Cayman Islands welcome first ‘ladies only’ dive trip

The Cayman Islands Department of Tourism has welcomed the initiative by tour operator DiveQuest to put together a ‘ladies-only’ holiday for 2010.

The ‘Girls Together’ week is aimed at ladies of any age wishing to dive or learn to dive, or just wishing to accompany a friend or group of friends who will be diving.

‘Girls Together’ has been created to give ladies the opportunity to travel and dive in a world-class dive and leisure destination. Particularly good for single travellers, the ‘Mermaids’ will find like-minded company and enjoy fun in the sun without the worry or discomfort of dining alone, arriving at a dive centre without a ’buddy’, or being penalised by an enforced single supplement – all of which have long been a major bone of contention for female divers.

Accommodation is at Compass Point dive lodge in Grand Cayman’s scenic and unspoilt East End, which boasts some of the best diving in the world. The spacious apartment-style suites, each with kitchen facilities, make sharing a far superior alternative to cramped single accommodation. There are dive and non-dive rates and the added attraction of on-site yoga and spa sessions. A minibus is provided for members of the group to explore the island at leisure and DiveQuest’s ‘girl on the ground’ in Cayman has made a recommendation of top restaurants and bars for the group to visit.

Many of Cayman’s water sports operators, restaurateurs, tour leaders and hoteliers are women, and with a superb infrastructure, the ‘living’ on the Cayman Islands really is as ‘easy’ as it gets for the fairer sex, whether travelling alone, as part of a couple or in a family. With its high standard of living, a conservative, family-minded community, strict laws outlawing beach peddlers or hawkers, the Cayman Islands is one of the world’s most comfortable and enjoyable destination for women travellers.

Easy driving, low crime rates, an integrated ex-pat society and non-inclusive resorts encourage visitors and natives to rub shoulders on a daily basis. Almost 100 nationalities inhabit the 100 or so square miles that make up Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman.

DiveQuest’s ‘Girls Together’ first holiday runs from 1st to 8th May 2010. Rates for the week range from £1313 (dive inclusive package) to £1224 (learn to dive package) or £970 (non-diver). Rates are per person and include transfers, seven nights accommodation (room mates are allocated on first come-first serve basis) breakfast, welcome supper one day and barbeque on another, dives and dive equipment.

See divequest.co.uk for more information and bookings.

BA flies to Grand Cayman four days a week from London Heathrow and flights can be booked through DiveQuest or independently through BA.com

For more information on visiting the Cayman Islands and ideas for women travellers, visit caymanislands.co.uk.