After a record-breaking 2017 for Cayman tourism overall, and projections for continued growth, the island’s dive operators expect 2018 to be a banner year for their industry, and they are prepared for it. As a leader in dive tourism, Cayman has always balanced responsible diving and conservation with an outstanding dive product, always keeping it fresh and exciting for discerning divers. Cayman’s dive sites, dive operators, and resorts remain topnotch, and the divers who voted in the Scuba Diving Magazine’s Readers Choice Awards agree.
Three resorts, Sunset House, the Southern Cross Club, and Compass Point Dive Resort, ranked in the top 20 for Best Resort, and Divetech made the list of Best Dive Operators. The Kittiwake, now lying on its side and offering a new dive experience, was voted the third Best Wreck Dive.
Cayman’s crystal-clear water, spectacular reefs, and dramatic drop-offs continue to attract – Eagle Ray Pass ranked #4 among dive sites, Lighthouse Point was voted #4 in shore dives, and Sunset Reef was rated among the best night dives.
Operators who attended the Diving Equipment and Marketing Association (DEMA) in Orlando report strong bookings and increased interest in Cayman, quite possibly because of hurricane damage in other parts of the Caribbean.
“We had a great DEMA, one of our best in a long time,” said Divetech’s Jo Mikutowicz.
“This is our chance to make Cayman their return destination by showing new divers how nice it is above and below water.”
“Cayman is a perfect fit for many groups – amazing diving (both boat and shore diving), comfortable accommodations, customized packages, and direct flights close to home,” said Sunset House Director of Marketing Keith Sahm, who added Sunset House, celebrating its 60th Anniversary this year, booked numerous groups at the DEMA Show.
“We now have the opportunity to show guests who have relocated their reservations our way because of the hurricanes, how good the Cayman Islands are as a dive destination,” said Red Sail Sports Operations Manager Rod McDowall. “Fantastic reefs, beautiful Seven Mile Beach, professional operators, and great accommodations for all members of the family, maybe we can convert those who have not been to Cayman before, into repeat guests.”
