Red Sail Grand Cayman : FAQs

The following are Frequently Asked Questions of our guests. If you cannot find an answer to your specific question, please use our FAQ Request Form.

Q: Do you offer packages that include airfare as well as diving and accommodations?

Q: I won't be staying at any of your host hotels - may I still rent your watersport toys and book your catamaran or diving activities?

Q: I'm coming into Grand Cayman on a cruise ship - what activities may I do with your company?

Q: Should I make reservations in advance?

Q: How far in advance should I make reservations?

Q: Which Certification cards does Red Sail Sports accept?

Q: What equipment can I rent from Red Sail Sports?

Q: What is the average water temperature?

Q: Can we rent Nitrox tanks?

Q: What type of tanks do you use?

Q: Are dive lockers available?

Q: Are there refreshments on the boats?

Q: Do you require a deposit for advanced diving reservations?

Q: I'll be taking a cruise which docks for only a day. Will I have enough time to dive with Red Sail Sports? Also, do you provide transportation to and from the port?

Q: Do I need to give exact dates I want to dive, or can that be set up when I get there?

Q: Can snorkelers go on the dive boats with the divers?

Q: Do all the training courses include equipment?

Q: I am trying to decide if I need to bring along my wetsuit. Could you tell me what the water temperature is like?

Q: I am not a certified diver but would like to dive with Red Sail Sports. What are my options?

Q: Should I bring my own equipment or rent it from you?

Q: I will be vacationing with my children and plan to go diving with Red Sail Sports. Can you suggest any activities for my children to do while I go diving?

Q: I haven't been diving in a long time - is there a Refresher Course that I can take?

Q: Do you offer packages that include airfare as well as diving and accommodations?
A: No, at this time we do not offer packages with airfare. Please contact your travel specialist. Red Sail Sports recommends American Airlines.

Q: I won't be staying at any of your host hotels - may I still rent your watersport toys and book your catamaran or diving activities?
A: Yes! Any and all visitors to Grand Cayman are invited to partake in of our watersport activities.

Q: I'm coming into Grand Cayman on a cruise ship - what activities may I do with your company?
A: Please visit our cruise ship pages for suggested activities. Keep in mind that you'll need to make your own transportation arrangements to and from the cruise ship port.

Q: Should I make reservations in advance?
A: In order to guarantee spots on our dive boats, it is best to book prior to leaving for your trip. Just like hotels and airlines, spaces are limited and can sell out.

Q: How far in advance should I make reservations?
A: There is no set time limit to book. The earlier you book, the better your chances are of availability.

Q: Which Certification cards does Red Sail Sports accept?
A: All certified divers are required to present a Certification card. Red Sail Sports accepts the following certification cards, among others: PADI, NAUI, YMCA, NASDS, IDEA, PDIC, SSI, HSA.

Q: What equipment can I rent from Red Sail Sports?
A: Just about everything you may need. Tanks, weights, and weight belts are included in the cost of the boat dive; all other gear is available for rent from our dive shops.
Equipment available: Sherwood Regulator w/ Console, Seaquest BCD w/ Inflator, Dive Light, Mask, Fins & Snorkel, 3 mm Wetsuit (shorties) Seaquest Vyper computers (Nitrox compatible)

Q: What is the average water temperature?
A: The water temperature averages 80-82 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer and 78-80 degrees Fahrenheit in the winter, making diving without a wet suit comfortable for most people.

Q: Can we rent Nitrox tanks?
A: Yes, Nitrox tanks are available for Nitrox certified divers for an additional cost. Please inform the dive shop in advance if you would like to have Nitrox tanks available.

Q: What type of tanks do you use?
A: Aluminum 72 cubic foot tanks are used on the dive boats. 63 and 50 cubic foot tanks are available upon request. Note valves (K).

Q: Are dive lockers available?
A: Yes, dive lockers are available at our dive shops at the following hotels: the Grand Cayman Beach Suites, Westin Casuarina and the Marriott Beach Resort.

Q: Are there refreshments on the boats?
A: Yes, there is fresh water and fruit on all of the dive boats.

Q: Do you require a deposit for advanced diving reservations?
A: To secure a dive package, a 1/3 deposit is billed to your credit card upon booking and the remainder will be charged 14 days prior to your arrival. We accept Visa, MasterCard and American Express.

Q: I'll be taking a cruise which docks for only a day. Will I have enough time to dive with Red Sail Sports? Also, do you provide transportation to and from the port?
A: Whether or not you have enough time depends on which day of the week and at what time your ship arrives and departs. Most of our dives do not take more than 4 hours (plus a half hour for registration), and we offer a la carte diving daily in the morning and afternoon, and at night a few times a week. Please call 877-RED-SAIL for exact dates and time schedule. Additionally, we do not provide transportation to or from the cruise ship dock. You would need to take a taxi to our shop, which is an approximate 10-minute taxi ride for the port.

Q: Do I need to give exact dates I want to dive, or can that be set up when I get there?
A: It is best to set your full dive itinerary in advance because it is based upon availability. However, if you are not sure of what your plans are, the first day of diving is all we would require.

Q: Can snorkelers go on the dive boats with the divers?
A: Yes, snorkelers are welcome on afternoon dive boats for a small fee and are subject to available space.

Q: Do all the training courses include equipment?
A: Yes, all courses at Red Sail Sports include required equipment.

Q: I am trying to decide if I need to bring along my wetsuit. Could you tell me what the water temperature is like?
A: In Grand Cayman, the average water temperature is 82°. We do rent wetsuits, so if you decide to rent one upon your arrival, that is also an option.

Q: I am not a certified diver but would like to dive with Red Sail Sports. What are my options?
A: There are four ways you can dive with Red Sail Sports:

First is the full certification course. The PADI certification takes four days to complete at about 5-6 hours per day. This includes theory and pool sessions as well as all the equipment you will need to become certified.

Second, if you choose to take your classes and pool session in your hometown, you can then complete your open water dives in Grand Cayman. PADI / NAUI / SSI / HSA / IDEA / PDIC / NASDS* Open Water Referrals includes all equipment, consists of 4 dives, and takes 2 days.

* Please call first to ensure that certification by a particular agency is available at the location you plan to dive.

Third, now there is a new way to become certified - through PADI's Virtual Scuba School! This CD/ROM or video program includes your classroom sessions and preparation for your pool sessions. The cost is the same as the Open Water Course as quoted above. You just complete the CD/ROM or video and answer the Knowledge Reviews, print it out and bring it with you to Red Sail Sports. Then you complete your pool sessions and 4 dives, which takes approximately 3 days. Please allow at least 3-4 weeks to receive and complete the CD/ROM or video program.

Lastly, if you decide that you don't have enough time or want to test the waters before becoming certified, we do offer a Resort Course for non-certified divers which includes instruction, all equipment, pool session, and 1 tank boat dive.

Children must be at least 10 years to be certified or to do the resort course.

Q: Should I bring my own equipment or rent it from you?
A: That is up to your discretion. Tanks, weights, and weight belt are provided on every dive at no extra charge and all other equipment can be rented at an additional cost. All of our equipment is re-newed every year and we have top-quality equipment. If you bring your own equipment, we have locker facilities for you to store it.

Q: I will be vacationing with my children and plan to go diving with Red Sail Sports. Can you suggest any activities for my children to do while I go diving?
A: Children interested in snorkeling can accompany divers on some of our diving excursions. Ask about our Snorkel Package, SASY and Bubblemaker activities!!!

Additionally, here are some of the childcare services that our hotel partners offer when staying on the island.

In Grand Cayman: Grand Cayman Beach Suites offers Beach Camp - a full range of activities for potty-trained children from the ages of 3 - 11 years old. Inquire with the hotel directly for details.

Westin Casuarina offers Camp Scallywag including lots of planned activities for children 4 - 12 years old. This service is offered 8:30 am - 5:00 p.m. everyday. Inquire with the hotel directly for details.

Q: I haven't been diving in a long time - is there a Refresher Course that I can take?
A: Yes, in fact Red Sail Sports policy is as follows:
Last dive was over 1 year ago, refresher course recommended.
Last dive was 2-4 years ago, Red Sail Refresher Course required.
Last dive was 5-9 years ago, Full PADI Refresher Course required.
Last dive was over 10 years ago, please contact dive shop for assessment prior to booking your dives.
If you have any further questions about our refresher course policy then please call 877-RED-SAIL and our representatives will be happy to assist.

If you cannot find an answer to your specific question, please use our FAQ Request Form.