And, thanks to a keen focus on conservation, many of the country's famous underwater spectacles are still well worth a visit today. Although the rays who made this site their home permanently have moved on, there is still a good chance of spotting them here. Despite the name, there arent actually caves here. There is also a dive shop and restaurant. Courtesy of Sunset House Resort, Grand Cayman. Share your love of diving, experience new adventures, expand your dive skills, and help save the ocean. Instagram, My Ideas . This is a fun dive spot that you can access from shore. It is only a 10-minute walk from the cruise ship port in George Town to Eden Rock. This gives the unique Caymans dive site a blend of steep vertical walls, sloping reefs, and coral-crusted fingers. 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. A favourite stop for those diving and snorkeling lovers, the Bay Islands' important three islands are Roatan, Utila and Guanaja. Jackson's Bight- Located also in the Bloody Bay Marine Park, it does not fail to provide scuba divers with an amazing dive. Bert Brothers Boulders is also a great spot to see flying gurnards at around 5.5 meters (18ft). 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 . Sunset Reef is a popular shore dive just 60 meters (200ft) off the Sunset House Resorts pier. Occasionally, a nurse shark rest on the sand. Choose from a selection of more than 250 vessels and 18,000 trips worldwide. 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. Interested in diving the Cayman Islands? Kittiwake Shipwreck and diver in Grand Cayman - photo from Canva. Watch your buoyancy and head out into the blue, look back to really appreciate the Great Walls sheer size and impressive drop-off. for even more in-depth travel advice. Frugal travel planners can look for good deals during these months while keeping an eye on the 10-day weather forecast. With over 40 operators and 365 sites marked with moorings, thrill-seekers from all over take the plunge here. During winter, temperatures can drop down to the low 70s. Roundabout is located along the North Wall in Grand Cayman. Diving in Little Cayman | PADI The wreck of the Captain Keith is unusual it is the only Soviet-made warship that divers can visit in the western hemisphere. If hot temperatures are an issue, it is better to visit the islands from December through April when they average in the upper 80s Fahrenheit. Cruise ships visit here, so expect everything you would find in most international cruise ship ports. Reservations Office is open Monday-Friday | 8:30am-5:30pm Cayman Islands time. Cayman Turtle Centre. You can hand-feed wild Southern stingrays. Trinity Caves is one Cayman dive site that never disappoints. Little Caymans Bloody Bay is home to some of the most dramatic and spectacular drop-offs and swim-throughs in the Carribean. The Cayman Islands are widely regarded as the birthplace of recreational scuba diving, thanks to some pioneering efforts by local operators in the 1980s. Press the question mark key to get the keyboard shortcuts for changing dates. It is common to see barracudas and schools of horse-eye jacks in this area. Because the site is prone to strong currents, it isnt frequently dived which makes a trip to this very healthy reef even more special. Eels, rays, sharks, and turtles are frequently seen. From these locations, I was able to dive the west end and also the North Wall. December rainfall drops back down to about three inches. Three Fathom Wall is a popular night dive when eels, lobsters, and reef squid make an appearance. They look dark brown without light but the first time my strobes lit one up I was amazed at the super bright rich red color. Best Cayman Islands Dive Centers and Resorts - TripSavvy The islands are warm year-round with average highs. Seven Mile Beach is considered the most popular tourist area in the Cayman Islands, thanks to its stunning white sand beaches and crystal-clear waters. 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. They make a difference for anyone visiting the Caymans by cruise who plans to spend more time shopping, dining and visiting attractions than spend time on the beaches. Best Diving in the Caribbean - Top 12 - Bluewater Dive Travel For big animals - you can find a good number of turtles and groupers, tarpon, nurse sharks, great barracuda, and stingrays. Don't forget to visit Stingray City before leaving Grand Cayman. Its a very easy and fun dive, we saw some angelfish and eagle rays. The seven mile beach area is beautiful for walking and photo opportunities. Get in touch with our specialists for even more in-depth travel advice. 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. Now it has become a beautiful artificial reef and home for colorful sponges, groupers, barracudas and other marine life. After being intentionally sunk to become an artificial reef, this former 76 meter (251 feet) long naval vessel now rests at 18 meters (60 feet) deep near the world-renowned Seven Mile Beach. While the gazebo itself is actually an arch, this small dive site never fails to please. And when you have the right product, youre a little bit happier which affects the people around you! This site is a firm favorite among local dive masters, most likely because of the intriguing geological features but there is plenty of marine life here too. Along the wall you'll spot black coral bushes, barrel sponges and sea fans where barracudas, turtles, eagle rays and parrotfish like to show up. It was named after the famous free-diver Penny Ventura. All the information you need to plan your dive vacations anywhere in the world. For us divers, the financial self-sufficiency of the Cayman Islands is only the icing on the cake. This does not affect the quality or independence of our editorial content. My favorite were the groupers who followed us like pets. Scuba Diving in the Cayman Islands | Explore Cayman The best dive site is either Bloody Bay Wall in Little Cayman or the USS Kittiwake in Grand Cayman. Here are a few of our favourite dive sites in Grand Cayman: 1. On Grand Cayman, I stayed at hotels on the west end along Seven Mile beach. The most interesting topside activities for us were exploring the island in a rental car and driving on the left side of the road. The water drops over a hundred feet. I am Dan, this site is my blog where I document my research on the best diving spots in the world. They can offer up their first-hand The rainiest months in Grand Cayman are September and October during the height of the annual hurricane season. Take a walk along the coast line or rent a bicycle and ride around the island. Top dives include the famous 1000 Steps, the Hilmer Hooker wreck, and Bari Reef. There are over 15 PADI 5-Star Centers in the Cayman Islands, ready to teach you everything you want to know about diving. 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. 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. Moray eels and angelfish move among the coral, and turtles are often seen cruising over the reef. 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 have put together a comprehensive collection of packages to suit your needs. Little Cayman is a lovely, quiet little island with a population of less than 170. From Rolex watches to Caymanite earrings to a shell necklace. 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. See and be seen at these stunning natural wonders. In this article, we review the top 20 scuba dive sites in the Cayman Islands. The Cayman Islands boasts world-class beaches, luxurious properties, worldwide culinary influences, high-end shops, local stores, and everything in between. But the main reason for diving here are the sharks, especially hammerheads. It does not make the product pricier for you. 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. Take your camera and get a snap with one of the abandoned bicycles that have also found a home here. 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. Enjoy the comfort of an airport lounge with free drinks and snacks, even if you're flying economy. It is Batabano, the countrys biggest festival, which is scheduled for early May each year. 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. 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. Cathy Church has a shop at Sunset House where you can often meet her and see her beautiful underwater photos from the area. The Cayman Islands are one of the Best Liveaboard Destinations for Beginners. Schools of bright snappers brightened the reefs among colorful sponges. The Best Scuba Diving Experiences On Grand Cayman The best time to visit Grand Cayman is March and April. Canyons and drop-offs provide a varied topography making the site a firm favorite with photographers. December to April is also the busiest time of year for tourism, so it's important to book your dive trips in advance. Divers of all levels can explore the engines, pistons, and pieces of the wreck that are scattered at 18m/60ft. Press the question mark key to get the keyboard shortcuts for changing dates. Grand Cayman has more dive sites than Little Cayman. Little Cayman GoPro Video Workshop: April 2023, Best Liveaboard Destinations for Beginners, shifted the Kittiwake from her original position. View Map. Were a free review guide run by passionate Divers, Sports, and Outdoor fanatics. 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. Below are our recommendations for the best months to dive in My poker stick resembled the dive guides spears, so they followed me closely and would even "show" me where the lion fish were, confused when I didn't feed them. As a photographer, I never lacked for subjects both wide angle and macro and anything in between. Rainfall starts to climb in May. Devil's Grotto- Suitable for both beginners and advanced, it's a great shallow shore dive that features massive swim-throughs, chimneys and coral formations. Bloody Bay Wall is located in Little Cayman. The months of January and February are the coldest, with average lows in the low 60s. If you find a good deal on DIVEIN, you click to the retailer, and you buy the product, we get a commission of the sale. While the visibility here is often a little clouded, thats thanks to the nutrient-rich flow of water which enriches the corals on the pinnacle. In a nutshell, its an island full of land and water adventures. Best Time to Dive Cayman Islands. Cayman Islands International Film Festival. Most dive operators will take you there. 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. 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 are lots of other fish and coral. Our Exclusive Dive-only Packages in the Cayman Islands - Ocean Frontiers The best time to visit the Cayman Islands is between March and April. There is a reason you won't find under a 5-star review for Silver Thatch, they are the best. A highlight dive is the Tibbets wreck with great structure and lots of life. Apart from the elephant ear sponges, keep your eyes peeled for blacktip Carribean reef sharks in the blue. Diving the Cayman Islands - SCUBA Travel Income disclosure: We are reader supported, and earn affiliate commissions when you buy via links found on DIVEIN.com: If you find a good deal on our site, you click to the retailer and you buy the product, we get a commission of the sale. Originally coined 356, this wreck is now called the M/V Captain Keith Tibbetts after a well-known Cayman Brac politician. Stingray City has very large, friendly stingrays. The best time to see whitetip reef sharks in the Cayman Islands is from May to August. Bert Brothers Boulders is one of the most beautiful dive sites on Cayman Brac. Flights to Grand Cayman arrive at Owen Roberts International Airport. With the wall beginning at just 6 meters (20ft), the site is popular with both divers and snorkelers. Best Dive & Stay Packages in the Cayman Islands - Ocean Frontiers Plenty of schooling reef fish call Ghost Mountain home and the pinnacle is also carpeted in deep, bloody-red finger sponges. The water is about 100 feet deep, and there is a good variety of soft and hard corals. The people of the island are friendly and culturally diverse. Other highlights include barracudas, yellowtail snappers, hawksbill turtles, and stingrays that sleep in the sand. Under its 1986 declaration covering an area of hectares (23 acres) are dive sites that are popular to tourists and divers alike. The Cayman Islands dollar is legal tender in these islands. The reef slopes gradually from 5 to 17 meters (17-55ft), and is covered in hard corals, sea whips, small sponges and gorgonians. We gave our Gear Lovers one job: Collect your trip ideas, share with friends or make an enquiry. I've stayed at hotels and used independent dive operators and I have stayed at dive resorts with on-site dive operations. It now rests in an upright position at a depth of 27meters (89feet). 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. Its not often divers can see a mermaid on a dive, but at Sunset Reef they can. Perhaps because of this, the coral isnt looking a healthy as it could. There is a lot of soft coral here, which makes for an interesting experience. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. Usually you will see at least a few tarpon at this spot. 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. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Cayman Islands Liveaboard Diving | Scuba Diving Earth Though Kittiwake is a very popular diving site on Grand Island, the shallow and crystal-clear waters of the site make it an equally amazing snorkeling spot as well. If you want to enjoy these five dive sites . This is the most famous dive site in the Cayman Islands - and with good reason. . Address. This is one of the deepest sea-walls in the world. Most of them are located around the Grand Cayman but a little over sixty sites stay around Cayman Brac and the Little Cayman. 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. Each time has been a wonderful underwater adventure. Best Time to Dive in Little Cayman - Original Diving Nature lovers are lured to diverse hiking trails, caves, and a variety of flora and fauna around the island. You will need little more (and some prefer less) than a 3 mm full length wetsuit. Diving is available year-round. 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. Learn to Dive in Cayman - Beginners and Refresher Courses It seems the dive guides hunt the lionfish and then feed the groupers, so they joined us right away each dive. Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman house over 300 dive sites, making up the breathtaking Cayman dive map. 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. The Cayman Islands-- Grand Cayman, Little Cayman, and Cayman Brac--have been attracting scuba divers for decades, including beginners! Our reviews: We can make the world a little bit better with great in-depth reviews. When we talk about Fiji, what immediately comes into our mind is a tropical dream holiday. 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.. 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. It does not make the product pricier for you. The waters here are 15 to 25 meters deep. MV Capt. Through this site,my intent is to be able to sponsor the new chapter in my life as a scuba diver. For macro subjects, you can see angelfish, morays, lettuce slug nudibranchs and many more. If you don't feel comfortable using my referral links, you can always go directly to their site and bypass me. Diving in the Cayman Islands - Bluewater Dive Travel From classic wide-brimmed hats to water-repellent trucker hats, find your ideal style. Would also recommend spending an afternoon at Rum Point, where you can relax and also do some snorkeling if you like. So, either way, the experience is well worth the money. 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 . With a PADI Travel account, you can favourite dive operators to come back to later on any device or computer. We are proud to off-set 100% of the carbon generated by our clients' flights. July has a jump in visits for families in part because school children are out for the summer. 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. It lays at 60 ft (20 m) and scuba divers are able to explore all five levels of this 250 ft (75 m) vessel. 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.