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. There is also a dive shop and restaurant. Drop us a comment below and tell us your favorite site! Live like a local and get under the skin of a destination with our in-country concierges. Instead, they pass through the vicinity and bring heavy rains and wind to the island. If you want to enjoy these five dive sites . Look in the blue off the wall for passing sharks, rays, and turtles. Their sister company, Tortuga Divers, operates from Morritts Tortuga Club in East End. Eagle Ray Pass is located along the North Wall in Grand Cayman. 50 Best Scuba Diving Places in The World - Thrillophilia From the mooring, divers often descend through a cut in the reef and out onto the wall. Diving in Little Cayman | PADI From our 24hr helpline to our expert local guides and selection of handpicked reading lists. 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 majority of travel agents will advise you that the best time to visit Grand Cayman in order to get the most bang for your buck on a vacation to the Cayman Islands is between the months of March and June. Rum Point Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned diver, Grand Cayman has a dive site for you. 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. Little Cayman, best time of year for diving | Page 2 | ScubaBoard The Pedro St. James National Historic Site is a great place for photography, or you can visit Rum Point for a true Caribbean beach experience. This is currently number 20 on the 100 Best Dives list. The wreck was specifically set up for safe penetration, giving divers many interior rooms to explore. Dive Shop and Front desk is open 7 days per week | 7am to 6pm and can be reached directly on (345)-640-7500 The water is about 100 feet deep, and there is a good variety of soft and hard corals. 390 S Church St, George Town KY1-1106, Cayman Islands. 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 . This site is well-known and popular with divers, snorkelers, and glass-bottom boaters alike. Everything here is very low key and there is a small local population. Great views, amazing stay - Review of Ocean Cabanas Dive Resort, West 11 Dive Resorts in the Cayman Islands | PADI Travel 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. Click the link below to read our article about the USS Kittiwake: Wilderness Wall is located on the south-side of Cayman Brac. Find the best travel insurance for you with these U.S. News ratings, which factor in expert and consumer recommendations. 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. 4. Both are wonderful underwater. Get certified to scuba dive. It was then sunk in Grand Cayman in 1980 to make a new dive site. 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. For macro subjects, you can see angelfish, morays, lettuce slug nudibranchs and many more. I have lived in the corporate world for a few years now with very little excitement in my life. Courtesy of IreneCorti/Getty Images/iStockphoto. 6. 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. Diving in the Cayman Islands | PADI It is common to see barracudas and schools of horse-eye jacks in this area. The islands are warm year-round with average highs holding steady in the 80s. The Cayman Islands boasts world-class beaches, luxurious properties, worldwide culinary influences, high-end shops, local stores, and everything in between. 1. 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. 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;}. Wakatobi Dive Resort, a private island south of Sulawesi, understands thisand that shooters trek to this country, one of the most biodiverse hotspots on the planet, to capture images of every critter possible. 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. There is a lot of soft coral here, which makes for an interesting experience. From Grand Cayman, you can transfer to Little Cayman or Cayman Brac. It exceeds six inches in August and jumps again to more than eight inches in September and October. The Cayman Islands has also designated four special areas for protection such as marine park zones, replenishment zones, environmental zones, and no diving zones. 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. 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. 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 . Theres good diving, with great Walls and of course stingray city, where you can see and feed stingrays. This does not affect the quality or independence of our editorial content. Explore the top-rated styles for every type of trip to the beach. Bloody Bay Wall. Water temperatures are usually low 80's F. Marine life is plentiful and varied. With virtually no currents and outstanding underwater visibility, Cayman has amazing wall dives, coral reefs and wrecks for you to explore and discover. If you like diving in caves and grottos, Trinity Caves on Grand Caymans west side is the site for you. If wall diving is your thing, check out diving in Turks & Caicos. Watch your buoyancy and head out into the blue, look back to really appreciate the Great Walls sheer size and impressive drop-off. Cruise ships visit here, so expect everything you would find in most international cruise ship ports. Best Dive Sites in the Cayman Islands for a Magical - pickyourtrail Despite the name, you arent guaranteed to see tarpon here. Theyre not timid and as they surround you, these rays seem happy to receive a gentle stroke or two. Tarpon Alley is part of the North Wall with depths between 15 to 25 meters (50-80ft). Penetration is encouraged but to get the most out of the experience, take a torch. We conduct this course from our shore location where the water is ideal for new divers! Get in touch with our specialists for even more in-depth travel advice. 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. In 2017, Tropical Storm Nate shifted the Kittiwake from her original position. Grand Cayman is the most visited island in the Cayman Islands by Scuba Divers. Here, you can take diving lessons, go on a guided dive, or rent tanks and gear. The sea is always warm in the Cayman Islands, with surface temperatures never dropping below around 25 o C (78 o F). June to October brings higher topside temperatures (up to 33C, 91F). In a nutshell, its an island full of land and water adventures. Lighthouse Point is located in West Bay in Grand Cayman. However, there are large coral canyons that provide exciting swim-throughs for divers. Although the rays who made this site their home permanently have moved on, there is still a good chance of spotting them here. The depths start at around 12m/40ft and end at 30m/98ft. StingRay City on scuba with a small group was so much fun feeding the rays. Best Scuba Diving Destinations in the World - The Cayman Islands Live a life others only dream about. She met her end on the reef in the late 70s, allegedly due to mutiny aboard. You can even make a side trip to "Hell", a small area with black volcanic rocks, a few curio shops, and an actual post office you can send mail from with a postmark from Hell. The 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. This area is an international tourist destination and can be crowded. A favourite stop for those diving and snorkeling lovers, the Bay Islands' important three islands are Roatan, Utila and Guanaja. 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. Orange Canyon is a popular dive site on the west-side of Grand Cayman. And when you have the right product, youre a little bit happier which affects the people around you! The 20 Best Dive sites in Caymans? Sea temperature varies little, from a high of 86F/30C in August/September to a low of 80F/26.5C in February. 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. It sounds like the best time overall, based on the posts so far. They were all guided dives. 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. Bert Brothers Boulders is one of the most beautiful dive sites on Cayman Brac. ScubaDiveGeek.com also participates in other affiliate programs and Google Adwords and is compensated for referring traffic and business to these and other companies. Click here to learn more. These hot temperatures start in May and last into November. Sunset Reef is a popular shore dive just 60 meters (200ft) off the Sunset House Resorts pier. Located near a popular resort is a vertical drop off that is filled with all sorts of marine life the North Wall. After exploring the area, here are some of the best dive sites in the Cayman Islands: 1. This is a must-do dive for people vacationing in Grand Cayman. Eden Rock has lots of coral and fish, and Devils Grotto has underwater caves that you can explore. 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. This is one of the top island destinations in the United Kingdom. The best time to visit the Cayman Islands is between March and April. You can go hiking in the Mastic Trail where it has really nice views from the harbors and the beaches. I would appreciate if you don't as these referral links are what keep me posting and sharing on this blog. This dive site first became popular in the 90s when it was featured in the film The Firm, starring Tom Cruise. 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. Bloody Bay Wall is located in Little Cayman. Its also the historical rainfall patterns. The shore diving was really easy to access with actual ladders or stairs and even showers at some sites. 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. 11 Best Things to Do in Cayman Islands | U.S. News Travel . 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 . Located in popular Bloody Bay, Donnas Delight is home to some classic Cayman wall diving: Giant barrel sponges, arching sea fans, and bright corals. For shark diving, we suggest the Maze, Scuba Bowl and the Grouper Grotto which is also filled with lots of good-size groupers. DIVEIN.com was founded in 2009 by the two brothers Torben and Nicolai. The Cayman Diving Season The islands are very much a year round diving destination. Yes, that is the Cayman Islands and this is due in part of the tax holiday being implemented that has attracted businesses worldwide. 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. The reef slopes gradually from 5 to 17 meters (17-55ft), and is covered in hard corals, sea whips, small sponges and gorgonians. This is really a divers paradise. 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;}. 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. Share your love of diving, experience new adventures, expand your dive skills, and help save the ocean. Diving the Cayman Islands - SCUBA Travel The Cayman Islands certainly offer diversity without a long trip from the states. Photographers can make the worst dive buddies. The Cayman Islands hosts one of the best dives in the World: Bloody Bay Wall on Little Cayman. There is a separate fee to dive this wreck that goes towards conservation, and you also get a nice yellow diver medallion to keep. However, the Cayman Islands can be impacted by hurricanes primarily between June and November. Scuba diving in Little Cayman - Liveaboard.com 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. 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. Cayman Islands Diving - Caribbean Sea - Dive The World You need to take a boat to reach this area. All the information you need to plan your dive vacations anywhere in the world. The resident goliath grouper is a popular dive buddy at this Cayman dive site. Divers can observe the bow guns and go along the rails to make some great photos. Learn to Dive in Cayman - Beginners and Refresher Courses Babylon is located on the North Wall in Grand Cayman. Get forecasts each morning for every major island. Cayman Islands, as well as our suggestions for the best places to Only ten miles long and one mile wide, this is a place where you can truly focus on your opportunity to relax. You need to take a boat to reach this wreck. A few great choices are the Sunset House Hotel in Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac Beach Resort and the Little Cayman Beach Resort. Northerners also want to get away from the cold and snow of winter. My wife and I are traveling there in February 2015 and are PADI AOW and Nitrox certified with ten years of recreational experience diving. Through this site,my intent is to be able to sponsor the new chapter in my life as a scuba diver. The Cayman dollar is exchanged at a rate fixed to the US dollar (CI $1 equals US $1.25). When to go Best time Low season Off season Where to go when While you can get some rain, it's not as common as during the summer. If you're looking for great diving and hotel prices, the best time is between March and June when the rates all drop. Divers in the Caymans visit Kittiwake for the wreck itself. It was named Orange Canyon because of the large orange Elephant Ear Sponges that can be found here. The dive schedule would include a deep wall dive followed by a shallower reef or wreck. Dive Courses | Learning to Dive in Grand Cayman | Cayman Resident Aside from being outside the high season which means that Grand Cayman dive resorts all-inclusive hotel prices and Caribbean dive packages are cheaper, this is also the months that the diving parameters are at its best. Learn to dive in the Cayman Islands by Living the Dream Divers There's much to discover beyond theme parks in this Southeastern state. Most dive operators will take you there. Rainfall starts to climb in May. With the wall beginning at just 6 meters (20ft), the site is popular with both divers and snorkelers. Click the link below to read our article about Macabuca: Tarpon Alley is located at the North Wall in Grand Cayman. Great diving. But they are sometimes the cheapest months to visit. There are 365 dive sites throughout the islands, offering something for all levels of experience. 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. The months of January and February are the coldest, with average lows in the low 60s. You will find the Cayman Islands to be very diverse, from quiet Little Cayman, to bustling Seven Mile Beach on Grand Cayman. We did see some nurse sharks, sea turtles and a few rays. If you enjoy snorkeling, then check out our article where we discuss the top 25 snorkel spots in Grand Cayman. 310-915-6677 Dining can be pricey but the meals I have had have been wonderful. The flight and hotel fares are discounted up to 50 percent this time of year. Address. Sharp-eyed divers can find leopard flatworms and the tunnels are also popular hangouts for rays and green moray eels. Wreck of the Oro Verde is located in Grand Cayman. 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. 10 Things To Do At Cayman Islands Besides Scuba Diving I guess thats one drawback of guided dives, everyone is constantly on the move, not ideal for photography, especially macro photography. From these locations, I was able to dive the west end and also the North Wall. Best Dive & Stay Packages in the Cayman Islands - Ocean Frontiers I am the father of the best two children in the world and husband to the most patient woman on this planet. The entire experience is about 3 hours long from the time we pick you up from your hotel or condo along Seven Mile Beach to drop off. However, as we just mentioned, diving in the Cayman Islands is possible all year round. Grab your gear and dive into the crystal clear waters of Grand Cayman! The water depth here is around 18-meters. It is an amazing sight, and a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience. I thought it might be too touristy, but it was a lot of fun. It is rich with tunnels, chutes, cervices, and beautiful reefs. Scott S. Bateman is a professional journalist who has traveled widely throughout the Caribbean and the Americas. Eels, rays, sharks, and turtles are frequently seen. Hotels, resorts and cruise ships dont like unsold rooms and cabins, so they are more likely to offer discounts to attract customers. When we talk about Fiji, what immediately comes into our mind is a tropical dream holiday. 4 of the Best Places to Go Shore Diving in Grand Cayman. Away from the stingray action, there are a number of coral heads with a variety of life to check out. This is currently number 20 on the 100 Best Dives list.. The Cayman Islands are home to some of the best spots for scuba diving and snorkeling in the world. Little Cayman GoPro Video Workshop: April 2023, Best Liveaboard Destinations for Beginners, shifted the Kittiwake from her original position. Which Cayman island has the best diving? | ZuBlu 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 Eden Rock Dive Center has everything you need for an unforgettable day underwater in the Cayman Islands. I am a scuba diving newbie, a Project Manager by profession, and an entrepreneur at heart. 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. 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. You can dive along this wall and explore the different entrances. Now large groups of southern stingrays are lurking around daily. Please Sign-in or Register Drift dives are possible here depending on your operator. The best time to visit Grand Cayman is March and April. When shopping and eating out, be sure to identify which currency prices . This is also where you will board your liveaboard. 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. 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. Read more about diving in Bonaire. 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. I've stayed at hotels and used independent dive operators and I have stayed at dive resorts with on-site dive operations. 3. Best Diving Destination in the Carribean: The Cayman Islands Devil's Grotto- Suitable for both beginners and advanced, it's a great shallow shore dive that features massive swim-throughs, chimneys and coral formations. 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. Stingray City has very large, friendly stingrays. The best part about the dive is the . If you want to go a little more remote, try Little Cayman. When diving the Cayman Islands you can see a lot of large sponges, some good macro, and some tiny fish. Instagram, My Ideas (Closed Circuit Rebreathers/CCR) allows you to massively extend your dive time. Tieneke, Joe, and Kevin went out of their way to accommodate our dive group and show us a really great time. Black coral and colorful sponges decorate the near-vertical face and the shallows are dotted with large coral heads teeming with marine life. Best Time To Dive The Cayman Island Canyons and drop-offs provide a varied topography making the site a firm favorite with photographers. Access to tools and resources at your fingertips, curated to enhance your diving experience. The Seven Mile Beach area and the main city, Georgetown, are very developed with large hotels and resorts, restaurants, shops, etc. This is a shore dive, meaning that you enter the water from the shore, and then swim to Cheeseburger Reef. There is slightly more rain during the summer months. 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. North Wall 2. stingray city 3. Overall it is a place worth seeing. Little Cayman, 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. Manage Settings Stingray City is in only 12ft (4m) of water and is a huge draw for divers and underwater photographers. "High Season" at the hotels is mid-December to mid-April, so rates will be higher then.

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