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Dive Review of Brac Reef Beach Resort in
Cayman Islands/Cayman Brac

Brac Reef Beach Resort, Mar, 2011,

by Donald and Marilee Hughes, MN, USA (Reviewer Reviewer 4 reports). Report 6016.

No photos available at this time

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

Accommodations 5 stars Food 5 stars
Service and Attitude 5 stars Environmental Sensitivity 5 stars
Dive Operation 5 stars Shore Diving N/A
Snorkeling N/A
Value for $$ 4 stars
Beginners 5 stars
Advanced 3 stars
Comments Large, covered dive boats are well maintained, clean, and have heads. Between dive snacks and water are supplied. Dives are available morning and afternoon with two night dives per week.
You set your gear outside your door the first morning in gear bags supplied by the dive shop. They gather the bags and take them to the boat where you set up your gear the first time, then it's done by staff each day thereafter. Your bc and regs stay on the boat during the week, with staff hosing them off each day. You suit up, then carry your flippers to the back of the boat where you have a seat. The staff then carry your tank/bc/regs to you and assist you gearing up. Same procedure is followed at the end of dives, "valet diving." One large rinse tank for wetsuits and one for camera rinse are at the dive shop. You have choice of leaving your suit hang outside or inside to dry. Suits dry fairly fast in the well ventilated drying room. There's a hose available on the boats for a quick rinse off after dives. Large deck towels are supplied. Nitrox is available, costing $10/tank or $100 for the week. Fills are consistent at 32%. You check your percentage with their gauge, then mark the tank with your name. I'd suggest the Brac reefs aren't quite the level as Little Cayman, but are good Caribbean diving. First dive of the day is 50 minutes/110 feet. Second dives of the day are 60 minutes/60 feet.

The resort has been completely rebuilt since Hurricane Paloma leveled the resort in 2008. Everything is new. They've done a great job of rebuilding! Rooms are well furnished. We stayed in a suite which included a refrigerator, coffee and tea, room safe, LCD TV with dozen or more channels, instant hot water, air conditioning, ceiling fan. Clean towels were always in good supply. Lighting in our room could have been better. Bulbs in the 3-way lamps were only 10watt... All rooms have a small patio or balcony with chairs. Pool was always kept clean as were the grounds. Meals are buffet style included in some packages or made to order at an additional expense in an adjoining dining area which we didn't partake in, so I can't comment on that option. However, the buffet food was quite excellent. Food can also be ordered and eaten at the outside bar, our option for lunches which we really enjoyed. Food prices were very reasonable at the bar with quite fast service. There is a coin washer and dryer available with outside drying lines available, a very nice touch. I believe service is available to have your clothes washed as well. The resort is quiet and peaceful, sitting beachfront with shaded hammocks and chairs always available even though the resort was nearly full during our week there. I'd give all staff from the front desk at check-in to the dive staff highest ratings. All were friendly and seemed happy to be working at the resort.

In contrast to the small puddle jumper that's required to access Little Cayman from Grand Cayman, there's a large jet departing each Saturday from Grand to Brac and back. With this flight there's none of the hassle being charged for more than one bag of luggage and potentially being required to check your carry-on bag, a substantial bonus when traveling to Brac. The front desk will arrange a rental car or van for you. The small rental office is located just down the road. Prices are reasonable. Island tours are also available and arranged at the front desk also. The guides will go with you in your vehicle, tailoring the tour for what you want to see, caves, shopping, beach walking, etc. Bicycles are available to use free, though it was a bit warm for riding bikes during the afternoons, so we passed.
Websites Brac Reef Beach Resort   

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience 501-1000 dives
Where else diving Caribbean, Florida, Solomon Islands
Closest Airport Getting There

Dive Conditions

Weather dry Seas calm, currents, no currents
Water Temp 78-79°F / 26-26°C Wetsuit Thickness 3
Water Visibility 50-125 Ft/ 15-38 M

Dive Policy

Dive own profile no
Enforced diving restrictions 110 feet/50 minutes first dive, 60 feet/60 minutes second dive.
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 3 stars
Small Critters 3 stars Large Fish 2 stars
Large Pelagics N/A

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

Subject Matter 3 stars Boat Facilities 4 stars
Overall rating for UWP's 3 stars Shore Facilities 4 stars
UW Photo Comments Cameras are handled with care, though the small, but dedicated camera table gets crowded easily. The bottom level of the table was used mostly for lotions, books, etc... At the end of dives, staff take your camera as you get to the dive deck, then rinse it off with water hose before setting it on the camera table.
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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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