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Dive Review of Paradise Divers/Paradise Villas in
Cayman Islands/Little CAYMAN

Paradise Divers/Paradise Villas, Mar, 2003,

by Michael Zagachin, MA, USA . Report 405.

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 N/A
Dive Operation 5 stars Shore Diving 1 stars
Snorkeling N/A
Value for $$ N/A
Beginners 5 stars
Advanced 5 stars
Comments After 10 years of diving around the world the last 4 years of diving my wife and I spent in this divers paradise with Paradise Divers. I am still wondering why anyone would go anywhere else. In MY OPINION the word "perfect" applies to everything for this destination in general and this dive operation in particular.

Accomodations: super comfortable, super clean, super quiet, the best view. Hammocks and a book are an afternoon attraction. Two free bikes per unit are your mode of transportation.
Operation: One of the best, if not absolutely the best, I have ever experienced. Very unimposing, helpfull and a joy to be around Vincent, Rod, Marc and, missed very much this year, Ann made us feel at home on the boat and underwater year after year. They will watch you carefully on the first couple of dives, and then you are left to your own devices, if they are convinced you know what you are doing. Usually we prefer to dive with them since they have incredible eye for things we would never find. When their new (the fastest on the island)boat is "crowded" with 8-10 divers (in four years we've never had more) we would go by ourselves, just letting the divemaster know. Briefings are so good, there is no need to dive, they told you everything already. My best dive: last year when I was the only customer one day and they took the boat out anyway. Two best divemasters and one client. Well it wasn't client but friends diving together. First dive with Ann, second with Vinny-it just does not get any better.

Diving: There isn't much to add to what has been said already about Little Cayman diving. It is increadible. This year we observed tubular sponge spawning, incredible site. Green morays, turtles, big, really big lobsters, huge crabs are regulars on every dive. Coral and tropical fish are in such abandance, that you start taking it for granted. Last year grey shark was almost on every dive, but only twice this year and both times on safety stop in 15 feet of water.

Food: Dinners are very good either at the on-site restaurant or at adjacent resorts within a short walk or bike ride. Ever helpful Sabine will make reservation for you. Dinner usually cost about $30-40 US per person, plus drinks. We usually made our own breakfast and lunch. When lazy, go for a good lunch at the restaurant.
Negatives: None for both of us, except 60 min dive time limit for me personnaly. Not that I need much more, but I just do not like restrictions.
Looking for night life or shopping - go elsewhere, this place is about peace and quiet. In four years we have never heard anyone complaining about anything.

Cost: Cayman Islands aren't cheap in general, especially food. Six pack of beer on Little Cayman is $17.50 US in one and only store.
On the other hand the cost of Paradise Villas' superb efficiency accomodations is about the same or less than a bare motel room on Cape Code. Repeat customers get discount at Paradise. They do not nickel-and-dime you to death, like other places. We were willing to go diving this year to some other place and researched Undercurrent extensively. The result - Little Cayman Paradise Divers for the fourth time. Small wonder about 40% of their clients are repeats.

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience 251-500 dives
Where else diving Australia, Thailand, Bali, Bonaire, Grand Turk
Closest Airport Getting There

Dive Conditions

Weather sunny, windy Seas calm
Water Temp 78-81°F / 26-27°C Wetsuit Thickness 4
Water Visibility 50-100 Ft/ 15-30 M

Dive Policy

Dive own profile yes
Enforced diving restrictions 130 feet, Cayman standard Limits and 60 min.
Liveaboard? no Nitrox Available? N/A

What I Saw

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

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

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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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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