June 2010    Download the Entire Issue (PDF)

Vol. 25, No. 6   What's this?

Little Cayman, Maui, Grenadines…

overlooked, misunderstood dive sites worth mentioning

from the June, 2010 issue of Undercurrent  

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For the traveling diver, there are always new developments, but there are also places that get overlooked, even misunderstood.

Little Cayman Island. While it is frequently touted as a getaway for divers who want some of the better Caribbean diving and no development, one Little Cayman alternative doesn’t get a lot of ink. Paradise Villas is little heralded but it is a well-regarded, small beachfront development just perfect for people who want nice digs and good diving. Michael Hynan (Grafton, WI) can’t stay away. “We made our ninth visit to Little Cayman, staying again at Paradise Villas. Our 2001 stay convinced us that vacationing with the resort operators, Marc and Sabine, was a guaranteed wonderful experience. We are in a wonderful nine-year rut. We enjoy cooking in occasionally and we make good use of the hot plates and grills Paradise Villas offers. The frozen meats from the local grocery store have been of consistent good quality. To minimize costs, we appreciated being able to order from the lunch menu when we eat our evening meals at the Hungry Iguana. We made eight two-tank trips with Conch Club Divers, a top-notch operation. A divemaster picked us up in a van for the trip to the pier at Little Cayman Beach Resort to get on the Conch Club’s boat Sea Esta. It is a 42-foot Newton with head, camera table, water, snacks, etc. We were always the first dive boat to leave in the morning, giving us the pick of the best spots. Bill, the owner, runs a well organized, fun operation that includes talented divemasters and excellent briefings. Tim and Ann seem to have been with Conch Club Divers forever. Tim gets a gleam in his eye when it is time to catch a lionfish, and Ann is the mistress of finding small creatures underwater.”

Another reader, John from Napa, CA, says “The Paradise Villas are right on the water, and are charming with ‘Caribbean rustic elegance.’ Marc, Sabine and Michelle took very good care of us. The service from Patrick and Emma at the Hungry Iguana restaurant was great and the food is not fancy but quite good. The curry lovers among us said that the curry served on “Curry Night” is among the best they have ever had.” (www.paradisevillas.com; www.conchclubdivers.com) ...