Lionfish have become an invasive species and some of the dive operators offer culling excursions. The seven mile beach area is beautiful for walking and photo opportunities. Share your love of diving, experience new adventures, expand your dive skills, and help save the ocean. Fiji: Dive the Soft Coral Capital of the World. It should not be a surprise that January through April also happen to be popular months to visit the islands via western Caribbean cruises because of their ideal combination of cooler temperatures and low rainfall.
ScubaDiveGeek.com also participates in other affiliate programs and Google Adwords and is compensated for referring traffic and business to these and other companies. PADI Dive Resorts for all budgets, in the best dive locations around the world. Family Traveller Excellence Awards 2019 Winner. Cayman Islands has an average water temperature ranging from 26 29C (78 84F). Theyre not timid and as they surround you, these rays seem happy to receive a gentle stroke or two. Read more about diving in Bonaire. Ive been to Grand Cayman and Little Cayman. 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. Grand Cayman Island probably has the best diving as it has the North Wall deep drop-off dive and the USS Kittiwake wreck dive. The dive boat did make the excursion across to Little Cayman's Bloody Bay wall one day which is very achievable from Cayman Brac. 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.
Cayman Islands Diving - Everything You Need to Know Hotels, resorts and cruise ships dont like unsold rooms and cabins, so they are more likely to offer discounts to attract customers. You can enter different swim-through areas where the wall drops to great depths. You can dive along this wall and explore the different entrances. 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! As for temperature and weather, the Cayman Islands are tropical, meaning it's warm 365 days a year. Here youll find more than 50 dives sites including the famous Bloody Bay. Named for a historical anchorage, Anchor Point features a tight chimney-like descent at the beginning of the dive. We could easily get to reefs and wrecks by ourselves from shore and take as much time as our tanks allowed. Great Wall is the kind of dive that makes you feel like a tiny speck in the ocean as you hang near a wall that drops dramatically to more than 1,800 meters (6,000ft). Eden Rock has lots of coral and fish, and Devils Grotto has underwater caves that you can explore. 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. "High Season" at the hotels is mid-December to mid-April, so rates will be higher then. I am Dan, this site is my blog where I document my research on the best diving spots in the world. The best time to see whitetip reef sharks in the Cayman Islands is from May to August. You can dive from shore because they have ladders that you can use to enter and exit the water. Data sourced from the National Climatic Data Center. 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. The best diving depth at this Cayman site, between 30 and 40 meters (98-130ft) means its best for deep certified advanced divers. Stingray City has very large, friendly stingrays. 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. I have lived in the corporate world for a few years now with very little excitement in my life. GOT QUESTIONS ABOUT DIVING IN CAYMANS? You can see Spotted Eagle Rays flying passed this area from depths of about 30 to 100 feet. All the information you need to plan your dive vacations anywhere in the world. Greenhouse is a nice medium-depth reef dive with plenty of grooves and gullies to explore. A shallow dive site, the colors here really pop making it a good choice for photographers. A direct flight from Miami to Grand Cayman takes only 70 minutes. Marine Life & Environment - Top Dive Spots - Diving Conditions, How to Get There-How to Dive Cayman Islands-Best Time to Dive, NEW! Top 20 Best Dive Sites In Cayman Islands In 2023, The Best Starboard Paddle Boards: A Brand Guide, The Best iRocker Paddle Boards: A Brand Guide, Blackfin Paddle Boards: The Best Paddle boards from Blackfin, Top All-inclusive Resorts You Need To Visit, How To Choose a Kayak Paddle? 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. DIVEIN.com was founded in 2009 by the two brothers Torben and Nicolai. When to go Best time Low season Off season Where to go when The shore diving was really easy to access with actual ladders or stairs and even showers at some sites. January and February are the coolest months with average lows in the high 60s. The dives are shallow and you can closely observe them swimming around or above you. This is a fun dive spot that you can access from shore. The Kittiwake wreck as well as other wrecks in the close vicinity add variety and interesting structure which I really enjoyed. The amazing strawberry sponges were in abundance there. If you want to escape the crowds of cruise ship passengers, the East End is the place to go. Grandview Condominiums are located on the south end of 7 Mile Beach in George Town on the scuba diving island of Grand Cayman. The dive schedule would include a deep wall dive followed by a shallower reef or wreck. I am the father of the best two children in the world and husband to the most patient woman on this planet. It is an amazing sight, and a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience. Grand Cayman is the most commercial island, with cruise ships visiting, but it has some wrecks and the wall dives are close boat rides. Web Visit website. The Cayman Islands are widely regarded as the birthplace of recreational scuba diving, thanks to some pioneering efforts by local operators in the 1980s. A few great choices are the Sunset House Hotel in Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac Beach Resort and the Little Cayman Beach Resort. While the gazebo itself is actually an arch, this small dive site never fails to please. There's much to discover beyond theme parks in this Southeastern state. Give the perfect gift for your favorite ocean lover and explorer. You will see many sea creatures such as octopus and arrow crabs. While Grand Cayman receives the most publicity and visitors, all three Cayman Islands - Cayman Brac and Little Cayman being the other two -- offer outstanding scuba diving.
Diving Cayman Islands: Best Wall Dives in the World Click here to learn more. 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;}. They are located in George Town in Grand Cayman. It now rests in an upright position at a depth of 27meters (89feet). The resident goliath grouper is a popular dive buddy at this Cayman dive site. Discover these empowering women's history destinations selected by the U.S. News travel editors. The worst time is September during the hurricane season. This is one of the best dive sites in Cayman Brac, and is a must-do experience. From Rolex watches to Caymanite earrings to a shell necklace. You will need little more (and some prefer less) than a 3 mm full length wetsuit. "High Season" at the hotels is mid-December to mid-April, so rates will be higher then. June to October brings higher topside temperatures (up to 33C, 91F). 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. Yes, that is the Cayman Islands and this is due in part of the tax holiday being implemented that has attracted businesses worldwide. Lighthouse Point is located in West Bay in Grand Cayman. Choose from a selection of more than 250 vessels and 18,000 trips worldwide. There are over 15 PADI 5-Star Centers in the Cayman Islands, ready to teach you everything you want to know about diving. Our reviews: We can make the world a little bit better with great in-depth reviews. 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. 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. While you can get some rain, it's not as common as during the summer. Explore the top-rated styles for every type of trip to the beach. Grab your gear and dive into the crystal clear waters of Grand Cayman! 1-800-652-1972. 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. Little Cayman is a lovely, quiet little island with a population of less than 170. During this time, you can expect to see a variety of marine life, including turtles, rays, and a wide array of tropical fish.
Diving in the Cayman Islands | Cayman Resident There are lots of beautiful beaches to visit and to relax. Its not often divers can see a mermaid on a dive, but at Sunset Reef they can. The Cayman Islands are a premier diving destination, boasting 365 dive sites, as well as the International Scuba Diving Hall of Fame . (Closed Circuit Rebreathers/CCR) allows you to massively extend your dive time. She met her end on the reef in the late 70s, allegedly due to mutiny aboard. 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. 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. PADI Dive Resorts for all budgets, in the best dive locations around the world. Find & Book PADI Adventures App But which Cayman Island has the best diving? 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. Wheres the best place(s) to stay when looking into a diving trip in the Caymans? Over 200 permanent boat moorings are installed to avoid damaging corals with the dropping of boat anchors. The flight and hotel fares are discounted up to 50 percent this time of year. Aside from the coral laden walls of Babylon, your divemaster will usually lead you to a pinnacle where its towering structures are dominated by whip corals. However, as we just mentioned, diving in the Cayman Islands is possible all year round. 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. 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. Some resorts offer "Hurricane protection". See and be seen at these stunning natural wonders. Kittiwake Shipwreck and diver in Grand Cayman - photo from Canva. Flights to Grand Cayman arrive at Owen Roberts International Airport. Would also recommend spending an afternoon at Rum Point, where you can relax and also do some snorkeling if you like. Here, you can take diving lessons, go on a guided dive, or rent tanks and gear. 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. No diving trip in Grand Cayman would be complete without a dive at the infamous Stingray City. Honduras coast hosts the Bay Islands which is a compilation of eight islands and 53 small cays and these islands are one of the best scuba diving places in the world. The Cayman Islands are home to some of the best spots for scuba diving and snorkeling in the world. The main gateway to the Cayman Islands is through Grand Cayman. From classic wide-brimmed hats to water-repellent trucker hats, find your ideal style. From April to October water temperature are at least 27 o C (81 o F) and can . Located near a popular resort is a vertical drop off that is filled with all sorts of marine life the North Wall.
Grand Caymans North Wall plunges deeper than 1800 metres/6000 feet and offers beautiful wall diving with opportunities to see spotted eagle rays and sea turtles. The prices of hotels and short excursions that would normally be prohibitively expensive fall to more reasonable levels during this time. You need to protect your fingers from the eager snappers though. The three islands that make up the nation, Cayman Brac, Grand Cayman, and Little Cayman, are diverse and have distinct diving. Black groupers, sergeant majors, yellowtail snapper, and moray eels are just a few of the species you can expect to see. Divers of all levels can explore the engines, pistons, and pieces of the wreck that are scattered at 18m/60ft. In the Cayman Islands, spring is in full force.
Is this the world's best place to learn to scuba dive? - thetimes.co.uk Some of those services give me a small percentage of what you pay as commission for my referral. 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. A favourite stop for those diving and snorkeling lovers, the Bay Islands' important three islands are Roatan, Utila and Guanaja. When we talk about Fiji, what immediately comes into our mind is a tropical dream holiday. PrivacyPolicy, 2023 Original Diving | Web Design by D3R. But the main reason for diving here are the sharks, especially hammerheads. You may see hammerhead sharks if you are lucky. The Cayman Islands are one of the Best Liveaboard Destinations for Beginners. You need to take a boat to reach this wreck. This site is well-known and popular with divers, snorkelers, and glass-bottom boaters alike. The reef slopes gradually from 5 to 17 meters (17-55ft), and is covered in hard corals, sea whips, small sponges and gorgonians.
Learn to dive in the Cayman Islands by Living the Dream Divers With world class conditions and a robust dive industry, the Cayman Islands is one of the best places to learn how to dive. December rainfall drops back down to about three inches. It was quite crowded with dive and snorkel boats when we got there, but it was no big deal once we got in the water. We are proud to off-set 100% of the carbon generated by our clients' flights. 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. The main dive spot of Little Cayman is located on the northwest coast in a marine protected area the Bloody Bay Marine Park.
Dive Into the Cayman Islands | Cond Nast Traveler Just be prepared for a rain shower or two, as this is the start of the region's wet season. Lemon Reef is a mini-wall dive site located on the North Wall in Grand Cayman. Enjoy the comfort of an airport lounge with free drinks and snacks, even if you're flying economy.
Best Time to Dive in Cayman Islands - Original Diving Diving in the Cayman Islands - Bluewater Dive Travel If you are vacationing in Cayman Brac, then you need to visit this spot. Flamingo tongues can be found on the sea fans, while arrow crabs, bristle worms, and long-spined sea urchins hide in the cracks and grooves.
Which Cayman Island Is The Best? - Fly & Sea Dive Adventures June to October brings .
Diving in the Cayman Islands - Bluewater Dive Travel Although the rays who made this site their home permanently have moved on, there is still a good chance of spotting them here. Erwin Poliakoff, Baton Rouge, Louisiana USA Nikon D7000, Tokina 10-17 zoom, Nikkor 60mm, 85mm, and 105mm macros, Nauticam housing For big animals - you can find a good number of turtles and groupers, tarpon, nurse sharks, great barracuda, and stingrays.
Best Dive Sites in the Cayman Islands for a Magical - pickyourtrail 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. As of 2023, you can renew your passport online. Intermediate divers can begin their dive at the chimney, a narrow tunnel starting at 12m/40ft and ending at 24m/80ft. Macro photographers should keep an eye out for the neck and decorator crabs who make their homes here. Another great wall diving site in Little Cayman is Joys Joy. Located in popular Bloody Bay, Donnas Delight is home to some classic Cayman wall diving: Giant barrel sponges, arching sea fans, and bright corals. 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. They can offer up their first-hand Watch your buoyancy and head out into the blue, look back to really appreciate the Great Walls sheer size and impressive drop-off. Sharp-eyed divers can find leopard flatworms and the tunnels are also popular hangouts for rays and green moray eels. Tieneke, Joe, and Kevin went out of their way to accommodate our dive group and show us a really great time. The best time to dive is between December and April when the water is at its warmest and the visibility is at its best.
Diving in Little Cayman | PADI I like the idea of being able to dive off both islands while staying on one. Most of the units for rent are 2-bedroom and 2-bathroons units. The famous diver and explorer Jacques Cousteau said that Bloody Bay Wall is one of the top dive sites in the world. I thought it might be too touristy, but it was a lot of fun.
Scuba Diving Operators on Little Cayman - Little Cayman Forum No crowds. 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. Purposely sunk in 2011, she now sits upright in the sand at 18 meters (60ft) and is a teeming artificial reef encrusted with coral.