346 Austin Connoly Drive, East End, Cayman Islands | (937) 315-4602
Inviting
condos include full kitchens and separate living areas
Direct access to a secluded strip of white sand beach
Superb dive
school with trips that leave right off of the resort’s pier
Great
open-air restaurant with wonderful ocean views
Two modest
pools, one with a hot tub the other for diver training
Some units
have private patios that open directly onto the beach
Free bike
and kayak rentals
BBQs
available for guest use
Free Wi-Fi and self-parking
Remote
location (a pro for some)
Beach not
well suited for swimming
Compass Point Dive Resort is an upper-middle-range resort located in the island’s tranquil East End district. While the setting is perfect for diving, with trips departing directly from the resort’s dock, it’s far removed from the island’s main entertainment hubs (a pro or a con, depending on your perspective). Its 28 one-, two-, and three-bedroom condos are cheerful and tidy, all offering well-equipped kitchens and private balconies. This eco-friendly property also offers two nice pools (including a diver training pool), a scenic restaurant, and ample freebies like bike and kayak rentals. Travelers may want to compare amenities and rates with Cobalt Coast Resort & Suites in West Bay, which offers a similar boutique ambiance, serene location, and focus on diving.
Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.
Scene
Relaxed, eco-friendly resort with an intimate atmosphere
An enormous yellow submarine marks the entrance to this property, which consists of cottage-like, pale blue buildings with white trim. The resort is divided into an oceanfront side, home to the restaurant, beach, dive shop, and diver training pool, and an inland side located across the road, where guests will find the resort pool and shop. The resort incorporates a range of green design features, including 100 percent green-certified cleaning products and Energy Star 3.0 certified appliances, among other initiatives.
Perfect for divers of all ages and skill levels, the resort attracts a pretty even mix of couples and families as well as a few singles. The ambiance is laid-back and activity-focused, with most guests going on regular dive trips and taking advantage of the bike and kayak rentals. You’re just as likely to spot guests doing impromptu yoga on the beach as those simply lounging in the sun.
Location
Secluded location with few attractions and dining options in walking distance
Compass Point Dive Resort is located in the island’s East End district, about a 40-minute drive to the Seven Mile Beach tourist hub. In addition to the hotel’s on-site restaurant, there are two fine local restaurants found within walking distance, but that’s about it. There are several bus stops in East End that provide cheap transportation to the island’s other districts, but service can be inconsistent, and buses only run until the early evening. The capital of George Town is a 30-minute drive away, while the airport is 40 minutes away. Nearby attractions include the Blowholes, which are less than a five-minute drive away, and Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park, which can be reached in about a 15-minute drive.
Rooms
Charming condos with full kitchens, separate living areas, and furnished balconies
Units at Compass Point Dive Resort are bright and homey. The decor varies slightly from unit to unit, but white furniture, seashell bedspreads, and light-blue or lemon-colored walls are typical features. Many feature striking underwater photos taken on dives. Living rooms have pairs of twin-size Murphy beds. Amenities include flat-screen TVs with DVD players, cell phones with local SIM cards, and free Wi-Fi. Full kitchens include ovens, dishwashers, and plenty of cookware and cutlery. Washers and dryers are stored in closets.
Attractive bathrooms have plenty of counter space and Gilchrist & Soames bath products. Some have shower/tub combos with jetted tubs, while others have separate jetted tubs and glass-block showers. All rooms include large balconies or patios with views of the ocean or pool. Higher floor poolside rooms have views of the pool along with partial ocean views. Ground-level oceanfront rooms open directly onto the beach.
Features
Superior dive school, two lovely outdoor pools, excellent restaurant, and direct beach access
The dive school, Ocean Frontiers Dive School, is the resort’s focus. It offers a range of non-certification classes, as well as standard, specialty, and pro-certification classes. The resort also has two pools, including a diver training pool that's divided into three depth step areas, which are designed for those learning to dive. The curving resort pool is set on the inland side of the property and includes a built-in hot tub. Overlooked by one of the resort buildings, the resort pool is surrounded by a stone sundeck with loungers and umbrellas, while a cabana shades several patio tables.
The hotel’s casual restaurant, Eagle Rays, is set on an elevated terrace with the diver training pool on one side and striking views of the coast on the other. The restaurant serves light, international dishes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It’s airy and beachy, with a palapa roof and simple wooden tables. The restaurant also provides in-room dining. A number of propane gas-powered grills and charcoal grills are found around the property and are free for guests to use.
The hotel’s pretty beach is divided into two sections, known as Sunrise Beach and Sunset Beach. These quiet stretches of white sand are dotted with palm trees, along with hammocks, loungers, and picnic tables for guests. The coast is quite rocky and not ideal for swimming.
There’s a small business center in the lobby with a PC and printer. The resort also offers free bike and kayak rental. A small shop, The Sandbox Boutique & Gift Shop, sells beachwear, souvenirs, and a few essentials. Free Wi-Fi is offered throughout, and there’s free parking on-site.
