Wakatobi Dive Resort, a private island south of Sulawesi, understands thisand that shooters trek to this country, one of the most biodiverse hotspots on the planet, to capture images of every critter possible. Lighthouse Point is located in West Bay in Grand Cayman. Aside from corals, barrel sponges are sprawling in this vibrant reef that is also filled with tropical reef fish like groupers, butterflyfish, angelfish, moray eels and lionfish which is believed to be an invasive species. You can hand-feed wild Southern stingrays. 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. #6 inBest Cheap Destination Wedding Locations, #4 inBest Places to Visit in January 2023. This gives the unique Caymans dive site a blend of steep vertical walls, sloping reefs, and coral-crusted fingers. There is slightly more rain during the summer months. Dive Shop and Front desk is open 7 days per week | 7am to 6pm and can be reached directly on (345)-640-7500 You may see hammerhead sharks if you are lucky. Get in touch with our specialists The main dive spot of Little Cayman is located on the northwest coast in a marine protected area the Bloody Bay Marine Park. 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. Great diving. September is the worst month of the Caribbean hurricane season, which officially goes from June through November. Because great in-depth gear reviews will help you select the right products for your specific needs, budget, and interests. Little Cayman is a lovely, quiet little island with a population of less than 170. If you want to escape the crowds of cruise ship passengers, the East End is the place to go. Plus, the water temperature ranges between 78-82F (26-28C). The Cayman Islands are widely regarded as the birthplace of recreational scuba diving, thanks to some pioneering efforts by local operators in the 1980s. For macro subjects, you can see angelfish, morays, lettuce slug nudibranchs and many more. For shark diving, we suggest the Maze, Scuba Bowl and the Grouper Grotto which is also filled with lots of good-size groupers. 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! Plus, along the wall, you can meet triggerfish, eagle rays, turtles, lobsters and many more! Even though July is a popular month, it is not necessarily a good time to go because of the reasons below. This is also where you will board your liveaboard. The Caymans have one major event that also may impact the best times to go there. Generally, even with up to four dives per day on offer Cayman Islands scuba diving . Just be prepared for a rain shower or two, as this is the start of the region's wet season. Lionfish have become an invasive species and some of the dive operators offer culling excursions. But they are sometimes the cheapest months to visit. The Cayman Islands hosts one of the best dives in the World: Bloody Bay Wall on Little Cayman. (Closed Circuit Rebreathers/CCR) allows you to massively extend your dive time. PrivacyPolicy, 2023 Original Diving | Web Design by D3R. Located 133 kilometers (83 miles) northeast of Grand Cayman is its little sister island Little Cayman. The chart to the right using data from the Caribbean Tourism Organization shows that March is the most popular month of the year to visit followed by December and July. to dive in Cayman Islands. Erwin Poliakoff, Baton Rouge, Louisiana USA Nikon D7000, Tokina 10-17 zoom, Nikkor 60mm, 85mm, and 105mm macros, Nauticam housing But the main reason for diving here are the sharks, especially hammerheads. During this time, you can expect to see a variety of marine life, including turtles, rays, and a wide array of tropical fish. I am a scuba diving newbie, a Project Manager by profession, and an entrepreneur at heart. The Pedro St. James National Historic Site is a great place for photography, or you can visit Rum Point for a true Caribbean beach experience. The best time to visit the Cayman Islands is between March and June when the hotel rates drop. Exploring this site requires you to descend to 10 meters (33 feet) deep where you will arrive at the top portion of the reef. You can dive from shore because they have ladders that you can use to enter and exit the water. Our team will meet you at the airport and fast-track you through. You can dive along this wall and explore the different entrances. Little Cayman was first discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1503. Honduras coast hosts the Bay Islands which is a compilation of eight islands and 53 small cays and these islands are one of the best scuba diving places in the world. 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. 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. Grab your gear and dive into the crystal clear waters of Grand Cayman! at any point on your diving holiday) has to offer. Here is a list of some of the marine animals you can likely spot when diving the Cayman Islands: There are over 300 dive sites in the Cayman Islands. 1. This is one of the best dive sites in Cayman Brac, and is a must-do experience. It does not make the product pricier for you. Some of the nicest dive resorts in the Caribbean are in the Cayman Islands, and many of them have great shore diving and boat diving. Three long, wide tunnels, accessible to the majority of divers, extend from the sand flats to open out onto the reef wall. There is also an air pocket in a decompression chamber that you can pop into and chat with your buddy!! Cathy Church has a shop at Sunset House where you can often meet her and see her beautiful underwater photos from the area. Hurricane Ivan in 2004 cleaved the 100m/328ft ship in half but divers can still explore both sections of the wreckage. Head to around 30m/98ft for some of the best wall views. In 2017, Tropical Storm Nate shifted the Kittiwake from her original position. It is 330-feet in length, and was sunk in Cayman Brac in 1996. ASK US HERE! Most of the units for rent are 2-bedroom and 2-bathroons units. Enquire The wreck can be penetrated in some parts but speak for your guide or instructor beforehand. My wife and I are traveling there in February 2015 and are PADI AOW and Nitrox certified with ten years of recreational experience diving. 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 . Located in Little Cayman, the Bloody Bay Wall dive site is noted for its high visibility, rich marine life, and the presence of a sheer wall that drops 2000 meters into the deep ocean. In February, the cost is roughly $1,044 round trip . This is a fun dive spot that you can access from shore. Eagle Ray Pass is located along the North Wall in Grand Cayman. This is a shore dive, meaning that you enter the water from the shore, and then swim to Cheeseburger Reef. The dive schedule would include a deep wall dive followed by a shallower reef or wreck. The depths start at around 12m/40ft and end at 30m/98ft. This wreck is the only Russian warship that can explore in the Western hemisphere. If you love nature, you can go hiking or explore some caverns and caves. The worst time is September during the hurricane season. Despite being small measuring only 16 x 1.6 kilometers (10 x 1 mile), tourism is booming and tourism facilities are sprawling especially in South Town. DIVEIN.com was founded in 2009 by the two brothers Torben and Nicolai. The worst time is September during the hurricane season. Continue with Recommended Cookies. Over 200 permanent boat moorings are installed to avoid damaging corals with the dropping of boat anchors. See and be seen at these stunning natural wonders. Grandview Condominiums are located on the south end of 7 Mile Beach in George Town on the scuba diving island of Grand Cayman. Do you love diving in the Caymans? The islands are warm year-round with average highs holding steady in the 80s. The ship has been opened up with large access holes so that you can swim through the interior of the ship. Theyre not timid and as they surround you, these rays seem happy to receive a gentle stroke or two. There is also a dive shop and restaurant. Besides the thick black corals, keep an eye out for tarpon, large yellow tube sponges, and ginormous barrel sponges. The dive resorts are more expensive than places like Roatan or Belize, but given the reputation of the islands and the quality and ease of the diving, we find the prices reasonable. You will see a lot of tarpon at this spot, as well as coral and other fish. You need to take a boat to reach this area. 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. The best time to see whitetip reef sharks in the Cayman Islands is from May to August. 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. Cayman Islands, as well as our suggestions for the best places to Grand Cayman makes a good dive vacation, but for us it was a great stop with plenty of good diving over 3 days on the way home from Cayman Brac. You can enter different swim-through areas where the wall drops to great depths. Greenhouse is a nice medium-depth reef dive with plenty of grooves and gullies to explore. Corals and sponges are plentiful. This is an especiallygreat time to visit clear, calm waters are perfect for snorkeling, diving, sailing and fishing. Usually you will see at least a few tarpon at this spot. While the tropical vacation destination does see fewer crowds, this is the rainiest season in the Cayman Islands so you may have to contend with some showers. Drop us a comment below and tell us your favorite site! 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. It also does not lack of options to go visit some museums, art galleries, go on walking eco-tours or historical tours, do some shopping and even have a blast at some amazing festivals. Choose from a selection of more than 250 vessels and 18,000 trips worldwide. Crabs and lobsters are among the critters hiding in the crevices. Swim throughs, ledges, overhangs, and an average depth of 12 meters (40ft) make this a Cayman dive site for all experience levels to explore. During winter, temperatures can drop down to the low 70s. Click the link below to read our article about Macabuca: Tarpon Alley is located at the North Wall in Grand Cayman. Also known as the Mixing Bowl, Three Fathom Wall is the point where Jacksons Bight and the Bloody Bay diving areas meet. Sidetrip: Grand Cayman is the biggest island and it is where most accommodations and restaurants are located. The USS Kittiwake is an ex-US Navy ship that was purposely sunk in Grand Cayman to create a new dive site. Located 8 kilometers (5 miles) east of Little Cayman is another elongated island that is popular with anglers and scuba divers. Cayman Islands has an average water temperature ranging from 26 29C (78 84F). 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 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;}. Read more about diving in Bonaire. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'scubadivegeek_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_14',101,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-scubadivegeek_com-medrectangle-4-0');The Cayman Islands has a tropical marine climate with two pronounced seasons: a rainy season that runs from May to October and a dry season from November to April. Cayman Turtle Centre. 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. 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. divemasters and lovers of all things underwater, know the best time The North Wall is one of the most visited diving sites and plunges to a depth of 6000 feet (1800 meters). Press the question mark key to get the keyboard shortcuts for changing dates. Macro photographers should seek the banded coral shrimp and divers licensed to 30m/98ft will enjoy the gorgonian fans in the cavern at this depth. 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. A 50% deposit is required at the time of booking with the final 50% . Settle on the sand at just 3.7 meters (12ft) and have hordes of southern stingrays glide gracefully around you. On top of being generally warm, the waters are clear with underwater visibility running from 18 30 meters (60 100 feet). Penetration can be done in this wreck courtesy from its numerous entry and exit points that were made before it was intentionally sunk to become an artificial reef. This dive site first became popular in the 90s when it was featured in the film The Firm, starring Tom Cruise. They are located in George Town in Grand Cayman. If you make a purchase from our site, we may earn a commission. The amazing strawberry sponges were in abundance there. However, the Cayman Islands can be impacted by hurricanes primarily between June and November. Out in the open, expect schools of Nassau groupers, turtles, and snappers. 7. Because the site is prone to strong currents, it isnt frequently dived which makes a trip to this very healthy reef even more special. Cayman Brac Beach Resort. The best time to visit Grand Cayman is March and April. 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 . Explore the top-rated styles for every type of trip to the beach. Babylon is located on the North Wall in Grand Cayman. "High Season" at the hotels is mid-December to mid-April, so rates will be higher then. 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. All the information you need to plan your dive vacations anywhere in the world. 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. 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. We highly advise you ask your local dive shop on the dos and donts in diving a particular dive site. Enjoy 20% OFF select PADI eLearning programs, FREE ReActivate online refresher, subscription to Scuba Diving magazine + so much more when you join PADI Club. Rum Point Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned diver, Grand Cayman has a dive site for you. Live like a local and get under the skin of a destination with our in-country concierges. Find the best and most popular products and review them. Along the drop-off, crevices and canyons cut through the reefs face. 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. The prices of hotels and short excursions that would normally be prohibitively expensive fall to more reasonable levels during this time. 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 its not just the heat that matters when visiting the Cayman Islands. Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman house over 300 dive sites, making up the breathtaking Cayman dive map. Generally, the off-season is the cheapest time to visit Grand Cayman, from May through November. Exploring this site requires you to descend to a depth of 18 meters (60 feet) where the entrance of this elaborate tunnel system starts. Exploring its underwater habitats allows you to see an incredible reef that starts at 6 meters (20 feet) deep and slowly slopes down towards a vertical limestone wall that drops down up to 1,000 meters (3,300 feet) deep. Grand Cayman is a beautiful dive destination with many options for accommodations and for diving. 1. Another great wall diving site in Little Cayman is Joys Joy. Best Time to Dive Cayman Islands. Everything here is very low key and there is a small local population. In a nutshell, its an island full of land and water adventures. Bloody Bay Wall- Most scuba divers will say this is their favorite dive site in the Cayman Islands. 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. 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. Closer to the reef, turtles, groupers, horse-eyed jacks, and an over-abundance of lionfish make this colorful site even more interesting. No diving trip in Grand Cayman would be complete without a dive at the infamous Stingray City. Other highlights include barracudas, yellowtail snappers, hawksbill turtles, and stingrays that sleep in the sand. Youtube+ To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. This is currently number 20 on the 100 Best Dives list. Red Sail Sports have been Scuba Diving in Cayman for 40 years. knowledge to ensure you know when to dive to enjoy the very best Our mission has been to do this with the best crew, using the best equipment while offering the most competing Cayman Islands dive packages. From Grand Cayman, you can transfer to Little Cayman or Cayman Brac. Before the USS Kittiwake was sunk, the Oro Verde was the wreck dive of choice in the Caymans. Twitter You will find Nassau gropers, triggerfish, and other unique marine life at the Bloody Bay Wall. Grand Cayman is the most commercial island, with cruise ships visiting, but it has some wrecks and the wall dives are close boat rides. Find & Book PADI Adventures App 310-915-6677 Boat rides were no longer than 15 minutes, with most being around 5 minutes. 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. If you want to go a little more remote, try Little Cayman. It is Batabano, the countrys biggest festival, which is scheduled for early May each year. From 5 star restaurants to fish frys at the local gas station. PADI Dive Resorts for all budgets, in the best dive locations around the world. 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. Give the perfect gift for your favorite ocean lover and explorer. The water is about 10 to 20 feet deep. 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. This is the most famous dive site in the Cayman Islands - and with good reason. The main gateway to the Cayman Islands is through Grand Cayman. Welcome to my scuba diving bucket list. Its a very easy and fun dive, we saw some angelfish and eagle rays. 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. This does not affect the quality or independence of our editorial content. Away from the reef, divers can look around the LCM David Nicholson wreck. Away from the stingray action, there are a number of coral heads with a variety of life to check out. 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. June to October brings higher topside temperatures (up to 33C, 91F). 1-800-652-1972. The Kittiwake is a 76.5 meter (250ft) former submarine support ship. This area is an international tourist destination and can be crowded. The boat dives were offered mostly in the mornings, and we were on our own in the afternoons. The famous diver and explorer Jacques Cousteau said that Bloody Bay Wall is one of the top dive sites in the world. Occasionally, a nurse shark rest on the sand. 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. There are 365 dive sites throughout the islands, offering something for all levels of experience. We have put together a comprehensive collection of packages to suit your needs. Grand Cayman has dives for all experience levels, and our on-site dive shop Ocean Frontiers Diving Adventures offers a range of PADI dive courses and signature dive adventures. Theres good diving, with great Walls and of course stingray city, where you can see and feed stingrays. 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. Sign up to get the latest updates, offers and more. Navigate forward to interact with the calendar and select a date. Grand Cayman is the most visited island in the Cayman Islands by Scuba Divers. It is rich with tunnels, chutes, cervices, and beautiful reefs. For water sports lovers, there are great spots for snorkeling including night snorkeling with bioluminescence, options to go sailing or on a catamaran cruise. Diving is available year-round. Fiji: Dive the Soft Coral Capital of the World. It lays at 60 ft (20 m) and scuba divers are able to explore all five levels of this 250 ft (75 m) vessel. If wall diving is your thing, check out diving in Turks & Caicos. Princess Pennies Pinnacle is located on the North Wall in Grand Cayman. 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. For us divers, the financial self-sufficiency of the Cayman Islands is only the icing on the cake. Kittiwake Shipwreck and diver in Grand Cayman - photo from Canva. With 365 named dive sites, the enchanting Cayman Islands is a year-round underwater paradise. There are over 15 PADI 5-Star Centers in the Cayman Islands, ready to teach you everything you want to know about diving. Apart from the elephant ear sponges, keep your eyes peeled for blacktip Carribean reef sharks in the blue. Photographers can make the worst dive buddies. There is a lot of marine life among the coral and resident angelfish and groupers are found at the stern of the ship. 6. Grand Cayman has beautiful beaches and probably the most topside activities or restaurants anyone would want. Diving is available year-round. All content is copyright protected by either DIVEIN.com or respected copyright holders, Disclosure: We are reader supported, and earn. Instagram, My Ideas If you are vacationing in Cayman Brac, then you need to visit this spot. Furthermore, the islands are home to some of the world's best beaches, making them an ideal vacation destination. Sea temperature varies little, from a high of 86F/30C in August/September to a low of 80F/26.5C in February. Sharks and turtles are frequent visitors as are snappers, groupers, and grunts. Around the coral fingers, stingrays, eagle rays and yellowhead jawfish rest on the sandy patches. Bert Brothers Boulders is also a great spot to see flying gurnards at around 5.5 meters (18ft). Ghost Mountain Grand Cayman is another great spot for wall diving where you can further reach a protruding limestone that silhouettes like a ghost from afar. We dived 3 days in February 2014, and they were all excellent and memorable dives. With regards to transportation, you have to take note that there are no taxis in Little Cayman and the best way to explore the island is by renting a bike. Live a life others only dream about. 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. During the day rays, turtles, the occasional barracuda and plenty of reef fish mean theres a lot to keep divers engaged. There are plenty of great dive resorts available, but liveaboard is the best option if you want to dive around all three islands. 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. Click the link below to read our article about Eden Rock: Deep Stingray City is located in Grand Cayman. 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. This is currently number 20 on the 100 Best Dives list.. There are lots of other fish and coral. If you want to enjoy these five dive sites . Best time to dive When to dive in the Cayman Islands entirely depends on your own personal preferences. 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. You will need little more (and some prefer less) than a 3 mm full length wetsuit. Some of those services give me a small percentage of what you pay as commission for my referral. This is a wreck worth a dive or two. 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. I thought it might be too touristy, but it was a lot of fun. Water Temperatures: Ranges from around 22C (72F) in December to 29C (84F) in July. The highlight of the dive is the photo opportunity with this Cayman reefs most famous resident. Grand Cayman and Little Cayman are the main diving areas in the Cayman Islands which are recognized as having one of the best wall dives in the world. Boasting strong diving infrastructure, diverse types of diving, incredible walls and wrecks, and great visibility.