Cayman Brac offers a good mix of wall, wreck and reef diving for all experience levels. Stingrays, stingrays, and more stingrays is what draws divers to this Cayman site. 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. Stingray City has very large, friendly stingrays. Live like a local and get under the skin of a destination with our in-country concierges. Sea temperature varies little, from a high of 86F/30C in August/September to a low of 80F/26.5C in February. With the wall beginning at just 6 meters (20ft), the site is popular with both divers and snorkelers. Choose from a selection of more than 250 vessels and 18,000 trips worldwide. Dive vacations in the Cayman Islands are a good choice for underwater photographers with their many opportunities to capture the beauty of the place and wonderful visibility, and also for travellers looking for deep dives - you can find many along the Cayman walls. Average rainfall jumps to more than five inches in May, June and July. 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. Twitter 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. From these locations, I was able to dive the west end and also the North Wall. Now it has become a beautiful artificial reef and home for colorful sponges, groupers, barracudas and other marine life. . 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. It also does not lack of options to go visit some museums, art galleries, go on walking eco-tours or historical tours, do some shopping and even have a blast at some amazing festivals. From Grand Cayman, you can transfer to Little Cayman or Cayman Brac. Top dives include the famous 1000 Steps, the Hilmer Hooker wreck, and Bari Reef. Located 133 kilometers (83 miles) northeast of Grand Cayman is its little sister island Little Cayman. 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. The flight and hotel fares are discounted up to 50 percent this time of year. Stingray City offers divers the opportunity to fully interact with these amazing creatures. Cayman Brac is the last of the islands and also much less traveld than Grand Caymen. Jacques Costeau loved diving in the Caymans and its easy to see why. 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. I am the father of the best two children in the world and husband to the most patient woman on this planet. ScubaDiveGeek.com also participates in other affiliate programs and Google Adwords and is compensated for referring traffic and business to these and other companies. 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. The reef slopes gradually from 5 to 17 meters (17-55ft), and is covered in hard corals, sea whips, small sponges and gorgonians. There is a separate fee to dive this wreck that goes towards conservation, and you also get a nice yellow diver medallion to keep. 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. These hot temperatures start in May and last into November. Do you love diving in the Caymans? This is one of the deepest sea-walls in the world. 310-915-6677 You will then follow a sloping reef up to 25 meters (82 feet) deep where the wall starts and drops down up to 900 meters (2,950 feet) deep. We understand that annual leave is precious so we can ensure that Perhaps because of this, the coral isnt looking a healthy as it could. Macro photographers should keep an eye out for the neck and decorator crabs who make their homes here. 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. You could spend . We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Ive been to Grand Cayman and Little Cayman. We are proud to off-set 100% of the carbon generated by our clients' flights. December rainfall drops back down to about three inches. Cayman Islands has an average water temperature ranging from 26 29C (78 84F). The amazing strawberry sponges were in abundance there. The Cayman Islands is a world-class diving destination famous for its reefs, wrecks and rum. Eden Rock Dive Center. The Cayman Islands boasts world-class beaches, luxurious properties, worldwide culinary influences, high-end shops, local stores, and everything in between. The Cayman Islands hosts one of the best dives in the World: Bloody Bay Wall on Little Cayman. MV Capt. 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. You can dive from shore because they have ladders that you can use to enter and exit the water. There are also usually direct flights from Boston, Chicago, and New York. With over 365 dive sites, clear waters, coral reefs and abundant marine life, the Cayman Islands are one of the best diving spots in the world. If you like diving in caves and grottos, Trinity Caves on Grand Caymans west side is the site for you. Marine Life & Environment - Top Dive Spots - Diving Conditions, How to Get There-How to Dive Cayman Islands-Best Time to Dive, NEW! The water clarity is typically amazingly clear. September is the worst month of the Caribbean hurricane season, which officially goes from June through November. Of the three main islands, Grand Cayman is where most divers go where you can explore over 50 dive sites allowing you to do virtually all types of diving and is suited for all levels of certification.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[120,600],'scubadivegeek_com-box-4','ezslot_16',103,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-scubadivegeek_com-box-4-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[120,600],'scubadivegeek_com-box-4','ezslot_17',103,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-scubadivegeek_com-box-4-0_1'); .box-4-multi-103{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;}. The main gateway to the Cayman Islands is through Grand Cayman. This is an especiallygreat time to visit clear, calm waters are perfect for snorkeling, diving, sailing and fishing. The top of the wall is around 9 meters (30ft) so the site can be enjoyed as a shallow or deep dive. dive in each month of the year. They were all guided dives. 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. 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. While the Cayman Islands are famous for its encounters with stingrays in Stingray City where the rays are said to be almost tame, there are many more sites that the islands offer. The three islands that make up the nation, Cayman Brac, Grand Cayman, and Little Cayman, are diverse and have distinct diving. September and October are clearly the least popular months to go because of a high risk of heavy rains along with hot temperatures. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. 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. Flights to Grand Cayman arrive at Owen Roberts International Airport. Boasting strong diving infrastructure, diverse types of diving, incredible walls and wrecks, and great visibility. 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. Watch your buoyancy and head out into the blue, look back to really appreciate the Great Walls sheer size and impressive drop-off. Everything here is very low key and there is a small local population. The famous diver and explorer Jacques Cousteau said that Bloody Bay Wall is one of the top dive sites in the world. Besides scuba diving, there are plenty of other things to do on the Cayman Islands. 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. Collect your trip ideas, share with friends or make an enquiry. GOT QUESTIONS ABOUT DIVING IN CAYMANS? The protected Bloody Bay Marine Park lies in Little Cayman and offers magnificent marine life, great visibility, and spectacular bioluminescent corals. Share your love of diving, experience new adventures, expand your dive skills, and help save the ocean. If the forecast looks good, they should consider taking a last-minute trip to Grand Cayman if they also spot an attractive discount. 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. Our travel experts have highlighted our favourite places to visit each month, Terms & Conditions Were a free review guide run by passionate Divers, Sports, and Outdoor fanatics. 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. Courtesy of Sunset House Resort, Grand Cayman. Manage Settings Most of them are located around the Grand Cayman but a little over sixty sites stay around Cayman Brac and the Little Cayman. Access to tools and resources at your fingertips, curated to enhance your diving experience. 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. While at first the Oro Verde was a complete ship, rough seas and tumultuous weather have dispersed the wreckage. Founder of Georges Watersports & Thingstodocayman.net. In the Cayman Islands, spring is in full force. Get forecasts each morning for every major island. Best Time to Dive in Little Cayman. 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. April is an especially good choice because it has the warmest weather of the entire five-month dry season. Take your camera and get a snap with one of the abandoned bicycles that have also found a home here. In effect, there are more registered businesses in Cayman Island as compared to its local population. Having a less touristic crowd, Cayman Brac still has several tourism facilities like Cayman Brac Dive Resorts that are scattered along its narrow coast. I like the idea of being able to dive off both islands while staying on one. 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. A direct flight from Miami to Grand Cayman takes only 70 minutes. 1-800-652-1972. My poker stick resembled the dive guides spears, so they followed me closely and would even "show" me where the lion fish were, confused when I didn't feed them. Its land area is slightly bigger than Little Cayman with a measurement of 19 x 2 kilometers (12miles x 1.2miles). Navigate forward to interact with the calendar and select a date. Just be prepared for a rain shower or two, as this is the start of the region's wet season. It is 330-feet in length, and was sunk in Cayman Brac in 1996. that the underwater world (and overwater, if you plan on surfacing I stayed at an all inclusive where the food was exceptional, prepared by a world class chef. The winter and early spring months are the most popular time in the Cayman Islands. It sounds like the best time overall, based on the posts so far. The months of January and February are the coldest, with average lows in the low 60s. The sea is always warm in the Cayman Islands, with surface temperatures never dropping below around 25 o C (78 o F). 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. This is a deep wall that drops several hundred feet into the abyss. 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. Exploring this site requires you to descend to 10 meters (33 feet) deep where you will arrive at the top portion of the reef. Though scuba diving in the Cayman Islands is mostly known for close encounters with stingrays, it has much more to offer. Resident Nassau groupers often keep divers company and if you look closely, you may be rewarded with seahorses and lettuce-leaf slugs. The shore diving was really easy to access with actual ladders or stairs and even showers at some sites. Get certified to scuba dive. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. It is Batabano, the countrys biggest festival, which is scheduled for early May each year. The prices of hotels and short excursions that would normally be prohibitively expensive fall to more reasonable levels during this time. It was named Orange Canyon because of the large orange Elephant Ear Sponges that can be found here. In this article, we review the top 20 scuba dive sites in the Cayman Islands. Still great for diving with great walls for all levels of divers and the walls and the Russian destroyer 356 aka Russian destroyer. to dive in Cayman Islands. The resident goliath grouper is a popular dive buddy at this Cayman dive site. It is common to see barracudas and schools of horse-eye jacks in this area. Eden Rock has lots of coral and fish, and Devils Grotto has underwater caves that you can explore. The Seven Mile Beach area and the main city, Georgetown, are very developed with large hotels and resorts, restaurants, shops, etc. Bloody Bay Marine Park is a particularly popular diving destination as it is home to 12 different dive sites, gorgeous coral, and diverse marine life. Once you decide which route you want to go, it's time to get in the water! It is only a 10-minute walk from the cruise ship port in George Town to Eden Rock. Family Traveller Excellence Awards 2019 Winner. marine life, be it the tiny critters or bigger beasts of the ocean. If wall diving is your thing, check out diving in Turks & Caicos. With virtually no currents and outstanding underwater visibility, Cayman has amazing wall dives, coral reefs and wrecks for you to explore and discover. 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. December and July are good times for families because children are out of school for the holidays and summer. And when it comes to marine life, there is lots to see! Best Liveaboard Destinations in the World, Vaccines recommended: Hep A; Typhoid if you will travel to rural areas, Visa: None needed for US citizens or European Union, Safety: Generally safe but petty theft can occur. They have ladders that you can use to enter and exit the water safely. This gives the unique Caymans dive site a blend of steep vertical walls, sloping reefs, and coral-crusted fingers. Best Time to Dive in Little Cayman. Phone +1 345-949-7111. View thelive availability of some of the best liveaboards in the Cayman Islandsand book online at the best price or check out our sidebar for land-based options! There are over 15 PADI 5-Star Centers in the Cayman Islands, ready to teach you everything you want to know about diving. Because great in-depth gear reviews will help you select the right products for your specific needs, budget, and interests. Overall it is a place worth seeing. 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. The Cayman Islands dollar is legal tender in these islands. "High Season" at the hotels is mid-December to mid-April, so rates will be higher then. 0 Although the rays who made this site their home permanently have moved on, there is still a good chance of spotting them here. My favorite were the groupers who followed us like pets. [] 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. knowledge to ensure you know when to dive to enjoy the very best From classic wide-brimmed hats to water-repellent trucker hats, find your ideal style. Our reviews: We can make the world a little bit better with great in-depth reviews. Naturally, this is also the most expensive season, and reservations must be made at least three months in advance. Sidetrip: Visit Little Caymans Booby Pond Nature Reserve. The North Wall is one of the most visited diving sites and plunges to a depth of 6000 feet (1800 meters). There are actually around two dozen dive sites within the bay, with Bloody Bay Wall top of the list. There is also a small restaurant and dive resort. Pinterest The islands are warm year-round with average highs holding steady in the 80s. 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. 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. divemasters and lovers of all things underwater, know the best time 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. Wilderness Wall starts at 15 meters (50ft) before plunging down into the depths. There is a lot of marine life among the coral and resident angelfish and groupers are found at the stern of the ship. Situated on a wide beach on the island's West End, the property offers 40 air-conditioned rooms (renovated in late 2015 and featuring soothing Caribbean . Best Time to Dive Cayman Islands. Enjoy 20% OFF select PADI eLearning programs, FREE ReActivate online refresher, subscription to Scuba Diving magazine + so much more when you join PADI Club. Data sourced from the National Climatic Data Center. You will find the Cayman Islands to be very diverse, from quiet Little Cayman, to bustling Seven Mile Beach on Grand Cayman. For macro subjects, you can see angelfish, morays, lettuce slug nudibranchs and many more. This is the most famous dive site in the Cayman Islands - and with good reason. For example, let's look at one airline flying from Miami to Grand Cayman. Greenhouse is a nice medium-depth reef dive with plenty of grooves and gullies to explore. Best Time to Visit The Cayman Islands are mostly sunny and warm year-round, but it may be best to visit between March and June when the hotel rates drop. 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. Stingrays and turtles are known to swim here. A huge pinnacle branches out, creating a corridor-like passageway that is used by large pelagics cruising up from the abyss. With 365 named dive sites, the enchanting Cayman Islands is a year-round underwater paradise. Generally, even with up to four dives per day on offer Cayman Islands scuba diving . Bay Islands, Honduras. 1. 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. Located in popular Bloody Bay, Donnas Delight is home to some classic Cayman wall diving: Giant barrel sponges, arching sea fans, and bright corals. Scuba Divers can experience the world's best 12ft dive site at Stingray City, the beautiful Starfish Point and Bloody Bay . The highlight of the dive is the photo opportunity with this Cayman reefs most famous resident. There is shopping, bars to hang out in, and live music. Stingray City is in only 12ft (4m) of water and is a huge draw for divers and underwater photographers. The sea is always warm in the Cayman Islands, with surface temperatures never dropping below around 25 o C (78 o F). In the shallows, flamingo tongues cling onto sea fans while lobsters, eels, and jewfish can be found hiding in the ridges and gullies. // Duck Hunting Club Memberships In Arkansas, Articles B