In the midst of a global shutdown, the isolation has presented an opportunity to reflect on our lives and the global impact the diving community has. With this in mind, let me show you what it is to spend a day in the life of a Sunset House instructor. I’m Tanuj (aka TJ), a Sunset Divers instructor, and I’m one of the friendly faces you might see on your Grand Cayman dive trip!
Let’s get started with a typical day for an instructor! If you have any questions about our dive experiences in Grand Cayman, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
The Start of the Diving Day in Grand Cayman
Our working day is a cycle in tune with the sun. As long as there’s sunlight, we will work! And occasionally nocturnal creatures demand our attention and we go explore in the evening light. Early sun rays mark the beginning of our day. The clock strikes 7 am and away we go. This part of the morning is a subconscious trail — get the boats to dock, prepare the boats beforehand, be ready for surprises.
But before you know it, the game is on! The boat is safely out of the dock, the radio transmission is active, and away we go.
All the staff here at Sunset House understand the importance of working together; every player is key and we bring the best out of each other. It’s a great sight for the conductor when 15 individuals who have shared life experiences on a global scale bring a strong personality and work within a team to achieve the same goal. This makes for the best diving operation in the Caribbean, a place for divers by divers.
Before we get to the diving itself, it’s important to note how everyone on our trips must treat the underwater environment with care and respect. Our blog What is Reef-Safe Sunscreen and What is its Importance? is a fantastic starting point to find out more.
The Grand Cayman Diving Begins!
Arriving at the first dive site of the day, we dive in for the adventure. The outstanding terrain underwater, with its crystal-clear blue waters and flourishing marine life, amuses all of us. Soon after, we enjoy the in-between mystery fruit of the day, (if you know the answer, we’ll make sure that you get your share when we see you again). The day is seized with another dive and it’s back to the dock for noon.
On our way back for lunch we exchange laughs and talk about nooks and crannies, as some instructors would say. The banter never ends and everyone is happy and filled with joy. I blame it on the nitrogen.
For an insight into what you can expect from your own adventure with Sunset Divers, check out Your Guide to Coral Reef Diving in Grand Cayman.
An Afternoon of Diving in Grand Cayman
The second half of the day is marked with a Kittiwake Wreck dive or a trip to Stingray City. Guests can also take advantage of shore diving. It’s the perfect way to explore the Sunset House Reef! We also love to teach at Sunset Divers, so an afternoon could see any of the team teaching Discover Scuba Diving, Open Water, Advanced courses, and other PADI Specialty programs. Check out our full range of dive training and courses in Grand Cayman to find out more! If not diving or teaching, the rest of the team cracks on preparing for the next day, from getting the tanks ready to organizing the boat.
The day is almost over. The sun has gone down, the sunrays are not so strong, the colors start to change, and to the bar we go. A few beers watching the sunset, waiting to see the green flash, talking to divers about their lives and making connections with people from across the world is the usual setting for an evening here at My Bar in Grand Cayman.
It does sound too good to be true and I pinch myself every day, but being a diving instructor can also be challenging on some days. For example, the weather is beyond our control and when it’s too rough, we can’t play.
Everyone here works with pride, adhering to safety and standards, keeping it simple and safe, and, most importantly, fun. I am proud to say that this team holds some of the best individuals I have had the privilege to work with and a great team that will mark its name high in the history of Sunset House.
A Little About Myself…
I am Tanuj, street name TJ, and I was born and raised in Delhi, India. I was 21 when I left and became a professional diver. I am now in my seventh year working and living the life of a dive Instructor. I have been working at Sunset House since August 2019 and the Cayman Islands is my home right now.
Book One of Our Grand Dive Trips Today!
Have you found this insight into the day of a dive instructor in Grand Cayman inspiring? Then come and join in the fun! Browse our range of Grand Cayman dive trips and choose your adventures! If you have any pre-booking questions, please just get in touch for the answers you need.
