Dive Review of
Red Sail and Indigo Divers/Mariott Beach Resort in
Cayman Islands/7 Mile Beach and South Sound

All over Caribbean, Belize

Dive Conditions

Computer divers were self regulated  

[None]  

Overall Rating

 I used two different dive operators, one large boat (Red Sail) and one
small boat (Indigo Divers).  Each was a very different experience.  The
weather was overcast, and very windy with somewhat rough conditions at the
dive sites on Seven Mile Beach.  In fact, the dive site Orange Canyon was
aborted by Red Sail (www.redsail.com) after arrival at the mooring  due to
strong currents.  Red Sail’s well maintained boats can accommodate about 22
divers at a time and up until the day of my dive, the captain stated they
had only small groups of 6-7 divers, perhaps because the weather was not
ideal.  They have pick-ups at all the hotels.  Did one afternoon (shallow)
dive and one two tank dive the next day with Red Sail.  One each dive, the
boat had about 20 divers, about half of which were recreational or
certification check dive divers.  Despite the size of the group on board,
there were enough divemasters to split up the group into small groups, and
the experienced divers were in a group of 5.  Once underwater, our small
group never encountered the other divers.  The shallow dives were buddy
dives and well dispersed at different intervals, a good method for keeping
the small clusters of divers well separated.  Service on board the Red Sail
boat was friendly, helpful, professional and enjoyable.  The possible
negative was the size of the group (22) which I didn’t mind and the fact
that someone with a SLR underwater camera with strobes had to share the
table with the lead weights.  The captain did caution everyone to be
mindful of the camera.  

For the “small boat” experience, I dove with Indigo Divers
(www.indigodivers.com), and frankly, I may never dive a large boat again. 
Chris, the owner and captain, runs a sleek 28’ Sea Ray that makes any large
dive boat seem like a buckboard by comparison.  Plush, cushioned seats,
covered, wind protected seating area, sodas, water, cookies, fruit, towels,
blankets if you’re cold all added to the 5 star experience – and for LESS
that Red Sail’s two tank dive.  Indigo Divers were stationed in the South
Sound area of Grand Cayman because of the weather and compared to the rough
conditions along 7 Mile Beach, the South Sound was calm and peaceful. 
There were only three of us diving with Indigo that morning and we decided
to do two shallow dives for the time underwater.  The shallow dives in the
South Sound are so superior to anything along 7 Mile Beach, I was
incredulous.  Bull Winkles Reef was 30-50 feet, full of deep canyons,
swim-thru’s and coral in much more pristine condition than the shallow
reefs off 7 Mile Beach.  Next time in Caymans, I’m skipping 7 Mile and
heading right to South Sound.  Call or email Indigo Divers before you
arrive in Caymans as they are often booked several days in advance.  Indigo
Divers was an incredibly plush, relaxing, luxurious dive experience. 
Experienced divers are free to dive the limits of their computers and air
supply.  We enjoyed two 1 hour+ dives at these shallow sites.  I’m booking
Indigo Divers the next time I’m in Cayman, this is the way diving was meant
to be.  I can’t wait to get back and see more of the South Sound reefs. 
Indigo does hotel pick-ups, but if you are a restaurant junkie like me, I
recommend renting a car at the airport, they’re not that expensive.  My
favorite restaurants in Grand Cayman are Calypso Grill, The Wharf, Grand
Old House (tables at the breakwall with waves crashing at your feet!) and
Mezza.  American Express Travel website (americanexpress.com) booked the
Marriott Beachfront at $100 a day cheaper than Expedia, hotels.com or
Travelocity, plus, it included free American style buffet breakfast for two
and a room service pizza as well.  Marriott is almost as plush at the Ritz
and Westin at half the price.  
 

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