Gary & Liz Grand Cayman Diving

Gary

I started life in sunny Weston Super Mare, England. Living by the sea has always been part of my life. I knew from an early age that I wanted to combine my love for the ocean and the beach into my career. I decided the short English summers and the daily rain storms were not for me so I packed my back pack and started living my dream!

It really was that simple. I completed my Dive Master / Instructor Course in Gibraltar in 1999. The air was warm but the water was cold, I learned the joys associated with 7mm and dry suits. From there I headed on a journey that took me diving in many different places. I went to the Red Sea, Egypt, the warm waters of Thailand, drifted in Cozumel and finally ended up in Bermuda. I spent two years lost in the Triangle becoming familiar with the reefs that made the island synonymous with wreck diving. Throughout my travels one name kept coming up ‘The Cayman Islands’. So I decided that I would try my luck on the island of turtles. Five minutes into my first dive I realized this is it! The stunning drop offs, colorful fish life; I was hooked! I spent the first three years on Cayman Brac where bare foot elegance is a way of life and it suited me. I dived the Brac and Little Cayman and learned all about these beautiful islands.

The live-aboard life had always interested me and after the small island life of the Brac it seemed a natural progression so I joined the Aqua-cat as first mate and cruised the Bahamas. My year on-board gave me unforgettable memories and experiences…but something was missing (Liz!). The Cayman sand was between my toes and having spent time visiting the ‘big city’ I knew Grand Cayman was a perfect fit. This is more than a job, more than a dive, it is my dream.

These islands are unique and I feel lucky and honored to call them home. The island pace is perfect and the culture is unique.  We have year round diving in warm, clear water, the friendliest stingrays in the world and no end of things to do in, on, or by the sea. I spend every day enjoying the island. Whether I’m BBQing on the beach, sipping a mud slide at Rum Point or boarding up for a hurricane, I am living the dream!

Liz

Thanks for visiting our site and allowing us to share our dream with you! My name is Liz and I am originally from Nova Scotia, Canada. Born with the smell of fresh salty sea air, I grew up enchanted with the ocean on the seafaring east coast of Canada. I set off in search of warmth after graduating from University in 1996. My travels led me island hopping through-out the Caribbean, scuba diving and snorkeling every chance I had. Along the way, I had the opportunity to live and work in Tobago as a Dive Master and this cemented my dream.

Realizing then that I didn’t want to live the normal 9-5 life, I set off on an adventure to live on a tropical island, teaching people how to dive and sharing nature with them. In 1998 I completed my instructor training in the Great Lakes of Canada (Brrrrr!) and quickly found a job in the sunny and warm Cayman Islands. These little islands became my home and I love every hammock swinging moment of it. Since I have lived here, my Cayman Diving adventures have continued- not only on a daily basis- my travels have been to great dive spots! Some of the places I have been lucky enough to explore the underwater wonders in are Tahiti & French Polynesia, Cozumel, Bonaire, Florida, Hawaii, Barbados, Tobago, Cuba, Costa Rica, St. Martin and the Bahamas.

On days off, you can find me on the beach, on the boat, snorkeling, enjoy Grand Cayman Diving or swimming the crystal clear Cayman waters. In fact, my favorite thing to do is drop the anchor at Stingray City Sandbar, light the BBQ, and spend the day Grilling N Chilling. Living The Dream Divers is not just my job – it’s a way of life!

The Cayman Islands my home. Having lived in the Sister Islands and Grand Cayman for over 12 years, I wake up everyday feeling lucky to be here. I have seen and experienced wondrous things in the ocean surrounding this little piece of paradise and the warmth of the Caymanian people never ceases to amaze me. Having the opportunity to call this place “home” and share the beauty and peace of these islands with guests, friends and family….I really am “Living The Dream.”

"What are you waiting for?"

Recommended by the Holidaysplease Cayman Islands holidays guide. View the review here