Shaggy's

Located in West Bay, Shaggy's Diving has been a fixture of the Grand Cayman diving scene since 2011. The centre is built around a personalised approach, moving away from large, crowded groups to focus on small-scale, private boat charters. This allows for flexible itineraries that can be adjusted to suit your specific interests, whether you are hunting for sharks or exploring deep wrecks.

With access to the island's 365 diverse dive sites, the operation covers everything from the rugged, exposed canyons of the East End to the calm, sheltered reefs of West Bay. The centre also offers unique opportunities such as heli-diving to the Sister Islands and guided DPV scooter dives for those looking to cover more ground along the wall.

The team is led by James 'Shaggy' Thomson, a PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer and SDI Instructor. His background as a Marine Biologist and TDI Technical Instructor brings a high level of scientific and technical expertise to the instruction and guiding provided on site.

Safety and professionalism are central to the operation, with a strict limit of six divers per guide. The instructors are highly qualified, covering a broad spectrum of expertise from recreational specialties to technical diving and boat captaincy.

The centre offers a comprehensive range of PADI and SDI courses for every level of experience. Beginners can start with Discover Scuba Diving or the Open Water Diver course, while those looking to progress can enrol in Advanced Open Water, Deep Diver, or Rescue Diver training.

Specialty courses are extensive, including Enriched Air (Nitrox), Night Diver, Wreck, and Peak Performance Buoyancy. For those looking to refine their skills or move into professional ranks, the centre provides SDI Divemaster training, Fish Identification, Digital Photography, and Underwater Naturalist programmes.

The primary vessel is a 26 ft Twin Vee custom-built dive catamaran, designed to carry up to six divers or eight snorkelers. The boat is equipped with a large, wide-step dive ladder to make entries and exits easier, along with a marine radio and life jackets for safety.

On board, you will find oxygen equipment and water, with snacks and pre-arranged beverages available upon request. The catamaran is configured to handle various trip types, including day dives, night dives, and private charters to sites like Stingray City.

For those choosing to stay at the reef-front condo at Coconut Bay, the facilities include on-site dive tanks and a dedicated dive ladder for easy shore access. The property also features a heated pool, a jacuzzi, and specific areas for showering and rinsing your kit.

Full equipment hire is available for divers who do not wish to bring their own rig, though you will need to provide your own wetsuit. The centre also offers Diver Propulsion Vehicles (DPV) for rent, allowing you to explore the deeper sections of the wall with greater ease.

The North Wall and the surrounding reefs are teeming with life, including eagle rays and various species of turtles. In the deeper waters and canyons, you may encounter nurse sharks, lemon sharks, Caribbean reef sharks, and blacktip sharks.

In the shallower areas like Stingray City, Southern Stingrays are the primary attraction, congregating in the turquoise waters of the sandbar. Starfish are also frequently seen in the seagrass meadows near Starfish Point.

During specific seasons, hammerhead sharks may also be sighted in the area. The reef structures themselves are built upon a foundation of diverse corals and sponges that provide habitat for the local marine population.

Diving in West Bay typically offers the calmest water conditions, making it a reliable choice for night dives, underwater photography, and relaxed reef exploration. The East End tends to be more exposed and can experience rougher conditions compared to the sheltered areas.

The area is accessible year-round, with the North Wall providing spectacular vertical vistas and the West Bay sites offering more protected environments for various skill levels.