What's the best way to do Cayman Brac?

Before kids, my wife and I did Grand Cayman three years in a row.
It's been 6 years, we just did the obligatory Di$neyworld vacation
(vacation??), and now we're dying to go to Cayman without the kids.

We want to do Cayman Brac, and get away from the relative hustle and
bustle of Grand Cayman. When I checked the Cayman website and did a
search for dive packages, it only came up with Divi Tiara and Reef
Divers. I Googled Divi and came up with alot of negative reports, and
didn't find any reports on Reef Divers.

If we don't get one of these packages, can I get some recommendations
for accommodations and separate dive packages? We prefer a condo or
villa to a hotel room.

Is there a grocery store on Brac?

How long into the Fall is the diving and weather still good?
If we went mid-September, would it still be good?

Thanks for any tips!

Mitch@hotmail.com wrote:

> Before kids, my wife and I did Grand Cayman three years in a row.
> It's been 6 years, we just did the obligatory Di$neyworld vacation
> (vacation??), and now we're dying to go to Cayman without the kids.
>
> We want to do Cayman Brac, and get away from the relative hustle and
> bustle of Grand Cayman. When I checked the Cayman website and did a
> search for dive packages, it only came up with Divi Tiara and Reef
> Divers. I Googled Divi and came up with alot of negative reports, and
> didn't find any reports on Reef Divers.
>
> If we don't get one of these packages, can I get some recommendations
> for accommodations and separate dive packages? We prefer a condo or
> villa to a hotel room.
>
> Is there a grocery store on Brac?
>
> How long into the Fall is the diving and weather still good?
> If we went mid-September, would it still be good?
>
> Thanks for any tips!
>
While Cayman doesn't get hurricanes very often it does happen. September
can be a nasty month for them. Then again you may hit perfect weather.
It is a crap shoot.

Haven't done CB so can't give a recommendation

<Mitch@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:3eia20587t1ngfjlshe93078d53jua834c@4ax.com...
> Before kids, my wife and I did Grand Cayman three years in a row.
> It's been 6 years, we just did the obligatory Di$neyworld vacation
> (vacation??), and now we're dying to go to Cayman without the kids.
>
> We want to do Cayman Brac, and get away from the relative hustle and
> bustle of Grand Cayman. When I checked the Cayman website and did a
> search for dive packages, it only came up with Divi Tiara and Reef
> Divers. I Googled Divi and came up with alot of negative reports, and
> didn't find any reports on Reef Divers.
>

We had dive vacations at Divi for nine years, the last in 99, so it has been
awhile; however, I have kept tract of most posts in the scuba NG's, and
don't see how many things have changed concerning the dive operation, and
food. I understand they have had a number of refurbishments in the past
year or so with some rooms. They finally replaced the bar on the beach.

I'm sure you may get a reponse from Hugh Huntzinger here. He has a
timeshare at Divi, and does go, I think, near the end of September. He can
give you any current information, and what's really going on.

As for Divi; we will be back once we get our twelve year old twins
certified...hopefully this spring/summer. We didn't go back for nine
successive trips for not liking the place. We haven't been back because the
twins became old enough to start saying, " How come we can't go?", and
unless you dive, like to hike, or just sit on the beach, it could get pretty
boring for the kids. Besides, for those nine years we were able to get away
for a few days by ourselves, with the kids safely in the grandparents care
and decompress. It became our home away from home.

If you did choose Divi, I would recomend one of the rooms in the two
buildings that are on the east end of the property. They are in the deluxe,
to luxury catagory, but are not terribly expensive, are all ocean front, and
on a beach to die for. I'll send you pictures if you like.

> If we don't get one of these packages, can I get some recommendations
> for accommodations and separate dive packages? We prefer a condo or
> villa to a hotel room.
>
Yes, but the name escapes me at the moment. There was a trip report a year
ago or so that detailed the condo/dive routine. I'm sure Hugh can help you
there as well.

> Is there a grocery store on Brac?

Yes. On the way to Divi, or the condos that I know of you will pass
Tibbetts Square (small strip mall type thing) and the grocery store is
there. I understand they will still come and pick you up to do your
shopping, and then take you back.
>
> How long into the Fall is the diving and weather still good?
> If we went mid-September, would it still be good?
>
Hugh can help you here ,too.

George
> Thanks for any tips!
>
>

On Sat, 07 Feb 2004 22:27:05 GMT, "George Price" <gprice3@cfl.rr.com>
wrote:


>If you did choose Divi, I would recomend one of the rooms in the two
>buildings that are on the east end of the property. They are in the deluxe,
>to luxury catagory, but are not terribly expensive, are all ocean front, and
>on a beach to die for. I'll send you pictures if you like.

I haven't been for several years either, but I think the trick is to
get one of the nicer rooms, the 3-meals a day plan, and a dive
package. Most of the grumbling is from people who try to go on the
cheap - standard room, no meal plan, etc. When we were there (went
several times/year during the 90s), the bar was terrific, food
outstanding and beer cold. Beach was #1.
I haven't found anything better yet - just got tired of being the
oldest guy on the dive boat. <grin>


-HW "Skip" Weldon
Columbia, SC

So far from what I've seen, the Brac accommodations look great.
After the ridiculous greed of the Disney resorts, all of the Cayman
prices look beautiful.

Just want to get away from all the PEOPLE. :)

Mitch@hotmail.com wrote:

> Just want to get away from all the PEOPLE. :)

If you really want to get away you could also consider Little Cayman. There are a lot
less people, but there are also less things to do out of the water. Staying at any of
the resorts will also somewhat negate the lesser number of people, since they tend to
be concentrated.

If you really want a condo, you can still dive with Reef Divers, but wouldn't want to
stay at Brac Reef Beach Resort. OTOH, if you're not adamantly opposed to a hotel
room, they are also a good option. As for opinions on Reef Divers, a Google groups
search on "brac reef divers" turns up 338 posts. For my personal opinion, having
spent a week at Brac Reef Beach Resort and diving with Reef Divers, that's where I'll
go the next time I get to the Brac.

--
Steve

The above can be construed as personal opinion in the absence of a reasonable
belief that it was intended as a statement of fact.

If you want a reply to reach me, remove the SPAMTRAP from the address.

Mitch@hotmail.com> wrote
..
> We want to do Cayman Brac, and get away from the relative hustle and
> bustle of Grand Cayman. When I checked the Cayman website and did a
> search for dive packages, it only came up with Divi Tiara and Reef
> Divers. I Googled Divi and came up with alot of negative reports, and
> didn't find any reports on Reef Divers.
>
> If we don't get one of these packages, can I get some recommendations
> for accommodations and separate dive packages? We prefer a condo or
> villa to a hotel room.

If you want information on Reef Divers, look for Brac Reef Beach Resort. We
use the resport and dive operation on our trips to Brac, but it's been a
while. The resort operation stays pretty much the same, but the dive
operators change from time to time. The ones we knew are gone, but I'd bet
their replacements are equally good.

Divi and BRBR are right beside one another. There are some codos a bit down
the beach, but you're still going to have to book your diving with somebody.
Personally, I'd go back for the all inclusive at the resort rather than use
any of the other options. If you do, get the package that includes drinks
if you think you'll have more than one or two a day each. If you don't take
the all inclusive, watch the bar tab. If you bill it to your room, tips
will be added. I didn't find that out until I checked out. I double tipped
the entire week.

> How long into the Fall is the diving and weather still good?
> If we went mid-September, would it still be good?

You take your chances.

Lee

I was in CB last summer with Divi. I, too, have read a lot of negative
things about them, but did not experience any problems (other than they ran
out of coconut rum). The resort shows some age, but is clean and appears to
be well run.

If you stay at Divi, get the all inclusive like everyone is saying. There
are a couple of stores, but don't expect much selection. There is a car
rental place about 50 yards down the road from Divi. They rent Jeep's
(that's what they call them, they are actually Suzuki's) for abt. $30 or so
a day. Remember, you can drive the whole island in less than 3 hours - so
you don't need a car for more than a day or two.

The food is really good, although after a week of eating 3 meals a day at
the same place, you are ready for something else. But they do a good job of
varying the menu each night.



<Mitch@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:3eia20587t1ngfjlshe93078d53jua834c@4ax.com...
> Before kids, my wife and I did Grand Cayman three years in a row.
> It's been 6 years, we just did the obligatory Di$neyworld vacation
> (vacation??), and now we're dying to go to Cayman without the kids.
>
> We want to do Cayman Brac, and get away from the relative hustle and
> bustle of Grand Cayman. When I checked the Cayman website and did a
> search for dive packages, it only came up with Divi Tiara and Reef
> Divers. I Googled Divi and came up with alot of negative reports, and
> didn't find any reports on Reef Divers.
>
> If we don't get one of these packages, can I get some recommendations
> for accommodations and separate dive packages? We prefer a condo or
> villa to a hotel room.
>
> Is there a grocery store on Brac?
>
> How long into the Fall is the diving and weather still good?
> If we went mid-September, would it still be good?
>
> Thanks for any tips!
>

"George Price" <gprice3@cfl.rr.com> wrote:

> <Mitch@hotmail.com> wrote:
> > Before kids, my wife and I did Grand Cayman three years in a row.
> > It's been 6 years, we just did the obligatory Di$neyworld vacation
> > (vacation??), and now we're dying to go to Cayman without the kids.
> >
> > We want to do Cayman Brac, and get away from the relative hustle and
> > bustle of Grand Cayman.


That it will be. Bring reading material


> > When I checked the Cayman website and did a
> > search for dive packages, it only came up with Divi Tiara and Reef
> > Divers. I Googled Divi and came up with alot of negative reports, and
> > didn't find any reports on Reef Divers.

The Brac's two hotels are:
- Divi Tiara (dive op: Dive Tiara)
- Brac Reef Beach Resort (BRBR; dive op: Reef Divers)

Both have their own websites and offere package deals. Last year's
deals were a $777 package (per person), which incuded a STD room, diving
and 2 meals day (no lunch, no booze).

BTW, if you see any reference to "Brac Aquatics", this is the original
diveshop that was BRBR...they've since shut down completely.

There's also a small outfit called "The Village Scuba School" run by
Dee. IMO, the best dive instructor on the island. She'll frequently do
shore dives, but will also hop onboard the Reef Divers boats.



There are some Timeshares/Condos/Houses/B&B's, and your options are:

Timeshares (RCI):
- Divi Tiara (currently *CLOSED* for long-overdue rennovations)

Condo's:
- Brac Caribbean Beach Club

Houses: probably about a dozen choices

B&B:
- Walton's Mango Manor

Except for the houses & B&B, the rest of these places are all clustered
down on the island's Southside, on the West End near the airport (not
enough flights/day to worry about noise).



> We had dive vacations at Divi for nine years, the last in 99, so it has been
> awhile; however, I have kept tract of most posts in the scuba NG's, and
> don't see how many things have changed concerning the dive operation, and
> food. I understand they have had a number of refurbishments in the past
> year or so with some rooms. They finally replaced the bar on the beach.

I'll often tell first-time visitors to "flip a coin" between the BRBR &
Divi when the packages are comparable, etc. To a great degree, the
quality of the room and the like often came down to which hotel most
recently rennovated their rooms. Currently, I'd have to say that that
edge goes to the Divi, as they've undergone a lot of rennovations.

On the dive ops, I prefer the Divi's, although the Reef Divers boats are
probably in better shape right now (again, it can be 'flip a coin' from
year to year)...although the Divi is going to be receiving a new
diveboat (IIRC a 46' Newton) within the next month or so. Ditto for
their own Nitrox station. In any event, I personally prefer the smaller
diveboats that Divi runs, as the big Newton that Reef Divers runs can
make for an uncrowded trip to the divesite, but "crowded water" once you
get there. IMO, there's also more dive freedom off the Divi boats,
although some of this could be that they're trusting of repeat guests:
for example, last September we had one dive (2nd AM dive) where one
gentleman was teased for doing a 84 minute dive...not because he went
long, but because he was the first one up!

BTW, note also that there's some local Cayman Politics even on the Brac.
If you stay at anyplace "offsite", you'll probably find (or be told)
that our dive package is through Reef Divers...oversimplifying, this has
to do with a "Caymanians First" jobs policy (because Divi doesn't have a
Caymanian business partner) that should have sunset when Brac Aquatics
went out of business. The bottom line here is that as the customer, you
can dive with whoever you want (so long as you're firm), although Divi's
supposed to make you aware of the other dive op and make a courtesty
call...don't worry about huring "the small local guy" because Winston's
BA no longer exists: and the beneficiary, the family that owns Reef
Divers also owns the BRBR, the Little Cayman Beach Resort (LCBR), as
well as the entire Cox Lumber chain in Florida (FWIW, I don't know if
they still own a bank in Atlanta, or the concrete shipping company).



> I'm sure you may get a reponse from Hugh Huntzinger here. He has a
> timeshare at Divi, and does go, I think, near the end of September. He can
> give you any current information, and what's really going on.

Yes, I'm a TS owner at the Divi. The status of their rennovation is
that they've been closed now for nearly 5 months and they're still
trying to figure out how to make the rennovation plan work in the first
"test" unit. Granted, some of this is that it takes several weeks to
get materials shipped to a remote destination like this, but IMO the
reality is that they've concentrated their efforts on getting the hotel
fixed up and my TS is a lower priority (insert standard bitch here about
faithful customers vs new business).

Fortunately, my Divi TS contract is one of the old ("if you don't go,
you don't have to pay") style, and our current thoughts are that we're
going to skip Divi 2004 (first time in 15 years), in at least as a
"booked 6 months in advance" reservation, and wait-and-see.

I'm sure that we'll get a Cayman trip in 2004 at some point ... probably
go over to Little Cayman (probably Pirate's Point). Its going to depend
on how many weeks we're going to spend in Peru.


> If you did choose Divi, I would recomend one of the rooms in the two
> buildings that are on the east end of the property. They are in the deluxe,
> to luxury catagory, but are not terribly expensive, are all ocean front, and
> on a beach to die for. I'll send you pictures if you like.

These are nice rooms, and very recently rennovated. IIRC, the 2nd floor
of these might be classified as only "Deluxe" (not LUX), although you
will have to make sure to say that you want the "1800 building" (and get
this confirmed), so that you don't get one of the rooms by the pool.

The Divi website has some photo's of the buildings as they've been
updated; the biggest change for us regulars is that it used to be that
all Divi buildings were whitewashed the same color - no longer. They've
gone to a variety of the "Caribbean Pastels". I'll try to find some
photo's.



> > If we don't get one of these packages, can I get some recommendations
> > for accommodations and separate dive packages? We prefer a condo or
> > villa to a hotel room.
>
> Yes, but the name escapes me at the moment. There was a trip report a year
> ago or so that detailed the condo/dive routine. I'm sure Hugh can help you
> there as well.

Reef Divers is running a 2nd dock (maybe diveshop too?) up at Carib
Sands, and Brac Caribbean Beach Resort is literally right next store.
I'm not sure if they're running formal packages, but that's what I'd go
research if this is what you want. FWIW, neither of these condos are
particularly well designed IMO for good airflow through the units - - if
you're going to stay here, the room's going to be in fulltime A/C.



> > Is there a grocery store on Brac?
>
> Yes. On the way to Divi, or the condos that I know of you will pass
> Tibbetts Square (small strip mall type thing) and the grocery store is
> there. I understand they will still come and pick you up to do your
> shopping, and then take you back.

Any time you call for a taxi, make sure you have plenty of time

There's three (3) good-sized groceries on the island. The above at
Tibbetts Square is the closest...around .8 mile If you go past here,
turn right and drive up the northside of the island (eastbound), within
a mile or so you'll see "Billy's" on your left, shortly after the gas
station. Continuing up this road another ~2 miles will put you on the
outskirts of Spot Bay, where there's another place (the Tibb-Mart?). If
you have a car, visit all three before buying too much (BTW, keep an eye
on expiration dates on canned goods in the last place); personally, we
buy meals at the hotel but hit Billy's for misc snacks.

For beer, "Brac Distributors" have moved - they're now in the little
strip mall at the corner by the cross-island road on the southside
(closer to the hotels).


> > How long into the Fall is the diving and weather still good?
> > If we went mid-September, would it still be good?
> >
> Hugh can help you here ,too.

As Joe English said, September can be hit/miss. In 2002, I was on-site
through Hurricane Lily, and yet 48 hours after the storm passed, we were
out diving on Little Cayman (yes, it was calm enough to make the
crossing) with 100+ft visibility, whereas the year that Skip & I were
together, we had some amount of rain every day that Skip was on the
island. But more generally speaking, the late Sept/Oct timeframe is a
transitional time from summer to winter conditions, and while you can
have a pretty fresh SE wind for a few days, with patience, it will
suddenly drop at any time to no wind, which lets you go dive anywhere
you want (translation: "Yahoo! Southside walls where no one has dived
for weeks). For my 2-week Sept/Oct trips, I'd say that we almost always
get in at least one "southside" day, even though September this is
pushing season...for this, the beginning of October is slightly better.

What I do like most about this time of year is that its extra-quiet
(fewer tourists; cheaper flights), the sun isn't so hot, but the water's
still warm. The downside is that if you're thinking about going to
Little Cayman at this time of year, most of the places there will be
closed, as this is when they take their vacation.

Finally, for rental cars, there's B&S and DDDD's. The phone# for DDDD's
is 345-948-1599 and if you give them your flight info, they'll meet you
at the airport with your car. Figure just over US$200/week.


-hh

Thanks for the info.
We are leaning towards a place with a kitchen, so we're not always at
the mercy of expensive dining.

The Carib Sands looks pretty nice.