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Dive Review of Tortuga/Morrtts Grand in
Cayman Islands

Tortuga/Morrtts Grand, Nov, 2011,

by David Reazor, MI, US ( 2 reports). Report 6347.

No photos available at this time

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

Accommodations 4 stars Food N/A
Service and Attitude 3 stars Environmental Sensitivity 4 stars
Dive Operation 4 stars Shore Diving N/A
Snorkeling N/A
Value for $$ 3 stars
Beginners 4 stars
Advanced 2 stars
Comments Safety, give them very high marks, current DAN Oxygen Kit, first aid including a full bottle of hydrogen period and back board to move injured diver. Boat had plenty of shade to get of the sun. Dive briefings were enough and they always had two staff in the water with the divers and split up the divers into 5-6 divers each max for those that wanted to follow. Newbie’s and divers that needed extra attention received it. On most dives, there were two head counts by two different staff members. On one two dive trip, they did a count and name call check-in.
The two dive boats had the same layout, so once you were giving the base explanation, it was good for both. There was fresh water and between dives, orange slices were provided. Boat had enough shade and you could go up to the flying bridge if you wanted.
A board listed the plan dive sites and time. There was a briefing of each site and before the pool was open, the crew checked the current.
Diving was easy and if you followed, it was nice and easy, even the photo guys had plenty of time without being left behind. Only request was for you to let them know when you hit 1500psi. They were very attentive and kept a watchful eye on all of the divers. Generally, by the time the tour was complete, both of us had close to 1000 psi, so they did not mind us spending more time as the other divers headed up for their safety stop. For those who dived their own profile, we found that usually, they were within eye site most of the time.
The coral was a mixed bag; some were in pretty bad shape. Some spots were much better. There were a lot of swim troughs and if you did not want to follow, they explained to just follow the Champaign bubbles. The biggest thing we noticed, where did all the fish GO? We were really surprised by the lack of fish. We found one cleaner shrimp, but not one lobster which surprised us. Fish of any size were noticeable absent with the exception of grouper ally which had not a one grouper but a lot of tarpon. One ell, a green moral out for a swim.
This is not the diving we remembered from a few years earlier. There were plenty of fish, I mean lots and lots. All dives except one were on the east side and the one dive on the north, so we were shocked.
Considering we only saw 5 lion fish, two of them rather large, that didn’t seem to be the problem. Maybe because of the lack of fish, the other moved to other locations.
As for the overall business side of the house, the crew was attentive, made sure everyone had the gear required before leaving the dock, would setup and change you gear if you wanted and generally provide all the help you needed. If you needed help, they were there, usually before you asked. But that is where it ended, they were not part of the divers on board and pretty much stayed to themselves. If it was not business, they really did not communicate and seemed reluctant to have a conversation. This was something noticed by others and most stated they would not dive with them again, it just didn’t fee friendly, all business. Really a shame as they have a great and safe operation, but then maybe the crew is tired, been there too long and the excitement is gone.
One other note, we left our fins at home, what a mistake, the fins they supplied are the full foot type and even their largest fins would not fit over our boots… made climbing the ladder, tough on my old feet. I also don’t like the practice of everyone putting on their fins and then move to the back of the boat, but then it was wide open, so probably made it easier and they did help you make you way to the swim platform.
Websites Tortuga   

Reporter and Travel

Dive Experience 101-250 dives
Where else diving [Unspecified]
Closest Airport Getting There

Dive Conditions

Weather sunny, windy Seas choppy
Water Temp -°F / -°C Wetsuit Thickness 3
Water Visibility 60-70 Ft/ 18-21 M

Dive Policy

Dive own profile yes
Enforced diving restrictions Each dive had a time limit, but not enforced
Liveaboard? no Nitrox Available? yes

What I Saw

Sharks None Mantas None
Dolphins None Whale Sharks None
Turtles None Whales None
Corals 2 stars Tropical Fish 2 stars
Small Critters 3 stars Large Fish 1 stars
Large Pelagics 1 stars

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

Subject Matter 4 stars Boat Facilities 4 stars
Overall rating for UWP's 4 stars Shore Facilities 2 stars
UW Photo Comments Had a seperate dunk barrell and a very small table, mostly unusable
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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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