The best diving depth at this Cayman site, between 30 and 40 meters (98-130ft) means its best for deep certified advanced divers. Look along the ledge by the mooring for crabs and check out the four massive barrel sponges. I am the father of the best two children in the world and husband to the most patient woman on this planet. There are actually around two dozen dive sites within the bay, with Bloody Bay Wall top of the list. 1 is a 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom unit. 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. Resident Nassau groupers often keep divers company and if you look closely, you may be rewarded with seahorses and lettuce-leaf slugs. At night, this popular Caymans dive site is great for spotting octopus, lobster, and shrimp. Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman house over 300 dive sites, making up the breathtaking Cayman dive map. As of 2023, you can renew your passport online. 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. 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 . Just be prepared for a rain shower or two, as this is the start of the region's wet season. 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. Located south-east of the Gulf of Mexico and close to Jamaica, Cuba, and Haiti, diving in the Caymans offers classic Carribean underwater scenes and the chance to spot both large and small marine life. . Roberts Wall is located on the North Wall in Grand Cayman. The dive boat did make the excursion across to Little Cayman's Bloody Bay wall one day which is very achievable from Cayman Brac. 20 Best Dive Sites In The Cayman Islands (2023) In this article, we review the top 20 scuba dive sites in the Cayman Islands. Bert Brothers Boulders is one of the most beautiful dive sites on Cayman Brac. Welcome to my scuba diving bucket list. Flights to Grand Cayman arrive at Owen Roberts International Airport. But its not just the heat that matters when visiting the Cayman Islands. Get in touch with our specialists This is a fun dive spot that you can access from shore. Press the question mark key to get the keyboard shortcuts for changing dates. Eden Rock has lots of coral and fish, and Devils Grotto has underwater caves that you can explore. Tourism volume is estimated based on in-market destination search query interest from Google and on travel.usnews.com in 2015-2016. With over 40 operators and 365 sites marked with moorings, thrill-seekers from all over take the plunge here. 1. The dive schedule would include a deep wall dive followed by a shallower reef or wreck. Often you can see massive tarpons, barracudas, and schools of silversides. 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 should not be a surprise that January through April also happen to be popular months to visit the islands via western Caribbean cruises because of their ideal combination of cooler temperatures and low rainfall. U.S. News rates the cheapest travel insurance options, considering expert and consumer recommendations. Though scuba diving in the Cayman Islands is mostly known for close encounters with stingrays, it has much more to offer. Live a life others only dream about. This wreck is the only Russian warship that can explore in the Western hemisphere. Sunset Reef is a popular shore dive just 60 meters (200ft) off the Sunset House Resorts pier. Plenty of schooling reef fish call Ghost Mountain home and the pinnacle is also carpeted in deep, bloody-red finger sponges. The best time to visit the Cayman Islands is between March and April. From April to October water temperature are at least 27 o C (81 o F) and can . It now rests in an upright position at a depth of 27meters (89feet). 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. Grand Cayman is the most visited island in the Cayman Islands by Scuba Divers. 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. For big animals - you can find a good number of turtles and groupers, tarpon, nurse sharks, great barracuda, and stingrays. Courtesy of Sunset House Resort, Grand Cayman. Both Grand Cayman and Little Cayman have great diving. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a country in Western Asia located at the northeast end of the Arabian Peninsula in the Persian Gulf. Discover these empowering women's history destinations selected by the U.S. News travel editors. 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;}. Now it has become a beautiful artificial reef and home for colorful sponges, groupers, barracudas and other marine life. While you can get some rain, it's not as common as during the summer. Drop us a comment below and tell us your favorite site! From Grand Cayman, you can transfer to Little Cayman or Cayman Brac. This is how we pay ourselves. The water drops over a hundred feet. Perhaps because of this, the coral isnt looking a healthy as it could. In general, the best time to dive in the Cayman Islands is between January and April, when the water temperature is warm and visibility is excellent. Cruise ships visit here, so expect everything you would find in most international cruise ship ports. There's much to discover beyond theme parks in this Southeastern state. 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. Theres plenty to do if you are not diving. 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. The Cayman Islands certainly offer diversity without a long trip from the states. Water temperatures are usually low 80's F. Marine life is plentiful and varied. Courtesy of IreneCorti/Getty Images/iStockphoto. I would appreciate if you don't as these referral links are what keep me posting and sharing on this blog. There is a separate fee to dive this wreck that goes towards conservation, and you also get a nice yellow diver medallion to keep. Hotels, resorts and cruise ships dont like unsold rooms and cabins, so they are more likely to offer discounts to attract customers. Our Original Diving experts, made up of marine biologists, divemasters and lovers of all things underwater, know the best time to dive in Little Cayman. The Seven Mile Beach area and the main city, Georgetown, are very developed with large hotels and resorts, restaurants, shops, etc. Black coral and colorful sponges decorate the near-vertical face and the shallows are dotted with large coral heads teeming with marine life. Exploring this site requires you to initially descend to 18 meters (60 feet) deep where the wall starts. The Cayman Islands hosts one of the best dives in the World: Bloody Bay Wall on Little Cayman. While at first the Oro Verde was a complete ship, rough seas and tumultuous weather have dispersed the wreckage. 4. 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. MV Captain Keith Tibbetts is an ex-Soviet Union ship that was built in 1984 for the Cuban Navy. Founder of Georges Watersports & Thingstodocayman.net. You can go hiking in the Mastic Trail where it has really nice views from the harbors and the beaches. 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. The USS Kittiwake is an ex-US Navy ship that was purposely sunk in Grand Cayman to create a new dive site. Navigate backward to interact with the calendar and select a date. 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. The Cayman Diving Season The islands are very much a year round diving destination. 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 . May through November, and especially September and October, are the riskiest months to visit. The best part about the dive is the . A 2.75 meter (9ft) bronze statue of Amphitrite (the wife of the mythological god Poseidon) rises up from the base of the reef. The 20 Best Dive sites in Caymans? 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. During the day rays, turtles, the occasional barracuda and plenty of reef fish mean theres a lot to keep divers engaged. 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. With 365 named dive sites, the enchanting Cayman Islands is a year-round underwater paradise. These hot temperatures start in May and last into November. Bloody Bay Wall is considered the epicenter of scuba diving in this marine park. There is slightly more rain during the summer months. As the name suggests, this Cayman dive site is known for eagle rays. Our DSD is $99 USD per person and includes all equipment needed and a fantastic shallow dive to a max depth of 40ft. East End 5. It was then sunk in Grand Cayman in 1980 to make a new dive site. The non-divers with us were content to lounge by the pool, visit the spa, ride bikes, and go for walks. Tieneke, Joe, and Kevin went out of their way to accommodate our dive group and show us a really great time. The seven mile beach area is beautiful for walking and photo opportunities. This is a wall that drops 2000 meters to the sea floor. Choose from private or single rates, we will find you the best possible option to help you enjoy the famous Cayman Stingray City. Theyre not timid and as they surround you, these rays seem happy to receive a gentle stroke or two. The winter and early spring months are the most popular time in the Cayman Islands. It was named after the famous free-diver Penny Ventura. And when it comes to marine life, there is lots to see! But they are sometimes the cheapest months to visit. Diving is available year-round. This world-class scuba destination is colorful, bright, and teeming with life. Cayman Islands Seasonal Dive Planner The Caymans' hottest period is from May to November. 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. The Cayman dollar is exchanged at a rate fixed to the US dollar (CI $1 equals US $1.25). Both of these sites are accessible from shore. Despite the name, you arent guaranteed to see tarpon here. It is Batabano, the countrys biggest festival, which is scheduled for early May each year. Wilderness Wall starts at 15 meters (50ft) before plunging down into the depths. Photographers will love Greenhouse for its varied macro life. Located in the Bloody Bay marine park on Little Caymans north side, Marilyns Cut is largely unspoiled and offers up pristine soft and hard corals. 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. Sharks and turtles are frequent visitors as are snappers, groupers, and grunts. Macro photographers should keep an eye out for the neck and decorator crabs who make their homes here. They have ladders that you can use to enter and exit the water safely. 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. It sounds like the best time overall, based on the posts so far. This island is very small and there is little to do, other than dive. 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. Trinity Caves is a popular dive site that is located off the coast of West Bay in Grand Cayman. When diving the Cayman Islands you can see a lot of large sponges, some good macro, and some tiny fish. Best Time to Dive in Little Cayman. If you enjoy snorkeling, then check out our article where we discuss the top 25 snorkel spots in Grand Cayman. You can even make a side trip to "Hell", a small area with black volcanic rocks, a few curio shops, and an actual post office you can send mail from with a postmark from Hell. The resident goliath grouper is a popular dive buddy at this Cayman dive site. It is 330-feet in length, and was sunk in Cayman Brac in 1996. They were all guided dives. Grandview Condominiums are located on the south end of 7 Mile Beach in George Town on the scuba diving island of Grand Cayman. 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. When to go Best time Low season Off season Where to go when While Grand Cayman, the most popular island, has a mix of accessible shore and boat diving. Grand Cayman Island probably has the best diving as it has the North Wall deep drop-off dive and the USS Kittiwake wreck dive. In the Cayman Islands, spring is in full force. Dive conditions could not have been more perfect, flat seas (the north side is supposed to be more choppy but the day we dived Eagle Ray pass, it was just 2 feet seas, the rest of the dives were on the west side, where the sea was flat both days), warm water (80 degrees for our stay), clear water with awesome 90-100+ feet visibility (great for wide angle photography). Cayman Islands, as well as our suggestions for the best places to It is easily possible to visit all 3 of the Cayman Islands in a single dive trip and be able to enjoy the diversity they provide. Bloody Bay Wall Bloody Bay Wall is located in Little Cayman. Because the site is prone to strong currents, it isnt frequently dived which makes a trip to this very healthy reef even more special. Do you love diving in the Caymans? Out in the open, expect schools of Nassau groupers, turtles, and snappers. Before she was decommissioned in 1994, the USS Kittiwake was a Navy Chanticleer-class submarine rescue vessel. Scuba Divers can experience the world's best 12ft dive site at Stingray City, the beautiful Starfish Point and Bloody Bay . This is a shore dive, meaning that you enter the water from the shore, and then swim to Cheeseburger Reef. Also, check out our article where we review the top 25 things to do in Grand Cayman. //
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