The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. May through November, and especially September and October, are the riskiest months to visit. 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. Roundabout is located along the North Wall in Grand Cayman. [What You Need to Know]. You could spend . A favourite stop for those diving and snorkeling lovers, the Bay Islands' important three islands are Roatan, Utila and Guanaja. Look in the blue off the wall for passing sharks, rays, and turtles. Grand Cayman has beautiful beaches and probably the most topside activities or restaurants anyone would want. Courtesy of Sunset House Resort, Grand Cayman. 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. Book your fun dives, snorkelling trips and courses online with thousands of PADI Dive Centers. Here, you can take diving lessons, go on a guided dive, or rent tanks and gear. The shore diving was really easy to access with actual ladders or stairs and even showers at some sites. The Cayman Islands are one of the Best Liveaboard Destinations in the World. Hotels, resorts and cruise ships dont like unsold rooms and cabins, so they are more likely to offer discounts to attract customers. (Closed Circuit Rebreathers/CCR) allows you to massively extend your dive time. 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. In a nutshell, its an island full of land and water adventures. 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. Grand Cayman also offers accessible shore diving on great coral reefs with little to no current. Along the drop-off, crevices and canyons cut through the reefs face. Best Diving sites in Cayman Islands - Scuba dive reviews by Divezone And, thanks to a keen focus on conservation, many of the country's famous underwater spectacles are still well worth a visit today. Our team will meet you at the airport and fast-track you through. But which Cayman Island has the best diving? Scuba Diving in the Cayman Islands | Explore Cayman you are in the right place at the right time to see the very best The wall dive also has several other topographical features including swim-throughs and tunnels. Before the USS Kittiwake was sunk, the Oro Verde was the wreck dive of choice in the Caymans. Erwin Poliakoff, Baton Rouge, Louisiana USA Nikon D7000, Tokina 10-17 zoom, Nikkor 60mm, 85mm, and 105mm macros, Nauticam housing 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. that the underwater world (and overwater, if you plan on surfacing But these arent the only good and bad times. Sunset Reef is a popular shore dive just 60 meters (200ft) off the Sunset House Resorts pier. With over 40 operators and 365 sites marked with moorings, thrill-seekers from all over take the plunge here. 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. 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. Diving in the Cayman Islands - Bluewater Dive Travel Boat rides were no longer than 15 minutes, with most being around 5 minutes. In the shallows, flamingo tongues cling onto sea fans while lobsters, eels, and jewfish can be found hiding in the ridges and gullies. I am a scuba diving newbie, a Project Manager by profession, and an entrepreneur at heart. He is the author of four books about cruising in the Caribbean, Alaska and Mexican Riviera. Grand Cayman is the most commercial island, with cruise ships visiting, but it has some wrecks and the wall dives are close boat rides. Were a free review guide run by passionate Divers, Sports, and Outdoor fanatics. The course includes a 2-hour pool and theory session, and an . Get certified to scuba dive. Sign up to get the latest updates, offers and more. I have traveled to the Cayman islands many times. 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. Stingray City has very large, friendly stingrays. The Best Scuba Diving Experiences On Grand Cayman 10 Best Things to Do in the Cayman Islands Top Cayman Islands We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. 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. Most people see flights, accommodations, and activities far cheaper during this time since fewer tourists are visiting. There are also usually direct flights from Boston, Chicago, and New York. Find a Liveaboard -Practical Information - Book a Trip. Average rainfall jumps to more than five inches in May, June and July. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,100],'scubadivegeek_com-leader-1','ezslot_4',120,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-scubadivegeek_com-leader-1-0'); By descending down to 15 meters (50 feet) deep, you will arrive at what divers call the hanging garden which is a vertical limestone wall filled with black corals, barrel sponges, and purple sea fans. Little Cayman, Cayman Islands. 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. 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. 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. The heat may be less of an issue for anyone planning to spend a week there mainly on the beaches during the day and shopping or having fun in the cooler evenings. I am the father of the best two children in the world and husband to the most patient woman on this planet. 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. I have lived in the corporate world for a few years now with very little excitement in my life. The Cayman Islands continues to receive global recognition and top the charts for diving. 390 S Church St, George Town KY1-1106, Cayman Islands. December and July are good times for families because children are out of school for the holidays and summer. Continue with Recommended Cookies. Theyre not timid and as they surround you, these rays seem happy to receive a gentle stroke or two. 1. Instagram, My Ideas Stingray City is in only 12ft (4m) of water and is a huge draw for divers and underwater photographers. Diving in the Cayman Islands - Bluewater Dive Travel Its a very easy and fun dive, we saw some angelfish and eagle rays. We gave our Gear Lovers one job: Penetration is encouraged but to get the most out of the experience, take a torch. 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. 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. Visibility in the Cayman Islands is wonderful, averaging between 60 and 100 feet (18-30 meters). The water depth here is around 18-meters. You need to take a boat to reach this area. Sidetrip: Visit Little Caymans Booby Pond Nature Reserve. Hotel prices are sourced from a sample of U.S. News Best Hotels rates through 2015-2016. The best time to dive is between December and April when the water is at its warmest and the visibility is at its best. While the upper part of the reef is already teeming with corals, it becomes denser as you traverse the vertical limestone where it is now intermixed with sponges and sea fans. It is possible to go scuba diving in Little Cayman all year round and the water temperature only varies from 21-27 degrees. Grand Cayman has more dive sites than Little Cayman. Aside from tourism promotion, marine conservation is in place in all the dive sites in the Cayman Islands. The ship has been opened up with large access holes so that you can swim through the interior of the ship. Diving is available year-round. 1 is a 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom unit. 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. 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. From April to October water temperature are at least 27 o C (81 o F) and can . From the mooring, divers often descend through a cut in the reef and out onto the wall. Lionfish have become an invasive species and some of the dive operators offer culling excursions. Other highlights include barracudas, yellowtail snappers, hawksbill turtles, and stingrays that sleep in the sand. Use Add to ideas + to collect your trip ideas, share with friends or make I am Dan, this site is my blog where I document my research on the best diving spots in the world. It does not make the product pricier for you. You can dive from shore because they have ladders that you can use to enter and exit the water. The worst time is September during the hurricane season. 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. 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. The 20 Best Scuba Dive Sites In The Cayman Islands (2023) If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. There is a separate fee to dive this wreck that goes towards conservation, and you also get a nice yellow diver medallion to keep. Yes, that is the Cayman Islands and this is due in part of the tax holiday being implemented that has attracted businesses worldwide. The Cayman Islands certainly offer diversity without a long trip from the states. If you make a purchase from our site, we may earn a commission. With world class conditions and a robust dive industry, the Cayman Islands is one of the best places to learn how to dive. 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. There is slightly more rain during the summer months. Navigate forward to interact with the calendar and select a date. Grand Cayman Diving - Scuba Diving in the Cayman Islands From these locations, I was able to dive the west end and also the North Wall. In effect, there are more registered businesses in Cayman Island as compared to its local population. The rainiest months in Grand Cayman are September and October during the height of the annual hurricane season. You will see many sea creatures such as octopus and arrow crabs. 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. 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. Press the question mark key to get the keyboard shortcuts for changing dates. While at first the Oro Verde was a complete ship, rough seas and tumultuous weather have dispersed the wreckage. In the Cayman Islands, spring is in full force. We dived 3 days in February 2014, and they were all excellent and memorable dives. 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. I guess thats one drawback of guided dives, everyone is constantly on the move, not ideal for photography, especially macro photography. A First Timer's Guide to Grand Cayman Island - AFAR Media Scuba Divers can experience the world's best 12ft dive site at Stingray City, the beautiful Starfish Point and Bloody Bay . There is a good amount of coral and fish here. Diving the Cayman Islands - SCUBA Travel 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. Thus, you can keep going back and still discover new sites. From 5 star restaurants to fish frys at the local gas station. The top of the wall is around 9 meters (30ft) so the site can be enjoyed as a shallow or deep dive. This is the most famous dive site in the Cayman Islands - and with good reason. We were lucky enough to see the tail end of silversides on the wreck of the Balboa right in the Harbor too. Divers of all levels can explore the engines, pistons, and pieces of the wreck that are scattered at 18m/60ft. . It exceeds six inches in August and jumps again to more than eight inches in September and October. Stingrays, stingrays, and more stingrays is what draws divers to this Cayman site. Little Cayman was first discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1503. Flights to Grand Cayman arrive at Owen Roberts International Airport. 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. You will need little more (and some prefer less) than a 3 mm full length wetsuit. I quickly learned that if I poked at an area with my stick, the groupers would go right there, a great tool to get them to pose right where i wanted them in my reef scenes. As the name suggests, this Cayman dive site is known for eagle rays. The primary reason why scuba divers frequently visit the Cayman Islands is to do a different kind of investment: definitely not monetary, but instead fun, enjoyment and great underwater adventures. 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. 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 Cayman Islands hosts one of the best dives in the World: Bloody Bay Wall on Little Cayman. link to Fiji: Dive the Soft Coral Capital of the World, link to United Arab Emirates: Unspoiled Dive Sites, Wall diving, drift diving, cave diving, shore diving, boat diving, deep diving, and wreck diving, 100 different species of hard and soft corals plus over 500 species of tropical fish like the South-Atlantic stingrays, eagle rays, manta rays, nurse sharks, Caribbean reef sharks, flying gurnards, Nassau groupers, tarpon fish, Grand Cayman: Snorkeling at Stingray City, visit Dolphin Cove, hiking in the Mastic Trail, Pedro St. James National Historic Site, Cayman Islands National Museum, and the Cayman Turtle Farm. divemasters and lovers of all things underwater, know the best time 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. The Cayman Islands are a premier diving destination, boasting 365 dive sites, as well as the International Scuba Diving Hall of Fame . Black groupers, sergeant majors, yellowtail snapper, and moray eels are just a few of the species you can expect to see. It does not make the product pricier for you. We understand that annual leave is precious so we can ensure that There are lots of other fish and coral. 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. The main dive spot of Little Cayman is located on the northwest coast in a marine protected area the Bloody Bay Marine Park. Sea temperature varies little, from a high of 86F/30C in August/September to a low of 80F/26.5C in February. This is really a divers paradise. A highlight dive is the Tibbets wreck with great structure and lots of life. Having a less touristic crowd, Cayman Brac still has several tourism facilities like Cayman Brac Dive Resorts that are scattered along its narrow coast. Furthermore, the islands are home to some of the world's best beaches, making them an ideal vacation destination. Both are wonderful underwater. PADI Dive Resorts for all budgets, in the best dive locations around the world. Babylon is located on the North Wall in Grand Cayman. 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. Elkhorn corals adorn the tops of the ridges while large gorgonians, tube sponges, and hard corals occupy the gullies. They can offer up their first-hand Jackson's Bight- Located also in the Bloody Bay Marine Park, it does not fail to provide scuba divers with an amazing dive. Settle on the sand at just 3.7 meters (12ft) and have hordes of southern stingrays glide gracefully around you. 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. 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. It is Batabano, the countrys biggest festival, which is scheduled for early May each year. 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. Eels, rays, sharks, and turtles are frequently seen. Best Scuba Diving Destinations in the World - The Cayman Islands 4 of the Best Places to Go Shore Diving in Grand Cayman. 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. Still great for diving with great walls for all levels of divers and the walls and the Russian destroyer 356 aka Russian destroyer. 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. Intermediate divers can begin their dive at the chimney, a narrow tunnel starting at 12m/40ft and ending at 24m/80ft. This island is very small and there is little to do, other than dive. We have put together a comprehensive collection of packages to suit your needs. 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. 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. Exploring this site requires you to initially descend to 18 meters (60 feet) deep where the wall starts. It's the kind of peaceful place where you will make your own fun. The Best Time to Visit Grand Cayman in 2023 | Travellers 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. Great diving. The wreck was specifically set up for safe penetration, giving divers many interior rooms to explore. The flight and hotel fares are discounted up to 50 percent this time of year. iFrameResize({log:true, enablePublicMethods:true}); If you love nature, you can go hiking or explore some caverns and caves. Plus, the water temperature ranges between 78-82F (26-28C). This is one of the best dive sites in Cayman Brac, and is a must-do experience. With the wall beginning at just 6 meters (20ft), the site is popular with both divers and snorkelers. 6. Drift dives are possible here depending on your operator. Hurricanes rarely hit Grand Cayman directly. From Grand Cayman, you can transfer to Little Cayman or Cayman Brac. Find & Book Liveaboards Choose from a selection of more than 250 vessels and 18,000 trips worldwide. Learn to dive in the Cayman Islands by Living the Dream Divers On Grand Cayman, I stayed at hotels on the west end along Seven Mile beach. Despite the name, you arent guaranteed to see tarpon here. This is one of the deepest sea-walls in the world. Through this site,my intent is to be able to sponsor the new chapter in my life as a scuba diver. When we talk about Fiji, what immediately comes into our mind is a tropical dream holiday. 10 Best Dive Destinations in the Caribbean Perhaps because of this, the coral isnt looking a healthy as it could. I would appreciate if you don't as these referral links are what keep me posting and sharing on this blog. 3. Everything here is very low key and there is a small local population. As a diver, with a PADI account you can access your eLearning along with many more tools to help you on your adventures. There are also lots of tarpon and small silver sprats in this area. There is a reason you won't find under a 5-star review for Silver Thatch, they are the best. The water is about 12-feet deep here. Sidetrip: Grand Cayman is the biggest island and it is where most accommodations and restaurants are located. It sounds like the best time overall, based on the posts so far. Best Cayman Islands Dive Centers and Resorts - TripSavvy There is shopping, bars to hang out in, and live music. "High Season" at the hotels is mid-December to mid-April, so rates will be higher then. 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. For example, let's look at one airline flying from Miami to Grand Cayman. Most dive operators will take you there. The islands are warm year-round with average highs holding steady in the 80s. Cayman Brac is the last of the islands and also much less traveld than Grand Caymen. If you're looking for great diving and hotel prices, the best time is between March and June when the rates all drop. Cayman Islands International Film Festival. The three islands that make up the nation, Cayman Brac, Grand Cayman, and Little Cayman, are diverse and have distinct diving. While Grand Cayman, the most popular island, has a mix of accessible shore and boat diving. Because the site is prone to strong currents, it isnt frequently dived which makes a trip to this very healthy reef even more special. Best 5 Dive Resorts In Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands - Trip101 Both of these sites are accessible from shore. Best and Worst Times to Visit Grand Cayman - Caribeez.com We could easily get to reefs and wrecks by ourselves from shore and take as much time as our tanks allowed. 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. Diving in the Cayman Islands | PADI Welcome to my scuba diving bucket list. Only ten miles long and one mile wide, this is a place where you can truly focus on your opportunity to relax. 10 Things To Do At Cayman Islands Besides Scuba Diving 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. Family Traveller Excellence Awards 2019 Winner. The Cayman Islands-- Grand Cayman, Little Cayman, and Cayman Brac--have been attracting scuba divers for decades, including beginners! When diving the Cayman Islands you can see a lot of large sponges, some good macro, and some tiny fish. If you don't feel comfortable using my referral links, you can always go directly to their site and bypass me. The seven mile beach area is beautiful for walking and photo opportunities. As a photographer, I never lacked for subjects both wide angle and macro and anything in between. Bert Brothers Boulders is one of the most beautiful dive sites on Cayman Brac. The water clarity is typically amazingly clear. Find & Book Adventures Book your fun dives, snorkelling trips and courses online with thousands of PADI Dive Centers. 1-800-652-1972. July has a jump in visits for families in part because school children are out for the summer. to dive in Cayman Islands. This is how we pay ourselves. Greenhouse is a nice medium-depth reef dive with plenty of grooves and gullies to explore. Book your next cruise vacation on one of these floating megaresorts. Aside from being outside the high season which means that Grand Cayman dive resorts all-inclusive hotel prices and Caribbean dive packages are cheaper, this is also the months that the diving parameters are at its best.
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