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. For shark diving, we suggest the Maze, Scuba Bowl and the Grouper Grotto which is also filled with lots of good-size groupers. The amazing strawberry sponges were in abundance there. . The Cayman Islands continues to receive global recognition and top the charts for diving. But its not just the heat that matters when visiting the Cayman Islands. There is a separate fee to dive this wreck that goes towards conservation, and you also get a nice yellow diver medallion to keep. But which Cayman Island has the best diving? The 6 Best Dive Sites in the Cayman Islands Cecily Russell 3 April, 2022 The trio of Cayman Islands is a British Overseas Territory situated in the western Caribbean Sea. Grand Cayman scuba diving is also more popular than on the other islands due to the stingray population there. But these arent the only good and bad times. Because the site is prone to strong currents, it isnt frequently dived which makes a trip to this very healthy reef even more special. Sea temperature varies little, from a high of 86F/30C in August/September to a low of 80F/26.5C in February. Sidetrip: Visit Little Caymans Booby Pond Nature Reserve. Named for a historical anchorage, Anchor Point features a tight chimney-like descent at the beginning of the dive. Moray eels and angelfish move among the coral, and turtles are often seen cruising over the reef. 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. Our reviews: We can make the world a little bit better with great in-depth reviews. The top is at 15m/50ft but the bottom is around 90m/200ft so diver ought to watch their depth gauges carefully as they circle the mountain. This is one of the top island destinations in the United Kingdom. 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. This is a must-do dive for people vacationing in Grand Cayman. Intermediate divers can begin their dive at the chimney, a narrow tunnel starting at 12m/40ft and ending at 24m/80ft. From the mooring, divers often descend through a cut in the reef and out onto the wall. As a diver, with a PADI account you can access your eLearning along with many more tools to help you on your adventures. There is a lot of marine life among the coral and resident angelfish and groupers are found at the stern of the ship. In this article, we review the top 20 scuba dive sites in the Cayman Islands. Divers of all levels can explore the engines, pistons, and pieces of the wreck that are scattered at 18m/60ft. The Eden Rock Dive Center has everything you need for an unforgettable day underwater in the Cayman Islands. Courtesy of IreneCorti/Getty Images/iStockphoto. #6 inBest Cheap Destination Wedding Locations, #4 inBest Places to Visit in January 2023. Hotel prices are sourced from a sample of U.S. News Best Hotels rates through 2015-2016. Get in touch with our specialists Overall it is a place worth seeing. On Grand Cayman, I stayed at hotels on the west end along Seven Mile beach. Indonesia. This is a must do dive. They were all guided dives. Aside from taking photos at the solid bronze emblem at one of its 5 decks or at the stern with the propeller, penetration can be done with the USS Kittiwake courtesy from multiple sunlit entries and exit points. In addition, you're more likely to snag a hotel deal during these months. The USS Kittiwake is an ex-US Navy ship that was purposely sunk in Grand Cayman to create a new dive site. The rainy season spans from May through October though showers usually only last for a few hours at a time. Stingrays, stingrays, and more stingrays is what draws divers to this Cayman site. Find & Book PADI Adventures App Book your next cruise vacation on one of these floating megaresorts. Here are a few of our favourite dive sites in Grand Cayman: 1. Wheres the best place(s) to stay when looking into a diving trip in the Caymans? Cayman Islands, as well as our suggestions for the best places to For diving, the reefs are easy to reach from many dive operators and offer a diversity of schooling fish, sponges, turtles, rays, and even sharks. This wreck is the only Russian warship that can explore in the Western hemisphere. The months of January and February are the coldest, with average lows in the low 60s. 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 . Plenty of schooling reef fish call Ghost Mountain home and the pinnacle is also carpeted in deep, bloody-red finger sponges. I stayed at an all inclusive where the food was exceptional, prepared by a world class chef. Great diving. For scuba diving, the best time to dive the Cayman Islands is pretty much any time except peak hurricane season. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Do you love diving in the Caymans? Boasting strong diving infrastructure, diverse types of diving, incredible walls and wrecks, and great visibility. For water sports lovers, there are great spots for snorkeling including night snorkeling with bioluminescence, options to go sailing or on a catamaran cruise. This is currently number 20 on the 100 Best Dives list. 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. Youtube+ It is worth noting however that from June until October is the hurricane season in the Caribbean. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. I have been diving in Grand Cayman several times. 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. When diving through the cut itself, look under and in crevices, plenty of little critters make homes for themselves here. 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. [What You Need to Know]. So, either way, the experience is well worth the money. The course includes a 2-hour pool and theory session, and an . MV Capt. Kittiwake Shipwreck and diver in Grand Cayman - photo from Canva. Because great in-depth gear reviews will help you select the right products for your specific needs, budget, and interests. Drop us a comment below and tell us your favorite site! 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. Turtles munched on big sponges with no worries about divers hanging about. From classic wide-brimmed hats to water-repellent trucker hats, find your ideal style. 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. We have put together a comprehensive collection of packages to suit your needs. Today, Cayman is one of the top dive destinations anywhere. U.S. News rates the cheapest travel insurance options, considering expert and consumer recommendations. There are lots of beautiful beaches to visit and to relax. It is possible to go scuba diving in Little Cayman all year round and the water temperature only varies from 21-27 degrees. You will see many sea creatures such as octopus and arrow crabs. 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;}. As for temperature and weather, the Cayman Islands are tropical, meaning it's warm 365 days a year. knowledge to ensure you know when to dive to enjoy the very best Sign up to get the latest updates, offers and more. Rainfall starts to climb in May. This is currently number 20 on the 100 Best Dives list.. At night, this popular Caymans dive site is great for spotting octopus, lobster, and shrimp. 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. The reef slopes gradually from 5 to 17 meters (17-55ft), and is covered in hard corals, sea whips, small sponges and gorgonians. 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. 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 . Erwin Poliakoff, Baton Rouge, Louisiana USA Nikon D7000, Tokina 10-17 zoom, Nikkor 60mm, 85mm, and 105mm macros, Nauticam housing 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. There is also a dive shop and restaurant. December through April are especially popular times to go because of low risk of rainfall and more moderate temperatures. The Cayman Islands certainly offer diversity without a long trip from the states. Little Cayman is a lovely, quiet little island with a population of less than 170. Despite the name, you arent guaranteed to see tarpon here. Frugal travel planners can look for good deals during these months while keeping an eye on the 10-day weather forecast. Head to around 30m/98ft for some of the best wall views. If you make a purchase from our site, we may earn a commission. to dive in Cayman Islands. Cheeseburger Reef is located in George Town, Grand Cayman. There is also an air pocket in a decompression chamber that you can pop into and chat with your buddy!! Elkhorn corals adorn the tops of the ridges while large gorgonians, tube sponges, and hard corals occupy the gullies. Hurricane Ivan in 2004 cleaved the 100m/328ft ship in half but divers can still explore both sections of the wreckage. Stingray City offers divers the opportunity to fully interact with these amazing creatures. We conduct this course from our shore location where the water is ideal for new divers! The main dive spot of Little Cayman is located on the northwest coast in a marine protected area the Bloody Bay Marine Park. If you don't feel comfortable using my referral links, you can always go directly to their site and bypass me. Eden Rock & Devils Grotto are two dive sites that are next to each other. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. dive in each month of the year. 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. Out in the open, expect schools of Nassau groupers, turtles, and snappers. The 20 Best Dive sites in Caymans? A shallow dive site, the colors here really pop making it a good choice for photographers. My favorite were the groupers who followed us like pets. 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. It is an amazing sight, and a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience. While Grand Cayman receives the most publicity and visitors, all three Cayman Islands - Cayman Brac and Little Cayman being the other two -- offer outstanding scuba diving. From our 24hr helpline to our expert local guides and selection of handpicked reading lists. Boat rides were no longer than 15 minutes, with most being around 5 minutes. Below are our recommendations for the best months to dive in Cayman Islands, as well as our suggestions for the best places to dive in each month of the year. 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. During this time, you can expect to see a variety of marine life, including turtles, rays, and a wide array of tropical fish. 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. 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 Rolex watches to Caymanite earrings to a shell necklace. Instead, they pass through the vicinity and bring heavy rains and wind to the island. 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. For macro subjects, you can see angelfish, morays, lettuce slug nudibranchs and many more. Its not often divers can see a mermaid on a dive, but at Sunset Reef they can. This is a wall that drops 2000 meters to the sea floor. The Cayman Diving Season The islands are very much a year round diving destination. May through November, and especially September and October, are the riskiest months to visit. There is slightly more rain during the summer months. The wreck was specifically set up for safe penetration, giving divers many interior rooms to explore. There's much to discover beyond theme parks in this Southeastern state. Dive Shop and Front desk is open 7 days per week | 7am to 6pm and can be reached directly on (345)-640-7500 Three long, wide tunnels, accessible to the majority of divers, extend from the sand flats to open out onto the reef wall. The Cayman Islands has also designated four special areas for protection such as marine park zones, replenishment zones, environmental zones, and no diving zones. I have traveled to the Cayman islands many times. GOT QUESTIONS ABOUT DIVING IN CAYMANS? 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. I am Dan, this site is my blog where I document my research on the best diving spots in the world.
March 11, 2023