Jack's Dive Center, Inc. One Town Line Rd.,  Plainville, CT 06062   Tel (860) 747-3170   Fax (860) 747-5007

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Special Cayman 2009 Edition

Explore the Walls and Reefs of Grand Cayman

with Jack & Karen, Sept. 26, 2009

I have decided, after six years absence, to return to our roots in Grand Cayman. I first visited the Cayman Islands back in 1970, at that time you never mentioned Grand Cayman at the airport or your bags would go to the Grand Canyon! No one had ever heard of the Caymans, it was the biggest secret in diving. Things sure have changed.

During my first visits (I have since made over 76 trips to the Caymans) I became fast friends with Adrian Briggs, the owner of Sunset House Hotel. In my opinion this is the place to stay on the island. The atmosphere is friendly and the grounds well maintained with a beautiful pool by the ocean, and the best bar on Grand Cayman. We are located on the iron shore which makes for great diving and snorkeling right off shore from the hotel. The “Wall” where the bottom drops off into deep water (over 6000’) is only a short swim from the dive ladder.

2009 marks the 50^th anniversary for Sunset House and they really want us back, so they can say thank you to all of our regulars and new friends. Because of this they have worked out an exceptional price for us. Please remember that this price is all inclusive. Airfare, room, breakfast and dinner daily, boat diving, shore diving, taxes, gratuities (except to dive staff), airport transfer on the island, really everything included except beverages.

Please join Karen and I for this wonderful experience, with old and new friends alike, on the island that started it all.

Let’s analyze a typical Jack’s Dive Center dive day. Arise to a full breakfast, cooked to order. Boat divers will leave for their 2 tank dive at 9 am. Shore divers will arrive at their dive location about 9 am, with maybe 5 to 6 other divers. Boat divers will make dives in the famous West Bay area, the dives that made Grand Cayman famous. Shore divers will dive using their computers for a safe multi-level profile. Your depth regulated by your own common sense and good judgment. Take a leisurely surface interval in a hammock by the sea, on a beautiful remote part of the Island, or take a dip in the fresh water pool.

After lunch all divers can head for a fabulous wall dive, for another exciting hour of underwater thrills. For a casual dive just grab a tank and swim out from the dive ladder at the hotel, or up the street at Smith’s cove. Late in the afternoon we return to the hotel for a rest by the pool, or Jacuzzi, with a soft drink, or if we’re not diving, a refreshing island drink in the shade of the grass thatched bar by the sea. After a relaxing surface interval, divers gear up in their room and head for another hour long dive on the beautiful reef and wall, just outside your hotel room door.

After a delicious dinner (which is included), gear up and head for a spectacular hour long night dive on a wreck, located just a few fin strokes from the restaurant and rooms. That’s UP TO 5 HOURS of bottom time each day, if you so desire. Some of us prefer to take it a little slower, however. You are free to dive as little or as much as you want, set your own pace.

The facilities at the hotel are fabulous. There’s a waterfall going from the whirlpool tub to the beautiful pool, all fresh water and impeccably maintained. The bar is grass thatched and right on the water. We have a choice of either Courtyard or Oceanview rooms. The beautifully decorated Oceanview rooms are larger than the Courtyard rooms, and have a view of the ocean, which is only 50 feet away. I think the small additional expense is worth it.

My old friend George is in charge of the restaurant. There is no other way you can eat on Grand Cayman like we do, for the price we pay, even if you make it yourself. This is not the usual buffet, or 2 item menu, but a choice from a full menu. In 2003 we had choices like Steak, Shrimp, Fish, Chicken, and Lamb. All cooked to gourmet perfection. Ask anyone who was with us in 2003, our dinners were absolutely fabulous.

I have been diving for 51 years. During that time I’ve visited many exotic diving locations. I can honestly say that in all that time I have always had a warm spot in my heart for Grand Cayman. Water clarity is perhaps the finest I have ever experienced, and the people friendly and helpful. The reefs abound in fish and the ability to easily swim to the vertical wall is unique in the Caribbean. Where else can a 200 yard snorkel from shore bring you to a vertical wall that starts in 30 feet of water and plummets to 6000 feet!! Where else can you gear up in your hotel room, and walk directly into crystal clear water, offering an unlimited variety of diving depths.

Cayman has the highest standard of living in the Caribbean. You won’t find the poverty associated with many island destinations, and perhaps because of this you also won’t find the unrest, and crime so evident in other areas. Cayman is one of those rare places where you can take an evening stroll alone, and feel perfectly safe.

The beaches are breathtaking. Most people are amazed that even the well known seven mile beach is so quiet, not to mention the many miles of undeveloped beachfront in the more out of the way areas. DON’T BE AFRAID TO BRING NON DIVERS. There’s plenty to do.

PHOTO'S BELOW ARE FROM OUR PREVIOUS TRIP
WOULDN'T IT BE GREAT IF YOU WERE IN THESE!

                 BY THE BAR   

BLOW HOLES DIVING                                                       THE RARE BLUE IGUANA

BOB'S BIRTHDAY                                                          OLD CAYMAN HOUSE

ED ON NORTH SIDE                               GEARING UP ON NORTH END

                         GIANT LILLY PADS

JEFF FORGOT THE SUIT AGAIN                             LUNCH UP NORTH

MARTINI'S AFTER DIVE, THE BEST LIFE               MAYBE BETTER

GREAT WEATHER                                                            POOL LOUNGING

GOURMET DINNERS                                                 NICK INDULGING