Best Time to Dive in Little Cayman. The ship has been opened up with large access holes so that you can swim through the interior of the ship. // ]]>, Call us today at+1-310-915-6677 or email us info@bluewaterdivetravel.com. 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. Our Original Diving experts, made up of marine biologists, Frugal travel planners can look for good deals during these months while keeping an eye on the 10-day weather forecast. The water is about 100 feet deep, and there is a good variety of soft and hard corals. Over 200 permanent boat moorings are installed to avoid damaging corals with the dropping of boat anchors. 1. Red Sail Sports have been Scuba Diving in Cayman for 40 years. Bay Islands, Honduras. January and February are the coolest months with average lows in the high 60s. 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. Overall it is a place worth seeing. Get in touch with our specialists This does not affect the quality or independence of our editorial content. Named for the bright orange elephant ear sponges that characterize this site, Orange Canyon doesnt contain a closed canyon per se, but an open channel with lively reef on either side. I know there are shore dives that can be done, and we plan to do some of those next time. The main dive spot of Little Cayman is located on the northwest coast in a marine protected area the Bloody Bay Marine Park. "High Season" at the hotels is mid-December to mid-April, so rates will be higher then. Keith Tibbets- This Soviet-built Frigate that was owned by the Cuban navy was given to the Cayman Islands to purposefully sink it. 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. 7. Located 8 kilometers (5 miles) east of Little Cayman is another elongated island that is popular with anglers and scuba divers. This is the most famous dive site in the Cayman Islands - and with good reason. Cayman Islands Diving | Silver Thatch Water Sports | Breakers Here are a few of our favourite dive sites in Grand Cayman: 1. The flight and hotel fares are discounted up to 50 percent this time of year. You will see many sea creatures such as octopus and arrow crabs. Reservations Office is open Monday-Friday | 8:30am-5:30pm Cayman Islands time. 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. As the name suggests, this Cayman dive site is known for eagle rays. Sharks and turtles are frequent visitors as are snappers, groupers, and grunts. PADI Dive Resorts for all budgets, in the best dive locations around the world. 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. You can spot eagle rays, reef sharks, sailfin blennies, tilefish, peacock flounders, garden eels, or yellow-headed jawfish. 11 Best Things to Do in Cayman Islands | U.S. News Travel 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. Diving Cayman Islands: Best Wall Dives in the World This British overseas island is home to mystical caves, unscaled escarpments, tropical forests, diverse wildlife and a plethora of other unique experiences. Diving is available year-round. Dive Into the Cayman Islands | Cond Nast Traveler Best Diving in the Caribbean - Top 12 - Bluewater Dive Travel Tourism volume is estimated based on in-market destination search query interest from Google and on travel.usnews.com in 2015-2016. Instead, they pass through the vicinity and bring heavy rains and wind to the island. Schools of bright snappers brightened the reefs among colorful sponges. 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. The best time to go to the Cayman Islands is in March and April because there is spring break from school and April has a combination of warm temperatures and a low risk of rain. Best Diving sites in Cayman Islands - Scuba dive reviews by Divezone Drift dives are possible here depending on your operator. Our travel experts have highlighted our favourite places to visit each month, Terms & Conditions The Cayman Islands are one of the Best Liveaboard Destinations in the World. The seven mile beach area is beautiful for walking and photo opportunities. The 6 Best Dive Sites in the Cayman Islands - PADI Blog Look along the ledge by the mooring for crabs and check out the four massive barrel sponges. So, either way, the experience is well worth the money. This area is an international tourist destination and can be crowded. I have been diving in Grand Cayman several times. Babylon is located on the North Wall in Grand Cayman. This is one of the best dive sites in Cayman Brac, and is a must-do experience. (Closed Circuit Rebreathers/CCR) allows you to massively extend your dive time. Manage Settings Our Exclusive Dive-only Packages in the Cayman Islands - Ocean Frontiers The worst time is September during the hurricane season. 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 . There is also an air pocket in a decompression chamber that you can pop into and chat with your buddy!! Grand Cayman Dive Resorts I Packages I Wyndham Reef Resort Youtube+ From April to October water temperature are at least 27 o C (81 o F) and can . Roberts Wall is located on the North Wall in Grand Cayman. There is a reason you won't find under a 5-star review for Silver Thatch, they are the best. 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. 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. 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. The protected Bloody Bay Marine Park lies in Little Cayman and offers magnificent marine life, great visibility, and spectacular bioluminescent corals. Some resorts offer "Hurricane protection". Grand Cayman also offers accessible shore diving on great coral reefs with little to no current. This is currently number 20 on the 100 Best Dives list.. Find the best travel insurance for you with these U.S. News ratings, which factor in expert and consumer recommendations. It was named after the famous free-diver Penny Ventura. Grand Cayman has more dive sites than Little Cayman. 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. 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. Diving in the Cayman Islands - Bluewater Dive Travel And as you might imagine, the coral-encrusted archway makes for a fantastic photo opportunity. 1 is a 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom unit. Bloody Bay Wall is considered the epicenter of scuba diving in this marine park. Average rainfall jumps to more than five inches in May, June and July. 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. Boat rides were no longer than 15 minutes, with most being around 5 minutes. Bloody Bay Wall- Most scuba divers will say this is their favorite dive site in the Cayman Islands. to save My Ideas for later. The Best Scuba Diving Experiences On Grand Cayman 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. Your dive profile in Stingray City is relatively shallow since your maximum depth is just only 6 meters (20 feet) when you reach the sandy seafloor. This is one of the top island destinations in the United Kingdom. The Cayman Diving Season The islands are very much a year round diving destination. Stingray City is in only 12ft (4m) of water and is a huge draw for divers and underwater photographers. Nature lovers are lured to diverse hiking trails, caves, and a variety of flora and fauna around the island. ASK US HERE! for even more in-depth travel advice. Cayman Islands Snorkeling: Discover The Best Spots in this Complete Guide Best Diving Destination in the Carribean: The Cayman Islands 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 water drops over a hundred feet. In the 2019 Scuba Diving Magazine Readers Choice Awards, the Islands were named one of the Best Overall Dive Destination in the Caribbean/Atlantic and scored first place for Best Advanced Diving and Underwater Photography. [] Bert Brothers Boulders is also a great spot to see flying gurnards at around 5.5 meters (18ft). Because great in-depth gear reviews will help you select the right products for your specific needs, budget, and interests. DIVEIN.com was founded in 2009 by the two brothers Torben and Nicolai. As a photographer, I never lacked for subjects both wide angle and macro and anything in between. Take your camera and get a snap with one of the abandoned bicycles that have also found a home here. Cruise ships visit here, so expect everything you would find in most international cruise ship ports. The Kittiwake wreck as well as other wrecks in the close vicinity add variety and interesting structure which I really enjoyed. If you are vacationing in Cayman Brac, then you need to visit this spot. My favorite were the groupers who followed us like pets. I stayed at an all inclusive where the food was exceptional, prepared by a world class chef. 6. 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. Grand Cayman has beautiful beaches and probably the most topside activities or restaurants anyone would want. Having done a lot of dives in Florida, one thing we did notice was that there were not as many fishes on the reefs in Grand Cayman as in south Florida, but after looking at my pictures after this trip I did notice many small fishes and critters. Eels, rays, sharks, and turtles are frequently seen. Thus, you can keep going back and still discover new sites. Read more about diving in Bonaire. September and October are the riskiest months to visit Grand Cayman because of the higher than normal amounts of rain. 3. You can dive along this wall and explore the different entrances. Find & Book Adventures Book your fun dives, snorkelling trips and courses online with thousands of PADI Dive Centers. Water temperatures are usually low 80's F. Marine life is plentiful and varied. She met her end on the reef in the late 70s, allegedly due to mutiny aboard. I have worked in the corporate world and had little time for adventure. See and be seen at these stunning natural wonders. Wheres the best place(s) to stay when looking into a diving trip in the Caymans? Many divers who have been diving in this area said that this is really an up close and personal experience with stingrays as they are literally touching and surrounding you. 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. However, there are large coral canyons that provide exciting swim-throughs for divers. The boat dives were offered mostly in the mornings, and we were on our own in the afternoons. 4. Its a very easy and fun dive, we saw some angelfish and eagle rays. Bloody Bay Wall is located in Little Cayman. 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. The Cayman Islands dollar is legal tender in these islands. We are proud to off-set 100% of the carbon generated by our clients' flights. 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. Interested in diving the Cayman Islands? We understand that annual leave is precious so we can ensure that 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. We highly advise you ask your local dive shop on the dos and donts in diving a particular dive site. Its also the historical rainfall patterns. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. 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. Most dive operators will take you there. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a country in Western Asia located at the northeast end of the Arabian Peninsula in the Persian Gulf. The Best Diving in Cayman Islands 2022 - Divein The top of the wall is around 9 meters (30ft) so the site can be enjoyed as a shallow or deep dive. For macro subjects, you can see angelfish, morays, lettuce slug nudibranchs and many more. 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. It does not make the product pricier for you. Watch your buoyancy and head out into the blue, look back to really appreciate the Great Walls sheer size and impressive drop-off. 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. Resident Nassau groupers often keep divers company and if you look closely, you may be rewarded with seahorses and lettuce-leaf slugs. Which Cayman island has the best diving? | ZuBlu 10 Best Dive Sites in Caribbean Islands in 2023 Even though July is a popular month, it is not necessarily a good time to go because of the reasons below. Roundabout is located along the North Wall in Grand Cayman. December through April are especially popular times to go because of low risk of rainfall and more moderate temperatures. Exploring this site requires you to descend to a depth of 18 meters (60 feet) where the entrance of this elaborate tunnel system starts. 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. 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. 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. 6. Three long, wide tunnels, accessible to the majority of divers, extend from the sand flats to open out onto the reef wall. The water is about 10 to 20 feet deep. Tarpon Alley is part of the North Wall with depths between 15 to 25 meters (50-80ft). Grand Cayman is the most commercial island, with cruise ships visiting, but it has some wrecks and the wall dives are close boat rides. There are lots of other fish and coral. 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. Find a Liveaboard -Practical Information - Book a Trip. This is brought to you by the paradise-features of diving Cayman Islands: three islands where the bounty of nature is amplified as you go underwater.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'scubadivegeek_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_3',115,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-scubadivegeek_com-medrectangle-3-0'); Who would ever think that at the peak of an undersea mountain range lies a country that has one of the Worlds largest financial centers? Top dives include the famous 1000 Steps, the Hilmer Hooker wreck, and Bari Reef. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. This is currently number 20 on the 100 Best Dives list. A huge pinnacle branches out, creating a corridor-like passageway that is used by large pelagics cruising up from the abyss. 10 Best Dive Destinations in the Caribbean Best diving in the Caribbean 10 Best Dive Destinations in the Caribbean Cecily Russell 25 February, 2022 Vast blue waters, plummeting wall dives and pelagic life are just a few reasons why you'll find some of the world's best diving in the Caribbean. You can dive from shore because they have ladders that you can use to enter and exit the water. 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. Best Time To Visit Cayman Islands - Travel Tips For Every Season Devil's Grotto- Suitable for both beginners and advanced, it's a great shallow shore dive that features massive swim-throughs, chimneys and coral formations. It exceeds six inches in August and jumps again to more than eight inches in September and October. 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. 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. The amazing strawberry sponges were in abundance there. 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. 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. They are located in George Town in Grand Cayman. Divers in the Caymans visit Kittiwake for the wreck itself. After exploring the area, here are some of the best dive sites in the Cayman Islands: 1. Lionfish have become an invasive species and some of the dive operators offer culling excursions. The Cayman Islands-- Grand Cayman, Little Cayman, and Cayman Brac--have been attracting scuba divers for decades, including beginners! The months of January and February are the coldest, with average lows in the low 60s. The ship was originally built for the US Army Transportation Corps over 70-years ago. 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. There is also a small restaurant and dive resort. There is decent shore diving from their dock. Cayman Islands has an average water temperature ranging from 26 29C (78 84F). The prices of hotels and short excursions that would normally be prohibitively expensive fall to more reasonable levels during this time. 10 Best Scuba Diving Companies In Grand Cayman (2023) 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. My wife and I are traveling there in February 2015 and are PADI AOW and Nitrox certified with ten years of recreational experience diving. Cruise lines can reduce the number of ships that visit Grand Cayman in the fall, but hotels and resorts cant reduce the number of rooms. From Grand Cayman, you can transfer to Little Cayman or Cayman Brac. Though scuba diving in the Cayman Islands is mostly known for close encounters with stingrays, it has much more to offer. They have ladders that you can use to enter and exit the water safely. The non-divers with us were content to lounge by the pool, visit the spa, ride bikes, and go for walks. A few great choices are the Sunset House Hotel in Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac Beach Resort and the Little Cayman Beach Resort. Press the question mark key to get the keyboard shortcuts for changing dates. 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. There are also lots of tarpon and small silver sprats in this area. dive in each month of the year. You need to protect your fingers from the eager snappers though. 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. Also, check out our article where we review the top 25 things to do in Grand Cayman. Share your love of diving, experience new adventures, expand your dive skills, and help save the ocean. Trinity Caves is one Cayman dive site that never disappoints. 4 Places to Go Shore Diving in Grand Cayman | The Residences A 50% deposit is required at the time of booking with the final 50% . [What You Need to Know]. Find & Book PADI Adventures App You can enter different swim-through areas where the wall drops to great depths. The Cayman Islands are home to some of the best spots for scuba diving and snorkeling in the world. Stingray City has very large, friendly stingrays. It is rich with tunnels, chutes, cervices, and beautiful reefs. 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. U.S. News rates the cheapest travel insurance options, considering expert and consumer recommendations. Bloody Bay Wall. 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. Stingrays and turtles are known to swim here. I have lived in the corporate world for a few years now with very little excitement in my life. Three Fathom Wall is a popular night dive when eels, lobsters, and reef squid make an appearance. Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman house over 300 dive sites, making up the breathtaking Cayman dive map. Get forecasts each morning for every major island. This is how we pay ourselves. You will need little more (and some prefer less) than a 3 mm full length wetsuit. Find & Book Liveaboards Choose from a selection of more than 250 vessels and 18,000 trips worldwide. Theres plenty to do if you are not diving. Diving in the Cayman Islands | Cayman Resident July has a jump in visits for families in part because school children are out for the summer. It was then sunk in Grand Cayman in 1980 to make a new dive site. 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. 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. While at first the Oro Verde was a complete ship, rough seas and tumultuous weather have dispersed the wreckage. Courtesy of Sunset House Resort, Grand Cayman. 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). There are also usually direct flights from Boston, Chicago, and New York. Enjoy 20% OFF select PADI eLearning programs, FREE ReActivate online refresher, subscription to Scuba Diving magazine + so much more when you join PADI Club. Yes, that is true and get ready since the 333 islands of Fiji will take you into a quintessential South United Arab Emirates: Unspoiled Dive Sites. Cayman Islands International Film Festival. There is a lot of marine life among the coral and resident angelfish and groupers are found at the stern of the ship. Were a free review guide run by passionate Divers, Sports, and Outdoor fanatics. Moray eels and angelfish move among the coral, and turtles are often seen cruising over the reef. The Seven Mile Beach area and the main city, Georgetown, are very developed with large hotels and resorts, restaurants, shops, etc. Grand Cayman is the most visited island in the Cayman Islands by Scuba Divers. Away from the stingray action, there are a number of coral heads with a variety of life to check out. The Cayman Islands certainly offer diversity without a long trip from the states. . Kittiwake Shipwreck and diver in Grand Cayman - photo from Canva. 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. And when you have the right product, youre a little bit happier which affects the people around you! Best Scuba Diving Destinations in the World - The Cayman Islands Generally, even with up to four dives per day on offer Cayman Islands scuba diving . The sea is always warm in the Cayman Islands, with surface temperatures never dropping below around 25 o C (78 o F). Cayman Brac offered multiple relaxed dive spots on reefs all along the edge of the island. When to go Best time Low season Off season Where to go when There are 365 dive sites throughout the islands, offering something for all levels of experience. You get to enjoy some of the warm weather, which is especially nice if you live in the northern U.S., where it's still winter. Hurricane Ivan in 2004 cleaved the 100m/328ft ship in half but divers can still explore both sections of the wreckage. Yes, that is the Cayman Islands and this is due in part of the tax holiday being implemented that has attracted businesses worldwide. that the underwater world (and overwater, if you plan on surfacing As of 2023, you can renew your passport online. Often you can see massive tarpons, barracudas, and schools of silversides. knowledge to ensure you know when to dive to enjoy the very best The water depth here is around 18-meters. Divers can observe the bow guns and go along the rails to make some great photos.