Sunset House: "Good", Sep, 2015,by Jim Hansen, FL, US ( 1 report with 1 Helpful vote). Report 8762 has 1 Helpful vote. |
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No photos available at this time | |||
Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst) - 5 (best): |
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Accommodations | N/A | Food | N/A |
Service and Attitude | N/A | Environmental Sensitivity | N/A |
Dive Operation | N/A | Shore Diving | N/A |
Snorkeling | N/A | ||
Overall Rating |
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Value for $$ | N/A | ||
Beginners | ![]() |
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Comments |
I have been diving in Cayman since 1970, but this marked my first visit to Sunset House -- the premier dive-centered resort on Grand Cayman. It opened in 1958 and is the home of Cathy Church's underwater photo center. Cathy, her husband Herb, and the staff there can instruct and help photographers in many ways, and the store has a wide array of cameras and accessories. The staff people at Sunset Divers are knowledgeable about the local marine life and reefs, and the divemasters sometimes offer up a briefing with folded towels to replicate the reef structure where you'll be. Two of them are Danish and have a ready sense of humor, although one of them barked at my buddy for no reason. I was with them on dives on the west and south sides of Grand Cayman. Sites included Eagles' Nest, Wildlife, Meridian Dropoff, Devil's Grotto, the Kittiwake wreck, Cayman Crossing, Pallas West, Christina's Wall, and Disney World. My personal favorite was Disney World (huge variety of critters), and least favorite was Christina's Wall (ho-hum). There was more to see on the shallower second dives of the morning than on the deeper wall or dropoff dives. No dives extended over 60 minutes, and some of us returned with unused air. The more exciting sights included tiny jawfish and pipefish, big lobsters, garden eels, a nurse shark, a school of squid, and lionfish (which have been in Cayman since 2008). Even if you do not see exciting fish, try to take in the marvelous seascapes at Eden Rock and adjoining Devil's Grotto. Do it while you still have a chance, in view of giant cruise dock that is being planned for that very area. (That requires a separate story in itself.) Two surprises for me: the 88 degree water was the warmest I have ever experienced in the Caribbean, and September is evidently the quietest, least crowded month to visit. Cayman Airways is one of the most diver-friendly airlines, with short nonstop hops from Tampa and Miami and a very generous checked baggage allowance of two bags per person no heavier than 55 pounds apiece. Well, Cayman was terrific 45 years ago. Sooooo, where is it going now? |
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Websites | Sunset House | ||
Reporter and Travel |
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Dive Experience | 501-1000 dives | ||
Where else diving | [Unspecified] | ||
Closest Airport | Getting There | ||
Dive Conditions |
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Weather | Seas | calm | |
Water Temp | 88-°F / 31-°C | Wetsuit Thickness | |
Water Visibility | - Ft/ - M | ||
Dive Policy |
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Dive own profile | ? | ||
Enforced diving restrictions | [Unspecified] | ||
Liveaboard? | no | Nitrox Available? | yes |
What I Saw |
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Sharks | None | Mantas | None |
Dolphins | None | Whale Sharks | None |
Turtles | None | Whales | None |
Ratings 1(worst) - 5 (best): |
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Corals | N/A | Tropical Fish | N/A |
Small Critters | N/A | Large Fish | N/A |
Large Pelagics | N/A | ||
Underwater Photography 1 (worst) - 5 (best): |
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Subject Matter | N/A | Boat Facilities | N/A |
Overall rating for UWP's | N/A | Shore Facilities | N/A |
UW Photo Comments | [None] |
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