Exploring this site requires you to initially descend to 18 meters (60 feet) deep where the wall starts. While diving is a year-round activity in the Cayman Islands, June to August is considered to be the best time of year to dive Grand Cayman and the nearby islands of Cayman Brac and Little Cayman. It is common to see barracudas and schools of horse-eye jacks in this area. Here youll find more than 50 dives sites including the famous Bloody Bay. For beginners or those who get nervous in enclosed spaces, there are plenty of decks around the exterior to check out. Hurricane Ivan in 2004 cleaved the 100m/328ft ship in half but divers can still explore both sections of the wreckage. With 365 named dive sites, the enchanting Cayman Islands is a year-round underwater paradise. That's is how we pay ourselves. Located in Little Cayman, the Bloody Bay Wall dive site is noted for its high visibility, rich marine life, and the presence of a sheer wall that drops 2000 meters into the deep ocean. iFrameResize({log:true, enablePublicMethods:true}); Grand Cayman scuba diving is also more popular than on the other islands due to the stingray population there. Theres plenty to do if you are not diving. 310-915-6677 The water depth here is around 18-meters. Stingrays, stingrays, and more stingrays is what draws divers to this Cayman site. 5. Theyre not timid and as they surround you, these rays seem happy to receive a gentle stroke or two. Here is a list of some of the marine animals you can likely spot when diving the Cayman Islands: There are over 300 dive sites in the Cayman Islands. The most interesting topside activities for us were exploring the island in a rental car and driving on the left side of the road. She met her end on the reef in the late 70s, allegedly due to mutiny aboard. Eels, rays, sharks, and turtles are frequently seen. Get in touch with our specialists for even more in-depth travel advice. Boasting strong diving infrastructure, diverse types of diving, incredible walls and wrecks, and great visibility. It is rich with tunnels, chutes, cervices, and beautiful reefs. There is a reason you won't find under a 5-star review for Silver Thatch, they are the best. In this article, we review the top 20 scuba dive sites in the Cayman Islands. Click the link below to read our article where we explain the difference between Deep Stingray City and Stingray City Sandbar: Macabuca is located in West Bay in Grand Cayman. Grand Cayman, the main island, is often one of the most popular destinations in the Caribbean, especially with western Caribbean cruises. They can offer up their first-hand knowledge to ensure you know when to dive to enjoy the very best marine life, be it the tiny critters or bigger beasts of . I've stayed at hotels and used independent dive operators and I have stayed at dive resorts with on-site dive operations. U.S. News rates the cheapest travel insurance options, considering expert and consumer recommendations. Click the link below to read our article about Macabuca: Tarpon Alley is located at the North Wall in Grand Cayman. Another great wall diving site in Little Cayman is Joys Joy. If you enjoy diving, then you need to visit the USS Kittiwake during your vacation to Grand Cayman. Find a Liveaboard -Practical Information - Book a Trip. The entire experience is about 3 hours long from the time we pick you up from your hotel or condo along Seven Mile Beach to drop off. It is an amazing sight, and a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience. If you want to escape the crowds of cruise ship passengers, the East End is the place to go. Please Sign-in or Register to save My Ideas for later, Our social channels They can offer up their first-hand While the tropical vacation destination does see fewer crowds, this is the rainiest season in the Cayman Islands so you may have to contend with some showers. Cayman Brac is the last of the islands and also much less traveld than Grand Caymen. Because great in-depth gear reviews will help you select the right products for your specific needs, budget, and interests. You will then follow a sloping reef up to 25 meters (82 feet) deep where the wall starts and drops down up to 900 meters (2,950 feet) deep. Live like a local and get under the skin of a destination with our in-country concierges. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. Grand Cayman also offers accessible shore diving on great coral reefs with little to no current. Theres good diving, with great Walls and of course stingray city, where you can see and feed stingrays. Seahorses - While the Cayman Islands are best known for their stunning coral reefs and diverse marine life, don't forget about the amazing small critters that call these waters home . You will see a lot of tarpon at this spot, as well as coral and other fish. Lemon Reef is a mini-wall dive site located on the North Wall in Grand Cayman. Welcome to my scuba diving bucket list. Eagle rays glide past in the blue water, triggerfish, Nassau groupers, electric yellow sponges and much make this site popular with divers in the Caymans. to dive in Cayman Islands. There is decent shore diving from their dock. Naturally, this is also the most expensive season, and reservations must be made at least three months in advance. I would like to mention 2 points though, one that it is a bit expensive, both the accommodations and the diving, and secondly, it looks like they allow open water divers to do the deeper wall dives, where you can be as deep as 100 feet, just an FYI, in case youre not comfortable at that depth. September can bring rougher waters if there is a tropical storm, and that is also the month with a higher chance of a hurricane, although hurricanes are not common. While the gazebo itself is actually an arch, this small dive site never fails to please. Sidetrip: Grand Cayman is the biggest island and it is where most accommodations and restaurants are located. There's much to discover beyond theme parks in this Southeastern state. As said earlier, Grand Cayman has over 50 dive sites and we will not leave this section without mentioning other noted dive spots. It is because of the sometimes extreme temperatures and rainfall that the Caymans have distinct spikes and dips in the number of tourists who visit each month. Cayman Islands International Film Festival. Little Cayman, Cayman Islands. Booming in the sense that Little Cayman has over 15 dive sites that have attracted divers from all parts of the globe, and sprawling since all the dive sites are teeming with marine life. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,100],'scubadivegeek_com-leader-1','ezslot_4',120,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-scubadivegeek_com-leader-1-0'); By descending down to 15 meters (50 feet) deep, you will arrive at what divers call the hanging garden which is a vertical limestone wall filled with black corals, barrel sponges, and purple sea fans. ScubaDiveGeek.com is a participant in the Amazon.com Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Among the dive sites in Scuba Cayman Brac, the remains of a 100meter (330feet) long Russian Koni class frigate is considered one of the best underwater attraction in the Cayman Islands. With the wall beginning at just 6 meters (20ft), the site is popular with both divers and snorkelers. for even more in-depth travel advice. I am a scuba diving newbie, a Project Manager by profession, and an entrepreneur at heart. Sharks and turtles are frequent visitors as are snappers, groupers, and grunts. There is a lot of marine life among the coral and resident angelfish and groupers are found at the stern of the ship. With regards to transportation, you have to take note that there are no taxis in Little Cayman and the best way to explore the island is by renting a bike. The dive boat did make the excursion across to Little Cayman's Bloody Bay wall one day which is very achievable from Cayman Brac. Dive N Stay Vacation Packages - Compass Point Dive Resort - Cayman Islands (1st January 2023 - 31st December 2023) We offer pre-set Dive & Stay Vacation Packages for 3, 5 or 7 nights, and can also customize your package for any number of nights and for various group sizes. If you make a purchase from our site, we may earn a commission. Trinity Caves is a popular dive site that is located off the coast of West Bay in Grand Cayman. It seems the dive guides hunt the lionfish and then feed the groupers, so they joined us right away each dive. Stingray City offers divers the opportunity to fully interact with these amazing creatures. If wall diving is your thing, check out diving in Turks & Caicos. . But its not just the heat that matters when visiting the Cayman Islands. This is one of the best dive sites in Cayman Brac, and is a must-do experience. Under its 1986 declaration covering an area of hectares (23 acres) are dive sites that are popular to tourists and divers alike. Courtesy of Sunset House Resort, Grand Cayman. December through April are especially popular times to go because of low risk of rainfall and more moderate temperatures. The Seven Mile Beach area and the main city, Georgetown, are very developed with large hotels and resorts, restaurants, shops, etc. The reef slopes gradually from 5 to 17 meters (17-55ft), and is covered in hard corals, sea whips, small sponges and gorgonians. From 5 star restaurants to fish frys at the local gas station. [] Just south of Seven Mile Beach and approximately 46 feet below the surface are Eden Rock and Devil's Grotto, two of the most popular diving spots on Grand Cayman. Choose from a selection of more than 250 vessels and 18,000 trips worldwide. Wakatobi Dive Resort, a private island south of Sulawesi, understands thisand that shooters trek to this country, one of the most biodiverse hotspots on the planet, to capture images of every critter possible. Bloody Bay Coral Reef Wall - one of the most beautiful dive sites in the Cayman Islands It's time to head back underwater for another jaw-dropping location: the Bloody Bay Wall. On top of being generally warm, the waters are clear with underwater visibility running from 18 30 meters (60 100 feet). 7. Eden Rock Dive Center. Web Visit website. It was named after the famous free-diver Penny Ventura. Dive Shop and Front desk is open 7 days per week | 7am to 6pm and can be reached directly on (345)-640-7500 September can bring rougher waters if there is a tropical storm, and that is also the month with a higher chance of a hurricane, although hurricanes are not common. Eden Rock has lots of coral and fish, and Devils Grotto has underwater caves that you can explore. The amazing diversity and dive sites for all levels are just one of the reasons why the Cayman Islands is also one of the top dive destinations in the Carribean. The North Wall is one of the most visited diving sites and plunges to a depth of 6000 feet (1800 meters). MV Captain Keith Tibbetts is an ex-Soviet Union ship that was built in 1984 for the Cuban Navy. Look along the ledge by the mooring for crabs and check out the four massive barrel sponges. Resident Nassau groupers often keep divers company and if you look closely, you may be rewarded with seahorses and lettuce-leaf slugs. This is currently number 20 on the 100 Best Dives list. It is easily possible to visit all 3 of the Cayman Islands in a single dive trip and be able to enjoy the diversity they provide. Aside from corals, barrel sponges are sprawling in this vibrant reef that is also filled with tropical reef fish like groupers, butterflyfish, angelfish, moray eels and lionfish which is believed to be an invasive species. Would also recommend spending an afternoon at Rum Point, where you can relax and also do some snorkeling if you like. The best time to visit the Cayman Islands is any time of year, but hotel rates drop in March and June and temperatures rise to around 80 degrees. The shore diving was really easy to access with actual ladders or stairs and even showers at some sites. Your dive profile in Stingray City is relatively shallow since your maximum depth is just only 6 meters (20 feet) when you reach the sandy seafloor. Megan Johnson|Sharael KolbergMarch 3, 2023, Holly Johnson|Erin EvansFebruary 28, 2023, U.S. News Travel EditorsFebruary 28, 2023, Kyle McCarthy|Catriona KendallFebruary 22, 2023. The Pedro St. James National Historic Site is a great place for photography, or you can visit Rum Point for a true Caribbean beach experience. The Cayman Islands dollar is issued in units of $100, $50, $25, $10, $5 and $1 with coins of 25 cents, 10, 5 and one cent. North Wall 2. stingray city 3. Everything most divers want. May through November, and especially September and October, are the riskiest months to visit. This gives the unique Caymans dive site a blend of steep vertical walls, sloping reefs, and coral-crusted fingers. Most of them are located around the Grand Cayman but a little over sixty sites stay around Cayman Brac and the Little Cayman. This is a shore dive, meaning that you enter the water from the shore, and then swim to Cheeseburger Reef. There is also a restaurant, bar and dive shop at Macabuca. The best time to visit the Cayman Islands is between March and June when the hotel rates drop. #6 inBest Cheap Destination Wedding Locations, #4 inBest Places to Visit in January 2023. DIVEIN.com was founded in 2009 by the two brothers Torben and Nicolai. Having done a lot of dives in Florida, one thing we did notice was that there were not as many fishes on the reefs in Grand Cayman as in south Florida, but after looking at my pictures after this trip I did notice many small fishes and critters. The three islands that make up the nation, Cayman Brac, Grand Cayman, and Little Cayman, are diverse and have distinct diving. We understand that diving the best Grand Cayman Dives is the primary goal of your Grand Cayman Dive vacation. Part of the Bloody Bay wall, descending from the mooring here reveals a brightly colored vertical reef packed with sponges, corals, and vertebrate and invertebrate marine life. The USS Kittiwake is an ex-US Navy ship that was purposely sunk in Grand Cayman to create a new dive site. The amazing strawberry sponges were in abundance there. The people of the island are friendly and culturally diverse. Explore the top-rated styles for every type of trip to the beach. The water clarity is typically amazingly clear. "High Season" at the hotels is mid-December to mid-April, so rates will be higher then. Best Time to Dive Cayman Islands Diving is available year-round. MV Capt. If the forecast looks good, they should consider taking a last-minute trip to Grand Cayman if they also spot an attractive discount. Devilishly deep drop-offs, wicked wreck dives and some of the coolest coral in the Caribbean have made the Cayman Islands a world-class dive destination. The Cayman Islands has also designated four special areas for protection such as marine park zones, replenishment zones, environmental zones, and no diving zones. We conduct this course from our shore location where the water is ideal for new divers! 10 Best Dive Destinations in the Caribbean Best diving in the Caribbean 10 Best Dive Destinations in the Caribbean Cecily Russell 25 February, 2022 Vast blue waters, plummeting wall dives and pelagic life are just a few reasons why you'll find some of the world's best diving in the Caribbean. Divers can observe the bow guns and go along the rails to make some great photos. 10 Go Scavenger Hunting At Seven Mile Beach. Diving in the Caymans offers something for everyone, whether divers are taking their very first fin stokes or have years of experience under their weight belts. I guess thats one drawback of guided dives, everyone is constantly on the move, not ideal for photography, especially macro photography. Kittiwake Shipwreck and diver in Grand Cayman - photo from Canva. They were all guided dives. Other highlights include barracudas, yellowtail snappers, hawksbill turtles, and stingrays that sleep in the sand. Its not often divers can see a mermaid on a dive, but at Sunset Reef they can. No diving trip in Grand Cayman would be complete without a dive at the infamous Stingray City. Thus, you can keep going back and still discover new sites. Look in the blue off the wall for passing sharks, rays, and turtles. Princess Pennies Pinnacle is located on the North Wall in Grand Cayman. I have worked in the corporate world and had little time for adventure. I hope my research also helps you make a decision on your next scuba diving vacation.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[120,600],'scubadivegeek_com-large-billboard-2','ezslot_9',102,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-scubadivegeek_com-large-billboard-2-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[120,600],'scubadivegeek_com-large-billboard-2','ezslot_10',102,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-scubadivegeek_com-large-billboard-2-0_1'); .large-billboard-2-multi-102{border:none !important;display:block !important;float:none !important;line-height:0px;margin-bottom:15px !important;margin-left:auto !important;margin-right:auto !important;margin-top:15px !important;max-width:100% !important;min-height:600px;padding:0;text-align:center !important;}. The largest among the three islands, Grand Cayman is highly popular among SCUBA divers from all over the world. Continue with Recommended Cookies. There are lots of beautiful beaches to visit and to relax. Scott S. Bateman is a professional journalist who has traveled widely throughout the Caribbean and the Americas. Most of the units for rent are 2-bedroom and 2-bathroons units. Little Cayman GoPro Video Workshop: April 2023, Best Liveaboard Destinations for Beginners, shifted the Kittiwake from her original position. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. While accessible from shore, it is a long surface swim so diving the Oro Verde by boat is recommended. Our Original Diving experts, made up of marine biologists, You can dive along this wall and explore the different entrances. This British overseas island is home to mystical caves, unscaled escarpments, tropical forests, diverse wildlife and a plethora of other unique experiences. 1. So, what are you waiting for? The islands are warm year-round with average highs holding steady in the 80s. If you want to go a little more remote, try Little Cayman. From Grand Cayman, you can transfer to Little Cayman or Cayman Brac. Press the question mark key to get the keyboard shortcuts for changing dates. Located in the Bloody Bay marine park on Little Caymans north side, Marilyns Cut is largely unspoiled and offers up pristine soft and hard corals. Cayman Islands, as well as our suggestions for the best places to The Cayman Islands hosts one of the best dives in the World: Bloody Bay Wall on Little Cayman. Family Traveller Excellence Awards 2019 Winner. Trinity Caves is one Cayman dive site that never disappoints. Water Temperatures: Ranges from around 22C (72F) in December to 29C (84F) in July. A huge pinnacle branches out, creating a corridor-like passageway that is used by large pelagics cruising up from the abyss. This dive site first became popular in the 90s when it was featured in the film The Firm, starring Tom Cruise. While Grand Cayman receives the most publicity and visitors, all three Cayman Islands - Cayman Brac and Little Cayman being the other two -- offer outstanding scuba diving. With virtually no currents and outstanding underwater visibility, Cayman has amazing wall dives, coral reefs and wrecks for you to explore and discover. The best time to see whitetip reef sharks in the Cayman Islands is from May to August. The visibility at Donnas Delight on Little Cayman is typically good and the relaxed and easy diving here is suitable for all levels. Our DSD is $99 USD per person and includes all equipment needed and a fantastic shallow dive to a max depth of 40ft. In addition, you're more likely to snag a hotel deal during these months. The Cayman Islands-- Grand Cayman, Little Cayman, and Cayman Brac--have been attracting scuba divers for decades, including beginners! Bay Islands, Honduras. Manage Settings For big animals - you can find a good number of turtles and groupers, tarpon, nurse sharks, great barracuda, and stingrays. But the main reason for diving here are the sharks, especially hammerheads. It's the kind of peaceful place where you will make your own fun. Usually you will see at least a few tarpon at this spot. With over 365 dive sites, clear waters, coral reefs and abundant marine life, the Cayman Islands are one of the best diving spots in the world. Both of these sites are accessible from shore. The months of January and February are the coldest, with average lows in the low 60s. The wall dive also has several other topographical features including swim-throughs and tunnels. Out in the open, spotted eagle rays are often seen swimming in groups of at least 5 individuals and their passing by is often correlated to the flyby of fighter jets in low altitude. Because the site is prone to strong currents, it isnt frequently dived which makes a trip to this very healthy reef even more special. Erwin Poliakoff, Baton Rouge, Louisiana USA Nikon D7000, Tokina 10-17 zoom, Nikkor 60mm, 85mm, and 105mm macros, Nauticam housing This pristine wall on the south side of Cayman Brac features an abundance of hard corals, gorgonians, and massive red, orange, green, and purple sponges. It exceeds six inches in August and jumps again to more than eight inches in September and October. PrivacyPolicy, 2023 Original Diving | Web Design by D3R. Bloody Bay Marine Park is one of Cayman's best known dive sites and is named after the battles that took place between the British navy and its privateers following the outlaw of piracy. PADI Dive Resorts for all budgets, in the best dive locations around the world. It is worth noting however that from June until October is the hurricane season in the Caribbean. My wife and I are traveling there in February 2015 and are PADI AOW and Nitrox certified with ten years of recreational experience diving. Aside from being outside the high season which means that Grand Cayman dive resorts all-inclusive hotel prices and Caribbean dive packages are cheaper, this is also the months that the diving parameters are at its best. I like the idea of being able to dive off both islands while staying on one. Collect your trip ideas, share with friends or make an enquiry. Drift dives are possible here depending on your operator. Diving Season: The best time to dive Cuba's Jardines de la Reina is during the dry season, from November to late April, as this time has the most ideal visibility and sea conditions. This is a deep wall that drops several hundred feet into the abyss. As a diver, with a PADI account you can access your eLearning along with many more tools to help you on your adventures. . He is the author of four books about cruising in the Caribbean, Alaska and Mexican Riviera. The winter and early spring months are the most popular time in the Cayman Islands. Aside from taking photos at the solid bronze emblem at one of its 5 decks or at the stern with the propeller, penetration can be done with the USS Kittiwake courtesy from multiple sunlit entries and exit points. Dive vacations in the Cayman Islands are a good choice for underwater photographers with their many opportunities to capture the beauty of the place and wonderful visibility, and also for travellers looking for deep dives - you can find many along the Cayman walls. Located south-east of the Gulf of Mexico and close to Jamaica, Cuba, and Haiti, diving in the Caymans offers classic Carribean underwater scenes and the chance to spot both large and small marine life. There are lots of options for great photography and for posing for memorable photos, such as by the Kittiwake sign, swimming by the prop, or pretending to steer the helm on the bridge. Tarpon Alley is part of the North Wall with depths between 15 to 25 meters (50-80ft). Grand Cayman Island probably has the best diving as it has the North Wall deep drop-off dive and the USS Kittiwake wreck dive. Boat rides were no longer than 15 minutes, with most being around 5 minutes. The protected Bloody Bay Marine Park lies in Little Cayman and offers magnificent marine life, great visibility, and spectacular bioluminescent corals. But which Cayman Island has the best diving? Data sourced from the National Climatic Data Center. Answer 1 of 11: Does anyone have firsthand experience with any of the dive operators on Little Cayman that they will share? Situated on a wide beach on the island's West End, the property offers 40 air-conditioned rooms (renovated in late 2015 and featuring soothing Caribbean . Get forecasts each morning for every major island. Best Time to Dive in Little Cayman. During the day rays, turtles, the occasional barracuda and plenty of reef fish mean theres a lot to keep divers engaged. This is one of the deepest sea-walls in the world. Exploring this site requires you to descend to 10 meters (33 feet) deep where you will arrive at the top portion of the reef. Our review team always considers durability, price, quality, and value in their reviews. You get to enjoy some of the warm weather, which is especially nice if you live in the northern U.S., where it's still winter. No crowds. If you want to enjoy these five dive sites . Located near a popular resort is a vertical drop off that is filled with all sorts of marine life the North Wall. Its a very easy and fun dive, we saw some angelfish and eagle rays. July has a jump in visits for families in part because school children are out for the summer. Bloody Bay Wall- Most scuba divers will say this is their favorite dive site in the Cayman Islands. The most striking and common marine life for me were the brightly yellow colored tube sponges. If you plan to do some land-based explorations on your trip, you'll have to choose between the busier warmer months (like April and November) or the cooler, but generally cheaper, months in between.
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