I have stayed there several times at a dive resort with on-site dive operation. Settle on the sand at just 3.7 meters (12ft) and have hordes of southern stingrays glide gracefully around you. 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.. Another great wall diving site in Little Cayman is Joys Joy. Get in touch with our specialists 3. 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.
50 Best Scuba Diving Places in The World - Thrillophilia Cayman Islands Diving | Scubago 10 Best Scuba Diving Companies In Grand Cayman (2023) At night, this popular Caymans dive site is great for spotting octopus, lobster, and shrimp. . Water Temperatures: Ranges from around 22C (72F) in December to 29C (84F) in July. I am a scuba diving newbie, a Project Manager by profession, and an entrepreneur at heart. We are proud to off-set 100% of the carbon generated by our clients' flights. The Cayman Islands are a premier diving destination, boasting 365 dive sites, as well as the International Scuba Diving Hall of Fame . Generally, the off-season is the cheapest time to visit Grand Cayman, from May through November. Plenty of schooling reef fish call Ghost Mountain home and the pinnacle is also carpeted in deep, bloody-red finger sponges. 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. Sidetrip: Grand Cayman is the biggest island and it is where most accommodations and restaurants are located.
Diving the Cayman Islands - SCUBA Travel On Grand Cayman, I stayed at hotels on the west end along Seven Mile beach. The Cayman Islands dollar is legal tender in these islands. My favorite were the groupers who followed us like pets. 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. 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. 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. 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 months of January and February are the coldest, with average lows in the low 60s.
Diving the Cayman Islands - SCUBA Travel 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. Little Cayman is a lovely, quiet little island with a population of less than 170. Resident Nassau groupers often keep divers company and if you look closely, you may be rewarded with seahorses and lettuce-leaf slugs. The wall dive also has several other topographical features including swim-throughs and tunnels. The Cayman Islands are widely regarded as the birthplace of recreational scuba diving, thanks to some pioneering efforts by local operators in the 1980s. Get forecasts each morning for every major island. Great Wall is the kind of dive that makes you feel like a tiny speck in the ocean as you hang near a wall that drops dramatically to more than 1,800 meters (6,000ft). Choose your design and prove your PADI certified diver status across the world with a recycled plastic card, eCard or both. Trinity Caves is a popular dive site that is located off the coast of West Bay in Grand Cayman. Grand Cayman has more dive sites than Little Cayman. You can dive along this wall and explore the different entrances. I like the idea of being able to dive off both islands while staying on one. Despite the name, there arent actually caves here. There is shopping, bars to hang out in, and live music. Visibility in the Cayman Islands is wonderful, averaging between 60 and 100 feet (18-30 meters). Lighthouse Point is located in West Bay in Grand Cayman. Look in the blue off the wall for passing sharks, rays, and turtles. There is also a small restaurant and dive resort. 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. Kittiwake Shipwreck and diver in Grand Cayman - photo from Canva. 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. I've stayed at hotels and used independent dive operators and I have stayed at dive resorts with on-site dive operations. [What You Need to Know]. The 20 Best Dive sites in Caymans? The best diving depth at this Cayman site, between 30 and 40 meters (98-130ft) means its best for deep certified advanced divers. 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. 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. StingrayCity. 1-800-652-1972.
A 2.75 meter (9ft) bronze statue of Amphitrite (the wife of the mythological god Poseidon) rises up from the base of the reef. Boat rides were no longer than 15 minutes, with most being around 5 minutes. Eden Rock has lots of coral and fish, and Devils Grotto has underwater caves that you can explore.
Best Diving in the Caribbean - Top 12 - Bluewater Dive Travel A highlight dive is the Tibbets wreck with great structure and lots of life.
Best Time to Dive in Cayman Islands - Original Diving Head to the turret guns for a superb photo opportunity and keep your eyes peeled for barracuda, bright sponges, and schooling reef fish. The protected Bloody Bay Marine Park lies in Little Cayman and offers magnificent marine life, great visibility, and spectacular bioluminescent corals. 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. Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman house over 300 dive sites, making up the breathtaking Cayman dive map.
Diving in the Cayman Islands - Bluewater Dive Travel It is common to see barracudas and schools of horse-eye jacks in this area. 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.
Best Dive Sites in the Cayman Islands for a Magical - pickyourtrail The sea is always warm in the Cayman Islands, with surface temperatures never dropping below around 25 o C (78 o F). Take a walk along the coast line or rent a bicycle and ride around the island. We gave our Gear Lovers one job:
The Best Scuba Diving Experiences On Grand Cayman During this time, you can expect to see a variety of marine life, including turtles, rays, and a wide array of tropical fish.
Seahorses - While the Cayman Islands are best known for their stunning coral reefs and diverse marine life, don't forget about the amazing small critters that call these waters home . 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.
11 Dive Resorts in the Cayman Islands | PADI Travel From Grand Cayman, you can transfer to Little Cayman or Cayman Brac.
Cayman Islands | Maduro Dive | Exclusive Scuba Diving Packages The famous diver and explorer Jacques Cousteau said that Bloody Bay Wall is one of the top dive sites in the world. Bloody Bay Wall is considered the epicenter of scuba diving in this marine park. Take your camera and get a snap with one of the abandoned bicycles that have also found a home here. Indonesia. Stingrays, stingrays, and more stingrays is what draws divers to this Cayman site. Use Add to ideas + to collect your trip ideas, share with friends or make Apart from the elephant ear sponges, keep your eyes peeled for blacktip Carribean reef sharks in the blue. In February, the cost is roughly $1,044 round trip . With the wall beginning at just 6 meters (20ft), the site is popular with both divers and snorkelers.
5 of the Best Scuba Diving Sites in the Cayman Islands Grand Cayman's North Wall plunges deeper than 1800 metres/6000 feet and offers beautiful wall diving with opportunities to see spotted eagle rays and sea turtles. Through this site,my intent is to be able to sponsor the new chapter in my life as a scuba diver. This wreck is the only Russian warship that can explore in the Western hemisphere. Everything here is very low key and there is a small local population. Hurricanes rarely hit Grand Cayman directly. Find & Book PADI Adventures App 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. 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. 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. Photographers can make the worst dive buddies. However, as we just mentioned, diving in the Cayman Islands is possible all year round. The top of the wall is around 9 meters (30ft) so the site can be enjoyed as a shallow or deep dive. 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. Here youll find more than 50 dives sites including the famous Bloody Bay. Corals and sponges are plentiful. 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. If you make a purchase from our site, we may earn a commission. The best time to visit Grand Cayman is March and April. to dive in Cayman Islands.
10 Best Things to Do in the Cayman Islands Top Cayman Islands Pinterest "High Season" at the hotels is mid-December to mid-April, so rates will be higher then. I am Dan, this site is my blog where I document my research on the best diving spots in the world. Dive N Stay Vacation Packages - Compass Point Dive Resort - Cayman Islands (1st January 2023 - 31st December 2023) We offer pre-set Dive & Stay Vacation Packages for 3, 5 or 7 nights, and can also customize your package for any number of nights and for various group sizes. Princess Pennies Pinnacle is located on the North Wall in Grand Cayman. If you love nature, you can go hiking or explore some caverns and caves.
Scuba diving in the Cayman Islands: an experience of a lifetime The reef slopes gradually from 5 to 17 meters (17-55ft), and is covered in hard corals, sea whips, small sponges and gorgonians. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. But the main reason for diving here are the sharks, especially hammerheads.
A First Timer's Guide to Grand Cayman Island - AFAR Media The wreck can be penetrated in some parts but speak for your guide or instructor beforehand. The amazing strawberry sponges were in abundance there. Most of the units for rent are 2-bedroom and 2-bathroons units.
Scuba Diving Operators on Little Cayman - Little Cayman Forum It exceeds six inches in August and jumps again to more than eight inches in September and October.
Diving in the Cayman Islands | PADI Data sourced from the National Climatic Data Center. As a photographer, I never lacked for subjects both wide angle and macro and anything in between. This is a wreck worth a dive or two. 6. This is a fun dive spot that you can access from shore. Each time has been a wonderful underwater adventure. Though scuba diving in the Cayman Islands is mostly known for close encounters with stingrays, it has much more to offer. Rum Point Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned diver, Grand Cayman has a dive site for you.
The Best Time to Visit Grand Cayman in 2023 | Travellers Its not often divers can see a mermaid on a dive, but at Sunset Reef they can. "High Season" at the hotels is mid-December to mid-April, so rates will be higher then.
This is a must do dive. Its land area is slightly bigger than Little Cayman with a measurement of 19 x 2 kilometers (12miles x 1.2miles). Find a Liveaboard -Practical Information - Book a Trip.
11 Best Things to Do in Cayman Islands | U.S. News Travel Find the best travel insurance for you with these U.S. News ratings, which factor in expert and consumer recommendations. June to October brings . marine life, be it the tiny critters or bigger beasts of the ocean. You need to protect your fingers from the eager snappers though. Besides the thick black corals, keep an eye out for tarpon, large yellow tube sponges, and ginormous barrel sponges. All content is copyright protected by either DIVEIN.com or respected copyright holders, Disclosure: We are reader supported, and earn.
Cayman Islands Liveaboard Diving | Scuba Diving Earth It is rich with tunnels, chutes, cervices, and beautiful reefs. For example, let's look at one airline flying from Miami to Grand Cayman. The people of the island are friendly and culturally diverse. Hurricane Ivan in 2004 cleaved the 100m/328ft ship in half but divers can still explore both sections of the wreckage. I hope my research also helps you make a decision on your next scuba diving vacation.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[120,600],'scubadivegeek_com-large-billboard-2','ezslot_9',102,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-scubadivegeek_com-large-billboard-2-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[120,600],'scubadivegeek_com-large-billboard-2','ezslot_10',102,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-scubadivegeek_com-large-billboard-2-0_1'); .large-billboard-2-multi-102{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;}. If you enjoy diving, then you need to visit the USS Kittiwake during your vacation to Grand Cayman. Both of these sites are accessible from shore. Just be prepared for a rain shower or two, as this is the start of the region's wet season. 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. 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. 0 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. Flamingo tongues can be found on the sea fans, while arrow crabs, bristle worms, and long-spined sea urchins hide in the cracks and grooves. 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. for even more in-depth travel advice. It was then sunk in Grand Cayman in 1980 to make a new dive site. Also, check out our article where we review the top 25 things to do in Grand Cayman. Get certified to scuba dive. This island is very small and there is little to do, other than dive. 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. Bay Islands, Honduras. A shallow dive site, the colors here really pop making it a good choice for photographers. Sharp-eyed divers can find leopard flatworms and the tunnels are also popular hangouts for rays and green moray eels. From our 24hr helpline to our expert local guides and selection of handpicked reading lists.
10 Things To Do At Cayman Islands Besides Scuba Diving The units are privately owned and furnished, but they have 21 accommodations available for rental use. // Cayman Islands Diving | Sport Diver The North Wall is one of the most visited diving sites and plunges to a depth of 6000 feet (1800 meters). It is possible to go scuba diving in Little Cayman all year round and the water temperature only varies from 21-27 degrees. Bloody Bay Wall. 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. Look out for the big groupers who sometimes get inside the huge barrel sponges, turtle, the occasional shark, plenty of reef fish, and the macro life at the cleaning stations. Just south of Seven Mile Beach and approximately 46 feet below the surface are Eden Rock and Devil's Grotto, two of the most popular diving spots on Grand Cayman. Furthermore, the islands are home to some of the world's best beaches, making them an ideal vacation destination. If you want to go a little more remote, try Little Cayman. The water drops over a hundred feet.
Cayman Islands Diving - Caribbean Sea - Dive 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. Navigate backward to interact with the calendar and select a date. So, either way, the experience is well worth the money. 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.