Grand Cayman & Bob Soto’s Diving – End of an Era
Posted on | December 28, 2005 | 10 Comments
The year is about over and with it, the passing of an institution in the world of diving. Anyone familiar with diving in the Caribbean, surely knows about Bob Soto’s Diving on Grand Cayman. Well it seems it is no more. Along with the other dive operators and pretty much everyone on the island, they suffered significant damage from Hurricane Ivan in late 2004. There are many businesses still trying to recover, and some are up and running, but Bob Soto’s closed their doors early in 2005…
I for one am nostalgic thinking of its demise. After getting my first dive certification at 16 years old, I read everything I could about the sport, and of course that included Skin Diver magazine – which ironically ceased publication a couple years ago as well. I can remember reading innumerable articles about Bob Soto’s and diving in Grand Cayman – sort of grew up with it. In fact it was in large part due to their history and reputation that I ended up doing my divemaster training, followed up with taking an IDC there to get my instructor certification sometime back.
For those not familiar with history, here’s a brief illumination. Bob Soto started his dive business in 1957 in Georgetown, Grand Cayman. He was a pioneer in the industry, and his backdoor was what many have called the “Jewel of the Caribbeanâ€. Though there are nearly 50 operators there now, he was the first. He ran the business for 20 years before selling it to Ron Kipp who called it Ron Kipp’s Bob Soto’s Diving and spent the next 22 years building it into quite an operation.
Achievements during this time are many including opening the first PADI 5 Star Training Development Center in the Cayman Islands. In fact, there is an interesting account about Ron in Mark Henricks book, “Not Just a Living: The Complete Guide to Creating a Business That Gives You a Life”, which includes the story about the building of this world-class diving phenomenon.
Ron retired in 2003 and sold the business to Dan Tibbetts of Reef Divers who called the new company Bob Soto’s Reef Divers. Dan also had operations on Little Cayman and Cayman Brac. These latter two are still up and running, but the original Bob Soto’s is gone.
Even though its hard to accept that Bob Soto’s Diving will no longer operate after nearly 50 years, Grand Cayman remains one of my all-time favorite dive destinations. In fact, its been awhile now – time to take another trip back……
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May 20th, 2007 @ 9:54 am
I didn’t know Kipps/Sotos went under. Is Barry Day, who was the defacto chief of operations for Sotos, still on the island? I dove with them all the time and became quite friendly with him and his wife.
May 21st, 2007 @ 4:32 pm
Hi Ken,
I don’t know if Barry is still on island or not, but I do know many of the Soto’s folks have left. Just for clarification, Reef Divers, who bought Kipps/Soto’s, still has operations on Little Cayman and the Brac. Only the original Soto’s location on Grand Cayman never re-opened after Hurricane Ivan.
July 10th, 2007 @ 5:42 am
hi, hi, hi! Beautiful site.
November 10th, 2007 @ 8:18 am
[...] Have gone with Soto’s Soto’s closed in 2005. They took a hit during Ivan and never recovered. Grand Cayman & Bob Soto’s Diving – End of an Era : Eyes On Living __________________ Please help kids learn to dive by donating your gift certificates to the WUE. Last edited by diversteve : 11-07-2007 at 02:40 PM. [...]
March 1st, 2008 @ 9:14 am
I worked for Soto’s in 1997 and was great friends with Barry. I was trying to find out if he was still on island as well. He married Laslie McClain who was the retail/general manager of the business after Kipp sold it. I know she was from Texas but I’d be suprised if they still aren’t involved somewhere on the island. Brad Johnson is still on island (longest boat captain with the company) and might have info if you can track him down…
January 17th, 2009 @ 2:50 pm
Hello. I don’t see the name of the author of this article. I just wanted to talk to him about Bob Soto. I used to frequent Bob Soto’s 2-3 times a year in the early 70’s and was actually offered a job there as a divemaster. I was also trying to see if the author new anything about Debbie Sharp who worked for Bob Soto during the early to mid 70’s. Shw was a good friend and have lost track of her. Thanks for any information you can provide.
February 12th, 2009 @ 8:33 pm
Hello Les,
In response to your comment above, I wrote the article, but the early 70’s was before I started spending time in Grand Cayman, so I’m afraid I never knew your friend Debbie Sharp. Wish you luck in trying to catch up with her though.
April 1st, 2009 @ 7:06 pm
The first of three dive trips to Grand Cayman was Bob Sots’s East End lodge. Dave Woodward was the dive master at the time. An incredible dive experience. Sunset House has become the go to for me. I hope to take my daughter Kristina diving there.
December 21st, 2009 @ 6:33 pm
I worked for Sotos from 1988 to 1997 when Chris Lexau was the operations manager. I also knew Barrie and Leslie. It was several years of my life that I can never forget. I went through hurricane gilbert in 1988, but am very glad I missed Ivan. I’m sure that most of the people that worked there during those years are probably gone now, but if any of you read my comments, I would love to hear from you.
Mike
April 13th, 2010 @ 8:22 am
I first met Ron Kipp and dive masters Debbie Sharp and David Black in 2001. My husband and I went to Cayman Madness (dive summer camp for adults) on our honeymoon in 2001 and went back again for our 5th anniversary. It was almost more fun than a person can stand.
Great Memories and great diving!