December to April is also the busiest time of year for tourism, so it's important to book your dive trips in advance. If you want to go a little more remote, try Little Cayman. For beginners or those who get nervous in enclosed spaces, there are plenty of decks around the exterior to check out. Penetration is encouraged but to get the most out of the experience, take a torch. Unfortunately, the tarpons that gave this site its name have moved on, but you may be lucky and catch a glimpse of these silver kings. As a photographer, I never lacked for subjects both wide angle and macro and anything in between. The Cayman Islands boasts world-class beaches, luxurious properties, worldwide culinary influences, high-end shops, local stores, and everything in between. If the forecast looks good, they should consider taking a last-minute trip to Grand Cayman if they also spot an attractive discount. When diving through the cut itself, look under and in crevices, plenty of little critters make homes for themselves here. The reef slopes gradually from 5 to 17 meters (17-55ft), and is covered in hard corals, sea whips, small sponges and gorgonians. However, as we just mentioned, diving in the Cayman Islands is possible all year round. Lighthouse Point is located in West Bay in Grand Cayman. Photographers can make the worst dive buddies. Find a Liveaboard -Practical Information - Book a Trip. Grand Cayman has more dive sites than Little Cayman. iFrameResize({log:true, enablePublicMethods:true}); The Cayman Islands hosts one of the best dives in the World: Bloody Bay Wall on Little Cayman. The Cayman Islands are one of the Best Liveaboard Destinations for Beginners. The ship has been opened up with large access holes so that you can swim through the interior of the ship. Sidetrip: Grand Cayman is the biggest island and it is where most accommodations and restaurants are located. This site is my attempt to live the adrenaline my life is missing and be able to live real-life storybook stories with my wife and children. It is worth noting however that from June until October is the hurricane season in the Caribbean. You need to take a boat to reach this wreck. Aside from tourism promotion, marine conservation is in place in all the dive sites in the Cayman Islands. But the main reason for diving here are the sharks, especially hammerheads. Closer to the reef, turtles, groupers, horse-eyed jacks, and an over-abundance of lionfish make this colorful site even more interesting. The Cayman Islands hosts one of the best dives in the World: Bloody Bay Wall on Little Cayman. There are lots of beautiful beaches to visit and to relax. Water temperatures are usually low 80's F. Marine life is plentiful and varied. Besides scuba diving, there are plenty of other things to do on the Cayman Islands. She met her end on the reef in the late 70s, allegedly due to mutiny aboard. Here, you can take diving lessons, go on a guided dive, or rent tanks and gear. at any point on your diving holiday) has to offer. The Cayman Islands is a land of breath-taking experiences. While at first the Oro Verde was a complete ship, rough seas and tumultuous weather have dispersed the wreckage. This wreck is the only Russian warship that can explore in the Western hemisphere. No diving trip in Grand Cayman would be complete without a dive at the infamous Stingray City. There is also a small restaurant and dive resort. 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. So, what are you waiting for? It's the kind of peaceful place where you will make your own fun. Boat rides were no longer than 15 minutes, with most being around 5 minutes. Our Original Diving experts, made up of marine biologists, Trinity Caves is a popular dive site that is located off the coast of West Bay in Grand Cayman. Phone +1 345-949-7111. . Instagram, My Ideas You can spot eagle rays, reef sharks, sailfin blennies, tilefish, peacock flounders, garden eels, or yellow-headed jawfish. Canyons and drop-offs provide a varied topography making the site a firm favorite with photographers. With the wall beginning at just 6 meters (20ft), the site is popular with both divers and snorkelers. Bert Brothers Boulders is also a great spot to see flying gurnards at around 5.5 meters (18ft). We were lucky enough to see the tail end of silversides on the wreck of the Balboa right in the Harbor too. If you make a purchase from our site, we may earn a commission. The best time to go to the Cayman Islands is in March and April because there is spring break from school and April has a combination of warm temperatures and a low risk of rain. You can go hiking in the Mastic Trail where it has really nice views from the harbors and the beaches. 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. Our travel experts have highlighted our favourite places to visit each month, Terms & Conditions 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. 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. Elkhorn corals adorn the tops of the ridges while large gorgonians, tube sponges, and hard corals occupy the gullies. Roundabout is located along the North Wall in Grand Cayman. Macro photographers should keep an eye out for the neck and decorator crabs who make their homes here. Hurricane Ivan in 2004 cleaved the 100m/328ft ship in half but divers can still explore both sections of the wreckage. The Seven Mile Beach area and the main city, Georgetown, are very developed with large hotels and resorts, restaurants, shops, etc. Cayman gives both the novice and the experienced some of the best diving in the world, as environmentally protected reefs surround each of our three islands. From spotting blue iguanas to kayaking in a bioluminescent bay to diving through intricate shipwrecks, here is a guide to making the most out of a first-time visit to Grand Cayman. Also, check out our article where we review the top 25 things to do in Grand Cayman. We understand that diving the best Grand Cayman Dives is the primary goal of your Grand Cayman Dive vacation. Find & Book PADI Adventures App Hurricanes rarely hit Grand Cayman directly. I have stayed there several times at a dive resort with on-site dive operation. Get certified to scuba dive. June to October brings . I am the father of the best two children in the world and husband to the most patient woman on this planet. You may see hammerhead sharks if you are lucky. Grab your gear and dive into the crystal clear waters of Grand Cayman! With virtually no currents and outstanding underwater visibility, Cayman has amazing wall dives, coral reefs and wrecks for you to explore and discover. Both of these sites are accessible from shore. Enquire The islands are warm year-round with average highs holding steady in the 80s. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. 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. 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. Because great in-depth gear reviews will help you select the right products for your specific needs, budget, and interests. 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;}. There is also a dive shop and restaurant. If you like diving in caves and grottos, Trinity Caves on Grand Caymans west side is the site for you. Marine Life & Environment - Top Dive Spots - Diving Conditions, How to Get There-How to Dive Cayman Islands-Best Time to Dive, NEW! 7. Having a less touristic crowd, Cayman Brac still has several tourism facilities like Cayman Brac Dive Resorts that are scattered along its narrow coast. Collect your trip ideas, share with friends or make an enquiry. There is a separate fee to dive this wreck that goes towards conservation, and you also get a nice yellow diver medallion to keep. December and July are good times for families because children are out of school for the holidays and summer. You will need little more (and some prefer less) than a 3 mm full length wetsuit. Dive Shop and Front desk is open 7 days per week | 7am to 6pm and can be reached directly on (345)-640-7500 The sea is always warm in the Cayman Islands, with surface temperatures never dropping below around 25 o C (78 o F). 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. As a diver, with a PADI account you can access your eLearning along with many more tools to help you on your adventures. Orange Canyon is a popular dive site on the west-side of Grand Cayman. Only ten miles long and one mile wide, this is a place where you can truly focus on your opportunity to relax. There are lots of other fish and coral. Don't forget to visit Stingray City before leaving Grand Cayman. Click the link below to read our article about Cheeseburger Reef: Sunset House is located on the south-side of Grand Cayman, near George Town. As the name suggests, this Cayman dive site is known for eagle rays. Share your love of diving, experience new adventures, expand your dive skills, and help save the ocean. Away from the reef, divers can look around the LCM David Nicholson wreck. All the information you need to plan your dive vacations anywhere in the world. Wreck of the Oro Verde is located in Grand Cayman. The worst time is September during the hurricane season. The best time to visit the Cayman Islands is between March and April. There are also usually direct flights from Boston, Chicago, and New York. 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. The water depth here is around 18-meters. You will see a lot of tarpon at this spot, as well as coral and other fish. The best time to visit Grand Cayman is March and April. As for temperature and weather, the Cayman Islands are tropical, meaning it's warm 365 days a year. The ship was originally built for the US Army Transportation Corps over 70-years ago. A direct flight from Miami to Grand Cayman takes only 70 minutes. DIVEMASTER AND INSTRUCTOR TRAINING SPECIALTY AND TECHNICAL COURSE KIDS DISABLED DIVERS SAFETY The Cayman Islands boasts state-of-the-art medical facilities including a hyperbaric chamber (located on Grand Cayman) and, in the event of an emergency, quality care can be provided in minutes. The Cayman Islands are one of the Best Liveaboard Destinations in the World. 4 of the Best Places to Go Shore Diving in Grand Cayman. From full scuba certification courses to one-day experiences for those who've never breathed off a regulator, the Cayman Islands qualify as an scuba diving shrine. Closely packed ridges form huge coral heads between the shore and the reef wall. Some of those services give me a small percentage of what you pay as commission for my referral. The Cayman Islands has also designated four special areas for protection such as marine park zones, replenishment zones, environmental zones, and no diving zones. 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 . We have put together a comprehensive collection of packages to suit your needs. This island is very small and there is little to do, other than dive. This does not affect the quality or independence of our editorial content. For macro subjects, you can see angelfish, morays, lettuce slug nudibranchs and many more. This is brought to you by the paradise-features of diving Cayman Islands: three islands where the bounty of nature is amplified as you go underwater.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'scubadivegeek_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_3',115,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-scubadivegeek_com-medrectangle-3-0'); Who would ever think that at the peak of an undersea mountain range lies a country that has one of the Worlds largest financial centers? This is also where you will board your liveaboard. Crabs and lobsters are among the critters hiding in the crevices. Grand Cayman's North Wall plunges deeper than 1800 metres/6000 feet and offers beautiful wall diving with opportunities to see spotted eagle rays and sea turtles. You can even make a side trip to "Hell", a small area with black volcanic rocks, a few curio shops, and an actual post office you can send mail from with a postmark from Hell. Book your fun dives, snorkelling trips and courses online with thousands of PADI Dive Centers. The best time to visit Grand Cayman is March and April. 5. The ridges are carpeted in a variety of hard and soft coral, barrel and tube sponges, and purple sea fans that house a vast array of miniature sea creatures. Despite the name, there arent actually caves here. Scott S. Bateman is a professional journalist who has traveled widely throughout the Caribbean and the Americas. Best Liveaboard Destinations in the World, Vaccines recommended: Hep A; Typhoid if you will travel to rural areas, Visa: None needed for US citizens or European Union, Safety: Generally safe but petty theft can occur. Cayman Brac is the last of the islands and also much less traveld than Grand Caymen. Best Time to Dive in Little Cayman. In addition, you're more likely to snag a hotel deal during these months. Head to around 30m/98ft for some of the best wall views. Stingray City has very large, friendly stingrays. From our 24hr helpline to our expert local guides and selection of handpicked reading lists. Get in touch with our specialists Please Sign-in or Register to save My Ideas for later, Our social channels 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. Explore the top-rated styles for every type of trip to the beach. If you want to escape the crowds of cruise ship passengers, the East End is the place to go. Find the best and most popular products and review them. It was quite crowded with dive and snorkel boats when we got there, but it was no big deal once we got in the water. 20 Best Dive Sites In The Cayman Islands (2023) In this article, we review the top 20 scuba dive sites in the Cayman Islands. Around the coral fingers, stingrays, eagle rays and yellowhead jawfish rest on the sandy patches. an enquiry. Take a walk along the coast line or rent a bicycle and ride around the island. ASK US HERE! Here are a few of our favourite dive sites in Grand Cayman: 1. Its land area is slightly bigger than Little Cayman with a measurement of 19 x 2 kilometers (12miles x 1.2miles). I quickly learned that if I poked at an area with my stick, the groupers would go right there, a great tool to get them to pose right where i wanted them in my reef scenes. Beginners can enjoy another smaller chimney instead. 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. 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 majority of travel agents will advise you that the best time to visit Grand Cayman in order to get the most bang for your buck on a vacation to the Cayman Islands is between the months of March and June. They were all guided dives. Hop to the other islands by hiring a private boat operator, or better yet, arrange for a liveaboard tour and explore as many Cayman Islands diving sites as you can. Look along the ledge by the mooring for crabs and check out the four massive barrel sponges. It does not make the product pricier for you. Swim throughs, ledges, overhangs, and an average depth of 12 meters (40ft) make this a Cayman dive site for all experience levels to explore. If you're looking for great diving and hotel prices, the best time is between March and June when the rates all drop. Live like a local and get under the skin of a destination with our in-country concierges. Bloody Bay Marine Park is a particularly popular diving destination as it is home to 12 different dive sites, gorgeous coral, and diverse marine life. 6. Over 200 permanent boat moorings are installed to avoid damaging corals with the dropping of boat anchors. December through April are especially popular times to go because of low risk of rainfall and more moderate temperatures. The seven mile beach area is beautiful for walking and photo opportunities. Under its 1986 declaration covering an area of hectares (23 acres) are dive sites that are popular to tourists and divers alike. Sunset Reef is a popular shore dive just 60 meters (200ft) off the Sunset House Resorts pier. Theres plenty to do if you are not diving. StingrayCity. Many divers who have been diving in this area said that this is really an up close and personal experience with stingrays as they are literally touching and surrounding you. Diving is available year-round. Booming and sprawling are not just words describing the tourism facilities in Little Cayman, but it can also be used to describe its world-class dive sites. I thought it might be too touristy, but it was a lot of fun. These hot temperatures start in May and last into November. Little Caymans Bloody Bay is home to some of the most dramatic and spectacular drop-offs and swim-throughs in the Carribean. that the underwater world (and overwater, if you plan on surfacing The protected Bloody Bay Marine Park lies in Little Cayman and offers magnificent marine life, great visibility, and spectacular bioluminescent corals. Replace or update your card, buy a Special Edition or Project AWARE version of your PADI certification card, or go digital with the purchase of a PADI eCard. Once you decide which route you want to go, it's time to get in the water! "High Season" at the hotels is mid-December to mid-April, so rates will be higher then. Most of them are located around the Grand Cayman but a little over sixty sites stay around Cayman Brac and the Little Cayman. Choose from private or single rates, we will find you the best possible option to help you enjoy the famous Cayman Stingray City. Overall it is a place worth seeing. The heat may be less of an issue for anyone planning to spend a week there mainly on the beaches during the day and shopping or having fun in the cooler evenings. Some resorts offer "Hurricane protection". Eden Rock & Devils Grotto are two dive sites that are next to each other. Sharp-eyed divers can find leopard flatworms and the tunnels are also popular hangouts for rays and green moray eels. The famous diver and explorer Jacques Cousteau said that Bloody Bay Wall is one of the top dive sites in the world. Stingrays, stingrays, and more stingrays is what draws divers to this Cayman site. The resident goliath grouper is a popular dive buddy at this Cayman dive site. The Kittiwake wreck as well as other wrecks in the close vicinity add variety and interesting structure which I really enjoyed. Not to be confused with the Anchor Point dive sites in Scotlands Loch Fyne, the Solomon Islands, or Sri Lanka, the Cayman dive site is located on Grand Cayman and is characterized by swathes of black coral. The rainiest months in Grand Cayman are September and October during the height of the annual hurricane season. Bloody Bay Wall- Most scuba divers will say this is their favorite dive site in the Cayman Islands. A shallow dive site, the colors here really pop making it a good choice for photographers. Cayman Brac Beach Resort. This dive site first became popular in the 90s when it was featured in the film The Firm, starring Tom Cruise. Give the perfect gift for your favorite ocean lover and explorer. Ocean Cabanas Dive Resort: Great views, amazing stay - See 33 traveler reviews, 112 candid photos, and great deals for Ocean Cabanas Dive Resort at Tripadvisor. Most dive operators will take you there. Aside from the coral laden walls of Babylon, your divemaster will usually lead you to a pinnacle where its towering structures are dominated by whip corals. There are plenty of great dive resorts available, but liveaboard is the best option if you want to dive around all three islands. No worries, the diving is world class on Bloody Bay Wall. Cheeseburger Reef is located in George Town, Grand Cayman. to save My Ideas for later. . Our Original Diving experts, made up of marine biologists, divemasters and lovers of all things underwater, know the best time to dive in Little Cayman. The most striking and common marine life for me were the brightly yellow colored tube sponges. 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. Along with the vertical structures of the wall are small cracks and crevices that have become the refuge of marine critters like crabs, lobsters, moray eels and octopus. Twitter They have ladders that you can use to enter and exit the water safely. You can enter different swim-through areas where the wall drops to great depths. The islands' location in the western part of the Caribbean shields them from being hit too hard by the annual hurricane season, which lasts from June to November. Wilderness Wall starts at 15 meters (50ft) before plunging down into the depths. In general, the tourism industry in the Cayman Islands is designed with divers in mind. This is currently number 20 on the 100 Best Dives list.. If you want to enjoy these five dive sites . If you are into grottos or swim-throughs, then you must head out to the west side of Grand Cayman and explore the three long tunnel swim-throughs of the Trinity Caves. We did see some nurse sharks, sea turtles and a few rays. There is slightly more rain during the summer months. 1 is a 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom unit. There is shopping, bars to hang out in, and live music. You can hand-feed wild Southern stingrays. Babylon- Grand Cayman Island is surrounded by a wall, but what makes the Babylon site special is the pinnacle with a canyon cutting the north wall. 4. We did not make it to Stingray city, but did get to the other must do dive in Grand Cayman - the USS Kittiwake, a submarine rescue vessel. Another top option for divers, Cayman Brac Beach Resort is, as its name implies, located on the third island in the Cayman Islands: 15-square-mile Cayman Brac. The top is at 15m/50ft but the bottom is around 90m/200ft so diver ought to watch their depth gauges carefully as they circle the mountain. The non-divers with us were content to lounge by the pool, visit the spa, ride bikes, and go for walks. But which Cayman Island has the best diving? Three long, wide tunnels, accessible to the majority of divers, extend from the sand flats to open out onto the reef wall. Settle on the sand at just 3.7 meters (12ft) and have hordes of southern stingrays glide gracefully around you. Exploring this site requires you to descend to a depth of 18 meters (60 feet) where the entrance of this elaborate tunnel system starts. View thelive availability of some of the best liveaboards in the Cayman Islandsand book online at the best price or check out our sidebar for land-based options!
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