Situated not far from the north point on Grand Cayman, Ghost Mountain is probably named for the behemoth mushroom-like pinnacle that suddenly emerges from the blue as divers near it. 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. Each time has been a wonderful underwater adventure. Choose from a selection of more than 250 vessels and 18,000 trips worldwide. The boat dives were offered mostly in the mornings, and we were on our own in the afternoons. Of course, the Soviets didnt call her Keith Tibbets, she was renamed for a local dive operator after the Cayman government purchased the wreck for dive tourism. Despite the name, there arent actually caves here. Cayman Islands Diving | Silver Thatch Water Sports | Breakers Rum Point Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned diver, Grand Cayman has a dive site for you. Hotel prices are sourced from a sample of U.S. News Best Hotels rates through 2015-2016. If you enjoy snorkeling, then check out our article where we discuss the top 25 snorkel spots in Grand Cayman. Book your fun dives, snorkelling trips and courses online with thousands of PADI Dive Centers. to save My Ideas for later. Not to be confused with the Anchor Point dive sites in Scotlands Loch Fyne, the Solomon Islands, or Sri Lanka, the Cayman dive site is located on Grand Cayman and is characterized by swathes of black coral. The Cayman Islands are home to some of the best spots for scuba diving and snorkeling in the world. 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. Frugal travel planners can look for good deals during these months while keeping an eye on the 10-day weather forecast. Our Exclusive Dive-only Packages in the Cayman Islands - Ocean Frontiers Find the best travel insurance for you with these U.S. News ratings, which factor in expert and consumer recommendations. We could easily get to reefs and wrecks by ourselves from shore and take as much time as our tanks allowed. I like the idea of being able to dive off both islands while staying on one. 390 S Church St, George Town KY1-1106, Cayman Islands. You will see a lot of tarpon at this spot, as well as coral and other fish. 6. Best Diving Destination in the Carribean: The Cayman Islands Stingray City is in only 12ft (4m) of water and is a huge draw for divers and underwater photographers. ASK US HERE! We dived 3 days in February 2014, and they were all excellent and memorable dives. This island is very small and there is little to do, other than dive. I created this website to help answer common questions about vacationing in the Cayman Islands, and to help tourists find the best things to do. In the 2019 Scuba Diving Magazine Readers Choice Awards, the Islands were named one of the Best Overall Dive Destination in the Caribbean/Atlantic and scored first place for Best Advanced Diving and Underwater Photography. And as you might imagine, the coral-encrusted archway makes for a fantastic photo opportunity. Grand Cayman is somewhat unique among major Caribbean destinations because it is one of the few islands that has average daytime temperatures exceed 90 degrees Fahrenheit during the summer and fall. December and July are good times for families because children are out of school for the holidays and summer. There is a good amount of coral and fish here. Aside from tourism promotion, marine conservation is in place in all the dive sites in the Cayman Islands. Yes, that is the Cayman Islands and this is due in part of the tax holiday being implemented that has attracted businesses worldwide. The months of January and February are the coldest, with average lows in the low 60s. Best Time to Dive in Little Cayman. [What You Need to Know]. The 5 Best Dive Sites In Grand Cayman - DesertDivers The Kittiwake wreck as well as other wrecks in the close vicinity add variety and interesting structure which I really enjoyed. Our DSD is $99 USD per person and includes all equipment needed and a fantastic shallow dive to a max depth of 40ft. 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. The course includes a 2-hour pool and theory session, and an . Thus, you can keep going back and still discover new sites. 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. Located 133 kilometers (83 miles) northeast of Grand Cayman is its little sister island Little Cayman. Over 200 permanent boat moorings are installed to avoid damaging corals with the dropping of boat anchors. but the best time to visit is between May and October. The water is about 10 to 20 feet deep. Before she was decommissioned in 1994, the USS Kittiwake was a Navy Chanticleer-class submarine rescue vessel. Divers can observe the bow guns and go along the rails to make some great photos. It exceeds six inches in August and jumps again to more than eight inches in September and October. Grand Cayman Monthly Weather: Rain, Temperatures, Grand Cayman Vacation Tips: Hotels, Attractions, Weather, Cayman Islands overnight visitor statistics; Caribeez.com. A huge pinnacle branches out, creating a corridor-like passageway that is used by large pelagics cruising up from the abyss. Nature lovers are lured to diverse hiking trails, caves, and a variety of flora and fauna around the island. Why? 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. You need to take a boat to reach this wreck. It seems the dive guides hunt the lionfish and then feed the groupers, so they joined us right away each dive. Best Dive Sites in the Cayman Islands for a Magical - pickyourtrail Grand Cayman is the most commercial island, with cruise ships visiting, but it has some wrecks and the wall dives are close boat rides. PrivacyPolicy, 2023 Original Diving | Web Design by D3R. Read more about diving in Bonaire. The most striking and common marine life for me were the brightly yellow colored tube sponges. These Florida Keys resorts are ideal for family getaways and romantic retreats. They can offer up their first-hand knowledge to ensure you know when to dive to enjoy the very best marine life, be it the tiny critters or bigger beasts of . 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. Erwin Poliakoff, Baton Rouge, Louisiana USA Nikon D7000, Tokina 10-17 zoom, Nikkor 60mm, 85mm, and 105mm macros, Nauticam housing Grand Cayman has more dive sites than Little Cayman. In the Cayman Islands, spring is in full force. Best Time To Dive The Cayman Island From our 24hr helpline to our expert local guides and selection of handpicked reading lists. Grand Cayman also offers accessible shore diving on great coral reefs with little to no current. Flights to Grand Cayman arrive at Owen Roberts International Airport. Cayman Brac offers a good mix of wall, wreck and reef diving for all experience levels. Our Original Diving experts, made up of marine biologists, Cathy Church has a shop at Sunset House where you can often meet her and see her beautiful underwater photos from the area. 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. Besides scuba diving, there are plenty of other things to do on the Cayman Islands. Rainfall starts to climb in May. info@bluewaterdivetravel.com, Visited on 04/2018 - Submitted on 02/04/2020, Visited on 03/2013 - Submitted on 08/31/2014, Visited on 02/2014 - Submitted on 04/19/2014, Visited on 02/2014 - Submitted on 03/01/2014, Visited on 08/2013 - Submitted on 02/21/2014, Big savings on 7-night group stays at Little Cayman, Cayman Brac and Cobalt Coast Resorts, live availability of some of the best liveaboards in the Cayman Islands. Find & Book Liveaboards Choose from a selection of more than 250 vessels and 18,000 trips worldwide. The 6 Best Dive Sites in the Cayman Islands - PADI Blog That's is how we pay ourselves. Grand Cayman scuba diving is also more popular than on the other islands due to the stingray population there. From spotting blue iguanas to kayaking in a bioluminescent bay to diving through intricate shipwrecks, here is a guide to making the most out of a first-time visit to Grand Cayman. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. GOT QUESTIONS ABOUT DIVING IN CAYMANS? Living The Dream Divers Diving Packages | Grand Cayman This is really a divers paradise. Most people see flights, accommodations, and activities far cheaper during this time since fewer tourists are visiting. Its land area is slightly bigger than Little Cayman with a measurement of 19 x 2 kilometers (12miles x 1.2miles). Scuba Diving Operators on Little Cayman - Little Cayman Forum The water drops over a hundred feet. Bloody Bay Wall is located in Little Cayman. You need to protect your fingers from the eager snappers though. Grandview Condominiums are located on the south end of 7 Mile Beach in George Town on the scuba diving island of Grand Cayman. Located near a popular resort is a vertical drop off that is filled with all sorts of marine life the North Wall. A 2.75 meter (9ft) bronze statue of Amphitrite (the wife of the mythological god Poseidon) rises up from the base of the reef. 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! The worst time is September during the hurricane season. Top dives include the famous 1000 Steps, the Hilmer Hooker wreck, and Bari Reef. Which Cayman island has the best diving? | ZuBlu Keith Tibbets- This Soviet-built Frigate that was owned by the Cuban navy was given to the Cayman Islands to purposefully sink it. Lemon Reef is a mini-wall dive site located on the North Wall in Grand Cayman. Get certified to scuba dive. Scuba diving in the Cayman Islands: an experience of a lifetime 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. There is also a dive shop and restaurant. If you enjoy diving, then you need to visit the USS Kittiwake during your vacation to Grand Cayman. Water Temperatures: Ranges from around 22C (72F) in December to 29C (84F) in July. Find & Book Adventures Book your fun dives, snorkelling trips and courses online with thousands of PADI Dive Centers. 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. The chart to the right using data from the Caribbean Tourism Organization shows that March is the most popular month of the year to visit followed by December and July. With 365 named dive sites, the enchanting Cayman Islands is a year-round underwater paradise. 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. Sidetrip: Visit Little Caymans Booby Pond Nature Reserve. Get in touch with our specialists for even more in-depth travel advice. However, the Cayman Islands can be impacted by hurricanes primarily between June and November. Would also recommend spending an afternoon at Rum Point, where you can relax and also do some snorkeling if you like. The Cayman Islands are a premier diving destination, boasting 365 dive sites, as well as the International Scuba Diving Hall of Fame . So, what are you waiting for? The Cayman dollar is exchanged at a rate fixed to the US dollar (CI $1 equals US $1.25). 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. Facebook Despite the name, you arent guaranteed to see tarpon here. 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. Book an introductory scuba diving package to learn the basics of diving from certified PADI instructors. It is an amazing sight, and a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience. Do you love diving in the Caymans? Courtesy of Sunset House Resort, Grand Cayman. 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. Everything here is very low key and there is a small local population. "High Season" at the hotels is mid-December to mid-April, so rates will be higher then. Also, check out our article where we review the top 25 things to do in Grand Cayman. PADI Dive Resorts for all budgets, in the best dive locations around the world. Before the USS Kittiwake was sunk, the Oro Verde was the wreck dive of choice in the Caymans. They pickup from the Westin, Ritz and Kimpton Seafire beaches for their West Dives, which is one of their standout features. Seven Mile Beach 4. Watch your buoyancy and head out into the blue, look back to really appreciate the Great Walls sheer size and impressive drop-off. On top of being generally warm, the waters are clear with underwater visibility running from 18 30 meters (60 100 feet). Crabs and lobsters are among the critters hiding in the crevices. You can go hiking in the Mastic Trail where it has really nice views from the harbors and the beaches. Kittiwake- Though this wreck has been sunken rather recently and has not developed much coral yet, it is still a fantastic dive site for all levels. During this time, you can expect to see a variety of marine life, including turtles, rays, and a wide array of tropical fish. I've stayed at hotels and used independent dive operators and I have stayed at dive resorts with on-site dive operations. 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. 1-800-652-1972. The main dive spot of Little Cayman is located on the northwest coast in a marine protected area the Bloody Bay Marine Park. No diving trip in Grand Cayman would be complete without a dive at the infamous Stingray City. 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. Generally, even with up to four dives per day on offer Cayman Islands scuba diving . Named for a historical anchorage, Anchor Point features a tight chimney-like descent at the beginning of the dive. This site is well-known and popular with divers, snorkelers, and glass-bottom boaters alike. Best Resorts in the Cayman Islands | Islands In addition, you're more likely to snag a hotel deal during these months. 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. Founder of Georges Watersports & Thingstodocayman.net. Find a Liveaboard -Practical Information - Book a Trip. Divers of all levels can explore the engines, pistons, and pieces of the wreck that are scattered at 18m/60ft. The islands are warm year-round with average highs. 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. 10 Best Scuba Diving Companies In Grand Cayman (2023) We highly advise you ask your local dive shop on the dos and donts in diving a particular dive site. Our team will meet you at the airport and fast-track you through. There is also a small restaurant and dive resort. You can see Spotted Eagle Rays flying passed this area from depths of about 30 to 100 feet. 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. Press the question mark key to get the keyboard shortcuts for changing dates. Usually you will see at least a few tarpon at this spot. Besides the thick black corals, keep an eye out for tarpon, large yellow tube sponges, and ginormous barrel sponges. Scuba Diving the Cayman Islands | Scuba Adventures in Plano 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. The Cayman Islands are widely regarded as the birthplace of recreational scuba diving, thanks to some pioneering efforts by local operators in the 1980s. Cayman Islands Reservations Phone: (345)-947-0000 Our Reservations Office is located on site at the Dive Shop & Resort in the Cayman Islands. The islands are warm year-round with average highs holding steady in the 80s. 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. Cayman Islands Seasonal Dive Planner The Caymans' hottest period is from May to November. Roberts Wall is located on the North Wall in Grand Cayman. Bert Brothers Boulders is also a great spot to see flying gurnards at around 5.5 meters (18ft). Now large groups of southern stingrays are lurking around daily. The Cayman Islands boasts world-class beaches, luxurious properties, worldwide culinary influences, high-end shops, local stores, and everything in between. 10 Best Dive Sites in Caribbean Islands in 2023 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. The Cayman Islands dollar is issued in units of $100, $50, $25, $10, $5 and $1 with coins of 25 cents, 10, 5 and one cent. Resident Nassau groupers often keep divers company and if you look closely, you may be rewarded with seahorses and lettuce-leaf slugs. September and October are the riskiest months to visit Grand Cayman because of the higher than normal amounts of rain. Penetration is encouraged but to get the most out of the experience, take a torch. While many visitors come here to scuba dive, snorkel, or relax and soak up the sun on the beach, those looking for something more adventurous can try . . 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. Jackson's Bight- Located also in the Bloody Bay Marine Park, it does not fail to provide scuba divers with an amazing dive. Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman house over 300 dive sites, making up the breathtaking Cayman dive map. As for temperature and weather, the Cayman Islands are tropical, meaning it's warm 365 days a year. 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. 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. Hop to the other islands by hiring a private boat operator, or better yet, arrange for a liveaboard tour and explore as many Cayman Islands diving sites as you can. Although the rays who made this site their home permanently have moved on, there is still a good chance of spotting them here. 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. We conduct this course from our shore location where the water is ideal for new divers! Instagram, My Ideas Through this site,my intent is to be able to sponsor the new chapter in my life as a scuba diver. DIVEMASTER AND INSTRUCTOR TRAINING SPECIALTY AND TECHNICAL COURSE KIDS DISABLED DIVERS SAFETY The Cayman Islands boasts state-of-the-art medical facilities including a hyperbaric chamber (located on Grand Cayman) and, in the event of an emergency, quality care can be provided in minutes. The Cayman Islands dollar is legal tender in these islands. Eels, rays, sharks, and turtles are frequently seen. They became my favorite focus on the reef. Hotels, resorts and cruise ships dont like unsold rooms and cabins, so they are more likely to offer discounts to attract customers. Learn to dive in the Cayman Islands by Living the Dream Divers My wife and I are traveling there in February 2015 and are PADI AOW and Nitrox certified with ten years of recreational experience diving. Wonderful restaurants nearby. December through April are especially popular times to go because of low risk of rainfall and more moderate temperatures. Some resorts offer "Hurricane protection". I thought it might be too touristy, but it was a lot of fun. Photographers will love Greenhouse for its varied macro life. Best and Worst Times to Visit Grand Cayman - Caribeez.com Exploring this site requires you to descend to a depth of 18 meters (60 feet) where the entrance of this elaborate tunnel system starts. Little Cayman, Cayman Islands. Although this is a wall dive, the cut in the sites name comes from the swim-through many divers use upon descent. 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. 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. If you don't want to sacrifice weather for a break on hotel prices, plan a trip for the region's dry season, which runs from November to April. The water is about 12-feet deep here. 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;}. Hurricanes rarely hit Grand Cayman directly. Cayman Islands Diving - Caribbean Sea - Dive The World June to October brings higher topside temperatures (up to 33C, 91F). The rainy season spans from May through October though showers usually only last for a few hours at a time. Visibility in the Cayman Islands is wonderful, averaging between 60 and 100 feet (18-30 meters). But which Cayman Island has the best diving? Enquire Live like a local and get under the skin of a destination with our in-country concierges. While the gazebo itself is actually an arch, this small dive site never fails to please. Click here to learn more. 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. . Enjoy 20% OFF select PADI eLearning programs, FREE ReActivate online refresher, subscription to Scuba Diving magazine + so much more when you join PADI Club. Which Cayman Island Is The Best? - Fly & Sea Dive Adventures The worst time is September during the hurricane season. The best time to visit the Cayman Islands is between March and April. Interested in diving the Cayman Islands? 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. If you are into grottos or swim-throughs, then you must head out to the west side of Grand Cayman and explore the three long tunnel swim-throughs of the Trinity Caves. They were all guided dives. 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 . The units are privately owned and furnished, but they have 21 accommodations available for rental use. Canyons and drop-offs provide a varied topography making the site a firm favorite with photographers. Little Caymans Bloody Bay is home to some of the most dramatic and spectacular drop-offs and swim-throughs in the Carribean. dive in each month of the year. This is a must-do dive for people vacationing in Grand Cayman. For diving, the reefs are easy to reach from many dive operators and offer a diversity of schooling fish, sponges, turtles, rays, and even sharks. 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. They are located in George Town in Grand Cayman. The dive resorts are more expensive than places like Roatan or Belize, but given the reputation of the islands and the quality and ease of the diving, we find the prices reasonable. This is a fun dive spot that you can access from shore. 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. 5. This is also where you will board your liveaboard. We have put together a comprehensive collection of packages to suit your needs. It is rich with tunnels, chutes, cervices, and beautiful reefs. Sign up to get the latest updates, offers and more. It was named after the famous free-diver Penny Ventura. Grand Cayman is a sophisticated Caribbean island with great nightlife, great resort options, and the wonderful attraction of stingray city, and very good wall diving. The people of the island are friendly and culturally diverse. Best Cayman Islands Dive Centers and Resorts - TripSavvy The Cayman Islands are one of the Best Liveaboard Destinations for Beginners. 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. East End 5. We understand that annual leave is precious so we can ensure that December rainfall drops back down to about three inches. Divers in the Caymans visit Kittiwake for the wreck itself. StingRay City on scuba with a small group was so much fun feeding the rays. Please Sign-in or Register to save My Ideas for later, Our social channels You can spot eagle rays, reef sharks, sailfin blennies, tilefish, peacock flounders, garden eels, or yellow-headed jawfish. It was named Orange Canyon because of the large orange Elephant Ear Sponges that can be found here. Here are a few of our favourite dive sites in Grand Cayman: 1. When diving the Cayman Islands you can see a lot of large sponges, some good macro, and some tiny fish. This wreck is the only Russian warship that can explore in the Western hemisphere.