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You may see hammerhead sharks if you are lucky. Besides the thick black corals, keep an eye out for tarpon, large yellow tube sponges, and ginormous barrel sponges. Cayman Brac Beach Resort. Named for a historical anchorage, Anchor Point features a tight chimney-like descent at the beginning of the dive. Family Traveller Excellence Awards 2019 Winner. 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. Take your camera and get a snap with one of the abandoned bicycles that have also found a home here. Erwin Poliakoff, Baton Rouge, Louisiana USA Nikon D7000, Tokina 10-17 zoom, Nikkor 60mm, 85mm, and 105mm macros, Nauticam housing Theyre not timid and as they surround you, these rays seem happy to receive a gentle stroke or two. Little Cayman is a lovely, quiet little island with a population of less than 170. 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. The prices of hotels and short excursions that would normally be prohibitively expensive fall to more reasonable levels during this time. If you love nature, you can go hiking or explore some caverns and caves. Lionfish have become an invasive species and some of the dive operators offer culling excursions. The water depth here is around 18-meters. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. Best Diving Destination in the Carribean: The Cayman Islands ScubaDiveGeek.com also participates in other affiliate programs and Google Adwords and is compensated for referring traffic and business to these and other companies. This is a fun dive spot that you can access from shore. Wheres the best place(s) to stay when looking into a diving trip in the Caymans? Eden Rock & Devils Grotto are two dive sites that are next to each other. Cayman Islands International Film Festival. Seven Mile Beach 4. No crowds. Now large groups of southern stingrays are lurking around daily. The famous diver and explorer Jacques Cousteau said that Bloody Bay Wall is one of the top dive sites in the world. Butterflyfish, triggerfish, shrimp, snapper, and more hand out in and around the large coral heads that sit nor far from the waters surface. Exploring this site requires you to descend to a depth of 18 meters (60 feet) where the entrance of this elaborate tunnel system starts. All levels of divers can enjoy the site as there is plenty to see at shallow depths or at deeper parts. 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. The largest among the three islands, Grand Cayman is highly popular among SCUBA divers from all over the world. In general, the tourism industry in the Cayman Islands is designed with divers in mind. Not to be confused with the Anchor Point dive sites in Scotlands Loch Fyne, the Solomon Islands, or Sri Lanka, the Cayman dive site is located on Grand Cayman and is characterized by swathes of black coral. This dive site first became popular in the 90s when it was featured in the film The Firm, starring Tom Cruise. Great diving. The Best Time to Visit Grand Cayman in 2023 | Travellers Head to the turret guns for a superb photo opportunity and keep your eyes peeled for barracuda, bright sponges, and schooling reef fish. December through April are especially popular times to go because of low risk of rainfall and more moderate temperatures. Hop to the other islands by hiring a private boat operator, or better yet, arrange for a liveaboard tour and explore as many Cayman Islands diving sites as you can. The Caymans have one major event that also may impact the best times to go there. Also known as the Mixing Bowl, Three Fathom Wall is the point where Jacksons Bight and the Bloody Bay diving areas meet. divemasters and lovers of all things underwater, know the best time Purposely sunk in 2011, she now sits upright in the sand at 18 meters (60ft) and is a teeming artificial reef encrusted with coral. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Trinity Caves is one Cayman dive site that never disappoints. The wreck was specifically set up for safe penetration, giving divers many interior rooms to explore. Diving Cayman Islands: Best Wall Dives in the World The majority of travel agents will advise you that the best time to visit Grand Cayman in order to get the most bang for your buck on a vacation to the Cayman Islands is between the months of March and June. "High Season" at the hotels is mid-December to mid-April, so rates will be higher then. During the day rays, turtles, the occasional barracuda and plenty of reef fish mean theres a lot to keep divers engaged. The Cayman Islands dollar is legal tender in these islands. Diving in the Cayman Islands - Bluewater Dive Travel Stingrays, stingrays, and more stingrays is what draws divers to this Cayman site. Click here to learn more. Out in the open, expect schools of Nassau groupers, turtles, and snappers. Black groupers, sergeant majors, yellowtail snapper, and moray eels are just a few of the species you can expect to see. There are actually around two dozen dive sites within the bay, with Bloody Bay Wall top of the list. The amazing strawberry sponges were in abundance there. 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. Live a life others only dream about. The best time to visit the Cayman Islands is between March and April. You will see a lot of tarpon at this spot, as well as coral and other fish. North Wall 2. stingray city 3. Sunset Reef is a popular shore dive just 60 meters (200ft) off the Sunset House Resorts pier. For beginners or those who get nervous in enclosed spaces, there are plenty of decks around the exterior to check out. As a diver, with a PADI account you can access your eLearning along with many more tools to help you on your adventures. Besides scuba diving, there are plenty of other things to do on the Cayman Islands. The Best Scuba Diving Experiences On Grand Cayman There is a lot of soft coral here, which makes for an interesting experience. Scott S. Bateman is a professional journalist who has traveled widely throughout the Caribbean and the Americas. A direct flight from Miami to Grand Cayman takes only 70 minutes. 6. Each time has been a wonderful underwater adventure. If you want to escape the crowds of cruise ship passengers, the East End is the place to go. Visibility in the Cayman Islands is wonderful, averaging between 60 and 100 feet (18-30 meters). The ship has been opened up with large access holes so that you can swim through the interior of the ship. From these locations, I was able to dive the west end and also the North Wall. September and October are clearly the least popular months to go because of a high risk of heavy rains along with hot temperatures. Cruise ships visit here, so expect everything you would find in most international cruise ship ports. Our Exclusive Dive-only Packages in the Cayman Islands - Ocean Frontiers Occasionally, a nurse shark rest on the sand. Sea temperature varies little, from a high of 86F/30C in August/September to a low of 80F/26.5C in February. Originally coined 356, this wreck is now called the M/V Captain Keith Tibbetts after a well-known Cayman Brac politician. The Cayman Islands certainly offer diversity without a long trip from the states. 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. For scuba diving, the best time to dive the Cayman Islands is pretty much any time except peak hurricane season. We conduct this course from our shore location where the water is ideal for new divers! Use Add to ideas + to collect your trip ideas, share with friends or make This does not affect the quality or independence of our editorial content. Our Original Diving experts, made up of marine biologists, Our team will meet you at the airport and fast-track you through. Bay Islands, Honduras. Wonderful restaurants nearby. Away from the reef, divers can look around the LCM David Nicholson wreck. 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. While the Cayman Islands are famous for its encounters with stingrays in Stingray City where the rays are said to be almost tame, there are many more sites that the islands offer. Cayman Islands Scuba Liveaboards - Here's What to Know The Cayman Islands are home to some of the best spots for scuba diving and snorkeling in the world. 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. After exploring the area, here are some of the best dive sites in the Cayman Islands: 1. This is one of the deepest sea-walls in the world. The months of January and February are the coldest, with average lows in the low 60s. Best 5 Dive Resorts In Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands - Trip101 Around the coral fingers, stingrays, eagle rays and yellowhead jawfish rest on the sandy patches. We could easily get to reefs and wrecks by ourselves from shore and take as much time as our tanks allowed. In February, the cost is roughly $1,044 round trip . 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. It is an amazing sight, and a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience. Best time to dive When to dive in the Cayman Islands entirely depends on your own personal preferences. When diving the Cayman Islands you can see a lot of large sponges, some good macro, and some tiny fish. Cayman Islands, as well as our suggestions for the best places to Get in touch with our specialists for even more in-depth travel advice. Now it has become a beautiful artificial reef and home for colorful sponges, groupers, barracudas and other marine life. A favourite stop for those diving and snorkeling lovers, the Bay Islands' important three islands are Roatan, Utila and Guanaja. Diving in the Cayman Islands | Cayman Resident While at first the Oro Verde was a complete ship, rough seas and tumultuous weather have dispersed the wreckage. 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. The Eden Rock Dive Center has everything you need for an unforgettable day underwater in the Cayman Islands. that the underwater world (and overwater, if you plan on surfacing Top 12 Beautiful Places to Visit in the Cayman Islands I am the father of the best two children in the world and husband to the most patient woman on this planet. The Cayman Islands has also designated four special areas for protection such as marine park zones, replenishment zones, environmental zones, and no diving zones. Wilderness Wall starts at 15 meters (50ft) before plunging down into the depths. As you enter the cave, you will realize that it is not totally dark as it is illuminated by streaking sunlight streaming from overhead cracks and crevices. 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. 10 Best Things to Do in the Cayman Islands Top Cayman Islands Pinterest Babylon is located on the North Wall in Grand Cayman. The dive schedule would include a deep wall dive followed by a shallower reef or wreck. The wreck can be penetrated in some parts but speak for your guide or instructor beforehand. The Cayman Islands hosts one of the best dives in the World: Bloody Bay Wall on Little Cayman. 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. Find & Book Liveaboards Choose from a selection of more than 250 vessels and 18,000 trips worldwide. Hurricane Ivan in 2004 cleaved the 100m/328ft ship in half but divers can still explore both sections of the wreckage. Frugal travel planners can look for good deals during these months while keeping an eye on the 10-day weather forecast. Instead, they pass through the vicinity and bring heavy rains and wind to the island. [CDATA[ The best time to see whitetip reef sharks in the Cayman Islands is from May to August. 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. Scuba diving in Little Cayman and Cayman Brac | ZuBlu 50 Best Scuba Diving Places in The World - Thrillophilia But these aren't the only good and bad times. From April to October water temperature are at least 27 o C (81 o F) and can . If wall diving is your thing, check out diving in Turks & Caicos. They can offer up their first-hand In effect, there are more registered businesses in Cayman Island as compared to its local population. The best part about the dive is the . Located 2.5 kilometers (1.6 miles) northwest of the Capital City of George Town is one of the most popular dive sites, not just in the Cayman Islands, but in the Caribbean the Stingray City which is classified as a sandbar that has been naturally aggregated with southern stingrays that have been accustomed to human presence because of feeding. But they are sometimes the cheapest months to visit. This spot is about 20-feet deep, and has a lot of coral. The people of the island are friendly and culturally diverse. If you don't feel comfortable using my referral links, you can always go directly to their site and bypass me. Exploring this site requires you to descend to 10 meters (33 feet) deep where you will arrive at the top portion of the reef. Cayman Islands Diving - Caribbean Sea - Dive The World The 6 Best Dive Sites in the Cayman Islands - PADI Blog PrivacyPolicy, 2023 Original Diving | Web Design by D3R. Another top option for divers, Cayman Brac Beach Resort is, as its name implies, located on the third island in the Cayman Islands: 15-square-mile Cayman Brac. Jacques Costeau loved diving in the Caymans and its easy to see why. Bloody Bay Coral Reef Wall - one of the most beautiful dive sites in the Cayman Islands It's time to head back underwater for another jaw-dropping location: the Bloody Bay Wall. No diving trip in Grand Cayman would be complete without a dive at the infamous Stingray City. The ship was originally built for the US Army Transportation Corps over 70-years ago. There are also usually direct flights from Boston, Chicago, and New York. Located in the western Caribbean, just 480 miles south of Miami, Cayman is perfect for scuba diving and snorkelling, boasting some of the Caribbean's best excursions. When diving through the cut itself, look under and in crevices, plenty of little critters make homes for themselves here. Apart from the elephant ear sponges, keep your eyes peeled for blacktip Carribean reef sharks in the blue. We gave our Gear Lovers one job: September and October are the riskiest months to visit Grand Cayman because of the higher than normal amounts of rain. Sidetrip: Visit Little Caymans Booby Pond Nature Reserve. 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;}. 1. The North Wall is one of the most visited diving sites and plunges to a depth of 6000 feet (1800 meters). Sharks and turtles are frequent visitors as are snappers, groupers, and grunts. This is a shore dive, meaning that you enter the water from the shore, and then swim to Cheeseburger Reef. We are proud to off-set 100% of the carbon generated by our clients' flights. Navigate backward to interact with the calendar and select a date. When shopping and eating out, be sure to identify which currency prices . This site is well-known and popular with divers, snorkelers, and glass-bottom boaters alike. Grand Cayman has more dive sites than Little Cayman. Orange Canyon is a popular dive site on the west-side of Grand Cayman. So, what are you waiting for? 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. Best Cayman Islands Dive Centers and Resorts - TripSavvy 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. Share your love of diving, experience new adventures, expand your dive skills, and help save the ocean. 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. Grand Cayman is somewhat unique among major Caribbean destinations because it is one of the few islands that has average daytime temperatures exceed 90 degrees Fahrenheit during the summer and fall. Schools of bright snappers brightened the reefs among colorful sponges. Why? In addition, you're more likely to snag a hotel deal during these months. 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. July has a jump in visits for families in part because school children are out for the summer. From classic wide-brimmed hats to water-repellent trucker hats, find your ideal style. The best diving depth at this Cayman site, between 30 and 40 meters (98-130ft) means its best for deep certified advanced divers. Aside from tourism promotion, marine conservation is in place in all the dive sites in the Cayman Islands. Press the question mark key to get the keyboard shortcuts for changing dates. you are in the right place at the right time to see the very best Fiji: Dive the Soft Coral Capital of the World. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. Navigate forward to interact with the calendar and select a date. From the mooring, divers often descend through a cut in the reef and out onto the wall. Hotel prices are sourced from a sample of U.S. News Best Hotels rates through 2015-2016. . We were lucky enough to see the tail end of silversides on the wreck of the Balboa right in the Harbor too. 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. A First Timer's Guide to Grand Cayman Island - AFAR Media 11 Best Things to Do in Cayman Islands | U.S. News Travel 10 Best Dive Sites in Caribbean Islands in 2023 Below are our recommendations for the best months to dive in Booming and sprawling are not just words describing the tourism facilities in Little Cayman, but it can also be used to describe its world-class dive sites. Dive Shop and Front desk is open 7 days per week | 7am to 6pm and can be reached directly on (345)-640-7500 However, there are large coral canyons that provide exciting swim-throughs for divers. Water Temperatures: Ranges from around 22C (72F) in December to 29C (84F) in July. On top of being generally warm, the waters are clear with underwater visibility running from 18 30 meters (60 100 feet). Located 133 kilometers (83 miles) northeast of Grand Cayman is its little sister island Little Cayman. 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. Watch your buoyancy and head out into the blue, look back to really appreciate the Great Walls sheer size and impressive drop-off. You can spot eagle rays, reef sharks, sailfin blennies, tilefish, peacock flounders, garden eels, or yellow-headed jawfish. This is one of the deepest sea-walls in the world. 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. The worst time is September during the hurricane season. But the main reason for diving here are the sharks, especially hammerheads. While you can get some rain, it's not as common as during the summer. The best dive site is either Bloody Bay Wall in Little Cayman or the USS Kittiwake in Grand Cayman. However, the Cayman Islands can be impacted by hurricanes primarily between June and November. Everything most divers want. 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. The Kittiwake wreck as well as other wrecks in the close vicinity add variety and interesting structure which I really enjoyed. Best Dive & Stay Packages in the Cayman Islands - Ocean Frontiers Learn to dive in the Cayman Islands by Living the Dream Divers [What You Need to Know]. at any point on your diving holiday) has to offer. The Best Diving in Cayman Islands 2022 - Divein Pelagics are attracted to the wall while schools of reef fish populate the shallows, swimming around the many purple, red, and yellow sponges. 4. The water drops over a hundred feet. If you're looking for great diving and hotel prices, the best time is between March and June when the rates all drop. If you like diving in caves and grottos, Trinity Caves on Grand Caymans west side is the site for you. Cayman Islands Diving | Sport Diver I have been diving in Grand Cayman several times. Best Resorts in the Cayman Islands | Islands knowledge to ensure you know when to dive to enjoy the very best 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. For this reason, wreck junkies and aficionados often have the Keith on their to-dive lists. Diving the Cayman Islands - SCUBA Travel Water temperatures are usually low 80's F. Marine life is plentiful and varied. The 20 Best Scuba Dive Sites In The Cayman Islands (2023) Best Time to Visit Cayman Islands - tripbirdie.com Bloody Bay Wall Bloody Bay Wall is located in Little Cayman. Both Grand Cayman and Little Cayman have great diving. The Cayman Islands is a world-class diving destination famous for its reefs, wrecks and rum. There is also a restaurant, bar and dive shop at Macabuca. an enquiry. Courtesy of Sunset House Resort, Grand Cayman. 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. Today, Cayman is one of the top dive destinations anywhere. As well as healthy coral and large pelagic species, you can expect to catch sight of Nassau groupers, stingrays, angelfish, snappers, horse-eye jacks, and turtles. My wife and I are traveling there in February 2015 and are PADI AOW and Nitrox certified with ten years of recreational experience diving. Continue with Recommended Cookies. 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. 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. Away from the stingray action, there are a number of coral heads with a variety of life to check out. The USS Kittiwake is an ex-US Navy ship that was purposely sunk in Grand Cayman to create a new dive site. There is a separate fee to dive this wreck that goes towards conservation, and you also get a nice yellow diver medallion to keep. Little Cayman GoPro Video Workshop: April 2023, Best Liveaboard Destinations for Beginners, shifted the Kittiwake from her original position. However, as we just mentioned, diving in the Cayman Islands is possible all year round. 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. The rainiest months in Grand Cayman are September and October during the height of the annual hurricane season. 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. 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. And, thanks to a keen focus on conservation, many of the country's famous underwater spectacles are still well worth a visit today. Despite the name, you arent guaranteed to see tarpon here. It's the kind of peaceful place where you will make your own fun. Access to tools and resources at your fingertips, curated to enhance your diving experience. Some of those services give me a small percentage of what you pay as commission for my referral. Top dives include the famous 1000 Steps, the Hilmer Hooker wreck, and Bari Reef. You can also go wreck diving as there are some shipwrecks that can be explored like the remains of USS Kittiwake. I stayed at an all inclusive where the food was exceptional, prepared by a world class chef. 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. As a photographer, I never lacked for subjects both wide angle and macro and anything in between. Roundabout is located along the North Wall in Grand Cayman. You can dive along this wall and explore the different entrances. Which Cayman island has the best diving? | ZuBlu