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. Visibility in the Cayman Islands is wonderful, averaging between 60 and 100 feet (18-30 meters). Lighthouse Point is located in West Bay in Grand Cayman. 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 . Top 12 Beautiful Places to Visit in the Cayman Islands And, thanks to a keen focus on conservation, many of the country's famous underwater spectacles are still well worth a visit today. Look in the blue off the wall for passing sharks, rays, and turtles. MV Capt. "High Season" at the hotels is mid-December to mid-April, so rates will be higher then. Book your fun dives, snorkelling trips and courses online with thousands of PADI Dive Centers. Divers in the Caymans visit Kittiwake for the wreck itself. There is a separate fee to dive this wreck that goes towards conservation, and you also get a nice yellow diver medallion to keep. That's is how we pay ourselves. A 50% deposit is required at the time of booking with the final 50% . They pickup from the Westin, Ritz and Kimpton Seafire beaches for their West Dives, which is one of their standout features. The islands are warm year-round with average highs. Instagram, My Ideas This is a must do dive. Cayman Islands Diving - Caribbean Sea - Dive The World 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. Take your camera and get a snap with one of the abandoned bicycles that have also found a home here. I have traveled to the Cayman islands many times. I created this website to help answer common questions about vacationing in the Cayman Islands, and to help tourists find the best things to do. . 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. There is also a dive shop and restaurant. Sharp-eyed divers can find leopard flatworms and the tunnels are also popular hangouts for rays and green moray eels. The wreck can be penetrated in some parts but speak for your guide or instructor beforehand. 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 . My favorite were the groupers who followed us like pets. The wreck of the Captain Keith is unusual it is the only Soviet-made warship that divers can visit in the western hemisphere. Named for a historical anchorage, Anchor Point features a tight chimney-like descent at the beginning of the dive. Our team will meet you at the airport and fast-track you through. 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. Cayman Islands Diving | Sport Diver Cracks in the ceilings let in plenty of natural light making it easy to search the nooks and crannies for the many crustaceans and other marine creatures that occupy the tunnels. 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. "High Season" at the hotels is mid-December to mid-April, so rates will be higher then. If youre thinking Cheeseburger is an odd name for a dive site, you probably wont be surprised that this shore dive probably took its name after the Burger King that was located across the road! 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. If you are vacationing in Cayman Brac, then you need to visit this spot. Please Sign-in or Register to save My Ideas for later, Our social channels Grab your gear and dive into the crystal clear waters of Grand Cayman! This wreck is the only Russian warship that can explore in the Western hemisphere. 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. Courtesy of IreneCorti/Getty Images/iStockphoto. that the underwater world (and overwater, if you plan on surfacing StingRay City on scuba with a small group was so much fun feeding the rays. Furthermore, the islands are home to some of the world's best beaches, making them an ideal vacation destination. The Best Destinations for Underwater Photography | Scuba Diving Scuba Diving Operators on Little Cayman - Little Cayman Forum for even more in-depth travel advice. I am Dan, this site is my blog where I document my research on the best diving spots in the world. September is the worst month of the Caribbean hurricane season, which officially goes from June through November. 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. 0 Divers of all levels can explore the engines, pistons, and pieces of the wreck that are scattered at 18m/60ft. Phone +1 345-949-7111. Our reviews: We can make the world a little bit better with great in-depth reviews. We'll whisk you through the security queues (where available). Dive Shop and Front desk is open 7 days per week | 7am to 6pm and can be reached directly on (345)-640-7500 Indonesia. 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. 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. This is a shore dive, meaning that you enter the water from the shore, and then swim to Cheeseburger Reef. You can hand-feed wild Southern stingrays. I thought it might be too touristy, but it was a lot of fun. Stingrays and turtles are known to swim here. Water temperatures are usually low 80's F. Marine life is plentiful and varied. It exceeds six inches in August and jumps again to more than eight inches in September and October. Grand Cayman is a sophisticated Caribbean island with great nightlife, great resort options, and the wonderful attraction of stingray city, and very good wall diving. Closely packed ridges form huge coral heads between the shore and the reef wall. 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. Naturally, this is also the most expensive season, and reservations must be made at least three months in advance. Best time to dive in Cayman Islands The diving is great year round in the Caribbean, something that is promoted with the dive 365 program. Both Grand Cayman and Little Cayman have great diving. 6. Click the link below to read our article about the USS Kittiwake: Wilderness Wall is located on the south-side of Cayman Brac. North Wall 2. stingray city 3. Fiji: Dive the Soft Coral Capital of the World. Theyre not timid and as they surround you, these rays seem happy to receive a gentle stroke or two. Theres also Little Cayman thats the least developed of the 3 islands. Learn to dive in the Cayman Islands by Living the Dream Divers The rainy season spans from May through October though showers usually only last for a few hours at a time. Press the question mark key to get the keyboard shortcuts for changing dates. Diving in Little Cayman | PADI Located near a popular resort is a vertical drop off that is filled with all sorts of marine life the North Wall. From April to October water temperature are at least 27 o C (81 o F) and can reach over 30 o C (85 o F). The main gateway to the Cayman Islands is through Grand Cayman. Bloody Bay Wall is located in Little Cayman. [CDATA[ In effect, there are more registered businesses in Cayman Island as compared to its local population. Flamingo tongues can be found on the sea fans, while arrow crabs, bristle worms, and long-spined sea urchins hide in the cracks and grooves. Even if they are stingrays and have the potential to inflict painful wounds via their tail, do not panic as they are not in their aggressive or defensive mode. Take a walk along the coast line or rent a bicycle and ride around the island. Get forecasts each morning for every major island. The best part about the dive is the . Cayman Islands Diving | Silver Thatch Water Sports | Breakers Grand Cayman is the most commercial island, with cruise ships visiting, but it has some wrecks and the wall dives are close boat rides. 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. This is also where you will board your liveaboard. We have put together a comprehensive collection of packages to suit your needs. Located in popular Bloody Bay, Donnas Delight is home to some classic Cayman wall diving: Giant barrel sponges, arching sea fans, and bright corals. In general, the tourism industry in the Cayman Islands is designed with divers in mind. The Best Scuba Diving Experiences On Grand Cayman Which Cayman island has the best diving? | ZuBlu When diving the Cayman Islands you can see a lot of large sponges, some good macro, and some tiny fish. 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. From April to October water temperature are at least 27 o C (81 o F) and can . This does not affect the quality or independence of our editorial content. The reef slopes gradually from 5 to 17 meters (17-55ft), and is covered in hard corals, sea whips, small sponges and gorgonians. Elkhorn corals adorn the tops of the ridges while large gorgonians, tube sponges, and hard corals occupy the gullies. The sea is always warm in the Cayman Islands, with surface temperatures never dropping below around 25 o C (78 o F). Sign up to get the latest updates, offers and more. Courtesy of Sunset House Resort, Grand Cayman. 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 . 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. All levels of divers can enjoy the site as there is plenty to see at shallow depths or at deeper parts. As the name suggests, this Cayman dive site is known for eagle rays. If you're looking for great diving and hotel prices, the best time is between March and June when the rates all drop. The rainiest months in Grand Cayman are September and October during the height of the annual hurricane season. This is really a divers paradise. Best Time to Visit The Cayman Islands are mostly sunny and warm year-round, but it may be best to visit between March and June when the hotel rates drop. Best Times to Visit Cayman Islands | U.S. News Travel For scuba diving, the best time to dive the Cayman Islands is pretty much any time except peak hurricane season. 5. This dive site first became popular in the 90s when it was featured in the film The Firm, starring Tom Cruise. For deep divers, we highly suggest you explore the elephant-ear sponge laden reef of the Orange Canyon or go cave diving in Bonnies Arch. We highly advise you ask your local dive shop on the dos and donts in diving a particular dive site. In 2017, Tropical Storm Nate shifted the Kittiwake from her original position. // Diving Cayman Islands: Best Wall Dives in the World PADI Dive Resorts for all budgets, in the best dive locations around the world. We could easily get to reefs and wrecks by ourselves from shore and take as much time as our tanks allowed. May through November, and especially September and October, are the riskiest months to visit. 4. Diving the Cayman Islands - SCUBA Travel Cayman Islands Snorkeling: Discover The Best Spots in this Complete Guide We were lucky enough to see the tail end of silversides on the wreck of the Balboa right in the Harbor too. Grand Cayman Dive Resorts I Packages I Wyndham Reef Resort Reservations Office is open Monday-Friday | 8:30am-5:30pm Cayman Islands time. The Caymans have one major event that also may impact the best times to go 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. Bloody Bay Wall Bloody Bay Wall is located in Little Cayman. 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 . This is an especiallygreat time to visit clear, calm waters are perfect for snorkeling, diving, sailing and fishing. Under its 1986 declaration covering an area of hectares (23 acres) are dive sites that are popular to tourists and divers alike. As of 2023, you can renew your passport online. [] It does not make the product pricier for you. Diving is available year-round. It is only a 10-minute walk from the cruise ship port in George Town to Eden Rock. It is an amazing sight, and a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience. You can spot eagle rays, reef sharks, sailfin blennies, tilefish, peacock flounders, garden eels, or yellow-headed jawfish. Enjoy the comfort of an airport lounge with free drinks and snacks, even if you're flying economy. Scuba Diving in the Cayman Islands | Explore Cayman Hurricanes rarely hit Grand Cayman directly. Scott S. Bateman is a professional journalist who has traveled widely throughout the Caribbean and the Americas. The best time to dive is between December and April when the water is at its warmest and the visibility is at its best. Sunset Reef is a popular shore dive just 60 meters (200ft) off the Sunset House Resorts pier. The water is about 12-feet deep here. Bloody Bay Wall is considered the epicenter of scuba diving in this marine park. The North Wall is one of the most visited diving sites and plunges to a depth of 6000 feet (1800 meters). The USS Kittiwake is an ex-US Navy ship that was purposely sunk in Grand Cayman to create a new dive site. Data sourced from the National Climatic Data Center. but the best time to visit is between May and October. Situated not far from the north point on Grand Cayman, Ghost Mountain is probably named for the behemoth mushroom-like pinnacle that suddenly emerges from the blue as divers near it. Some of those services give me a small percentage of what you pay as commission for my referral. 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. 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;}. For example, let's look at one airline flying from Miami to Grand Cayman. The resident goliath grouper is a popular dive buddy at this Cayman dive site. [What You Need to Know]. Cayman Islands has an average water temperature ranging from 26 29C (78 84F). A 2018 poll listed Bonaire as the best dive spot for beginners, conservation, freediving, macro diving, shore diving, and snorkeling. You can go hiking in the Mastic Trail where it has really nice views from the harbors and the beaches. 1. 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. 50 Best Scuba Diving Places in The World - Thrillophilia The Cayman Islands are widely regarded as the birthplace of recreational scuba diving, thanks to some pioneering efforts by local operators in the 1980s. Before she was decommissioned in 1994, the USS Kittiwake was a Navy Chanticleer-class submarine rescue vessel.
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