It seems hard to believe but another year has passed and it was time for the Annual Scuba Shack Memorial Day Grand Cayman Dive trip. Led by master instructor Peter Katz, the intrepid group of Scuba Shack divers descended upon Sunset House in beautiful Grand Cayman. The adventure began after the welcoming briefing by Mel, manager of the Sunset Divers dive shop, with a number of divers taking advantage of the free shore diving from Sunset House’s sea pool out to the mermaid statue and beyond. It was a wonderful way to work the kinks out and prepare for the 11 scheduled boat dives as well as the unlimited shore diving.

Our first evening was highlighted by a private group dinner on the outdoor patio overlooking the ocean. It was a wonderful way to reunite with previous adventurers. The Sea Harvest restaurant did not disappoint, excellent service and selections from not one but two different menus were available. After a day of travel and diving the ocean view rooms were a welcome respite.

Our dive crew, Tyler, Bazz, Beck, and Jon were terrific. They were very professional, helpful, safety conscious, and not without a great sense of humor. We had our own boat, a 36 ft. Adventura catamaran with twin outboard motors that provided a quiet and comfortable ride. Entering the water was a breeze through the opening on the starboard side and exiting the water via the stern ladder, which was angled more like a staircase, was easy on my bum left knee.

The aquatic life did not disappoint either. There was an abundance of schooling fish, reef squid, southern rays, eels (green and golden tail), as well as the occasional nurse shark, Caribbean reef shark, and spotted eagle ray. In addition to the boat diving, a number of us were able to fit in an extra shore dive or two after the afternoon boat dive.

We did not do any off campus dinners since everyone was pleased with the offerings provided by the Sea Harvest Restaurant and My Bar. In addition to the great food, our weather could not have been better. The days were mostly sunny with a high in the mid to upper 80’s with calm waters which ranged from 82-85 degrees. Our dive sites ranged from the nearby shallow swim throughs of Devils Grotto to the deep swim throughs of Big Tunnels and Trinity Caves, assorted wrecks, walls, and shallows. In effect, something for everyone.

We celebrated the end of the trip with another private group dinner on the patio, bemoaned the fact that it was over, and vowed to return next year for another spectacular adventure.