There is a reason you won't find under a 5-star review for Silver Thatch, they are the best. Moray eels and angelfish move among the coral, and turtles are often seen cruising over the reef. // ]]>, Call us today at+1-310-915-6677 or email us info@bluewaterdivetravel.com. I thought it might be too touristy, but it was a lot of fun. This does not affect the quality or independence of our editorial content. Topside, the community is expanding with ongoing construction. It is common to see barracudas and schools of horse-eye jacks in this area. Bloody Bay Marine Park is one of Cayman's best known dive sites and is named after the battles that took place between the British navy and its privateers following the outlaw of piracy. Stingray City has very large, friendly stingrays. But these arent the only good and bad times. 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;}. Red Sail Sports have been Scuba Diving in Cayman for 40 years. Take your camera and get a snap with one of the abandoned bicycles that have also found a home here. The islands are warm year-round with average highs holding steady in the 80s. Lighthouse Point is located in West Bay in Grand Cayman. Matt Hampton was a guest of the Cayman Islands Department of Tourism (visitcaymanislands.com), British Airways, which has London returns from 688 (ba.com), and the Westin Seven Mile Beach, which . You will also notice that this tunnel system has a healthy population of whip corals and sponges that are all tall in size.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'scubadivegeek_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_0',126,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-scubadivegeek_com-large-leaderboard-2-0'); Scuba diving in Grand Cayman is not just only about wall diving. A 2018 poll listed Bonaire as the best dive spot for beginners, conservation, freediving, macro diving, shore diving, and snorkeling. For beginners or those who get nervous in enclosed spaces, there are plenty of decks around the exterior to check out. For us divers, the financial self-sufficiency of the Cayman Islands is only the icing on the cake. an enquiry. This is a must do dive. The Cayman Islands continues to receive global recognition and top the charts for diving. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. The boat dives were offered mostly in the mornings, and we were on our own in the afternoons. Sharp-eyed divers can find leopard flatworms and the tunnels are also popular hangouts for rays and green moray eels. Crabs and lobsters are among the critters hiding in the crevices. This wreck is the only Russian warship that can explore in the Western hemisphere. However, as we just mentioned, diving in the Cayman Islands is possible all year round. Beginners can enjoy another smaller chimney instead. This dive site first became popular in the 90s when it was featured in the film The Firm, starring Tom Cruise. The 6 Best Dive Sites in the Cayman Islands Cecily Russell 3 April, 2022 The trio of Cayman Islands is a British Overseas Territory situated in the western Caribbean Sea. It is worth noting however that from June until October is the hurricane season in the Caribbean. With a PADI Travel account, you can favourite dive operators to come back to later on any device or computer. The Cayman Islands are home to some of the best spots for scuba diving and snorkeling in the world. The best part about the dive is the . The flight and hotel fares are discounted up to 50 percent this time of year. 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. Instagram, My Ideas Most people see flights, accommodations, and activities far cheaper during this time since fewer tourists are visiting. December to April is also the busiest time of year for tourism, so it's important to book your dive trips in advance. Grand Cayman is the most visited island in the Cayman Islands by Scuba Divers. The water is about 12-feet deep here. Orange Canyon is a popular dive site on the west-side of Grand Cayman. Seven Mile Beach 4. Named for a historical anchorage, Anchor Point features a tight chimney-like descent at the beginning of the dive. This is a shore dive, meaning that you enter the water from the shore, and then swim to Cheeseburger Reef. I have lived in the corporate world for a few years now with very little excitement in my life. If you're looking for great diving and hotel prices, the best time is between March and June when the rates all drop. Eagle Ray Pass is located along the North Wall in Grand Cayman. 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. Sidetrip: Grand Cayman is the biggest island and it is where most accommodations and restaurants are located. Do you love diving in the Caymans? For big animals - you can find a good number of turtles and groupers, tarpon, nurse sharks, great barracuda, and stingrays. This is one of the deepest sea-walls in the world. Although this is a wall dive, the cut in the sites name comes from the swim-through many divers use upon descent. They pickup from the Westin, Ritz and Kimpton Seafire beaches for their West Dives, which is one of their standout features. The islands are warm year-round with average highs. 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. During the day rays, turtles, the occasional barracuda and plenty of reef fish mean theres a lot to keep divers engaged. We understand that diving the best Grand Cayman Dives is the primary goal of your Grand Cayman Dive vacation. Diving is available year-round. to save My Ideas for later. 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. The Cayman Islands is a world-class diving destination famous for its reefs, wrecks and rum. Also, check out our article where we review the top 25 things to do in Grand Cayman. Stingray City offers divers the opportunity to fully interact with these amazing creatures. September and October are the riskiest months to visit Grand Cayman because of the higher than normal amounts of rain. 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. A shallow dive site, the colors here really pop making it a good choice for photographers. 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? Bloody Bay Wall. Having a less touristic crowd, Cayman Brac still has several tourism facilities like Cayman Brac Dive Resorts that are scattered along its narrow coast. Our travel experts have highlighted our favourite places to visit each month, Terms & Conditions They can offer up their first-hand These hot temperatures start in May and last into November. 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. There is slightly more rain during the summer months. 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. Bloody Bay Wall Bloody Bay Wall is located in Little Cayman. But Little Cayman also has good diving including Bloody Bay Wall dive, which means a Caymans Island liveaboard is the best way to experience all the best Cayman's diving. 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. Top 20 Best Dive Sites In Cayman Islands In 2023, The Best Starboard Paddle Boards: A Brand Guide, The Best iRocker Paddle Boards: A Brand Guide, Blackfin Paddle Boards: The Best Paddle boards from Blackfin, Top All-inclusive Resorts You Need To Visit, How To Choose a Kayak Paddle? To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. Lemon Reef is a mini-wall dive site located on the North Wall in Grand Cayman. 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. No worries, the diving is world class on Bloody Bay Wall. You will need little more (and some prefer less) than a 3 mm full length wetsuit. Despite the name, you arent guaranteed to see tarpon here. Reservations Office is open Monday-Friday | 8:30am-5:30pm Cayman Islands time. The Kittiwake wreck as well as other wrecks in the close vicinity add variety and interesting structure which I really enjoyed. Click the link below to read our article about Eden Rock: Deep Stingray City is located in Grand Cayman. It was named after the famous free-diver Penny Ventura. If you find a good deal on DIVEIN, you click to the retailer, and you buy the product, we get a commission of the sale. 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. You need to protect your fingers from the eager snappers though. The dive schedule would include a deep wall dive followed by a shallower reef or wreck. [What You Need to Know]. On Grand Cayman, I stayed at hotels on the west end along Seven Mile beach. For this reason, wreck junkies and aficionados often have the Keith on their to-dive lists. Ive been to Grand Cayman and Little Cayman. 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. Diving is available year-round. ASK US HERE! The best time to see whitetip reef sharks in the Cayman Islands is from May to August. For water sports lovers, there are great spots for snorkeling including night snorkeling with bioluminescence, options to go sailing or on a catamaran cruise. Among the dive sites in Scuba Cayman Brac, the remains of a 100meter (330feet) long Russian Koni class frigate is considered one of the best underwater attraction in the Cayman Islands. The wreck was specifically set up for safe penetration, giving divers many interior rooms to explore. Grand Cayman, the main island, is often one of the most popular destinations in the Caribbean, especially with western Caribbean cruises. Eels, rays, sharks, and turtles are frequently seen. This is one of the top island destinations in the United Kingdom. The ship has been opened up with large access holes so that you can swim through the interior of the ship. It is possible to go scuba diving in Little Cayman all year round and the water temperature only varies from 21-27 degrees. There is also a dive shop and restaurant. 4 of the Best Places to Go Shore Diving in Grand Cayman. Wheres the best place(s) to stay when looking into a diving trip in the Caymans? 1-800-652-1972. MV Capt. If you make a purchase from our site, we may earn a commission. It seems the dive guides hunt the lionfish and then feed the groupers, so they joined us right away each 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. 0 From April to October water temperature are at least 27 o C (81 o F) and can . Find & Book Liveaboards Choose from a selection of more than 250 vessels and 18,000 trips worldwide. Answer 1 of 11: Does anyone have firsthand experience with any of the dive operators on Little Cayman that they will share? In addition, you're more likely to snag a hotel deal during these months. Apart from the elephant ear sponges, keep your eyes peeled for blacktip Carribean reef sharks in the blue. As said earlier, Grand Cayman has over 50 dive sites and we will not leave this section without mentioning other noted dive spots. I like the idea of being able to dive off both islands while staying on one. 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. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. Everything here is very low key and there is a small local population. Intermediate divers can begin their dive at the chimney, a narrow tunnel starting at 12m/40ft and ending at 24m/80ft. There is a lot of soft coral here, which makes for an interesting experience. 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. My wife and I are traveling there in February 2015 and are PADI AOW and Nitrox certified with ten years of recreational experience diving. It lays at 60 ft (20 m) and scuba divers are able to explore all five levels of this 250 ft (75 m) vessel. MV Captain Keith Tibbetts is an ex-Soviet Union ship that was built in 1984 for the Cuban Navy. This is currently number 20 on the 100 Best Dives list. The Cayman Islands certainly offer diversity without a long trip from the states. The amazing diversity and dive sites for all levels are just one of the reasons why the Cayman Islands is also one of the top dive destinations in the Carribean. You need to take a boat to reach this wreck. There is a separate fee to dive this wreck that goes towards conservation, and you also get a nice yellow diver medallion to keep. Find the best and most popular products and review them. Flights to Grand Cayman arrive at Owen Roberts International Airport. Phone +1 345-949-7111. We did see some nurse sharks, sea turtles and a few rays. The Kittiwake is a 76.5 meter (250ft) former submarine support ship. If you are vacationing in Cayman Brac, then you need to visit this spot. Jackson's Bight- Located also in the Bloody Bay Marine Park, it does not fail to provide scuba divers with an amazing dive. Its a very easy and fun dive, we saw some angelfish and eagle rays. 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 are 365 dive sites throughout the islands, offering something for all levels of experience. 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. Recommended Level: Beginner Intermediate Advanced Dive Type: Boat Reef Wall Macro Wreck Canyon Shore Night Shallow Shark Cave Stingray Swim-Through Drift Liveboard Deep Great Wall East and West Little Cayman Great Wall West - Turtle Watch on Grand Cayman Monthly Weather: Rain, Temperatures, Grand Cayman Vacation Tips: Hotels, Attractions, Weather, Cayman Islands overnight visitor statistics; Caribeez.com. 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. They are located in George Town in Grand Cayman. The most striking and common marine life for me were the brightly yellow colored tube sponges. Grand Cayman is the most commercial island, with cruise ships visiting, but it has some wrecks and the wall dives are close boat rides. Collect your trip ideas, share with friends or make an enquiry. This is an especiallygreat time to visit clear, calm waters are perfect for snorkeling, diving, sailing and fishing. Courtesy of Sunset House Resort, Grand Cayman. Keith Tibbets- This Soviet-built Frigate that was owned by the Cuban navy was given to the Cayman Islands to purposefully sink it. The rainy season spans from May through October though showers usually only last for a few hours at a time. The prices of hotels and short excursions that would normally be prohibitively expensive fall to more reasonable levels during this time. It sounds like the best time overall, based on the posts so far. 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. Find the best travel insurance for you with these U.S. News ratings, which factor in expert and consumer recommendations. As a photographer, I never lacked for subjects both wide angle and macro and anything in between. This is currently number 20 on the 100 Best Dives list.. Away from the stingray action, there are a number of coral heads with a variety of life to check out. Located near a popular resort is a vertical drop off that is filled with all sorts of marine life the North Wall. I have worked in the corporate world and had little time for adventure. Because great in-depth gear reviews will help you select the right products for your specific needs, budget, and interests. Cayman Islands Reservations Phone: (345)-947-0000 Our Reservations Office is located on site at the Dive Shop & Resort in the Cayman Islands. The largest among the three islands, Grand Cayman is highly popular among SCUBA divers from all over the world. 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. 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. Jacques Costeau loved diving in the Caymans and its easy to see why. Data sourced from the National Climatic Data Center. Founder of Georges Watersports & Thingstodocayman.net. Give the perfect gift for your favorite ocean lover and explorer. You will see many sea creatures such as octopus and arrow crabs. Choose your design and prove your PADI certified diver status across the world with a recycled plastic card, eCard or both. A 50% deposit is required at the time of booking with the final 50% . There is also a restaurant, bar and dive shop at Macabuca. There are also usually direct flights from Boston, Chicago, and New York. #6 inBest Cheap Destination Wedding Locations, #4 inBest Places to Visit in January 2023. 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. The water depth here is around 18-meters. Exploring this site requires you to descend to 10 meters (33 feet) deep where you will arrive at the top portion of the reef. Most of them are located around the Grand Cayman but a little over sixty sites stay around Cayman Brac and the Little Cayman. Head to around 30m/98ft for some of the best wall views. After exploring the area, here are some of the best dive sites in the Cayman Islands: 1. //

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