places or will
 HG> we have to arrange our individual trip ?
Dive shops are going to take you to good places.  They want to keep you as a 
customer.
 HG> þ Is better to spend there 14 days, or we will see all what is
 HG> possible after 7 days of diving ?
You wouldn't see all there is to see if you stayed 14 years.  Personally, I 
was dived out after 7 days.  I varied diving morning-afternoon, 
morning-night, afternoon, and then morning-afternoon again.
 HG> þ What interesting places we should visit - Your recommendation.
The wall, Shark Alley, and Manta Ray City are all must-sees.  The wreck of 
the Oro Verde is excellent as well.
 HG> As You can see, I have many questions. But this trip will be probably
 HG> _unique_ possibility how to discover Cayman Isl. and we dont want to 
iss
 HG> it. If You have any answer to my questions or You have any informations
 HG> about Caymans, please send me it. If You have a maps or greater 
rticles,
 HG> I'll call for it.
The Cayman Islands are not pretty islands, in the sense of a South Pacific 
tropical paradise.  They are fairly flat with scruffy vegetation.  It is the 
water and the beaches that make Cayman such a great destination.  It can be 
expensive to eat out....the rate of exchange is $1.00 US = $0.80 Cayman.
Hope this helps.
Jay
PADI M-9033
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