Dive Review of Pirates Point Resort in
Cayman Islands/Little Cayman

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Pirates Point Resort, Nov, 2012, by Dorothy McDonald, OH, US ( Sr. Contributor 22 reports with 12 Helpful votes). Report 6788.
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	N/A
Snorkeling	N/A
Overall Rating
Value for $$
Beginners
Advanced
Comments	Probably most people going to Little Cayman and Pirates Point Resort have at least some idea of what to expect and know that: Bloody Bay Wall is spectacular, there is no night life or shopping on the island, that Pirates Point is known for its excellent food. We found all these things to be true. We didn't realize that this would be the easiest diving we've ever experienced - no current the entire week! At the beginning of the week we dove Bloody Bay Wall each day. The last 2 days of our stay a wind made that side of the island choppy so we dove on the south side of the island, sheltered from the wind and enjoyed the diving there too - not as much as Bloody Bay Wall, but it was still good diving with rays, barracuda, lobster, tropical fish, etc. as well as a healthy stand of Elk Horn Coral. We were told the Elk Horn Coral only grows on the south side of the island. During our stay Nitrox was not available at PPR due to equipment problems. Although the resort is on the water the dive boat is not docked there. Instead divers get into a van for about a 5 minute ride to and from the dock. The crew carries dive gear to the boat and divers set up their own tanks. At the end of the dive day anything but neoprene can be left on the boat. Divers put their wet suits, boots, etc in a bag which the crew carries back to the resort where each diver rinses his/her own gear. PPR offers 2 dives a day so may not be what hard-core divers want. Divers were divided into groups and led by a guide, although it seemed that as long as you had a buddy there was no pressure to stay with the guide. Each diver can continue the dive as long as they want as long as they surface with at least 500 psi. That meant the heavy breathers didn't cause others to cut dives short which seems a great idea and it would be nice if more dive operators did that. With this policy we had as much bottom time on 2 dives as we get on 3 dives at many places. Our first day of diving we were afraid we'd hear some grumbling because some divers had been waiting on the boat quite awhile before we surfaced - but as far as we know no one did grumble. The policy seems to be accepted and the resort's casual, laid-back style seems to be adopted by all the guests. A PPR divemaster is in the water at all times in case needed. Guides killed lion fish when they were spotted and we did see them - but not as frequently as we've seen them other places in the Caribbean. There are 10 rooms scattered about the property. Those on the water have a ceiling fan but no a/c. Rooms not facing the water have a/c, but there is a minor surcharge for using it. We thought the surcharge reasonable and were happy to pay it rather than sweat. Rooms are large and comfortable, but not luxurious. There are no phones, TVs or radios in the rooms. There is free wifi in and around the clubhouse - where most people gathered in the afternoons and evenings. Other activities include a swimming pool and hot tub, snorkeling off the beach, bikes free for the using for those wanting to tour the island or perhaps take a look at the red-footed boobys on the island. Staying here felt like being at a friend's week-long house party. Owner, Gladys Howard, talked to everyone and made sure all was going smoothly. She hosts a cocktail party for guests at her house every Friday night before dinner. Throughout the week guests mingled easily with one another. Casual clothes were all that was needed and anything else seemed out of place. A bell was rung to announce all meals and also to let divers know when it was time to get into the vans to head for the dive boat. Guests helped themselves to soft drinks, beer, wine,& hard alcohol at the clubhouse bar. All meals were srved buffet style - but this was not a typical cafeteria buffet and the menu changed daily (no repeats while we were there). Two superb chefs kept the food interesting and delicious. Breakfast might feature eggs benedict or banana crepes. Lunches might be soup and a sandwich, pizza or conch fritters. Dinners ranged from steak to grilled wahoo to duck breast. Special food requirements were honored (a vegetarian couple were happy with their meals too). One night two couples from another resort made reservations to dine at PPR and they practically swooned over the food. They said the food where they were staying was practically inedible and could not believe the quality of food they were served at PPR. This is a great place for people who: don't need to dive all day and can entertain themselves when not diving; enjoy a casual atmosphere and don't need luxurious surroundings. The only negative comment I have about the island are the no-see-ems. They seemed to find some people tastier than others and those people suffered greatly. My dive buddy came home with at least 100 bites that still itch a week later. The 30% deet repellant did not phase them - next time (because we do plan to return) we'll take some repellant that is 98% deet and see how that works.
Websites	Pirates Point Resort
Reporter and Travel
Dive Experience	501-1000 dives
Where else diving	Throughout Caribbean and South Pacific, Galapagos, Micronesia.
Closest Airport		Getting There
Dive Conditions
Weather	sunny, dry	Seas	no currents
Water Temp	78-82°F / 26-28°C	Wetsuit Thickness	3
Water Visibility	50-100 Ft/ 15-30 M
Dive Policy
Dive own profile	yes
Enforced diving restrictions	We were asked to stay with a buddy, not go deeper than 100', come up with at least 500psi and a happy computer.
Liveaboard?	no	Nitrox Available?	no
What I Saw
Sharks	1 or 2	Mantas	None
Dolphins	None	Whale Sharks	None
Turtles	> 2	Whales	None
Ratings 1(worst) - 5 (best):
Corals	N/A	Tropical Fish	N/A
Small Critters	N/A	Large Fish	N/A
Large Pelagics	N/A
Underwater Photography 1 (worst) - 5 (best):
Subject Matter		Boat Facilities
Overall rating for UWP's		Shore Facilities	N/A
UW Photo Comments	There was a table on the boat for cameras and a tub with fresh water for rinsing. While we were there only a few people had cameras so there were no space issues. If all divers had cameras space could become an issue. The crew was good about handing cameras to divers after they were in the water and taking cameras from divers at end of dives.

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Dive Review of Pirates Point Resort in Cayman Islands/Little Cayman

Pirates Point Resort, Nov, 2012,

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 Pirates Point Resort in
Cayman Islands/Little Cayman