Look along the ledge by the mooring for crabs and check out the four massive barrel sponges. Despite the name, you arent guaranteed to see tarpon here. This British overseas island is home to mystical caves, unscaled escarpments, tropical forests, diverse wildlife and a plethora of other unique experiences. Most of the units for rent are 2-bedroom and 2-bathroons units. Trinity Caves is a popular dive site that is located off the coast of West Bay in Grand Cayman. Press the question mark key to get the keyboard shortcuts for changing dates. Grand Cayman Monthly Weather: Rain, Temperatures, Grand Cayman Vacation Tips: Hotels, Attractions, Weather, Cayman Islands overnight visitor statistics; Caribeez.com. It was named after the famous free-diver Penny Ventura. You get to enjoy some of the warm weather, which is especially nice if you live in the northern U.S., where it's still winter. Beginners can enjoy another smaller chimney instead. The main gateway to the Cayman Islands is through Grand Cayman. Use Add to ideas + to collect your trip ideas, share with friends or make Indonesia. They are located in George Town in Grand Cayman. 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. I have been diving in Grand Cayman several times. You can see Spotted Eagle Rays flying passed this area from depths of about 30 to 100 feet. There is also a dive shop and restaurant. Cayman Brac Beach Resort. And, thanks to a keen focus on conservation, many of the country's famous underwater spectacles are still well worth a visit today. 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 actually around two dozen dive sites within the bay, with Bloody Bay Wall top of the list. No diving trip in Grand Cayman would be complete without a dive at the infamous Stingray City. This is a must do dive. It exceeds six inches in August and jumps again to more than eight inches in September and October. ASK US HERE! Thus, you can keep going back and still discover new sites. The Cayman Islands dollar is legal tender in these islands. These hot temperatures start in May and last into November. Dive conditions could not have been more perfect, flat seas (the north side is supposed to be more choppy but the day we dived Eagle Ray pass, it was just 2 feet seas, the rest of the dives were on the west side, where the sea was flat both days), warm water (80 degrees for our stay), clear water with awesome 90-100+ feet visibility (great for wide angle photography). Bert Brothers Boulders is also a great spot to see flying gurnards at around 5.5 meters (18ft). September and October are clearly the least popular months to go because of a high risk of heavy rains along with hot temperatures. It now rests in an upright position at a depth of 27meters (89feet). Although this is a wall dive, the cut in the sites name comes from the swim-through many divers use upon descent. Dining can be pricey but the meals I have had have been wonderful. 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 stayed at an all inclusive where the food was exceptional, prepared by a world class chef. It does not make the product pricier for you. The wreck was specifically set up for safe penetration, giving divers many interior rooms to explore. September and October are the riskiest months to visit Grand Cayman because of the higher than normal amounts of rain. Even though July is a popular month, it is not necessarily a good time to go because of the reasons below. She met her end on the reef in the late 70s, allegedly due to mutiny aboard. Located in the Bloody Bay marine park on Little Caymans north side, Marilyns Cut is largely unspoiled and offers up pristine soft and hard corals. at any point on your diving holiday) has to offer. Tarpon Alley is part of the North Wall with depths between 15 to 25 meters (50-80ft). Erwin Poliakoff, Baton Rouge, Louisiana USA Nikon D7000, Tokina 10-17 zoom, Nikkor 60mm, 85mm, and 105mm macros, Nauticam housing You can also go wreck diving as there are some shipwrecks that can be explored like the remains of USS Kittiwake. 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? Best Times To Visit Cayman Islands The best time to visit the Cayman Islands is between March and June when the hotel rates drop. Little Cayman was first discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1503. Cheeseburger Reef is located in George Town, Grand Cayman. Seven Mile Beach is considered the most popular tourist area in the Cayman Islands, thanks to its stunning white sand beaches and crystal-clear waters. Interested in diving the Cayman Islands? If you want to go a little more remote, try Little Cayman. The best diving depth at this Cayman site, between 30 and 40 meters (98-130ft) means its best for deep certified advanced divers. The Cayman Islands are home to some of the best spots for scuba diving and snorkeling in the world. . Their sister company, Tortuga Divers, operates from Morritts Tortuga Club in East End. Click the link below to read our article where we explain the difference between Deep Stingray City and Stingray City Sandbar: Macabuca is located in West Bay in Grand Cayman. It is worth noting however that from June until October is the hurricane season in the Caribbean. Grand Cayman, the main island, is often one of the most popular destinations in the Caribbean, especially with western Caribbean cruises. 390 S Church St, George Town KY1-1106, Cayman Islands. 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. There is a separate fee to dive this wreck that goes towards conservation, and you also get a nice yellow diver medallion to keep. Macro photographers should seek the banded coral shrimp and divers licensed to 30m/98ft will enjoy the gorgonian fans in the cavern at this depth. Our review team always considers durability, price, quality, and value in their reviews. If you are vacationing in Cayman Brac, then you need to visit this spot. We did see some nurse sharks, sea turtles and a few rays. Please Sign-in or Register to save My Ideas for later, Our social channels The best time to visit the Cayman Islands is between March and June when the hotel rates drop. Youtube+ Swim throughs, ledges, overhangs, and an average depth of 12 meters (40ft) make this a Cayman dive site for all experience levels to explore. 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. 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. Exploring this site requires you to descend to a depth of 18 meters (60 feet) where the entrance of this elaborate tunnel system starts. The worst time is September during the hurricane season. With 365 named dive sites, the enchanting Cayman Islands is a year-round underwater paradise. The Cayman Islands are one of the Best Liveaboard Destinations in the World. This is currently number 20 on the 100 Best Dives list. There are also lots of tarpon and small silver sprats in this area. DIVEIN.com was founded in 2009 by the two brothers Torben and Nicolai. The Cayman Islands certainly offer diversity without a long trip from the states. Grand Cayman also offers accessible shore diving on great coral reefs with little to no current. Usually you will see at least a few tarpon at this spot. If you make a purchase from our site, we may earn a commission. 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. But these arent the only good and bad times. Out in the open, spotted eagle rays are often seen swimming in groups of at least 5 individuals and their passing by is often correlated to the flyby of fighter jets in low altitude. 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. Little Cayman GoPro Video Workshop: April 2023, Best Liveaboard Destinations for Beginners, shifted the Kittiwake from her original position. June to October brings . There are plenty of great dive resorts available, but liveaboard is the best option if you want to dive around all three islands. The waters here are 15 to 25 meters deep. June to October brings higher topside temperatures (up to 33C, 91F). 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. Water temperatures are usually low 80's F. Marine life is plentiful and varied. Best Time to Dive in Little Cayman. 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. In effect, there are more registered businesses in Cayman Island as compared to its local population. If you like diving in caves and grottos, Trinity Caves on Grand Caymans west side is the site for you. 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. Its land area is slightly bigger than Little Cayman with a measurement of 19 x 2 kilometers (12miles x 1.2miles). 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. Cayman Brac is the last of the islands and also much less traveld than Grand Caymen. 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. Yes, that is the Cayman Islands and this is due in part of the tax holiday being implemented that has attracted businesses worldwide. Bloody Bay Wall is located in Little Cayman. The sea is always warm in the Cayman Islands, with surface temperatures never dropping below around 25 o C (78 o F). Water Temperatures: Ranges from around 22C (72F) in December to 29C (84F) in July. It is possible to go scuba diving in Little Cayman all year round and the water temperature only varies from 21-27 degrees. The most interesting topside activities for us were exploring the island in a rental car and driving on the left side of the road. "High Season" at the hotels is mid-December to mid-April, so rates will be higher then. The Kittiwake is a 76.5 meter (250ft) former submarine support ship. Choose your design and prove your PADI certified diver status across the world with a recycled plastic card, eCard or both. 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. We could easily get to reefs and wrecks by ourselves from shore and take as much time as our tanks allowed. During winter, temperatures can drop down to the low 70s. 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. 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. 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. 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. The three islands that make up the nation, Cayman Brac, Grand Cayman, and Little Cayman, are diverse and have distinct diving. If hot temperatures are an issue, it is better to visit the islands from December through April when they average in the upper 80s Fahrenheit. It is 330-feet in length, and was sunk in Cayman Brac in 1996. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. You can spot eagle rays, reef sharks, sailfin blennies, tilefish, peacock flounders, garden eels, or yellow-headed jawfish. For example, let's look at one airline flying from Miami to Grand Cayman. Pelagics are attracted to the wall while schools of reef fish populate the shallows, swimming around the many purple, red, and yellow sponges. 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. 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. I have lived in the corporate world for a few years now with very little excitement in my life. We understand that diving the best Grand Cayman Dives is the primary goal of your Grand Cayman Dive vacation. Drop us a comment below and tell us your favorite site! 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. Top dives include the famous 1000 Steps, the Hilmer Hooker wreck, and Bari Reef. Besides scuba diving, there are plenty of other things to do on the Cayman Islands. From the mooring, divers often descend through a cut in the reef and out onto the wall. 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. Theyre not timid and as they surround you, these rays seem happy to receive a gentle stroke or two. I've stayed at hotels and used independent dive operators and I have stayed at dive resorts with on-site dive operations. Find the best travel insurance for you with these U.S. News ratings, which factor in expert and consumer recommendations. Choose from private or single rates, we will find you the best possible option to help you enjoy the famous Cayman Stingray City. Having a less touristic crowd, Cayman Brac still has several tourism facilities like Cayman Brac Dive Resorts that are scattered along its narrow coast. The shore diving was really easy to access with actual ladders or stairs and even showers at some sites. Everything here is very low key and there is a small local population. Now large groups of southern stingrays are lurking around daily. If youre thinking Cheeseburger is an odd name for a dive site, you probably wont be surprised that this shore dive probably took its name after the Burger King that was located across the road! Book your fun dives, snorkelling trips and courses online with thousands of PADI Dive Centers. Find a Liveaboard -Practical Information - Book a Trip. Located in popular Bloody Bay, Donnas Delight is home to some classic Cayman wall diving: Giant barrel sponges, arching sea fans, and bright corals. ScubaDiveGeek.com also participates in other affiliate programs and Google Adwords and is compensated for referring traffic and business to these and other companies. Trinity Caves is one Cayman dive site that never disappoints. . The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. The islands' location in the western part of the Caribbean shields them from being hit too hard by the annual hurricane season, which lasts from June to November. Hurricane Ivan in 2004 cleaved the 100m/328ft ship in half but divers can still explore both sections of the wreckage. You can dive along this wall and explore the different entrances. Exploring this site requires you to initially descend to 18 meters (60 feet) deep where the wall starts. The best time to visit the Cayman Islands is between March and April. Resident Nassau groupers often keep divers company and if you look closely, you may be rewarded with seahorses and lettuce-leaf slugs. 5. 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. GOT QUESTIONS ABOUT DIVING IN CAYMANS? And when it comes to marine life, there is lots to see! Northerners also want to get away from the cold and snow of winter. Address. 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;}. Eels, rays, sharks, and turtles are frequently seen. Bloody Bay Wall is considered the epicenter of scuba diving in this marine park. No worries, the diving is world class on Bloody Bay Wall. The North Wall is one of the most visited diving sites and plunges to a depth of 6000 feet (1800 meters). Cayman Islands International Film Festival. Divers can observe the bow guns and go along the rails to make some great photos. 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. The wreck of the Captain Keith is unusual it is the only Soviet-made warship that divers can visit in the western hemisphere. 5. This is a fun dive spot that you can access from shore. Although the rays who made this site their home permanently have moved on, there is still a good chance of spotting them here. As said earlier, Grand Cayman has over 50 dive sites and we will not leave this section without mentioning other noted dive spots. The Cayman dollar is exchanged at a rate fixed to the US dollar (CI $1 equals US $1.25). (Closed Circuit Rebreathers/CCR) allows you to massively extend your dive time. This is one of the top island destinations in the United Kingdom. There is a reason you won't find under a 5-star review for Silver Thatch, they are the best. Just be prepared for a rain shower or two, as this is the start of the region's wet season. However, there are large coral canyons that provide exciting swim-throughs for divers. 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 . Overall it is a place worth seeing. Settle on the sand at just 3.7 meters (12ft) and have hordes of southern stingrays glide gracefully around you. December to April is also the busiest time of year for tourism, so it's important to book your dive trips in advance. It sounds like the best time overall, based on the posts so far. Grand Cayman is a beautiful dive destination with many options for accommodations and for diving. 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. 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. Sidetrip: Grand Cayman is the biggest island and it is where most accommodations and restaurants are located. We highly advise you ask your local dive shop on the dos and donts in diving a particular dive site. but the best time to visit is between May and October. 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. There is slightly more rain during the summer months. I am a scuba diving newbie, a Project Manager by profession, and an entrepreneur at heart. 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. The famous diver and explorer Jacques Cousteau said that Bloody Bay Wall is one of the top dive sites in the world. 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. I have worked in the corporate world and had little time for adventure. Scott S. Bateman is a professional journalist who has traveled widely throughout the Caribbean and the Americas. There is a lot of marine life among the coral and resident angelfish and groupers are found at the stern of the ship. July has a jump in visits for families in part because school children are out for the summer. 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. Navigate backward to interact with the calendar and select a date. Find & Book Adventures Book your fun dives, snorkelling trips and courses online with thousands of PADI Dive Centers. The wreck can be penetrated in some parts but speak for your guide or instructor beforehand. Aside from corals, barrel sponges are sprawling in this vibrant reef that is also filled with tropical reef fish like groupers, butterflyfish, angelfish, moray eels and lionfish which is believed to be an invasive species. Find the best and most popular products and review them. iFrameResize({log:true, enablePublicMethods:true}); // ]]>, Call us today at+1-310-915-6677 or email us info@bluewaterdivetravel.com. Cayman Brac offered multiple relaxed dive spots on reefs all along the edge of the island. Our reviews: We can make the world a little bit better with great in-depth reviews. There are over 15 PADI 5-Star Centers in the Cayman Islands, ready to teach you everything you want to know about diving. 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. Occasionally, a nurse shark rest on the sand. "High Season" at the hotels is mid-December to mid-April, so rates will be higher then. When we talk about Fiji, what immediately comes into our mind is a tropical dream holiday. The most striking and common marine life for me were the brightly yellow colored tube sponges. 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. 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. 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. Some of those services give me a small percentage of what you pay as commission for my referral. The Cayman Diving Season The islands are very much a year round diving destination. Our mission has been to do this with the best crew, using the best equipment while offering the most competing Cayman Islands dive packages. This site is well-known and popular with divers, snorkelers, and glass-bottom boaters alike. 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. 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 reef slopes gradually from 5 to 17 meters (17-55ft), and is covered in hard corals, sea whips, small sponges and gorgonians. The highlight of the dive is the photo opportunity with this Cayman reefs most famous resident. Plus, the water temperature ranges between 78-82F (26-28C). Boat rides were no longer than 15 minutes, with most being around 5 minutes. Located near a popular resort is a vertical drop off that is filled with all sorts of marine life the North Wall. Located 8 kilometers (5 miles) east of Little Cayman is another elongated island that is popular with anglers and scuba divers.
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best time to dive cayman islands