Arusha Coffee Lodge
Located on the East End of Grand Cayman, Compass Point Condominiums are steps away from the ocean. Although the shoreline is rocky with limited swim access, there are two white sand beach areas which are secluded and uncrowded. You can enjoy the ocean view relaxing amongst the coconut palm trees on one of the hammocks or sun loungers. This Grand Cayman resort compromises of 28 luxurious one, two and three bedroom oceanfront and poolside condominiums, each with their own private patio or balcony. The beach resort also offers two pools, 1 hot tub and a BBQ grilling area with gas grills. Eagle Ray’s Dive Bar & Grill is located at the heart of this Grand Cayman resort. Sit-On-Top style ocean kayaks are available free of charge to all guests as well as cruiser style bikes.
Compass Point Resort is the true meaning of rolling relax, kick back and unwind. The resort could be called a land based live-a-board, with dive boats on your door step, ready to take you diving. Your bedroom is so close to the water and the dive boats. Ocean Frontiers, the onsite dive shop, offers world class scuba diving on Grand Cayman’s east end which is renowned for pristine reefs and breathtaking wall diving, coupled with custom-built dive boats awaiting at the end of the dock, just a step away from your room. Enjoy a scuba diving vacation with your family at the Compass Point resort.
Our onsite dive operator - Ocean Frontiers are delighted to introduce you to the spectacular diving on the East End of Grand Cayman and to ensure they give you have a safe and enjoyable dive experience. The Dive Shop offers comprehensive training, a retail store, fresh water rinsing tanks and a dive gear storage area.
Boat Dive Trip Details:
Two-Tank Dives
Three Tank Safaris
Night Dives (NEW Multi-Colored dive lights)
Wreck Dive - Kittiwake
Stingray Encounter (Snorkel)
X-Dive
THE DIVE BOATS
Our new boats are well equipped and furnished to meet your diving and snorkeling needs. Each boat has a fresh water shower, rinse tank and a separate rinse tank for cameras, a camera table, drinking water, lced Tea, Orange slices, Ginger Biscuits and fresh towels. There is a marine head on every boat. As a guest you will enjoy rolling out of bed and onto the dive boat to dive from one or maybe all of our custom designed dive boats:
Gun Bay Diver
Sparrowhawk Diver
Half Moon Diver
THE SCHEDULE
Two Tank (Wall/Reef) boat trips are scheduled every morning and every afternoon, seven days a week. Night dives are scheduled every Tuesday and Thursday night. Stingray city trips are scheduled every Friday and we also offer a Three Tank Safari dive trip every Wednesday. The boats leave once everyone has checked in onboard the craft. Please plan to arrive on time so we can ensure that all your gear is working properly and you have everything you need for a fun dive prior to leaving the dock.
Dive sites are chosen by the Captain every trip and are not decided until that day. There are several factors that influence their choice; wind, current and visibility. As we want you to have the most enjoyable dive possible. We will also check which sites you have already visited this dive trip so as not to repeat those, and if you do have any specific requested we will try to accommodate these.
CHECKING IN
Please review and complete your waiver documentation provided to you on check in at the resort. Place your dive gear outside your door before 5:00 pm in the evening or after 7:00 am and a member of the dive team will deliver it to your boat. Please ensure your completed waivers and cert cards are provided to the dive shop before 8.00am on the first day of diving.
CHECK IN TIMES
AM Two-Tank Dives Check-In 7:45AM / Depart 8:15AM / Return 11:30-12:00PM
PM One/Two-Tank Dives 1:00PM / Depart 1:30PM / Return 4:30-5:00PM
3 Tank Safari Check-In 8:30AM / Depart 8:45AM / Return 4:00PM
Stingray City check in at Kaibo Yacht club - Times vary
Kittiwake Wreck Dives check in at Lobster Pot Dock / Whitehall Bay, George Town at 2:00pm
Night Dives, change throughout the year so please confirm the time with the dive shop.
Land Tours
Guided tours behind the scenes at the secure Blue Iguana captive breeding facility, are available at 11am daily, every day except Sundays. The 1.5 hour tour also includes a gentle “safari” on foot around the Park’s woodland trails, where you will meet some of the free roaming Blue Iguanas which we have restored to the wild.
To take a Blue Iguana Safari, you need to make your own way up to the QE II Botanic Park, in good time for a prompt 11am tour start from the Park’s visitor centre. The Program doesn’t arrange transport to & from the Park. The Park is about 15 minutes drive from the Compass Point Dive Resort area.
Your Blue Iguana Safari ticket covers your Park entry fee and the full guided tour. Cash (local currency or US dollars) is accepted, as are major credit cards, and local debit cards. All net profits benefit the Blue Iguana Recovery Program.
The tour involves gentle walking of no more than 1 mile, on gravel and crushed rock trails. We regret the tour isn’t suitable for wheelchairs or anyone who has difficultly walking unassisted. You will need sun protection, and should carry something to drink if it is hot. The iguanas are most active when the sun shines!
Expect lots of memorable photo opportunities, but remember the Blue Iguanas are wild animals, living their own lives, so we can’t guarantee how many you will see. You will also enjoy the natural forest, bird life, ponds, lake and gardens as you explore. The tour starts and ends at the Park’s visitor centre with a gift shop, rest rooms, and refreshments available.
The Blue Iguana (Cyclura lewisi) is Grand Cayman’s largest native land animal. It’s a giant, dragon-like blue lizard which grows to over 5 feet long, over 25 lbs weight, and can live as long as humans! Originally a denizen of Grand Cayman’s coastal areas and interior dry shrublands, this magnificent reptile was driven to the brink of extinction, with only about a dozen surviving from the original wild population, by 2002.
The main causes of this catastrophic decline range through habitat destruction and road kills, to the deaths caused by free-roaming dogs, and feral cats. Although these human-caused pressures have led to the Grand Cayman Blue Iguana being the most endangered iguana on earth, they have found that this is one species that can be saved. The Blue Iguana Recovery Programme is making remarkable strides: there is great hope for the future of the Blue Iguana, and its extraordinary wild habitat.
Mastic Trail (Tue-Fri, Guided):
The Mastic Reserve on Grand Cayman protects part of the largest contiguous area of untouched, old growth dry forest remaining on the island. The Mastic Trail is of international significance representing some of the last remaining examples of the Caribbean's dry, subtropical, semi deciduous dry forest, which have been the target of particularly intense deforestation throughout the West Indies. The area is home to a wide variety of animals and plants unique to the Cayman Islands.
The Mastic Trail passes through a variety of habitats: Black Mangrove wetland, stands of Royal Palms and Silver Thatch Palms and extensive ancient dry forest. Along the trail, walkers can expect to see now rare trees such as Cedar and Mahogany as well as an exceptionally fine specimen of a Mastic tree, from which the Reserve and Trail take their name. In June, the Wild Banana Orchid (National Flower of the Cayman Islands) blooms on the trailside. A rich abundance of birds inhabit these forests too. Many are tame enough to allow a close approach. Cayman's native Parrot is at home in the Reserve, as is the West Indian Woodpecker and the Caribbean Dove - which is only ever seen in undisturbed areas. Butterflies, lizards, snakes (not poisonous), frogs, large hermit crabs and the carton nests of termites are a few of the other animals walkers may encounter.
The Mastic Trail is 2.3 miles long and the guided walk takes approximately two and a half to three hours. Walkers get the chance to experience a fascinating exploration deep into Cayman's wild interior, in an area where the woodland has been evolving undisturbed for the last two million years.
Please note that the trail is not suitable for children under six years old, the elderly and infirm, or for persons with physical handicaps or conditions that may require emergency medical assistance. The Trust can accept no liability for injuries sustained on the trail.
Remember it is a criminal offence to take any plant or animal from Trust property. The trail is for pedestrian use only: it is much too rough for bicycles or horses. To protect ground nesting birds and other sensitive wildlife, dogs are not allowed on the trail. Poisonous plants such as Maiden Plum have sap which can cause serious skin reactions - so stay on the path and exercise reasonable caution!
Mastic Trail Tours are available on Tuesday through Friday mornings.
Gorling Bluff Lighthouse Park (Free, Always open, Self-Guided):
Located a 5 minute walk to the West or very short bike ride from Compass Point Dive Resort. Climb 36 steps to the highest point in the district and enjoy a panormic view of the surrounding reefs. Enjoy the informative historical plaques posted around the grounds. An excellent viewpoint for photographers and nature lovers.
Blow Holes (Free, Always open, Self-Guided):
The Blow Holes are located 2.5 miles to the West of Compass Point Dive Resort. Easily reachable by bicycle or a short drive in a rental car. The Blow Holes are caused by waves crashing on the shortline and being forced through a small hole in the rocky shoreline, causing a spout of water blowing up to 40 feet high. The Blow Holes are weather dependent and if the waves are not rolling in, the hole will not blow. Visit the Blow Holes at your own risk. Caution: there are no safety railings installed at the Blow Holes, there is NO lifeguard on duty, there are no steps to enter or exit the water. Stay clear of the edge. Not suitable for small children.
Snorkeling:
Grand Cayman Snorkeling
Snorkeling is a favorite activity in Grand Cayman, as it is an activity that couples or familes can enjoy together. There are reefs that can be accessed from the shore at several locations around Grand Cayman in addition to some of the best sites that are accessed by boat.
Compass Point's in-house dive shop, Ocean Frontiers, offers the following Snorkel Tours, via boat:
3-STOP CORAL REEF SNORKEL BOAT TOUR:
Take a 3-stop snorkel safari boat excursion on the East End of Grand Cayman provided by onsite operator, Ocean Frontiers. On this 2.5-hour boat trip you will visit the best, untouched snorkeling reefs in the Cayman Islands with your small group. With a variety of barrier and patch coral reefs ranging from 2 feet to 20 feet in depth (0.6 meters to 6 meters). Enjoy over five miles (8 kilometers) of untouched reefs filled with marine life. Snorkel with Parrotfish, Angel fish, Trumpet fish, Sea cucumber, Flamingo Tongues, Sea fans and much more. Enjoy the crystal clear tranquil waters with no currents. Even visit our world famous Live Underwater Webcam at one of the three stops on the snorkel trip.
Highlights:
Snorkel the East End coral reefs, off the beaten path and away from the crowds
Visit 3 different coral reef snorkeling sites all on 1 boat trip
Avoid the crowds as you snorkel in the remote East End Lagoon
Allow your expert guide to point out the marine life
Relax in the comfort and shade on board the boat
Take in the coastline from the vantage point of the water
Visit our Underwater Webcam
Departure Point: The Dock at Compass Point Dive Resort, every Wednesday afternoon.
You will visit 3 of the following snorkel sites via snorkel boat: South Channel Gardens, Sunset Reef, Ridgefield Reef, Sunrise Reef, Cannon Reef, and Pooh Corner. Ocean Frontiers will provide all the equipment you need, and your qualified instructors will teach you all the basics to ensure a safe and thoroughly enjoyable experience.
Your snorkel vessel, "Top-Cat," was specifically designed for cruising the shallow coral reefs inside the protected East End lagoon. Top-Cat is perfect for conducting snorkel trips and has plenty of shade and seating for up to 10 passengers. The vessel has a large ladder to make entry to and exit from the water easy and simple.
Included:
2.5-hour boat tour
Certified guide
Stops at 3 different sites
Rental of mask, fins, and snorkel equipment
Not included:
Transportation to and from the meeting point
Camera rentals
Gratuities
Additional Information:
This tour involves a boat to reach the snorkel sites. All participants are required to know how to swim. Non-swimmers will not be permitted to board the vessel and take part in this trip. Please do not touch the corals or take any marine life. Camera rentals are available for all trips. Snorkel equipment is included in the price of all trips. Ocean Frontiers prides itself on its personal service and small groups. Your snorkeling guide is a trained naturalist and is also certified in First Aid and Rescue.
STINGRAY CITY SANDBAR SNORKEL BOAT TOUR:
Ocean Frontiers Dive Shop in Grand Cayman offers 3 different choices for Stingray trips every week. Considered by all the must see and do when visiting the Cayman Islands. Kiss a Stingray and you'll have 7 years of good luck.
We consider the best way to interact with our Stingrays is by Snorkeling at the Sandbar in Grand Cayman's North Sound. You will see and interact with more Stingrays when snorkeling than diving. It is also a great activity for divers and non-divers to go on a trip together.
Option 1: 'Dawn Stingray', our Signature Experience:
For those who want the ultimate Stingray Experience, this is it. The choice of BBC, Discovery Channel and National Geographic for who they use and how they photograph the Stingrays. Chances are if you have seen the large schools of Stingrays on TV or the cover of a magazine, they were shot from out boat on our 'Dawn Stingray' trip. A favirite with photographers and nature lovers. However you want to measure it, this is the best way to see Cayman's Stingrays with the Ocean Frontiers 'Dawn Stingray' Original.
Highlights:
More Stingrays per person ratio
Small Personal Group Size- Maximum 6
Avoid the Crowds and have the Sandbar to yourself for at least 1 hour
A full 90 minutes on the Sandbar
water shallow enough to stand up
Trip scheduled on Friday to avoid the Cruise Ship traffic
Photographer Friendly - Discovery, Nat Geo, BBC use Ocean Frontiers
Trip Details:
Max Pax = 6 Snorkelers / Crew = 1
Destination = Stingray Sandbar
Duration = 2.5 hours (90 Minutes on the Sandbar)
Check-In at Kaibo = 6:30AM
Return to Kaibo = 9:00AM
Vessel = 'Ocean Panga' (W.I.Z. Licensed)
Restrictions = Min Age 8 years old / All passengers must be able to swim
Equipment = Mask & Snorkel Included (Fins / Footwear not permitted)
Note: This is a Snorkel Trip, not a scuba diving trip. Although it is possible to dive with the Stingrays at the Deep Stingray City site, we recommend a snorkel trip to the Sandbar for divers and snorkelers alike. The Sandbar offers a great opportunity to interact with one of the world's largest populations of Southern Stingrays.
Option 2: Stingray Snorkel Trip on the Sandbar 9:30am + 1:30pm:
We also run Stingray Snorkel Trips to the Sandbar during more civilized hours at 9:30AM and 1:30PM on Fridays. These trips are great for families or people who are diving in the morning. Always lots of friendly Stingrays, amazing photo oportunities and memories of a lifetime.
Highlights:
Small Personal Group Size- Maximum 6
A full 60 minutes on the Sandbar
water shallow enough to stand up
Trip scheduled on Friday to avoid the Cruise Ship traffic
Photographer Friendly - Discovery, Nat Geo, BBC use Ocean Frontiers
Trip Details:
Max Pax = 6 Snorkelers / Crew = 1
Destination = Stingray Sandbar
Duration = 2.0 hours (60 Minutes on the Sandbar)
Check-In at Kaibo = 9:30AM & 1:30PM
Return to Kaibo = 11:30AM & 3:30PM
Vessel = 'Ocean Panga' (W.I.Z. Licensed)
Restrictions = Min Age 8 years old / All passengers must be able to swim
Equipment = Mask & Snorkel Included (Fins / Footwear not permitted)
Friday is a good day to visit the Stingrays as it is typically the day of the week that has the least amount or no Cruise Ships in Port. Another reason Friday works for our customers is that many are flying on Saturday and a snorkel trip does not effect their flying after diving time interval requirements.
Departure Point for all Stingray Tours: The dock at Kaibo Yahct Club, near Rum Point.
If you are interested in snorkeling your way around Grand Cayman, then you will be pleased to know that all beaches on Grand Cayman Island are open to the public. Here is a list of known snorkeling sites worth visiting for shore snorkeling:
Bodden Town, Beach Bay
Bodden Town, Cemetery
East End, Colliers
East End, Queen's Monument
Northside, Post Office Reef
Rum Point, Rum Point Dock
West Bay, Turtle Farm Reef
West Bay, Cemetery Reef
George Town, Wreck of the Gamma
George Town, Cheese Burger Reef
George Town, Wreck of the Cali
George Town, Eden Rock/Devil's Grotto
South Sound, Smith's Cove
**Snorkel at your own risk, never snorkel alone, always check the weather.
The best months for snorkeling on Grand Cayman are April to October. The waters offer great visibility, usually 100 to 150 feet with little or no current. It's always warm - in winter it's 78° to 80° and in summer it's 82° to 86°.
You won't be alone snorkeling Grand Cayman Island's warm waters - there are over 500 types of fish, including Sand Tigers, Queen Triggerfish, parrotfish, and angelfish, as well as many other types of marine life including turtles, spotted Eagle rays, reef sharks, moray eels, stingrays, Horse-Eye Jacks and barracudas.
Kayaking:
World class tropical ocean kayaking is available on property at Compass Point Dive Resort. Sit-On-Top style ocean kayaks are available free of charge to all guests. Kayaks are launched dockside and are available from 7am to 5pm, everyday. Because you can't dive every minute of everyday, kayaking can be an enjoyable way to spend time with non-divers in your group and participate in a fun activity that may not be available to you back home.
Compass Point Dive Resort is an excellent launch point for kayaking due to its location within a protected lagoon. You can opt to paddle the coast and stay close to the shoreline while you get used to your vessel, or head out 1000 yards off-shore to visit our underwater webcam site.
Highlights:
Easy Entry onsite, dockside
Sit-On-Top Kayak Design
Paddle within a protected lagoon
Excellent activity for non-divers
Free of Charge to Guests
Key Points:
Lessons are not provided
Must be 18 or over
Must be able to swim unaided
Must wear a life vest
No solo kayaking permitted
Bicycles:
Cruiser style bikes are available free of charge for all guests at Compass Point Dive Resort.
Many guests choose to explore the area while getting a little exercise at the same time. Cruise up to the Wreck of the Ten Sail monument, or to the Lighthouse Park - a trip to the village of East End. Just another fun island style activity that perhaps you don't get to do at home. All these little extras add up and help create memories that will last a lifetime.
Always wear sunblock, take cold drinking water with you and wear the helment provided.
Sandbox Boutique:
The Sandbox Boutique & Gift Shop is conveniently located at Compass Point Dive Resort on the East End of Grand Cayman.
Whether you have lost your luggage or arrived in the islands 'over-dressed' they have everything you need from beachwear, cover-ups, caps, sunglasses, flip-flops, ladies and mens apparel, souvenirs, gifts and convenience items incase you forgot your toothbrush.
Now in stock - Caymanite Jewelry! Hand made in the Cayman Islands.
The perfect stop for all of your retail therapy needs.
There are multiple flights to Grand Cayman from the US. Once in Grand Cayman:
READ THIS FIRST: Garmin GPS navigation devices with the standard North American map or South Eastern American map loaded on your device, INCLUDES the Cayman Islands and WILL work in Grand Cayman. Compass Point Dive Resort is included in the device database and works very reliably. GPS and Map Apps on your phone will also work, BUT require a mobile data connection and roaming charges will apply.
DIRECTIONS FROM THE AIRPORT: After exiting the airport on Owen Roberts Drive after about half a mile following the runway you will make a left at the T-junction. Follow this road as it curves around taking you parallel to the airport runway. As you approach the next junction be in the left most lane, then bear left and circle around the bottom of the runway. Bear left again and merge into traffic on Crewe Road.
You will then be heading east and away from the hustle and bustle of George Town. Stay to the left again at the roundabout, followed shortly by the Grand Harbour roundabout. At the Grand Harbour roundabout take the second exit and get into the right lane. This will take you onto the new east-west arterial. You will approach another roundabout that you will take the second exit from. Then you will approach another roundabout that you will take the 3rd exit from. You will then be on the road that will take you all the way to Ocean Frontiers. Relax and enjoy the scenery.
You will head through Savannah, and then the coastal communities of Bodden Town and Breakers. It is recommended that you follow the road along the south coast. Next you will pass the famous 'Blow Holes' just before the village of East End. In East End you will pass a Rubis Gas Station on your right. We are about 1 mile past the Rubis on the ocean side next door to a bright purple house. We have two large red and white dive flags and a yellow submarine in front of the dive shop that are easily visible from the road and plenty of signage.
The approximate distance to the resort will be 20 miles and your travel time will be a leisurely 40 minutes.
