Boasting strong diving infrastructure, diverse types of diving, incredible walls and wrecks, and great visibility. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. 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. 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. Away from the reef, divers can look around the LCM David Nicholson wreck. The best time to visit Grand Cayman is March and April. This is a shore dive, meaning that you enter the water from the shore, and then swim to Cheeseburger Reef. If you want to go a little more remote, try Little Cayman. 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. Black coral and colorful sponges decorate the near-vertical face and the shallows are dotted with large coral heads teeming with marine life. 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. There are over 15 PADI 5-Star Centers in the Cayman Islands, ready to teach you everything you want to know about diving. 3. 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. We could easily get to reefs and wrecks by ourselves from shore and take as much time as our tanks allowed. Under its 1986 declaration covering an area of hectares (23 acres) are dive sites that are popular to tourists and divers alike. 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. As a photographer, I never lacked for subjects both wide angle and macro and anything in between. Over a 30-year history, the islands have averaged less than two inches of rain from January through April and a little more than two inches in December, according to the Cayman Islands National Weather Service. This does not affect the quality or independence of our editorial content. Also, check out our article where we review the top 25 things to do in Grand Cayman. Exploring this site requires you to initially descend to 18 meters (60 feet) deep where the wall starts. The reef slopes gradually from 5 to 17 meters (17-55ft), and is covered in hard corals, sea whips, small sponges and gorgonians. 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. 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. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Grand Cayman is the most commercial island, with a lot of resorts, great nightlife, and more tourist attractions. 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. 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. Besides scuba diving, there are plenty of other things to do on the Cayman Islands. Navigate backward to interact with the calendar and select a date. Here are a few of our favourite dive sites in Grand Cayman: 1. There are actually around two dozen dive sites within the bay, with Bloody Bay Wall top of the list. 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. Click the link below to read our article about the USS Kittiwake: Wilderness Wall is located on the south-side of Cayman Brac. 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. Our travel experts have highlighted our favourite places to visit each month, Terms & Conditions Little Cayman, Cayman Islands. There is also a restaurant, bar and dive shop at Macabuca. Lighthouse Point is located in West Bay in Grand Cayman. Collect your trip ideas, share with friends or make an enquiry. 1 is a 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom unit. Grand Cayman has more dive sites than Little Cayman. While many visitors come here to scuba dive, snorkel, or relax and soak up the sun on the beach, those looking for something more adventurous can try . 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. Courtesy of IreneCorti/Getty Images/iStockphoto. If you love nature, you can go hiking or explore some caverns and caves. Take your camera and get a snap with one of the abandoned bicycles that have also found a home here. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Exploring this site requires you to descend to a depth of 18 meters (60 feet) where the entrance of this elaborate tunnel system starts. The three islands that make up the nation, Cayman Brac, Grand Cayman, and Little Cayman, are diverse and have distinct diving. If you are vacationing in Cayman Brac, then you need to visit this spot. Instagram, My Ideas . 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. The protected Bloody Bay Marine Park lies in Little Cayman and offers magnificent marine life, great visibility, and spectacular bioluminescent corals. Hotel prices are sourced from a sample of U.S. News Best Hotels rates through 2015-2016. This spot is about 20-feet deep, and has a lot of coral. 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. There is slightly more rain during the summer months. You can dive along this wall and explore the different entrances. The main gateway to the Cayman Islands is through Grand Cayman. Ive been to Grand Cayman and Little Cayman. Grand Caymans North Wall plunges deeper than 1800 metres/6000 feet and offers beautiful wall diving with opportunities to see spotted eagle rays and sea turtles. Roundabout is located along the North Wall in Grand Cayman. The best time to visit Grand Cayman is March and April. In this article, we review the top 20 scuba dive sites in the Cayman Islands. If you don't want to sacrifice weather for a break on hotel prices, plan a trip for the region's dry season, which runs from November to April. Visibility in the Cayman Islands is wonderful, averaging between 60 and 100 feet (18-30 meters). Live a life others only dream about. Located 8 kilometers (5 miles) east of Little Cayman is another elongated island that is popular with anglers and scuba divers. Its not often divers can see a mermaid on a dive, but at Sunset Reef they can. They were all guided dives. This is a must-do dive for people vacationing in Grand Cayman. Flights to Grand Cayman arrive at Owen Roberts International Airport. From Grand Cayman, you can transfer to Little Cayman or Cayman Brac. 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. Founder of Georges Watersports & Thingstodocayman.net. Three Fathom Wall is a popular night dive when eels, lobsters, and reef squid make an appearance. . 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. Cactus coral, sea fans, great star coral, and tube sponges blanket the reef and provide refuge for a variety of sea creatures. Kittiwake- Though this wreck has been sunken rather recently and has not developed much coral yet, it is still a fantastic dive site for all levels. 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. Orange Canyon is a popular dive site on the west-side of Grand Cayman. The famous diver and explorer Jacques Cousteau said that Bloody Bay Wall is one of the top dive sites in the world. Divers can observe the bow guns and go along the rails to make some great photos. Find & Book PADI Adventures App I stayed at an all inclusive where the food was exceptional, prepared by a world class chef. 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. The people of the island are friendly and culturally diverse. 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. A 50% deposit is required at the time of booking with the final 50% . You can hand-feed wild Southern stingrays. 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. While at first the Oro Verde was a complete ship, rough seas and tumultuous weather have dispersed the wreckage. If you want to escape the crowds of cruise ship passengers, the East End is the place to go. And as you might imagine, the coral-encrusted archway makes for a fantastic photo opportunity. 1. [] 310-915-6677 Despite the name, there arent actually caves here. It is possible to go scuba diving in Little Cayman all year round and the water temperature only varies from 21-27 degrees. For shark diving, we suggest the Maze, Scuba Bowl and the Grouper Grotto which is also filled with lots of good-size groupers. Click the link below to read our article about Macabuca: Tarpon Alley is located at the North Wall in Grand Cayman. Look in the blue off the wall for passing sharks, rays, and turtles. Named for a historical anchorage, Anchor Point features a tight chimney-like descent at the beginning of the dive. It is only a 10-minute walk from the cruise ship port in George Town to Eden Rock. The months of January and February are the coldest, with average lows in the low 60s. The Cayman Islands boasts world-class beaches, luxurious properties, worldwide culinary influences, high-end shops, local stores, and everything in between. The Caymans have one major event that also may impact the best times to go there. Before the USS Kittiwake was sunk, the Oro Verde was the wreck dive of choice in the Caymans. 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 sea is always warm in the Cayman Islands, with surface temperatures never dropping below around 25 o C (78 o F). Cayman Islands has an average water temperature ranging from 26 29C (78 84F). This gives the unique Caymans dive site a blend of steep vertical walls, sloping reefs, and coral-crusted fingers. The highlight of the dive is the photo opportunity with this Cayman reefs most famous resident. Only ten miles long and one mile wide, this is a place where you can truly focus on your opportunity to relax. From Rolex watches to Caymanite earrings to a shell necklace. info@bluewaterdivetravel.com, Visited on 04/2018 - Submitted on 02/04/2020, Visited on 03/2013 - Submitted on 08/31/2014, Visited on 02/2014 - Submitted on 04/19/2014, Visited on 02/2014 - Submitted on 03/01/2014, Visited on 08/2013 - Submitted on 02/21/2014, Big savings on 7-night group stays at Little Cayman, Cayman Brac and Cobalt Coast Resorts, live availability of some of the best liveaboards in the Cayman Islands. I like the idea of being able to dive off both islands while staying on one. StingRay City on scuba with a small group was so much fun feeding the rays. Find & Book Adventures Book your fun dives, snorkelling trips and courses online with thousands of PADI Dive Centers. They have ladders that you can use to enter and exit the water safely. Do you love diving in the Caymans? Stingrays and turtles are known to swim here. . Bloody Bay Wall. Named for the bright orange elephant ear sponges that characterize this site, Orange Canyon doesnt contain a closed canyon per se, but an open channel with lively reef on either side. This is a wall that drops 2000 meters to the sea floor. Generally, even with up to four dives per day on offer Cayman Islands scuba diving . Having a less touristic crowd, Cayman Brac still has several tourism facilities like Cayman Brac Dive Resorts that are scattered along its narrow coast. 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. However, the Cayman Islands can be impacted by hurricanes primarily between June and November. 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? Choose your design and prove your PADI certified diver status across the world with a recycled plastic card, eCard or both. There is also a dive shop and restaurant. But these arent the only good and bad times. Grand Cayman also offers accessible shore diving on great coral reefs with little to no current. Today, Cayman is one of the top dive destinations anywhere. Stingray City- You can thank the local fishermen for this dive site as they used to clean their catch here that attracted the rays to the site. This is an especiallygreat time to visit clear, calm waters are perfect for snorkeling, diving, sailing and fishing. 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. The amazing strawberry sponges were in abundance there. With world class conditions and a robust dive industry, the Cayman Islands is one of the best places to learn how to dive. Now large groups of southern stingrays are lurking around daily. And when it comes to marine life, there is lots to see! Boat rides were no longer than 15 minutes, with most being around 5 minutes. Find & Book Liveaboards Choose from a selection of more than 250 vessels and 18,000 trips worldwide. The ship was originally built for the US Army Transportation Corps over 70-years ago. The Cayman Islands is a land of breath-taking experiences. We highly advise you ask your local dive shop on the dos and donts in diving a particular dive site. The shore diving was really easy to access with actual ladders or stairs and even showers at some sites. The Cayman Islands certainly offer diversity without a long trip from the states. Kittiwake Shipwreck and diver in Grand Cayman - photo from Canva. Were a free review guide run by passionate Divers, Sports, and Outdoor fanatics. Plenty of schooling reef fish call Ghost Mountain home and the pinnacle is also carpeted in deep, bloody-red finger sponges. Best Times To Visit Cayman Islands The best time to visit the Cayman Islands is between March and June when the hotel rates drop. Now it has become a beautiful artificial reef and home for colorful sponges, groupers, barracudas and other marine life. The most striking and common marine life for me were the brightly yellow colored tube sponges. For macro subjects, you can see angelfish, morays, lettuce slug nudibranchs and many more. In 2017, Tropical Storm Nate shifted the Kittiwake from her original position. Sharks and turtles are frequent visitors as are snappers, groupers, and grunts. The USS Kittiwake is an ex-US Navy ship that was purposely sunk in Grand Cayman to create a new dive site. So, either way, the experience is well worth the money. // Is Amerigroup And Iowa Total Care The Same?, High John The Conqueror Seeds For Sale, Lewis County Wv Cad Log, What Time Zone Is 12 Hours Ahead Of Est, Samantha Bisset Autopsy Report, Articles B