Dive Review of Dive Tech/Westin Casuarina Spa and Resort in
Cayman Islands/Grand Cayman

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Dive Tech/Westin Casuarina Spa and Resort, Apr, 2006, by David Vickery & Suzanne Leeson, NJ, USA ( Sr. Reviewer 11 reports with 3 Helpful votes). Report 2964.
No photos available at this time
Ratings and Overall Comments 1 (worst) - 5 (best):
Accommodations		Food
Service and Attitude		Environmental Sensitivity	N/A
Dive Operation		Shore Diving
Snorkeling	N/A
Overall Rating
Value for $$	N/A
Beginners
Advanced
Comments	We still think that Dive Tech is one of the best, if not the best operations on the East End. In GC they are the best shop for technical training. They do take their tech diving very seriously; if you sign up for a course it is not a guaranteed C-card, and you may spend the bulk of your vacation in class or on training dives. You will, however, learn what you signed up for. Once certified in an advanced course you are able to rent doubles and deco tanks for use on the daily boat dives and you will likely be excused from diving with the group. While this is diving freedom, it also means you are responsible for your own dive, and your own safety. Advanced divers are still asked not to exceed 60 minutes of bottom time on any given dive; to do so is impolite to the other divers on the boat. If you feel compelled to do some serious tech dives, you should check in with the shop where they can advise you where to go, provide a DM, and possibly arrange a charter if need be. Non-tech divers should not be scared away. If you are a competent sport diver you will be treated like an adult. The scooter rides are a gas, the staff is helpful and enthusiastic. Parents should know that there are courses for all levels of kids, even a Kid's Dive Camp Week. Your kids could not learn at a better place. Still lots of turtles to be seen, a few sharks, (we have seen hammerheads) and the odd eagle ray or two on the wall. Tarpon Hole has a large school of the big silver guys, and lots of tropicals on the shallower top reefs. The walls and overhangs are dramatic, especially if it's just you and your buddy. Direct flights make GC a short hop to get to from the east coast, far better than traveling 8 - 10 hours to get to Bonaire. The Westin is the best hotel on the island if you like a laid back pool atmosphere in the afternoon with an ocean view, and reasonable comfort. The Ritz Carlton is open now, but we found the hotel repressively stodgy, and the pool is not near the ocean. Their restaurant Blue is arguably the best on the island, but you will pay for it. Their best deal is the Champagne Dive, a glass each of Dom Perignon, Krug, and Moet & Chandon Nectaire for $51. Full sized pours, too. Chat up the waiters (many of the guests are repressively stodgy as well) and you may get an extra dessert or glass of wine. We always enjoy Restaurant Pappagallo, and for two people who are surrounded by Italian restaurants at home that's saying something. We prefer the Calypso Grill for lunch, when it's quieter. Other than that, explore the native roti shops or the shwarma stands for cheap eats.
Reporter and Travel
Dive Experience	501-1000 dives
Where else diving	Fiji, Yap, Palau, PNG, Australia, Maldives, Hawaii, Caribbean and Central America
Closest Airport		Getting There
Dive Conditions
Weather	sunny, dry	Seas	calm
Water Temp	79-81°F / 26-27°C	Wetsuit Thickness	3
Water Visibility	80-100 Ft/ 24-30 M
Dive Policy
Dive own profile	yes
Enforced diving restrictions	Not below 130 feet, surface with 500 psi, no dives longer than 60 minutes
Liveaboard?	no	Nitrox Available?	N/A
What I Saw
Sharks	1 or 2	Mantas	None
Dolphins	None	Whale Sharks	None
Turtles	> 2	Whales	None
Ratings 1(worst) - 5 (best):
Corals		Tropical Fish
Small Critters		Large Fish
Large Pelagics
Underwater Photography 1 (worst) - 5 (best):
Subject Matter		Boat Facilities
Overall rating for UWP's		Shore Facilities
UW Photo Comments	Rinse tank on boat, camera table on boat which is not supposed to be used for anything other than cameras, though you will find other soft items on it. We are unaware of camera assistance or developing available at the dive shop.

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Dive Review of Dive Tech/Westin Casuarina Spa and Resort in Cayman Islands/Grand Cayman

Dive Tech/Westin Casuarina Spa and Resort, Apr, 2006,

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

Overall Rating

Reporter and Travel

Dive Conditions

Dive Policy

What I Saw

Ratings 1(worst) - 5 (best):

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

Dive Review of Dive Tech/Westin Casuarina Spa and Resort in
Cayman Islands/Grand Cayman