It’s no secret that Ocean Frontiers quickly wins over the hearts of any diver who comes to explore the reefs, walls and wrecks of Grand Cayman with this PADI Five-Star team. You can see it in the return rate of guests—nearly three-quarters of their guests are repeat visitors who’ve come back for more laughs and adventures with this skilled, friendly staff who love what they do, and it shows.
Ocean Frontiers tends to sweep several categories in this magazine’s Readers’ Choice Awards. In past years, readers have named this operation No. 1 for Best Overall Dive Operator, as well as No. 1 for Best Quality of Dive Boats, Best Quality of Rental Gear, Best Quality of Facilities, Best Quality of Staff, Best Quality of Training and Courses, and Best Attention to Safety.
Courtesy of Ocean FrontiersRoll out of bed at Compass Point Dive Resort and onto the dive boat.
Set on the quieter East End, Ocean Frontiers and Compass Point Resort enjoy a location known for rugged limestone shorelines, stretches of tranquil white beach and uncrowded dive sites. The resort setup places everything close enough together that staff joke guests can “roll out of bed right onto the dive boat”. That convenience is just the beginning. The dive team caters to guests, delivering what they call the “Green Shorts Service”—the ultimate in valet treatment. Your gear is already assembled and ready to go when you set foot on the boat. Post-dive, the crew disassembles your gear, then washes and dries it.
Of course, the main reason to head to the East End is the diving. Ocean Frontiers regularly explores 55 sites—a mix of walls, pinnacles, canyons and arches where reef sharks, rays and barracuda are all common sightings—and other dive boats are not. They also offer unique experiences, such as their famous X-Dive, giving guests who love apex predators something more to enjoy. There’s also the Macro Mania experience, where a critter guru guides a dive in the East End Lagoon—the closest thing Cayman has to a muck wonderland of tiny discoveries.
Courtesy of Ocean FrontiersOcean Frontiers is positioned closest to the best diving the Grand Cayman has to offer.
Every day, the dive team strategizes to give guests variety, taking advantage of the best sites in optimum conditions. Divers tend to return to Ocean Frontiers because they know they can count on a team that consistently delivers exceptional diving where safety is a priority.
The three 46-foot dive vessels, brand-new as of 2023, are a point of pride, custom-designed for comfort. Every seat affords guests more space to spread out—it’s the business class of dive travel. Each diver has a personal mask rinse bucket and gear storage crate. These dive boats are also equipped with liveaboard-style dive ladders for an overall experience centered on ease and comfort.
To give their guests even more, Ocean Frontiers has created a lineup of special events focusing on photography, videography and marine biology. The operator counts several marine biologists on staff, and everyone—including the owner—has a deep interest in underwater ecology.
Alex MustardLook out for the 'Dive N Stay' package for the complete Coral Spawning Experience wrapped up in a week’s worth of diving, while staying at Compass Point Dive Resort in the Cayman Islands.
In autumn 2002, dive center owner Steve Broadbelt, along with marine biologist and award-winning underwater photographer Alex Mustard, began diving every night after the full moon of August to pinpoint the exact dates and times that various coral species spawn. Thanks to their tireless curiosity and efforts, Ocean Frontiers now offers coral spawn night dives every September. This popular event sometimes fills up as much as six months in advance, so interested divers should inquire early.
Mustard, who has several times been named BBC Wildlife Photographer of the Year, chooses Grand Cayman and Ocean Frontiers to host his annual photography workshops every January. The event is sold out for 2026 but will return in 2027.
Courtesy of Ocean FrontiersWant to learn how to truly master your GoPro? Ocean Frontiers gives you the opportunity.
From April 11 to 18, 2026, underwater photographer Carlos Villoch, a BBC-Shell Wildlife Photographer of the Year winner, will host a GoPro Week with four workshops covering instruction—from learning how light and color behave underwater, to how your GoPro captures them. Accessories, camera settings and advanced techniques are all part of the program.
The biggest and longest event spans from Earth Day on April 22 to World Ocean Day on June 8. These weeks will include a series of unique dives, talks on the underwater curiosities of Cayman, and beach cleanups, allowing guests to give back if they choose.
On site, you’ll find Compass Point Dive Resort, offering one-, two- and three-bedroom condominiums, all just steps from the dive boats. The resort includes two pools—one with a 12-person hot tub attached and the other 9 feet deep and dedicated to diver training. The resort restaurant, Eagle Ray’s, serves three meals daily. A full bar is available, as is in-room dining. It’s everything guests need to rest, relax and recharge for a new day of diving adventures.
Plan Your East End Dive Vacation:
800-348-6096
