Cobalt Coast, Grand Cayman-Comments needed...

Due to an unforseen health condition that recently developed, my buddy and I have had to cancel our trip to Malaysia and are regrouping to dive "locally" to Texas in the Carribean. We are considering Cobalt Coast as a host lodge for a trip this summer.

I was made aware that some of you had visited there for the digital jam this year and I had hoped that you could share opinions or thoughts on your experience there.

We want to go and work with our DSLR's for a week and enjoy the leisure, self administrated style of diving that one might do in Bonaire. We also like for access to be easy, and of course staff and accommodations to be excellent.

Anyone care to share?

Mike

IMHO Cobalt Coast is an excellent choice. While I was not there for Digital Jam, I have spent nearly three weeks there over the last three years, both for meetings and for pleasure.

The reef at Cobalt Coast, and the Turtle Farm reef just up the road, are both excellent sites for shore diving/night diving. The dive operator DiveTech is OK, they are a little more "follow the leader" than I personally like, but the DM's are friendly and usually pretty laidback. The larger of the two boats, Atatude, has one of the larger camera tables I have ever seen on a day boat. Rinse buckets on the boats and at both the Cobalt Coast and Turtle Reef sites are large Rubbermaid bins filled with water, they were a tight squeeze for my Ikelite MD housing and two strobes.

Cobalt Coast is a little isolated from the rest of the island, but they can get you a rental car to improve access to other areas if you want. I'd be just as happy to dive with DiveTech in the morning, lunch, and then shoredive at Cobalt Coast or Turtle Farm in the afternoon/evening.

Staff at the hotel and accomodations are uniformly excellent. Arie, the proprietor, is a real gentleman. (Say hi for me when you're there).

Some shots from my two visits:

February 2003

October 2003

Obviously I have not been there since last year' hurricanes, but my understanding is that the reef systems in that area had only a fairly minor impact.

Reefs are fine. Still some property an tree damage on the island - but Dive Tech and Cobalt Coast are A1.

Dive Tech is a very good dive centre - with a great reputation in Tech diving circles. I regularly dive from their operation for shore diving, and most of their staff have been on the island for years - which is always a good sign.

I've only boat dived with them a couple of times. And I was given total freedom on those dives, although my diving was organised by the Dept of Tourism - so not "normal diving as such. But it was a normal trip.

Also this year they have introduced new boat schedules to allow customers to have as long in the water as they want. This is a new initiative on Cayman and during this year several dive centres will be altering their schedules to give customers as much bottom time as their will computers allow.

http://www.divetech.com/what1.htm

Alex

Also this year they have introduced new boat schedules to allow customers to have as long in the water as they want. This is a new initiative on Cayman and during this year several dive centres will be altering their schedules to give customers as much bottom time as their will computers allow.

Cool. FWIW after the first day or two of diving with them on both occasions that did pretty well leave me alone to do my own thing. I was always a tag-along with less experienced groups, so I suppose I shouldn't fault them for keeping a close eye on us all.

Craig,

I think you are right to pass on experiences like that. Being left alone and not being forced to follow a group is probably the most important thing a dive operator can offer many photographers.

Alex

I just wanted to point out a few disadvantages of cobalt coast .. even though I woul agree it is really great accomodation and GREAT northwall diving right at your door step.

1) It is in the middle of no where on a small island. Which is impressive to do. It does take a longer time to get to anywhere else on the island from here.

2) The swim out to the wall is a long one (or swom back) from the coast, if you have health coniditions or fitness problems you will not want to swim out or back very often if at all. They do offer a RIB ride out but not back ... its maybe like 400 yards.

3) Bonus you can get bused to Turtle farm for more shore diving with DIvetech which is awesome, some of the best on the island just ask Alex. And the guys who work at dive tech are awesome, and they have nice boats for any boat diving you do. They literally cater for everyone from basic divers to techies to photographers. And they are all very knowledgeable.

My biggest thing to say about staying there is how far out it is ... apart from that it is great. You will find a Taxi back from dinner out will cost over $30. I am not not recomending it just saying

EDIT :: also about the new initiative alex mentions .. that has been around for a while just many dive companies didnt mention it to customers as they liked the schedules to fit in as many trips as poss to make as much money etc.

Dive rules in cayman are regulated by CITWA a island based group which bases its diving rules around PADI and NAUI but makes them condusive to tourist diving with safety in mind. Each DM will have his own extra little rules they like as will companies. Divetech have however always appreciated experience and qulaifications of divers and have tried to cater for them this is just another step for them to make the average diver and especially those who dont want to spend $500 on a computer they use 5 times a year. Even with this GREAT idea of giving everyone a computer expect to follow a group at least once or twice if they dont know you esp. the Wall dives, I believe the max depth is now like 115ft and divemasters like to limit 130ft so that everyone is safe inc nitrox people. Once the Divemasters are secure with you being safe and you have gotten to know them that is the best time to ask for more freedom as a photographer althoguh they do always like a buddy with you unless you have done the solo divers course I have found which DiveTech is one of the only companies on the island to offer.

Thanks for the dirt on what appears and sounds to be a good place(Turtle Farm with Dive Tech) for training with a DSLR. At this point in our diving/photography, we need destinations that will allow us to concentrate on the abc's of getting the shot right every time. Low pressure situations like casual shore diving have proven to be the greatest opportunities for Sherri and I thus far. Obviously, a live aboard would do the same and will probably be the next phase of our travels/training.

Thanks to all for putting in their 2 cents worth on this destination. I would like very much for their to be more posts with just this sort of info on more destinations. Maybe a new forum?

Mike

Great choice! I live around the corner from both Dive Tech and Cobalt Coast. The hotel staff and dive staff are qualified to serve their guests with care. Chris Branson is the photo pro there and he can offer some great tips for stills or video, rebreathers or open, you will not be disappointed....Look for some unbelievable night dive shots right off the back of Dive Tech....I shot a pair of long snout sea horses right out of the cut....can be seen in the portfolio section at www.infinityphotoworks.com....give 'em a try!!

Aurabest,

john

are the sea horses commonly there ? have you seen them since ?

I have hunted everywhere to find my first cayman sea horse, even ventured into the mangroves with alex once. Everytime one appears somewhere I never get a chance to see it.

and Those are some neat sea horses too ... i want to see one !!