Sport Today

I'm planning on going to Cayman this summer,
probably august or september. My travel agent
has steered me to Sunset House. I would like
some personal feedback from those of you that
have been to Sunset or Cayman in general before
I chose a hotel or dive operator.

These are my wants/needs in order of importance:

1) Good unlimited shore diving. My wife wants to spend alot
   of time taking pictures without the time restrictions
   of a boat dive.

2) No cattle boats. I got that at UNEXSO.

3) Reasonably priced.

4) Walking distance to shops, food etc...

Any other info, such as things to do and see would be
great. Stingy Ray City is a must!

I hope the experience equals that of Bonaire. The diving
was so easy and hassle free, I can't imagine Cayman topping
it.

Bob

  We went to Stringray City.  Nothing like it.  The day we went one diver (a
male, fortunately) got a major hickey on his right *** from the stringray.
 Me, I got one on my arm.

  I did not mean to imply it was fortunate he got a major hickey.  It was
fortunate he was a male because we all got to see the hickey when he lifted up
his shirt and proudly displayed it.

  Mine wasn't even remotely as good....

                      ^                  Ursula Keuper-Bennett
                     0 0                 Mississauga, Ontario

          /V     Turtle Trax    V\
        /V      Forever Green     V\     http://SportToday.org/~bunrab

        So yes, Sunset Reef is decent, but at least when I was there,
Sunset Divers had some limitations on their 'unlimited' shore diving.

        Tim

--


Ypsilanti, MI
48197-0443              In ***space, noone can hear you scream.

When we were at Sunset House, they did not limit the number of tanks you
could take. Of course, given the table limitations and the fact that most
people will have done two dives in the morning, it's unlikely that  many
people could use more than two per person safely.

It's only reasonable to ask you to pick up your tanks by closing time. They
provide free lockers to store them, ten steps at most away from the shop. I
doubt that anyone really expects them to stay open 24 hours, and I don't
think many people would have much problem with being asked to plan ahead
enough to pick up the tanks in advance.

Pulling the ladder when rough weather rolls in is also quite sensible. No
dive operation wants to encourage divers to get into the water in
conditions where getting back out could result in serious injury, if not
death. Judging from what we saw, getting killed coming out of the water
onto that ironstone in heavy seas is not only possible, it's likely.

Pulling the ladder by midnight is another thing altogether. We didn't stay
up late enough to notice if they still do that, but the ladder was in the
water at 0600 hrs, so if they pulled it somebody got out there really early
to put it back.

Sunset House does not have luxury accommodations, but for someone there for
the diving it is an excellent choice.

        \_ /  /// / /// / // / /   Peter Bennett, Mississauga, Ontario
     <:-(_ )~  VISIT TURTLE TRAX   http://www.io.org/~bunrab

I used to stay at Coconut Harbour .. . great little place with kitchenetts.
Haven't been there in a while though.  Parrotts Landing is a different dive
operator than when I was there, but I hear they're good.

Sunset has always been a reliable property and dive operation.  The Cathy
Church Photo Centre is GREAT for working on photography skills.

Both of these properties are good, in the same area (walking distance from
each other), with lots of shore diving all around.  Eden Rocks for lots of
shore diving and snorkeling is nearer to Sunset House.  All of the local dive
operators offer Stingray City ... definitely "The best 12" dive on Earth!"

Also spend a day with a rental car ... driving on the left is fun!  There's
lots to do around the island.  Plan for a full day of touring and don't miss
the opportunity to send your friends a Postcard from Hell ... the Town of
that is!

Have a great trip.

Lee Roth

        Text Copyright c Lee Roth & Lee Roth Media, 1995
        Reuse permitted only be express written permission.
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When my wife and I went to Stingray City, the yellowtails were nastier than
the rays, in terms of bites, hickies, etc.  Great dive, though.  If you go
to Cayman, it really must be done.  Once, anyway.

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