Green Short Challenge
The Greenshorts
Challenge.
Golfers dream of the Green Jacket. Cyclists chase the Yellow Jersey. In the diving world, it is all about a pair of Green Shorts. The name comes from the iconic teal green shorts that form part of the Ocean Frontiers dive team uniform — and at this operation, those shorts have become synonymous with legendary dive sites, phenomenal service, and a dive culture that inspires.
Ocean Frontiers has set out a challenge for every diver willing to log all 55 dive sites within the East End dive zone. All previous dives count and there is no time limit. Many divers have been diving with us for years, and that history is acknowledged from day one.
The Greenshorts Punch Card
Pick up a free punch card from inside the dive shop to track your progress diving all of our 55 dive sites.
Earning Your Shorts
Once a diver checks off all 55 East End dive sites, the celebrations begin. Each diver is inducted into the Green Short Dive Tribe at a ceremony on the boat dock at Compass Point Dive Resort. The occasion is everything it deserves to be.
A special edition pair of Green Shorts is awarded, along with an Ocean Frontiers Gold Medal. A bronze plaque is later cast with the diver's name and installed on the Divers Walk of Fame — leaving a permanent part of them in Cayman until they return. A Green Short Cake and Champagne are shared with fellow divers on the dock to mark the moment.
Tips & Considerations
Six things every challenger should factor in before staking their claim.
Tis' the Season
The 55 sites are divided into zones partly because some are more seasonal than others. In winter (November–March), northerly winds can limit access to Zones A, B & C on the north coast. In summer, southerly winds can restrict Zones D, E & F on the south coast. Spring and fall are more variable. Any site can be dived on any day of the year — we just never know in advance which day that will be.
Rinse & Repeat
It takes more than 55 individual dives to complete the challenge. Depending on conditions and other divers on the boat, you will revisit some sites along the way — and that is not a bad thing. Many sites take multiple dives to fully appreciate what they have to offer.
Best Behaviour
If you are on your last site and the dive gods are in your favour, we will get you there. If the planets do not align, we ask that you try not to bite the tabs off your mouthpiece and leave the saga to be continued. Patience is part of the challenge.
Special Requests
Once you have checked off your first 30 sites, keep a closer eye on your log book and lodge your requests with the Captains and Crew. Ask by site name or by zone. Gifts and special favours are typically accepted — but be forewarned, they rarely yield results. We are all pirates in Cayman.
Leaving the Station
To reach the more remote sites on the East End, the dive boats need to depart on time — if not early. We pride ourselves on punctual departures, for no other reason than enabling our crew and boats to be flexible with extended bottom times and to venture to the far reaches of the dive zones.
Captain's Orders
Our Captains base site selection on the following criteria, in order: weather and conditions; overall diver experience level on board; a non-return policy for sites visited in the same week; mooring availability; and finally, by request. We do our very best to help you complete the challenge.
"Try not. Do or do not. There is no try."
— YodaView More Videos & Photos
Click play, sit back, relax and enjoy a glimpse of what diving in the Cayman Islands with Ocean Frontiers looks like.
