The Best Dive Sites in Grand Cayman

On my first visit to the Cayman Islands, I thought I’d died and gone to diving heaven. But in the 10 years since, a lot of water had flowed past my fins. Last summer, I got a chance to revisit one of my first loves, Grand Cayman, and see if the reefs held up to my enduring memories. Luckily, they did. After a glorious week there, here’s my short list of the best dive sites in Grand Cayman.

Most of Grand Cayman’s topside action takes place on the West End, a busy strip of hotels, restaurants, bars and cruise-ship passengers. But, so far, the development hasn’t seemed to affect most dive sites, although that may change with the construction of a new cruise-ship dock.  Here are three of the area’s best.

Dolphin Drop Off

This site features a series of finger reefs that lead out to a wall, which maxes out at about 90 feet (28 m). I never saw the wall — instead I spent almost the whole dive drifting among the very healthy coral fingers, getting to know a turtle, one that was so tame it allowed us to stay within a few feet as it went about its daily routine. And this wasn’t last time we were granted such up-close access, either — large animals seemed to be curiously tame at most sites. I took the chance to snap away with my camera, and when I finally I checked my pressure gauge, it was time to head back to the boat.

Eden Rock North

This shallow reef, about 45 feet (14 m) deep, is often visited by snorkelers from the cruise ships that sit like massive spaceships only about 1,000 feet away. Although it’s still a relatively healthy reef, the real attraction here is the abundance of swim-throughs and the resident population of massive tarpon, which were also indifferent to my approach. Coral canyons offer the perfect perch for divers who want to snap up-close pictures of these lovely fish.

The Kittiwake

Purpose sunk as an artificial reef in 2011, the Kittiwake is a 251-foot-long (76.5 m) former submarine support ship. Since then, Kittiwake has settled into the sand in about 70 feet (21 m) of water, and is starting to have a nice coral-encrusted look. Divers here should take a good flashlight to explore inside the ship, which has been set up for safe penetrations. There are plenty of opportunities to exit if you’re a bit nervous about overhead environments, and the ship offers deck after deck for exploration. Check around the stern for a number of resident groupers and angelfish. They can be a bit skittish, but if you’re patient, they should make an appearance. The Kittiwake truly takes several dives for thorough exploration.

For me, the jewel in the crown of Grand Cayman diving is the North Wall, which makes up the edge of the Cayman Trench (or Trough) that runs from Cuba across to Central America. The trench reaches depths of 25,000 feet, and of course that kind of deep water usually means one thing — big pelagics. The North Wall doesn’t disappoint.

Black Forest

At about 100 feet (30 m), this deep wall dive is best for experienced divers. We dropped down and looked over the edge into a blue abyss as intense as outer space. The wall is covered in brightly colored, large fan corals and barrel sponges, and from the moment we arrived on the site, pairs of eagle rays seemed to glide by regularly as if on a scheduled transit line. So many appeared — I lost count at nine — that we finally started to look around to see what else the wall had to offer, which frankly made me a little nervous. I couldn’t help but think there’s a special place in diver hell for anyone taking this kind of wildlife encounter for granted.

Princess Penny’s Pinnacles

Once again we dropped down to the start of the wall at about 97 feet (29 meters). As we were swimming through a crevice to get out to the face of the wall, a large reef shark cruised by, checking us out. Delighted, we watched as it lazily circled us and then, with a show of complete indifference, made its way along the reef and slowly disappeared into the blue. Just below, we spotted another, smaller shark, and another turned up to check us out before we finally ran out of bottom time.

Although the northwest corner of Grand Cayman is less-visited, I’d been told the diving was great up there. When I went to have a look, I ended up liking it so much that I’ve added the area to my must-dives when in Cayman.

Lighthouse Point

This was my only shore dive on Grand Cayman and it was magical. It’s a great site for a scooter — my first use — and in no time we were flying through a series of coral canyons. Another must-see at Lighthouse Point is the massive bronze statue, The Guardian of the Reef, created by artist Simon Morris. Placed in about 65 feet (20 m) of water in 2014, it makes for an inspiring stop.

Although the East End of the island also holds many worthy sites, we unfortunately were not able to make it a part of the visit that resulted in this story — please feel free to add your favorites to our growing list of loves in Grand Cayman.

One final note, Grand Cayman is well equipped to serve the technical diving crowd. Dive shops in the northwest corner have all the needed gas mixes and extra equipment, as well as easy access to the North Wall. Regardless of your experience level, Grand Cayman offers endless variety.

The post The Best Dive Sites in Grand Cayman appeared first on Scuba Diver Life.

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The Best Dive Sites in Grand Cayman

On my first visit to the Cayman Islands, I thought I'd died and gone to diving heaven. But in the 10 years since, a lot of water had flowed past my fins. Last summer, I got a chance to revisit one of my first loves, Grand Cayman, and see if the reefs held up to my enduring memories. Luckily, they did. After a glorious week there, here's my short list of the best dive sites in Grand Cayman.

Most of Grand Cayman's topside action takes place on the West End, a busy strip of hotels, restaurants, bars and cruise-ship passengers. But, so far, the development hasn't seemed to affect most dive sites, although that may change with the construction of a new cruise-ship dock.  Here are three of the area's best.

Dolphin Drop Off

This site features a series of finger reefs that lead out to a wall, which maxes out at about 90 feet (28 m). I never saw the wall — instead I spent almost the whole dive drifting among the very healthy coral fingers, getting to know a turtle, one that was so tame it allowed us to stay within a few feet as it went about its daily routine. And this wasn't last time we were granted such up-close access, either — large animals seemed to be curiously tame at most sites. I took the chance to snap away with my camera, and when I finally I checked my pressure gauge, it was time to head back to the boat.

Eden Rock North

This shallow reef, about 45 feet (14 m) deep, is often visited by snorkelers from the cruise ships that sit like massive spaceships only about 1,000 feet away. Although it's still a relatively healthy reef, the real attraction here is the abundance of swim-throughs and the resident population of massive tarpon, which were also indifferent to my approach. Coral canyons offer the perfect perch for divers who want to snap up-close pictures of these lovely fish.

The Kittiwake

Purpose sunk as an artificial reef in 2011, the Kittiwake is a 251-foot-long (76.5 m) former submarine support ship. Since then, Kittiwake has settled into the sand in about 70 feet (21 m) of water, and is starting to have a nice coral-encrusted look. Divers here should take a good flashlight to explore inside the ship, which has been set up for safe penetrations. There are plenty of opportunities to exit if you're a bit nervous about overhead environments, and the ship offers deck after deck for exploration. Check around the stern for a number of resident groupers and angelfish. They can be a bit skittish, but if you're patient, they should make an appearance. The Kittiwake truly takes several dives for thorough exploration.

For me, the jewel in the crown of Grand Cayman diving is the North Wall, which makes up the edge of the Cayman Trench (or Trough) that runs from Cuba across to Central America. The trench reaches depths of 25,000 feet, and of course that kind of deep water usually means one thing — big pelagics. The North Wall doesn't disappoint.

Black Forest

At about 100 feet (30 m), this deep wall dive is best for experienced divers. We dropped down and looked over the edge into a blue abyss as intense as outer space. The wall is covered in brightly colored, large fan corals and barrel sponges, and from the moment we arrived on the site, pairs of eagle rays seemed to glide by regularly as if on a scheduled transit line. So many appeared — I lost count at nine — that we finally started to look around to see what else the wall had to offer, which frankly made me a little nervous. I couldn't help but think there's a special place in diver hell for anyone taking this kind of wildlife encounter for granted.

Princess Penny's Pinnacles

Once again we dropped down to the start of the wall at about 97 feet (29 meters). As we were swimming through a crevice to get out to the face of the wall, a large reef shark cruised by, checking us out. Delighted, we watched as it lazily circled us and then, with a show of complete indifference, made its way along the reef and slowly disappeared into the blue. Just below, we spotted another, smaller shark, and another turned up to check us out before we finally ran out of bottom time.

Although the northwest corner of Grand Cayman is less-visited, I'd been told the diving was great up there. When I went to have a look, I ended up liking it so much that I've added the area to my must-dives when in Cayman.

Lighthouse Point

This was my only shore dive on Grand Cayman and it was magical. It's a great site for a scooter — my first use — and in no time we were flying through a series of coral canyons. Another must-see at Lighthouse Point is the massive bronze statue, The Guardian of the Reef, created by artist Simon Morris. Placed in about 65 feet (20 m) of water in 2014, it makes for an inspiring stop.

Although the East End of the island also holds many worthy sites, we unfortunately were not able to make it a part of the visit that resulted in this story — please feel free to add your favorites to our growing list of loves in Grand Cayman.

One final note, Grand Cayman is well equipped to serve the technical diving crowd. Dive shops in the northwest corner have all the needed gas mixes and extra equipment, as well as easy access to the North Wall. Regardless of your experience level, Grand Cayman offers endless variety.

The post The Best Dive Sites in Grand Cayman appeared first on Scuba Diver Life.

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3 Tips to Avoid Locksmith Scams

Locksmith scams are common all over the country. Thus, it is important to be aware of the potential locksmith scams around. Here are some tips that will help you avoid locksmith scams, such as: checking locksmith ID and licensure, asking question and watching out the fluctuation bids.

 

Below are 3 tips to avoid locksmith scams:

Check Locksmith ID and Licensure
Before even contacting them, check their ad and website for an address. Look for accreditation such as from ALOA (though a lot of genuine locksmiths are not members). Then check Google and directory listings for customer reviews.
When you phone them, ask where they or their technicians are based (again, checking the address), whether they are licensed and what the registered name of the business is. End it here if you’re not satisfied with the replies. Source: Scambusters.org

Ask Questions
Most consumer complaints concern fees that were not disclosed when they called the locksmith.  Ask about the cost of a service call, mileage and parts before you agree to have the work performed.  Get an estimate before any work begins, including emergency service.  If the on-site estimate doesn’t match the price quoted on the telephone, have the job done by someone else.Source: BBB.org

Watch Out for Fluctuating Bids
If the locksmith’s on-site price doesn’t match the phone estimate, don’t allow the work to be performed.
Some locksmiths may demand payment after doing shoddy work or inflating the bill, and threaten to call the police or file a lawsuit if you don’t comply.
If that happens, call their bluff. Let them call the police, or offer to call for them. A reputable company won’t drastically change a quoted price, Colorado Attorney General Cynthia H. Coffman says.
“The people who are making those threats generally have the most to lose, because they’re not operating within the law, and their actions are not ethical. They’re bullying,” Coffman says. Source:Angieslist.

The post 3 Tips to Avoid Locksmith Scams appeared first on Mr Locksmith Calgary.

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3 Tips to Avoid Locksmith Scams

Locksmith scams are common all over the country. Thus, it is important to be aware of the potential locksmith scams around. Here are some tips that will help you avoid locksmith scams, such as: checking locksmith ID and licensure, asking question and watching out the fluctuation bids.

 

Below are 3 tips to avoid locksmith scams:

Check Locksmith ID and Licensure
Before even contacting them, check their ad and website for an address. Look for accreditation such as from ALOA (though a lot of genuine locksmiths are not members). Then check Google and directory listings for customer reviews.
When you phone them, ask where they or their technicians are based (again, checking the address), whether they are licensed and what the registered name of the business is. End it here if you're not satisfied with the replies. Source: Scambusters.org

Ask Questions
Most consumer complaints concern fees that were not disclosed when they called the locksmith.  Ask about the cost of a service call, mileage and parts before you agree to have the work performed.  Get an estimate before any work begins, including emergency service.  If the on-site estimate doesn't match the price quoted on the telephone, have the job done by someone else.Source: BBB.org

Watch Out for Fluctuating Bids
If the locksmith's on-site price doesn't match the phone estimate, don't allow the work to be performed.
Some locksmiths may demand payment after doing shoddy work or inflating the bill, and threaten to call the police or file a lawsuit if you don't comply.
If that happens, call their bluff. Let them call the police, or offer to call for them. A reputable company won't drastically change a quoted price, Colorado Attorney General Cynthia H. Coffman says.
"The people who are making those threats generally have the most to lose, because they're not operating within the law, and their actions are not ethical. They're bullying," Coffman says. Source:Angieslist.

The post 3 Tips to Avoid Locksmith Scams appeared first on Mr Locksmith Calgary.

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Marine Species: The Blue-Ringed Octopus

Macro life often takes a backseat to the larger, more charismatic creatures, such as whales, sharks and turtles. But these tiny animals are equal to, if not more impressive, beautiful and unique than the larger, more easily identified creatures. The blue-ringed octopus is a standout species among them.

What is it?

The blue-ringed octopus is a small mollusk that could fit into the palm of your hand. It is named and categorized by the number of rings it possesses; for example, the lesser blue-ringed octopus and the greater blue-tinged octopus are the most common types. Even with their arms extended, they can be as small as two inches. This is the only octopus to contain the toxin tetrodotoxin, which is also found in pufferfish and cone snails, and they use it for self-defense. However, it has been said that as little as 1 milligram of toxin can kill a human, and there is no known antidote. Blue-ringed octopus feed mainly on small crustaceans like shrimp, crabs and small fish. They have an average lifespan of around two years, with both male and female dying during the reproductive process. The male dies immediately after the mating process, while the female dies of exhaustion after protecting her eggs for up to two months.

Where is it?

The blue-ringed octopus can be found in Australia, Indonesia, Philippines, Malaysia, Japan and New Guinea. Their habitat consists of rubble and reef, in cracks and on sandy bottoms. Some famous dive areas that frequently feature blue-ringed octopus include Lembeh Strait, Indonesia; Anilao, Philippines; and Mabul, Malaysia.

 

Why are they so hard to spot?

Blue-ringed octopus are hard to spot not only because of their obvious tiny size, but also because of their coloring. They can range in color from dark brown to a dark gold, giving them perfect camouflage for their habitat. They only flash their recognizable blue rings in defense, when feeling threatened. They are also difficult to spot on a dive, as they prefer to stay in more shallow water where most divers tend not to go. They can be difficult to photograph as they are easily spooked, meaning that they will flee quickly using their hydro jet, or lie flat on the sand and creep away.

How can you increase your chances of spotting one?

The best way to increase your chances to see one of these critters is by understanding its behaviors and habitats, as well as knowing where to dive and what habitat to search. To increase your chances of capturing one on camera, relax and don’t rush it, and set your camera settings and strobes before approaching the animal. If you can, try to use something in your shot as a contrast, either as a background or even another subject in the shot for scale. If the octopus does begin to flash in color or ink, then act responsibly and respectively towards it and keep your distance.

By Beth Alexander

The post Marine Species: The Blue-Ringed Octopus appeared first on Scuba Diver Life.

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Marine Species: The Blue-Ringed Octopus

Macro life often takes a backseat to the larger, more charismatic creatures, such as whales, sharks and turtles. But these tiny animals are equal to, if not more impressive, beautiful and unique than the larger, more easily identified creatures. The blue-ringed octopus is a standout species among them.

What is it?

The blue-ringed octopus is a small mollusk that could fit into the palm of your hand. It is named and categorized by the number of rings it possesses; for example, the lesser blue-ringed octopus and the greater blue-tinged octopus are the most common types. Even with their arms extended, they can be as small as two inches. This is the only octopus to contain the toxin tetrodotoxin, which is also found in pufferfish and cone snails, and they use it for self-defense. However, it has been said that as little as 1 milligram of toxin can kill a human, and there is no known antidote. Blue-ringed octopus feed mainly on small crustaceans like shrimp, crabs and small fish. They have an average lifespan of around two years, with both male and female dying during the reproductive process. The male dies immediately after the mating process, while the female dies of exhaustion after protecting her eggs for up to two months.

Where is it?

The blue-ringed octopus can be found in Australia, Indonesia, Philippines, Malaysia, Japan and New Guinea. Their habitat consists of rubble and reef, in cracks and on sandy bottoms. Some famous dive areas that frequently feature blue-ringed octopus include Lembeh Strait, Indonesia; Anilao, Philippines; and Mabul, Malaysia.

 

Why are they so hard to spot?

Blue-ringed octopus are hard to spot not only because of their obvious tiny size, but also because of their coloring. They can range in color from dark brown to a dark gold, giving them perfect camouflage for their habitat. They only flash their recognizable blue rings in defense, when feeling threatened. They are also difficult to spot on a dive, as they prefer to stay in more shallow water where most divers tend not to go. They can be difficult to photograph as they are easily spooked, meaning that they will flee quickly using their hydro jet, or lie flat on the sand and creep away.

How can you increase your chances of spotting one?

The best way to increase your chances to see one of these critters is by understanding its behaviors and habitats, as well as knowing where to dive and what habitat to search. To increase your chances of capturing one on camera, relax and don't rush it, and set your camera settings and strobes before approaching the animal. If you can, try to use something in your shot as a contrast, either as a background or even another subject in the shot for scale. If the octopus does begin to flash in color or ink, then act responsibly and respectively towards it and keep your distance.

By Beth Alexander

The post Marine Species: The Blue-Ringed Octopus appeared first on Scuba Diver Life.

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Priceline CEO leaving over relationship with employee

Priceline CEO Darren Huston is resigning after an investigation found he had a personal relationship with an employee that violated the company's code of conduct, handing the company's reins back to the former chief executive officer who led its rapid expansion in the 2000s.

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