News
Sunset House and Sunset Divers Celebrate Six Decades of Dive Excellence in the Cayman Islands
Dive resort offers great 60th Anniversary Special, launches new North Wall dive boat and re-introduces popular 3-tank North Wall Safari
Sunset House, the dive resort “for divers by divers” is marking a historic 60 years in the dive business of the Cayman Islands, and inviting others to celebrate by taking advantage of a discounted dive package available through December 21. The 7 Night dive package starts at $1435, based on double occupancy, and include 6 morning 2-tank dives, unlimited shore diving, made-to-order breakfast, a complimentary glass of bubbly, and a Sunset House Anniversary t-shirt.
The story of Sunset House began in 1958 when Miss Hebe (Briggs) Connors nee Bodden, an 8thgeneration Caymanian, and widow who lost her husband at an early age, began renting guest rooms in her seaside cottage to support her young family. Miss Hebe arranged to have dive pioneer Bob Soto, who had just started his dive operation, take care of her diving guests. The agreement included diving lessons for her 12-year-old son Adrien Briggs, who learned the business from the legend. Thus, began Cayman’s dive tourism industry.
Today, scuba diving is a multi-million-dollar tourism industry, and the Cayman Islands is a leading dive destination. Sunset House has grown into a dive resort that includes 36 air-conditioned units on lush seaside grounds; a full-service dive shop and training center; one of the most popular waterfront bars in the Caribbean – My Bar; the Sea Harvest restaurant, famous for West Indian and East Indian cuisine; and the resort is home to Cathy Church’s Underwater Photo Centre.
Only minutes from downtown George Town, Sunset House sits on the rocky coastline of southwest Grand Cayman, where it has drawn divers to the Cayman Islands during the past six decades with its excellent shore diving and great customer service. Miss Hebe, and her son Adrien, have both been honored by the Cayman Islands Government as dive pioneers and “Heroes of the Tourism Industry.”
“My mother was a strong woman who worked hard to support us at a time when tourism hardly existed, so she had to also be smart and creative,” said Adrien Briggs, who learned from Miss Hebe. “She would be excited to see how far Sunset House has come, and to know that her granddaughters, also strong women, are now running the resort.”
Sunset House has always been a family-run operation, with a welcoming laid-back atmosphere that keeps guests coming back year after year. Miss Hebe’s granddaughters Lisa Evans and Anne Briggs took over management of Sunset House earlier this year and are making their own mark on the resort with upgrades to the property and the dive operation. Recently added to the Sunset House fleet is Ocean Spirit, a spacious 50-ft, custom-built V-Hull with robust twin John Deere engines for comfortable trips to the North Wall.
Sunset Divers is also re-introducing its popular 3-tank North Wall Safari on Ocean Spirit every Wednesday on demand. The safari starts with a deep wall followed by two shallow dives. Nitrox is available, and lunch is included.
“Tourism is in our blood, and we are proud to carry on the family traditions of Caymankind. Our grandmother would have been excited about our improvements to the resort, especially our new tropical Caribbean colours,” said General Manager Anne Briggs. “Lisa and I are looking forward to a bright future for Sunset House with continuing upgrades to our property and brand-new dive boats which are being delivered later in 2018.”
The new managers want to remind guests, that even after 60 years, Sunset House Reef never disappoints shore divers, and they work hard to keep it new and exciting. In addition to the reef, divers can also visit the bronze mermaid sculpture, Amphitrite, sitting at 55 feet of water, the Sunset House Coral Nursery, and the wreck of the David Nicholson, a landing craft purposely sunk as an artificial reef. And My Bar, which faces the western Caribbean Sea, is still the best place to watch a spectacular Cayman sunset.
The 60th Anniversary Packages start at $1435 per person based on double occupancy and availability. To book contact Sunset House toll free at 1.800.854. 4767 or on Grand Cayman 1.345.949.7111. You can also e-mail Sunset House at reservations@sunsethouse.com or book online at www.sunsethouse.com/specials.
About Sunset House
Sunset House has been welcoming divers to the Cayman Islands for more than 60 years. It is the only resort in the Cayman Islands, designed by divers, operated by divers, for divers. It’s one of the only resorts on Grand Cayman that has its own coral reef, with the wreck of the Nicholson and coral nursery in shallow water right off shore. Underwater visibility on Sunset House’s reef can exceed 200 feet, and a remarkable variety of marine life to be seen there. Our own spectacular 9’ bronze sculpture of the mermaid Amphitrite is one of the most popular shore dive sites in the world.
The resort features 36 guest rooms, including 13 Courtyard rooms, 18 Oceanview rooms, 2 spacious Suites and 2 Apartments which include a full kitchen. All rooms are air-conditioned, with coffee making facilities and private baths. Free Hi-Speed Wireless Internet can be accessed throughout the property and a convenient computer station is located in the lobby. SeaHarvest Restaurant offers a full menu for breakfast, lunch and dinner and is famous for its Indian menu. My Bar a popular hangout for both locals and visitors, has been voted “Best in the Caribbean” by Caribbean Travel and Life and the Best of Cayman. Sunset House also features an inviting seaside fresh water swimming pool and ocean fed sea pool for relaxation. Sunset Divers, a PADI 5-star resort is on site to provide daily dive excursions and a full range of PADI courses.
For information or reservations:
- Call Toll Free: (800) 854-4767
- On Grand Cayman: 345-949-7111
- International: 001-345-949-7111
- Web: www.sunsethouse.com
- E-mail: reservations@sunsethouse.com
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/sunsethousecayman
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/sunsethouse
In this series, the Shark Trust will be sharing amazing facts about different species of sharks and what you can do to help protect them.
This month we’re taking a look at the Dusky Shark, a highly migratory species with a particularly slow growth rate and late age at maturity.
Dusky sharks are one of the largest species within the Carcharhinus genus, generally measuring 3 metres total length but able to reach up to 4.2 metres. They are grey to grey-brown on their dorsal side and their fins usually have dusky margins, with the darkest tips on the caudal fin.
Dusky Sharks can often be confused with other species of the Carcharhinus genus, particularly the Galapagos Shark (Carcharhinus galapagensis). They have very similar external morphology, so it can be easier to ID to species level by taking location into account as the two species occupy very different ecological niches – Galapagos Sharks prefer offshore seamounts and islets, whilst duskies prefer continental margins.
Hybridisation:
A 2019 study found that Dusky Sharks are hybridising with Galapagos Sharks on the Eastern Tropical Pacific (Pazmiño et al., 2019). Hybridisation is when an animal breeds with an individual of another species to produce offspring (a hybrid). Hybrids are often infertile, but this study found that the hybrids were able to produce second generation hybrids!
Long distance swimmers:
Dusky sharks are highly mobile species, undertaking long migrations to stay in warm waters throughout the winter. In the Northern Hemisphere, they head towards the poles in the summer and return southwards towards the equator in winter. The longest distance recorded was 2000 nautical miles!
Very slow to mature and reproduce:
The Dusky Shark are both targeted and caught as bycatch globally. We already know that elasmobranchs are inherently slow reproducers which means that they are heavily impacted by overfishing; it takes them so long to recover that they cannot keep up with the rate at which they are being fished. Dusky Sharks are particularly slow to reproduce – females are only ready to start breeding at roughly 20 years old, their gestation periods can last up to 22 months, and they only give birth every two to three years. This makes duskies one of the most vulnerable of all shark species.
The Dusky Shark is now listed on Appendix II of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species (CMS), but further action is required to protect this important species.
Scientific Name: Carcharhinus obscurus
Family: Carcharhinidae
Maximum Size: 420cm (Total Length)
Diet: Bony fishes, cephalopods, can also eat crustaceans, and small sharks, skates and rays
Distribution: Patchy distribution in tropical and warm temperate seas; Atlantic, Indo-Pacific and Mediterranean.
Habitat: Ranges from inshore waters out to the edge of the continental shelf.
Conservation status: Endangered.
For more great shark information and conservation visit the Shark Trust Website
Images: Andy Murch
Diana A. Pazmiño, Lynne van Herderden, Colin A. Simpfendorfer, Claudia Junge, Stephen C. Donnellan, E. Mauricio Hoyos-Padilla, Clinton A.J. Duffy, Charlie Huveneers, Bronwyn M. Gillanders, Paul A. Butcher, Gregory E. Maes. (2019). Introgressive hybridisation between two widespread sharks in the east Pacific region, Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 136(119-127), https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ympev.2019.04.013.
3rd AUGUST 2024 – 1 or 2 WEEK PROGRAMMES
Daily water programme with Snorkelling & Scuba Diving.
Beginners or qualified, something for all.
Leave the kids with the Splash Team for days of Excitement, Fun & Adventure!
BOOK NOW: INFO@PHARAOHDIVECLUB.COM / TEL: +44 7598 329059 or +20 100 6822000
There are various options for accommodation with options for 2, 3, 4 or 5 guests.
Eco Huts provide accommodation for families of up to 4. The best option to enhance the adventure and closest to camping with basic facilities. For August we will provide central air cooling for all the Eco Huts.
Deluxe Chalets are only suitable for 2 guests. Fully air conditioned rooms with private bathroom and other facilities.
Boutique Rooms are available for families of up to 5.
Individual bespoke rooms fully air conditioned with private bathroom and other facilities.
Eco Huts: £675 per adult / £425 per child / Under 8 FREE of charge
Deluxe Chalet: £830 per adult / £505 per child / Under 8 FREE of charge
Boutique Room: £925 per adult / £550 per child / Under 8 FREE of charge
BOOK NOW: INFO@PHARAOHDIVECLUB.COM / TEL: +44 7598 329059 or +20 100 6822000
This is a truly unique opportunity to have a Family Desert Adventure totally away from it all! You will be based at the remote Roots Red Sea on the coast of the Egyptian Eastern Desert, 140km south of Hurghada city.
Red Sea Splash main focus is Snorkelling & Scuba Diving but that’s not all, we provide a rounded week of activities in support.
Pool& Field Games – Arts & Crafts
Marine Biology Workshops
Cultural Activities – Orienteering Adventures
Roots Red Sea have established strong links with the local communities of Hamerwain & El Quseir affording our guests to have a true taste of the local culture, SPLASH CAMP embraces this opportunity and bring in the local children to join in the fun with our adventure seekers.
During the day, families are welcome to take part in all activities together or the kids can be left with the SPLASH CAMP team while the parents enjoy the facilities or go diving themselves!
At the end of the day, its family time while the SPLASH CAMP team take a break. For those with the energy, there are family evening activities planned a few evenings.
Open Air Movie Night – Desert Star Gazing Walk & Talk
El Quseir Evening City Tour
The second week is very special, we head off on the Big Blue for a liveaboard safari around Fury Shoals.
BOOK NOW: INFO@PHARAOHDIVECLUB.COM / TEL: +44 7598 329059 or +20 100 6822000
U-8 Splash Club
Sadly we can’t offer Scuba Diving to the Splash Club but we can have lots of fun Snorkelling & Free Diving!
Splash Club includes:
Certified Snorkel Course – Marine ID Games – Intro to Free Diving
Arts & Craft Sessions – Adventure trails – Cultural Playtime – Pool Games
U-12 Explorer Club
In addition to an exciting snorkelling and Free Diving Programme in the Splash Club we can take you under the water on SCUBA to a whole new world of fun and wonder. If you are under 10 your first breath under water will be as a Bubblemaker and continue with daily Seal Team Missions. From 10 we will complete a Discover Scuba Diving experience in the amazing Red Sea. Alternatively we offer a full junior certification programme to become an international qualified Scuba Diver.
U-16 Adventurer Club
For qualified Scuba Divers regardless of age it’s the Adventurer Club and exploration of the local reefs and marine life. There will be 2 dives every day with the Open Ocean marine field station team who will introduce you to Red Sea marine life and workshops on marine research. Alternatively there are opportunities to continue your scuba diving certifications with our instructional team.
Parents are welcome to join the club activities and join the courses.
BOOK NOW: INFO@PHARAOHDIVECLUB.COM / TEL: +44 7598 329059 or +20 100 6822000
Big Blue might seem like the new kid on the block, but the team behind the highly acclaimed liveaboard is far from that. They have been running Red Sea safaris since the late 1980’s and were in fact part of the early pioneers who ventured out to the unknown on vessels that in today’s world, really shouldn’t have left the harbour! It’s that experience and the years of operating the award-winning Roots Red Sea resort which truly set Big Blue apart from the crowd!
Large lounge area, spacious sun deck and terrace deck.
Airy restaurant with five tables with up to six chairs per table, serving a varied and delicious menu with special dietary requirements catered for.
The spacious cabins have side by side beds and a large walk in wet bathroom.
Ample dive deck for divers & snorkelers.
Safety is everyone’s priority, whether you are relaxing on board, swimming, snorkelling or diving.
On board Big Blue is fitted with smoke alarms, emergency lighting and a fire alarm system. The lower corridor has a full-size door fire exit at the bow and open stairs to the stern. There are evacuation plans in each room along with life jackets, glass breaker tool and a fire extinguisher.
BOOK NOW: INFO@PHARAOHDIVECLUB.COM / TEL: +44 7598 329059 or +20 100 6822000
Red Sea Splash at Fury Shoals is a very rare opportunity to get involved with marine biology expedition for children and adults. Open Ocean biologists are on board to provide fascinating and entertaining facts about the marine life you will see. The team will provide workshops on marine life identification and survey methods both of which, should you wish, you will have the chance to put into practice during your safari.
The week is open to snorkelers, scuba divers and non divers too!
Fury shoals is perfect for first time mariners as it offers plenty of protection from the weather.
We board at Port Ghaleb on Saturday evening and prepare to set sail early on Sunday morning.
Heading south, our first day will be diving the reefs of Abu Dabbab before sailing overnight to reach our ultimate destination the Fury Shoals.
Here we will spend four days swimming, snorkelling and scuba diving amazing reefs. This includes guaranteed DOLPHIN encounters at Sataya Reef! After the last dive we haul anchor and head back to Abu Dabbab for our final two dives before disembarking our boat BIG BLUE.
Camp Extension Cost*
Adult £650 per adult
Under 16 £350 per child
BOOK NOW: INFO@PHARAOHDIVECLUB.COM / TEL: +44 7598 329059 or +20 100 6822000
FURTHER INFORMATION – INFO@PHARAOHDIVECLUB.COM
TEL: +44 7598 329059 or +20 100 6822000
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