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). Divers can observe the bow guns and go along the rails to make some great photos. The visibility at Donnas Delight on Little Cayman is typically good and the relaxed and easy diving here is suitable for all levels. Cayman Brac is the last of the islands and also much less traveld than Grand Caymen. And as you might imagine, the coral-encrusted archway makes for a fantastic photo opportunity. 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. Bert Brothers Boulders is also a great spot to see flying gurnards at around 5.5 meters (18ft). Eden Rock & Devils Grotto are two dive sites that are next to each other. Watch your buoyancy and head out into the blue, look back to really appreciate the Great Walls sheer size and impressive drop-off. 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. 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. 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. 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. Indonesia. Little Cayman was first discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1503. 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. Jackson's Bight- Located also in the Bloody Bay Marine Park, it does not fail to provide scuba divers with an amazing dive. "High Season" at the hotels is mid-December to mid-April, so rates will be higher then. Average rainfall jumps to more than five inches in May, June and July. The islands are warm year-round with average highs. Naturally, this is also the most expensive season, and reservations must be made at least three months in advance. 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. Resident Nassau groupers often keep divers company and if you look closely, you may be rewarded with seahorses and lettuce-leaf slugs. Book your next cruise vacation on one of these floating megaresorts. 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. For scuba diving, the best time to dive the Cayman Islands is pretty much any time except peak hurricane season. ASK US HERE! The Cayman Islands hosts one of the best dives in the World: Bloody Bay Wall on Little Cayman. Located 8 kilometers (5 miles) east of Little Cayman is another elongated island that is popular with anglers and scuba divers. 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 spot is about 20-feet deep, and has a lot of coral. Click here to learn more. All the information you need to plan your dive vacations anywhere in the world. Best Time to Dive Cayman Islands Diving is available year-round. With regards to transportation, you have to take note that there are no taxis in Little Cayman and the best way to explore the island is by renting a bike. You will see a lot of tarpon at this spot, as well as coral and other fish. Diving is available year-round. There are actually around two dozen dive sites within the bay, with Bloody Bay Wall top of the list. Lighthouse Point is located in West Bay in Grand Cayman. Keith Tibbets- This Soviet-built Frigate that was owned by the Cuban navy was given to the Cayman Islands to purposefully sink it. You can see Spotted Eagle Rays flying passed this area from depths of about 30 to 100 feet. This is the most famous dive site in the Cayman Islands - and with good reason. Otherwise, it is clear that December through April are the best months of the year to visit Grand Cayman, especially early April. PADI Dive Resorts for all budgets, in the best dive locations around the world. I like the idea of being able to dive off both islands while staying on one. . It was named after the famous free-diver Penny Ventura. Trinity Caves is one Cayman dive site that never disappoints. 3. 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. Over a 30-year history, the islands have averaged less than two inches of rain from January through April and a little more than two inches in December, according to the Cayman Islands National Weather Service. I guess thats one drawback of guided dives, everyone is constantly on the move, not ideal for photography, especially macro photography. The flight and hotel fares are discounted up to 50 percent this time of year. 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. Find the best travel insurance for you with these U.S. News ratings, which factor in expert and consumer recommendations. 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. The Cayman Islands dollar is legal tender in these islands. It does not make the product pricier for you. My wife and I are traveling there in February 2015 and are PADI AOW and Nitrox certified with ten years of recreational experience diving. 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 . Take a walk along the coast line or rent a bicycle and ride around the island. Other highlights include barracudas, yellowtail snappers, hawksbill turtles, and stingrays that sleep in the sand. We highly advise you ask your local dive shop on the dos and donts in diving a particular dive site. . Phone +1 345-949-7111. Lemon Reef is a mini-wall dive site located on the North Wall in Grand Cayman. Out in the open, expect schools of Nassau groupers, turtles, and snappers. Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman house over 300 dive sites, making up the breathtaking Cayman dive map. to save My Ideas for later. There are 365 dive sites throughout the islands, offering something for all levels of experience. Each time has been a wonderful underwater adventure. Apart from the elephant ear sponges, keep your eyes peeled for blacktip Carribean reef sharks in the blue. Marine Life & Environment - Top Dive Spots - Diving Conditions, How to Get There-How to Dive Cayman Islands-Best Time to Dive, NEW! 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. Cayman Islands Seasonal Dive Planner The Caymans' hottest period is from May to November. 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. Located 133 kilometers (83 miles) northeast of Grand Cayman is its little sister island Little Cayman. There are over 15 PADI 5-Star Centers in the Cayman Islands, ready to teach you everything you want to know about diving. Boat rides were no longer than 15 minutes, with most being around 5 minutes. There is also a dive shop and restaurant. Just be prepared for a rain shower or two, as this is the start of the region's wet season. If wall diving is your thing, check out diving in Turks & Caicos. If you enjoy snorkeling, then check out our article where we discuss the top 25 snorkel spots in Grand Cayman. Perhaps because of this, the coral isnt looking a healthy as it could. Theres good diving, with great Walls and of course stingray city, where you can see and feed stingrays. July has a jump in visits for families in part because school children are out for the summer. but the best time to visit is between May and October. The highlight of the dive is the photo opportunity with this Cayman reefs most famous resident. 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. 6. If you want to go a little more remote, try Little Cayman. 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. 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 . Live like a local and get under the skin of a destination with our in-country concierges. Sharp-eyed divers can find leopard flatworms and the tunnels are also popular hangouts for rays and green moray eels. This is currently number 20 on the 100 Best Dives list. Bloody Bay Wall is located in Little Cayman. These Florida Keys resorts are ideal for family getaways and romantic retreats. These hot temperatures start in May and last into November. StingRay City on scuba with a small group was so much fun feeding the rays. 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. Find & Book Liveaboards Choose from a selection of more than 250 vessels and 18,000 trips worldwide. With the wall beginning at just 6 meters (20ft), the site is popular with both divers and snorkelers. Black groupers, sergeant majors, yellowtail snapper, and moray eels are just a few of the species you can expect to see. Eden Rock has lots of coral and fish, and Devils Grotto has underwater caves that you can explore. We did not make it to Stingray city, but did get to the other must do dive in Grand Cayman - the USS Kittiwake, a submarine rescue vessel. 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. 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. 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. Moray eels and angelfish move among the coral, and turtles are often seen cruising over the reef. From our 24hr helpline to our expert local guides and selection of handpicked reading lists. There is shopping, bars to hang out in, and live music. 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. 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. The boat dives were offered mostly in the mornings, and we were on our own in the afternoons. 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. 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. Generally, the off-season is the cheapest time to visit Grand Cayman, from May through November. Besides scuba diving, there are plenty of other things to do on the Cayman Islands. Some resorts offer "Hurricane protection". 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. The best time to visit the Cayman Islands is any time of year, but hotel rates drop in March and June and temperatures rise to around 80 degrees. Click the link below to read our article about Eden Rock: Deep Stingray City is located in Grand Cayman. Intermediate divers can begin their dive at the chimney, a narrow tunnel starting at 12m/40ft and ending at 24m/80ft. The best diving depth at this Cayman site, between 30 and 40 meters (98-130ft) means its best for deep certified advanced divers. Bert Brothers Boulders is one of the most beautiful dive sites on Cayman Brac. Here, you can take diving lessons, go on a guided dive, or rent tanks and gear. 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. I've stayed at hotels and used independent dive operators and I have stayed at dive resorts with on-site dive operations. After exploring the area, here are some of the best dive sites in the Cayman Islands: 1. With 365 named dive sites, the enchanting Cayman Islands is a year-round underwater paradise. Besides the thick black corals, keep an eye out for tarpon, large yellow tube sponges, and ginormous barrel sponges. Cayman Turtle Centre. 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. ScubaDiveGeek.com also participates in other affiliate programs and Google Adwords and is compensated for referring traffic and business to these and other companies. The best time to visit Grand Cayman is March and April. We did see some nurse sharks, sea turtles and a few rays. Plus, along the wall, you can meet triggerfish, eagle rays, turtles, lobsters and many more! 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. North Wall 2. stingray city 3. In February, the cost is roughly $1,044 round trip . Stingray City- You can thank the local fishermen for this dive site as they used to clean their catch here that attracted the rays to the site. Drop us a comment below and tell us your favorite site! 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. While the visibility here is often a little clouded, thats thanks to the nutrient-rich flow of water which enriches the corals on the pinnacle. Before the USS Kittiwake was sunk, the Oro Verde was the wreck dive of choice in the Caymans. 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. Furthermore, the islands are home to some of the world's best beaches, making them an ideal vacation destination. Orange Canyon is a popular dive site on the west-side of Grand Cayman. Grand Cayman has dives for all experience levels, and our on-site dive shop Ocean Frontiers Diving Adventures offers a range of PADI dive courses and signature dive adventures. The protected Bloody Bay Marine Park lies in Little Cayman and offers magnificent marine life, great visibility, and spectacular bioluminescent corals. 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. As a diver, with a PADI account you can access your eLearning along with many more tools to help you on your adventures. The rainiest months in Grand Cayman are September and October during the height of the annual hurricane season. The Kittiwake is a 76.5 meter (250ft) former submarine support ship. This is a fun dive spot that you can access from shore. Thus, you can keep going back and still discover new sites. Beginners can enjoy another smaller chimney instead. 2. Although the rays who made this site their home permanently have moved on, there is still a good chance of spotting them here. 1. 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. Data sourced from the National Climatic Data Center. 1 is a 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom unit. If you make a purchase from our site, we may earn a commission. I am the father of the best two children in the world and husband to the most patient woman on this planet. 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. 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? While you can get some rain, it's not as common as during the summer. There is a reason you won't find under a 5-star review for Silver Thatch, they are the best. May through November, and especially September and October, are the riskiest months to visit. Cathy Church has a shop at Sunset House where you can often meet her and see her beautiful underwater photos from the area. This wreck is the only Russian warship that can explore in the Western hemisphere. Courtesy of IreneCorti/Getty Images/iStockphoto. Grand Cayman Island probably has the best diving as it has the North Wall deep drop-off dive and the USS Kittiwake wreck dive. A 2.75 meter (9ft) bronze statue of Amphitrite (the wife of the mythological god Poseidon) rises up from the base of the reef. As well as healthy coral and large pelagic species, you can expect to catch sight of Nassau groupers, stingrays, angelfish, snappers, horse-eye jacks, and turtles. 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. Press the question mark key to get the keyboard shortcuts for changing dates. I make money by sharing links to services that I personally use and recommend. They have ladders that you can use to enter and exit the water safely. During this time, you can expect to see a variety of marine life, including turtles, rays, and a wide array of tropical fish. Web Visit website. StingrayCity. Cruise ships visit here, so expect everything you would find in most international cruise ship ports. 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. Theyre not timid and as they surround you, these rays seem happy to receive a gentle stroke or two. If you love nature, you can go hiking or explore some caverns and caves. Everything most divers want. Both of these sites are accessible from shore. Located just a short walk from George Town, the Sunset House Hotel is home to Sunset Divers, and both resort and dive center are favorites of divers. . Nature lovers are lured to diverse hiking trails, caves, and a variety of flora and fauna around the island. 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. 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 prices of hotels and short excursions that would normally be prohibitively expensive fall to more reasonable levels during this time. Swim throughs, ledges, overhangs, and an average depth of 12 meters (40ft) make this a Cayman dive site for all experience levels to explore. Even if they are stingrays and have the potential to inflict painful wounds via their tail, do not panic as they are not in their aggressive or defensive mode. at any point on your diving holiday) has to offer. Dive Shop and Front desk is open 7 days per week | 7am to 6pm and can be reached directly on (345)-640-7500 Collect your trip ideas, share with friends or make an enquiry. Head to the turret guns for a superb photo opportunity and keep your eyes peeled for barracuda, bright sponges, and schooling reef fish. Its land area is slightly bigger than Little Cayman with a measurement of 19 x 2 kilometers (12miles x 1.2miles). I would appreciate if you don't as these referral links are what keep me posting and sharing on this blog. The wall dive also has several other topographical features including swim-throughs and tunnels. For this reason, wreck junkies and aficionados often have the Keith on their to-dive lists. Instagram, My Ideas Dining can be pricey but the meals I have had have been wonderful. Sharks and turtles are frequent visitors as are snappers, groupers, and grunts. The Cayman Islands-- Grand Cayman, Little Cayman, and Cayman Brac--have been attracting scuba divers for decades, including beginners! Away from the reef, divers can look around the LCM David Nicholson wreck. However, the Cayman Islands can be impacted by hurricanes primarily between June and November. Cayman Islands, as well as our suggestions for the best places to
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