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Dive Review of Reef Divers/Brac Reef Beach Resort in
Cayman Islands/Cayman Brac and Little Cayman

Reef Divers/Brac Reef Beach Resort: "Valet diving that makes a liveaboard snob rethink staying on land", Nov, 2014,

by Kim French, WY, US ( 1 report). Report 8464.

No photos available at this time

Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Accommodations 4 stars Food 4 stars
Service and Attitude 4 stars Environmental Sensitivity N/A
Dive Operation 4 stars Shore Diving N/A
Snorkeling 3 stars
Value for $$ 4 stars
Beginners 3 stars
Advanced 4 stars
Comments Let me start this off by saying that I am a liveaboard snob as I live in a cold climate so when I go diving I want to just dive and not think about anything else. I have done many nights in hotels and done the whole schlepping of dive gear and having to find food and then I got sucked into the liveaboard world. Friends sent me a link to the Brac Reef Resort and a sale so I looked into it and decided it was worth a try (mainly on their and Undercurrent's recommendations). Food was very good and fresh for a buffet style and the servers were very nice and sweet and remembered the guests. The rooms were wonderful. I had an older, not remodeled room which was still very comfortable. I befriended some people who had a remodeled room and it was beautiful with a small fridge and all. The outdoor bar is very nice with friendly staff. The resort has evening activities to help with the small island, nothing to do thing. Nice beach, good snorkeling in the lagoon, pool, and other things to keep people entertained. They offer bikes for free to guests but don't expect much for the them but they will get you to the closes liquor store so you can get some booze for cheaper then the bar and the resort doesn't mind as long as you don't drink at the bar. Diving: Wonderful!! Beware of Gus the overly friendly grouper!! We were able to make the day trip to Little Cayman and the Bloody Bay wall - well worth the trip and money. Did the wreck - I am not a fan of wrecks but I was very entertained and did not see it all. I was on the boat for 10 days (longer then the average guest) so the DM's worked very hard to accommodate me and show me new sites each day. I went on a single special and discovered that I had to buddy with someone as the DM's are last in and first out because of the valet service. I got lucky and now have a new dive buddy who was also searching for a new buddy. Water was warm and clear. Boat has a good size table for cameras, rinse ability, light snacks, fresh water, and a marine head. The boat was only half full or a little more for the trip and was starting to feel crowded so I would not like it full. DM's and diving staff were very attentive once they got to know you. The DM's did not enforce certification level diving (had an open water diver below 80ft on most dives) and did not discuss the need for boat courtesy (one reason why I stopped doing this type of diving). On one dive, I actually blew through my air as I thought the open water diver was having an issue (sinking and flailing arms he was) and I could not find the DM so I went down to 130' to see of all was good. I told the boat when I got up and I could not see any change in his diving behavior on subsequent dives. This concerns me as I have been on trips with major issues. The DM's and dive shop staff should enforce limits on depth and discuss the dangers with divers. We had one dive very close to the dock that was the afternoon dive that the DM's originally said that there was no current but when we got down, there was a very swift current that sucked my buddy's air dry as we attempted to get out of the current. Overall, great diving with a few issues but you have those anywhere. I have entertained the idea of planning another trip back, which is saying lots since there is so many places to dive in this world.
Websites Reef Divers   Brac Reef Beach Resort

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience 251-500 dives
Where else diving USA, AU, Fiji, Caribbean
Closest Airport Cayman Brac Getting There Flight to Grand Cayman then puddle jumper to Cayman Brac

Dive Conditions

Weather sunny, dry Seas calm, choppy, currents
Water Temp 78-82°F / 26-28°C Wetsuit Thickness
Water Visibility 50-100 Ft/ 15-30 M

Dive Policy

Dive own profile yes
Enforced diving restrictions Maximum 60min or 500psi left dives. I don't breathe so I always had air left. Ended up extending dives by being first in and last out, didn't get talked to about it but the DM's were not very happy.
Liveaboard? no Nitrox Available? yes

What I Saw

Sharks 1 or 2 Mantas None
Dolphins None Whale Sharks None
Turtles > 2 Whales None
Corals 4 stars Tropical Fish 5 stars
Small Critters 4 stars Large Fish 4 stars
Large Pelagics N/A

Underwater Photography 1 (worst) - 5 (best):

Subject Matter 3 stars Boat Facilities 3 stars
Overall rating for UWP's 3 stars Shore Facilities N/A
UW Photo Comments Tables and rinse abilities on the boats. Attentive with giving divers their cameras and taking them. As I did not follow the DM, I have no idea about them pointing out things.
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Note: The information here was reported by the author above, but has NOT been reviewed nor edited by Undercurrent prior to posting on our website. Please report any major problems by writing to us and referencing the report number above.

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