Over 200 permanent boat moorings are installed to avoid damaging corals with the dropping of boat anchors. There are 365 dive sites throughout the islands, offering something for all levels of experience. We are proud to off-set 100% of the carbon generated by our clients' flights. Bert Brothers Boulders is also a great spot to see flying gurnards at around 5.5 meters (18ft). 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. 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 82 hectare (200 acres) protected area is the refuge of the largest red-footed booby population in the Caribbean and is a popular bird-watching site. It's the kind of peaceful place where you will make your own fun. Bloody Bay Wall. Its land area is slightly bigger than Little Cayman with a measurement of 19 x 2 kilometers (12miles x 1.2miles). Cayman Islands Liveaboard Diving | Scuba Diving Earth I have traveled to the Cayman islands many times. The sea is always warm in the Cayman Islands, with surface temperatures never dropping below around 25 o C (78 o F). Over a 30-year history, the islands have averaged less than two inches of rain from January through April and a little more than two inches in December, according to the Cayman Islands National Weather Service. There is a lot of marine life among the coral and resident angelfish and groupers are found at the stern of the ship. The worst time is September during the hurricane season. Look in the blue off the wall for passing sharks, rays, and turtles. Away from the reef, divers can look around the LCM David Nicholson wreck. September is the worst month of the Caribbean hurricane season, which officially goes from June through November. Our travel experts have highlighted our favourite places to visit each month, Terms & Conditions Scuba Diving Operators on Little Cayman - Little Cayman Forum In the Cayman Islands, spring is in full force. Greenhouse is a nice medium-depth reef dive with plenty of grooves and gullies to explore. 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. 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. Intermediate divers can begin their dive at the chimney, a narrow tunnel starting at 12m/40ft and ending at 24m/80ft. Before the USS Kittiwake was sunk, the Oro Verde was the wreck dive of choice in the Caymans. The dive schedule would include a deep wall dive followed by a shallower reef or wreck. The seven mile beach area is beautiful for walking and photo opportunities. Sunset Reef is a popular shore dive just 60 meters (200ft) off the Sunset House Resorts pier. Cayman Islands Snorkeling: Discover The Best Spots in this Complete Guide This is currently number 20 on the 100 Best Dives list. But the main reason for diving here are the sharks, especially hammerheads. Scuba diving in Little Cayman - Liveaboard.com Because great in-depth gear reviews will help you select the right products for your specific needs, budget, and interests. From Grand Cayman, you can transfer to Little Cayman or Cayman Brac. Cayman Islands International Film Festival. Here, you can take diving lessons, go on a guided dive, or rent tanks and gear. So, either way, the experience is well worth the money. However, the Cayman Islands can be impacted by hurricanes primarily between June and November. Scuba Diving in the Cayman Islands | Explore Cayman 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.. The islands are warm year-round with average highs. Our Original Diving experts, made up of marine biologists, divemasters and lovers of all things underwater, know the best time to dive in Little Cayman. All the information you need to plan your dive vacations anywhere in the world. Best Time To Visit Cayman Islands - Travel Tips For Every Season When diving the Cayman Islands you can see a lot of large sponges, some good macro, and some tiny fish. 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. It seems the dive guides hunt the lionfish and then feed the groupers, so they joined us right away each dive. The sea is always warm in the Cayman Islands, with surface temperatures never dropping below around 25 o C (78 o F). Tieneke, Joe, and Kevin went out of their way to accommodate our dive group and show us a really great time. Despite being small measuring only 16 x 1.6 kilometers (10 x 1 mile), tourism is booming and tourism facilities are sprawling especially in South Town. There is a reason you won't find under a 5-star review for Silver Thatch, they are the best. We have put together a comprehensive collection of packages to suit your needs. Manage Settings Cayman Islands Diving | Silver Thatch Water Sports | Breakers A 2.75 meter (9ft) bronze statue of Amphitrite (the wife of the mythological god Poseidon) rises up from the base of the reef. Best time to dive When to dive in the Cayman Islands entirely depends on your own personal preferences. The Cayman Islands-- Grand Cayman, Little Cayman, and Cayman Brac--have been attracting scuba divers for decades, including beginners! Grand Caymans North Wall plunges deeper than 1800 metres/6000 feet and offers beautiful wall diving with opportunities to see spotted eagle rays and sea turtles. The wall drop is not for the light-hearted as it can reach over 6500ft (2000 m), but along the drop, you can see yellow tube sponges, black and wire corals and waving sea fans. This British overseas island is home to mystical caves, unscaled escarpments, tropical forests, diverse wildlife and a plethora of other unique experiences. Diving in the Cayman Islands - Bluewater Dive Travel They became my favorite focus on the reef. 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. View Map. Aside from tourism promotion, marine conservation is in place in all the dive sites in the Cayman Islands. It is because of the sometimes extreme temperatures and rainfall that the Caymans have distinct spikes and dips in the number of tourists who visit each month. You will see a lot of tarpon at this spot, as well as coral and other fish. Best Cayman Islands Dive Centers and Resorts - TripSavvy Most of them are located around the Grand Cayman but a little over sixty sites stay around Cayman Brac and the Little Cayman. Having a less touristic crowd, Cayman Brac still has several tourism facilities like Cayman Brac Dive Resorts that are scattered along its narrow coast. During winter, temperatures can drop down to the low 70s. This spot is about 20-feet deep, and has a lot of coral. Find & Book Liveaboards Choose from a selection of more than 250 vessels and 18,000 trips worldwide. Through this site,my intent is to be able to sponsor the new chapter in my life as a scuba diver. With 365 named dive sites, the enchanting Cayman Islands is a year-round underwater paradise. I am the father of the best two children in the world and husband to the most patient woman on this planet. Bloody Bay Coral Reef Wall - one of the most beautiful dive sites in the Cayman Islands It's time to head back underwater for another jaw-dropping location: the Bloody Bay Wall. Navigate backward to interact with the calendar and select a date. 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. If you love nature, you can go hiking or explore some caverns and caves. . Frugal travel planners can look for good deals during these months while keeping an eye on the 10-day weather forecast. Cracks in the ceilings let in plenty of natural light making it easy to search the nooks and crannies for the many crustaceans and other marine creatures that occupy the tunnels. For example, let's look at one airline flying from Miami to Grand Cayman. 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. Cayman Islands Seasonal Dive Planner The Caymans' hottest period is from May to November. Water Temperatures: Ranges from around 22C (72F) in December to 29C (84F) in July. 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. 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. Best Time to Dive Cayman Islands Diving is available year-round. [What You Need to Know]. 4 Places to Go Shore Diving in Grand Cayman | The Residences 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? It was then sunk in Grand Cayman in 1980 to make a new dive site. Drop us a comment below and tell us your favorite site! Grand Cayman, the main island, is often one of the most popular destinations in the Caribbean, especially with western Caribbean cruises. From our 24hr helpline to our expert local guides and selection of handpicked reading lists. 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. Flights to Grand Cayman arrive at Owen Roberts International Airport. And when you have the right product, youre a little bit happier which affects the people around you! The best time to visit the Cayman Islands is any time of year, but hotel rates drop in March and June and temperatures rise to around 80 degrees. But these aren't the only good and bad times. On Grand Cayman, I stayed at hotels on the west end along Seven Mile beach. The worst time is September during the hurricane season. Hotels, resorts and cruise ships dont like unsold rooms and cabins, so they are more likely to offer discounts to attract customers. 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. Red Sail Sports have been Scuba Diving in Cayman for 40 years. 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. Bert Brothers Boulders is one of the most beautiful dive sites on Cayman Brac. Its also the historical rainfall patterns. Please Sign-in or Register to save My Ideas for later, Our social channels This wreck is the only Russian warship that can explore in the Western hemisphere. While the gazebo itself is actually an arch, this small dive site never fails to please. Best Time to Dive in Little Cayman. Besides the thick black corals, keep an eye out for tarpon, large yellow tube sponges, and ginormous barrel sponges. You can go hiking in the Mastic Trail where it has really nice views from the harbors and the beaches. In a nutshell, its an island full of land and water adventures. 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. 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;}. You need to take a boat to reach this area. Click here to learn more. My wife and I are traveling there in February 2015 and are PADI AOW and Nitrox certified with ten years of recreational experience diving. The Cayman dollar is exchanged at a rate fixed to the US dollar (CI $1 equals US $1.25). The Cayman Islands hosts one of the best dives in the World: Bloody Bay Wall on Little Cayman. Because the site is prone to strong currents, it isnt frequently dived which makes a trip to this very healthy reef even more special. Take a walk along the coast line or rent a bicycle and ride around the island. In this article, we review the top 20 scuba dive sites in the Cayman Islands. Best Time to Dive Cayman Islands. Today, Cayman is one of the top dive destinations anywhere. 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 . Boasting strong diving infrastructure, diverse types of diving, incredible walls and wrecks, and great visibility. 10 Best Dive Destinations in the Caribbean Exploring this site requires you to descend to 10 meters (33 feet) deep where you will arrive at the top portion of the reef. Learn to Dive in Cayman - Beginners and Refresher Courses Here youll find more than 50 dives sites including the famous Bloody Bay. Also known as the Mixing Bowl, Three Fathom Wall is the point where Jacksons Bight and the Bloody Bay diving areas meet. Located in popular Bloody Bay, Donnas Delight is home to some classic Cayman wall diving: Giant barrel sponges, arching sea fans, and bright corals. Share your love of diving, experience new adventures, expand your dive skills, and help save the ocean. 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. I would appreciate if you don't as these referral links are what keep me posting and sharing on this blog. December and July are good times for families because children are out of school for the holidays and summer. Best Dive Sites in the Cayman Islands for a Magical - pickyourtrail Wheres the best place(s) to stay when looking into a diving trip in the Caymans? StingrayCity. 10 Best Things to Do in the Cayman Islands Top Cayman Islands No diving trip in Grand Cayman would be complete without a dive at the infamous Stingray City. Settle on the sand at just 3.7 meters (12ft) and have hordes of southern stingrays glide gracefully around you. 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. Located 133 kilometers (83 miles) northeast of Grand Cayman is its little sister island Little Cayman. Jackson's Bight- Located also in the Bloody Bay Marine Park, it does not fail to provide scuba divers with an amazing dive. Best Time to Dive in Cayman Islands - Original Diving For water sports lovers, there are great spots for snorkeling including night snorkeling with bioluminescence, options to go sailing or on a catamaran cruise. The Seven Mile Beach area and the main city, Georgetown, are very developed with large hotels and resorts, restaurants, shops, etc. 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. Little Cayman is a lovely, quiet little island with a population of less than 170. It was quite crowded with dive and snorkel boats when we got there, but it was no big deal once we got in the water. Three long, wide tunnels, accessible to the majority of divers, extend from the sand flats to open out onto the reef wall. 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. Bloody Bay Wall- Most scuba divers will say this is their favorite dive site in the Cayman Islands. Get forecasts each morning for every major island. For scuba diving, the best time to dive the Cayman Islands is pretty much any time except peak hurricane season. Aside from the coral laden walls of Babylon, your divemaster will usually lead you to a pinnacle where its towering structures are dominated by whip corals. For big animals - you can find a good number of turtles and groupers, tarpon, nurse sharks, great barracuda, and stingrays. 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. We could easily get to reefs and wrecks by ourselves from shore and take as much time as our tanks allowed. On top of being generally warm, the waters are clear with underwater visibility running from 18 30 meters (60 100 feet). 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. There are lots of beautiful beaches to visit and to relax. There is also a dive shop and restaurant. The Cayman Islands are one of the Best Liveaboard Destinations in the World. The months of January and February are the coldest, with average lows in the low 60s. Eagle Ray Pass is located along the North Wall in Grand Cayman. Another great wall diving site in Little Cayman is Joys Joy. June to October brings higher topside temperatures (up to 33C, 91F). This is a wall that drops 2000 meters to the sea floor. The Best Time to Visit the Cayman Islands in 2023 | Travellers Our mission has been to do this with the best crew, using the best equipment while offering the most competing Cayman Islands dive packages. Tourism volume is estimated based on in-market destination search query interest from Google and on travel.usnews.com in 2015-2016. marine life, be it the tiny critters or bigger beasts of the ocean.