I didn't care for Don Fosters, did Bob Sotos - they were good - this is
pre 1999.

Did red sails off a cruise ship (so not a good indicator) they sucks -
too many divers and dives were cut very short.

This question is so open ended it's really hard to know where to start on
replying.  Why not give some information about your friend and his or her
companions, if any.

Grand Cayman?  Cayman Brac? Little Cayman?  I prefer the latter myself.  We
stay at Pirate's Point.  Nice operation.

Buck

Part of the American dream is to live long and die young. Only those
Americans who are willing to die for their country are fit to live.

- General Douglas MacArthur

Dave,

Much depends on what interests they have besides diving.

If they're interested in golf or shopping or massive sized resort complexes,
their options are immediately narrowed to Grand Cayman. Same if they have
kids and want to plan activities for them.

The outer islands, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman, are generally acknowledged
to have the better diving, although GC's east end is still relatively
untouched compared with the over dived west end. The outer islands are
remote in terms of services and amenities, although those of us that like
them find things just FINE. <G>

Give us some more feedback from your friends and we'll try and give you some
more precise advice. And, we haven't even addressed their skill levels, what
kind of diving they want, etc.

Best Regards,
Tim

Btw, here's my Little Cayman/Pirate's Point page off my web site.
http://home.comcast.net/~tb0yd/pirates_point.htm

Cayman Brac and Little Cayman offer the best diving but not much else other
than good, fresh seafood.  If you dive Grand Cayman, contact Joanne Tilley
who owns Rivers Sports Diving (rivsport@candw.ky, 345-949-1181)  She has one
boat that operates off the public beach on the "7-mile side".  The boat
holds 8 divers and her dive masters won't rush your bottom time.  Red Sale
is the big operator there but they operate cattle boats.  The Grand Cayman
reef has been damaged over the years but the water is warm and clear.  If
you dive there, be sure and dive Sand Chute.  That's where the now famous
"Ski Cayman" poster photo was shot.  BTW, we stayed at Aqua Bay club right
on Seven Mile Beach and it was quite nice and centrally located to the
action.  The have a web site.

Joanne is a nice lady who runs an honest operation.  Very personal service
and, I suspect, less expensive than the biggies.

Happy bubbles.
Denny Carlyle
Blacksburg, VA
carlyle@verizon.net

In Cayman, restaurant tips are often included so in that sense they may be
required.  But tipping the divemaster/crew is always optional.

e-mail OLLEN Miller:

sundiver@CandW.ky  , native Caymanian instructor for 20+ years..smaller
boat

I have dived the Grand Cayman and Little Cayman a number of times, the
latter being the better dive destination. There's pretty much bugger
all to do on any of the islands, but what it lacks above the waterline
it certainly makes up for beneath it.
I'd recommend Little Cayman first, then the East of Grand Cayman ( try
east end divers or the Cayman diving lodge - both of who operate in
the east ).
Try not to dive anywhere out of George town as the operators do the
same old, same old sites that are rapidly being destroyed by novice
divers with no respect for the reefs or marine life. In the 6 years
that I've being going I have seen a massive decline in the quality of
the reefs along 7 mile beach area. The east is the way to go, believe
me.
I'm going back later this year and will be heading straight to the
Cayman Diving Lodge, who offer all inc packages ( know what ur
spending b4 u get there ). The cost of living in Cayman is some 30%
more expensive than the US ( I presume that's where u are ) so if ur
going shore based take plenty of dollars.
There is a fantastic liveaboard - The Cayman Aggressor - which is the
Caribbean flagship of one of the best fleets of liveaboards on the
market - "The Aggressor fleet. Prices are around $2000 a/i
Good luck and enjoy...
Submersible Sid