Traveler Finds Solitude at Grand Cayman Dive Resort in Rainy September

Aspen —Seven blue-sky days. That is the headline statistic from a trip to Grand Cayman taken in early September, a month that most travel guides flag as the worst time to visit. The reason is simple: it is the rainiest month of the year, sitting squarely in the middle of Atlantic hurricane season, which runs from June through November.

Despite the statistical odds, the weather held up. For context, the National Weather Service and the Cayman Islands Government had predicted a below-average probability for major hurricane landfalls during this specific season. Taking that chance paid off with near-solitude. The traveler noted seeing hardly a tourist in sight.

The accommodation was Compass Point Dive Resort, booked through Ocean Frontiers with a stay-and-dive package that included a rental car. The complex consists of three three-story buildings. During the entire week of the stay, the traveler stayed on the ocean side of a manicured beach with hammocks. On that private beach, they saw exactly one other person, one time. Meals were equally quiet. Eagle Ray’s Bar & Grill, an open-air restaurant overlooking the ocean, provided complimentary breakfasts for dive guests. Even then, the traveler only encountered a table or two eating before the two morning boat dives. Dinner was just as sparse. The menu featured lionfish tacos. The white fish was described as mild and delicious, with a taste profile reminiscent of lobster.

The lionfish itself is an invasive species. A fellow diver on the trip had spearfished the ones served for dinner. He noted that cleaning them is tricky due to their 18 sharp spines. He spoke with great enthusiasm about the combination of fishing, hunting, and diving.

The diving offered a variety of sites. Each morning dive differed from the previous day, featuring colorful coral, an abundance of fish, wall dives, wreck dives, and canyon opportunities. One night dive at a shallow depth of 20 feet was highlighted for its marine life, including two relatively large octopi, squid, UV-illuminated neon-looking sea anemones, and the largest lobsters observed by the traveler.

One adjustment was required regarding the boat crew. At Ocean Frontiers, the boat captains, dive masters, and guests rotated daily. This contrasts with week-long trips where the same group remains on the boat, allowing for the development of a rapport. Most crew members were described as very friendly.

The practical bottom line for locals considering a similar escape: if you can tolerate the risk of rain and hurricanes in September, you gain access to a nearly empty resort, a private beach, and diverse dive sites without the crowds that define peak season.