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The Cayman Islands are widely regarded as the birthplace of recreational scuba diving, thanks to some pioneering efforts by local operators in the 1980s. Live a life others only dream about. The Kittiwake wreck as well as other wrecks in the close vicinity add variety and interesting structure which I really enjoyed. They were all guided dives. A 50% deposit is required at the time of booking with the final 50% . Boasting strong diving infrastructure, diverse types of diving, incredible walls and wrecks, and great visibility. Little Cayman, Cayman Islands. This is a fun dive spot that you can access from shore. With a PADI Travel account, you can favourite dive operators to come back to later on any device or computer. Cathy Church has a shop at Sunset House where you can often meet her and see her beautiful underwater photos from the area. It should not be a surprise that January through April also happen to be popular months to visit the islands via western Caribbean cruises because of their ideal combination of cooler temperatures and low rainfall. With virtually no currents and outstanding underwater visibility, Cayman has amazing wall dives, coral reefs and wrecks for you to explore and discover. There is also a dive shop and restaurant. Perhaps because of this, the coral isnt looking a healthy as it could. Grand Cayman, the main island, is often one of the most popular destinations in the Caribbean, especially with western Caribbean cruises. 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. Exploring this site requires you to initially descend to 18 meters (60 feet) deep where the wall starts. The worst time is September during the hurricane season. And when it comes to marine life, there is lots to see! 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. They can offer up their first-hand Exploring this site requires you to descend to a depth of 18 meters (60 feet) where the entrance of this elaborate tunnel system starts. If you're looking for great diving and hotel prices, the best time is between March and June when the rates all drop. The best diving depth at this Cayman site, between 30 and 40 meters (98-130ft) means its best for deep certified advanced divers. Elkhorn corals adorn the tops of the ridges while large gorgonians, tube sponges, and hard corals occupy the gullies. Matt Hampton was a guest of the Cayman Islands Department of Tourism (visitcaymanislands.com), British Airways, which has London returns from 688 (ba.com), and the Westin Seven Mile Beach, which . This is one of the top island destinations in the United Kingdom. Occasionally, a nurse shark rest on the sand. I would appreciate if you don't as these referral links are what keep me posting and sharing on this blog. This British overseas island is home to mystical caves, unscaled escarpments, tropical forests, diverse wildlife and a plethora of other unique experiences. 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. The best time to dive is between December and April when the water is at its warmest and the visibility is at its best. Roundabout is located along the North Wall in Grand Cayman. marine life, be it the tiny critters or bigger beasts of the ocean. Why? divemasters and lovers of all things underwater, know the best time Both of these sites are accessible from shore. Thus, you can keep going back and still discover new sites. The seven mile beach area is beautiful for walking and photo opportunities. Moray eels and angelfish move among the coral, and turtles are often seen cruising over the reef. Grand Cayman is the most commercial island, with cruise ships visiting, but it has some wrecks and the wall dives are close boat rides. And, thanks to a keen focus on conservation, many of the country's famous underwater spectacles are still well worth a visit today. It's the kind of peaceful place where you will make your own fun. It is common to see barracudas and schools of horse-eye jacks in this area. You could spend . The Cayman Islands certainly offer diversity without a long trip from the states. Furthermore, the islands are home to some of the world's best beaches, making them an ideal vacation destination. Our team will meet you at the airport and fast-track you through. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. 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. It was then sunk in Grand Cayman in 1980 to make a new dive site. Of the three main islands, Grand Cayman is where most divers go where you can explore over 50 dive sites allowing you to do virtually all types of diving and is suited for all levels of certification.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[120,600],'scubadivegeek_com-box-4','ezslot_16',103,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-scubadivegeek_com-box-4-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[120,600],'scubadivegeek_com-box-4','ezslot_17',103,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-scubadivegeek_com-box-4-0_1'); .box-4-multi-103{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;}. You can dive from shore because they have ladders that you can use to enter and exit the water. The 20 Best Dive sites in Caymans? The boat dives were offered mostly in the mornings, and we were on our own in the afternoons. The amazing strawberry sponges were in abundance there. From 5 star restaurants to fish frys at the local gas station. The most interesting topside activities for us were exploring the island in a rental car and driving on the left side of the road. East End 5. 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! But Little Cayman also has good diving including Bloody Bay Wall dive, which means a Caymans Island liveaboard is the best way to experience all the best Cayman's diving. Despite the name, there arent actually caves here. But these arent the only good and bad times. 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. for even more in-depth travel advice. Cayman Brac offered multiple relaxed dive spots on reefs all along the edge of the island. link to Fiji: Dive the Soft Coral Capital of the World, link to United Arab Emirates: Unspoiled Dive Sites, Wall diving, drift diving, cave diving, shore diving, boat diving, deep diving, and wreck diving, 100 different species of hard and soft corals plus over 500 species of tropical fish like the South-Atlantic stingrays, eagle rays, manta rays, nurse sharks, Caribbean reef sharks, flying gurnards, Nassau groupers, tarpon fish, Grand Cayman: Snorkeling at Stingray City, visit Dolphin Cove, hiking in the Mastic Trail, Pedro St. James National Historic Site, Cayman Islands National Museum, and the Cayman Turtle Farm. Navigate backward to interact with the calendar and select a date. Our Original Diving experts, made up of marine biologists, you are in the right place at the right time to see the very best Butterflyfish, triggerfish, shrimp, snapper, and more hand out in and around the large coral heads that sit nor far from the waters surface. 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. Yes, that is the Cayman Islands and this is due in part of the tax holiday being implemented that has attracted businesses worldwide. 1-800-652-1972. Our reviews: We can make the world a little bit better with great in-depth reviews. Over 200 permanent boat moorings are installed to avoid damaging corals with the dropping of boat anchors. 2. The water depth here is around 18-meters. Choose from a selection of more than 250 vessels and 18,000 trips worldwide. Share your love of diving, experience new adventures, expand your dive skills, and help save the ocean. The best time to visit the Cayman Islands is between March and June when the hotel rates drop. Twitter Everything here is very low key and there is a small local population. Find the best and most popular products and review them. Sunset Reef is a popular shore dive just 60 meters (200ft) off the Sunset House Resorts pier. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. 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. 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. From Grand Cayman, you can transfer to Little Cayman or Cayman Brac. This spot is about 20-feet deep, and has a lot of coral. For scuba diving, the best time to dive the Cayman Islands is pretty much any time except peak hurricane season. I thought it might be too touristy, but it was a lot of fun. Our DSD is $99 USD per person and includes all equipment needed and a fantastic shallow dive to a max depth of 40ft. A huge pinnacle branches out, creating a corridor-like passageway that is used by large pelagics cruising up from the abyss. 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 people of the island are friendly and culturally diverse. Schools of bright snappers brightened the reefs among colorful sponges. 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 . Phone +1 345-949-7111. Only ten miles long and one mile wide, this is a place where you can truly focus on your opportunity to relax. Keith Tibbets- This Soviet-built Frigate that was owned by the Cuban navy was given to the Cayman Islands to purposefully sink it. During this time, you can expect to see a variety of marine life, including turtles, rays, and a wide array of tropical fish. 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. Black groupers, sergeant majors, yellowtail snapper, and moray eels are just a few of the species you can expect to see. Eden Rock Dive Center. 4. December rainfall drops back down to about three inches. There is also a restaurant, bar and dive shop at Macabuca. The water clarity is typically amazingly clear. Both are wonderful underwater. 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. Head to around 30m/98ft for some of the best wall views. The Cayman Turtle Farm is one of the most visited land attractions on the island.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'scubadivegeek_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_1',121,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-scubadivegeek_com-large-mobile-banner-1-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'scubadivegeek_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_2',121,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-scubadivegeek_com-large-mobile-banner-1-0_1'); .large-mobile-banner-1-multi-121{border:none !important;display:block !important;float:none !important;line-height:0px;margin-bottom:7px !important;margin-left:auto !important;margin-right:auto !important;margin-top:7px !important;max-width:100% !important;min-height:50px;padding:0;text-align:center !important;}. Grand Cayman Monthly Weather: Rain, Temperatures, Grand Cayman Vacation Tips: Hotels, Attractions, Weather, Cayman Islands overnight visitor statistics; Caribeez.com. For macro subjects, you can see angelfish, morays, lettuce slug nudibranchs and many more. The Cayman Islands hosts one of the best dives in the World: Bloody Bay Wall on Little Cayman. Also known as the Mixing Bowl, Three Fathom Wall is the point where Jacksons Bight and the Bloody Bay diving areas meet. You will also notice that this tunnel system has a healthy population of whip corals and sponges that are all tall in size.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'scubadivegeek_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_0',126,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-scubadivegeek_com-large-leaderboard-2-0'); Scuba diving in Grand Cayman is not just only about wall diving. If you make a purchase from our site, we may earn a commission. Plus, the water temperature ranges between 78-82F (26-28C). 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. Stingray City has very large, friendly stingrays. The water drops over a hundred feet. Eels, rays, sharks, and turtles are frequently seen. Little Cayman is a lovely, quiet little island with a population of less than 170. I have been diving in Grand Cayman several times. Fiji: Dive the Soft Coral Capital of the World. I guess thats one drawback of guided dives, everyone is constantly on the move, not ideal for photography, especially macro photography. The Eden Rock Dive Center has everything you need for an unforgettable day underwater in the Cayman Islands. We rarely boast about our service but we believe it's what sets us apart and makes us truly original, so please forgive this moment of unabashed self-promotion. Answer 1 of 11: Does anyone have firsthand experience with any of the dive operators on Little Cayman that they will share? Dining can be pricey but the meals I have had have been wonderful. When diving the Cayman Islands you can see a lot of large sponges, some good macro, and some tiny fish. September is the worst month of the Caribbean hurricane season, which officially goes from June through November. It was named after the famous free-diver Penny Ventura. Their sister company, Tortuga Divers, operates from Morritts Tortuga Club in East End. This 82 hectare (200 acres) protected area is the refuge of the largest red-footed booby population in the Caribbean and is a popular bird-watching site. There are also lots of tarpon and small silver sprats in this area. 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. 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. Sidetrip: Grand Cayman is the biggest island and it is where most accommodations and restaurants are located. Boat rides were no longer than 15 minutes, with most being around 5 minutes. For this reason, wreck junkies and aficionados often have the Keith on their to-dive lists. 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. Located just a short walk from George Town, the Sunset House Hotel is home to Sunset Divers, and both resort and dive center are favorites of divers. The Cayman Diving Season The islands are very much a year round diving destination. 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. Eagle Ray Pass is located along the North Wall in Grand Cayman. Though scuba diving in the Cayman Islands is mostly known for close encounters with stingrays, it has much more to offer. Swim throughs, ledges, overhangs, and an average depth of 12 meters (40ft) make this a Cayman dive site for all experience levels to explore. Topside, the community is expanding with ongoing construction. The Cayman Islands dollar is legal tender in these islands. 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. This is currently number 20 on the 100 Best Dives list.. The USS Kittiwake is an ex-US Navy ship that was purposely sunk in Grand Cayman to create a new dive site. The flight and hotel fares are discounted up to 50 percent this time of year. They are located in George Town in Grand Cayman. Collect your trip ideas, share with friends or make an enquiry. The course includes a 2-hour pool and theory session, and an . If you want to escape the crowds of cruise ship passengers, the East End is the place to go. Divers of all levels can explore the engines, pistons, and pieces of the wreck that are scattered at 18m/60ft. You will need little more (and some prefer less) than a 3 mm full length wetsuit. 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. Cheeseburger Reef is located in George Town, Grand Cayman. Although the rays who made this site their home permanently have moved on, there is still a good chance of spotting them here. 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. The sea is always warm in the Cayman Islands, with surface temperatures never dropping below around 25 o C (78 o F). If you want to get rid of the tourist crowd in Grand Cayman and explore a dive site that is remote and that the diver to fish ratio is 1 to a million, then we suggest you head out northwest of Grand Cayman via a Cayman Liveaboard vessel in a site called Babylon. Of course, the Soviets didnt call her Keith Tibbets, she was renamed for a local dive operator after the Cayman government purchased the wreck for dive tourism. Get in touch with our specialists for even more in-depth travel advice. You will see a lot of tarpon at this spot, as well as coral and other fish. In addition, you're more likely to snag a hotel deal during these months. We did see some nurse sharks, sea turtles and a few rays. Stingrays, stingrays, and more stingrays is what draws divers to this Cayman site. The Cayman Islands hosts one of the best dives in the World: Bloody Bay Wall on Little Cayman. Use Add to ideas + to collect your trip ideas, share with friends or make They pickup from the Westin, Ritz and Kimpton Seafire beaches for their West Dives, which is one of their standout features.