best time to dive cayman islands best time to dive cayman islands

But they are sometimes the cheapest months to visit. Away from the stingray action, there are a number of coral heads with a variety of life to check out. We did see some nurse sharks, sea turtles and a few rays. It is 330-feet in length, and was sunk in Cayman Brac in 1996. Away from the reef, divers can look around the LCM David Nicholson wreck. Instagram, My Ideas Exploring this site requires you to initially descend to 18 meters (60 feet) deep where the wall starts. Babylon- Grand Cayman Island is surrounded by a wall, but what makes the Babylon site special is the pinnacle with a canyon cutting the north wall. Sunset Reef is a popular shore dive just 60 meters (200ft) off the Sunset House Resorts pier. If you want to escape the crowds of cruise ship passengers, the East End is the place to go. If you want to enjoy these five dive sites . If you love nature, you can go hiking or explore some caverns and caves. 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. I guess thats one drawback of guided dives, everyone is constantly on the move, not ideal for photography, especially macro photography. 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. As a diver, with a PADI account you can access your eLearning along with many more tools to help you on your adventures. Explore the top-rated styles for every type of trip to the beach. Cayman Islands International Film Festival. 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. Theres also Little Cayman thats the least developed of the 3 islands. This British overseas island is home to mystical caves, unscaled escarpments, tropical forests, diverse wildlife and a plethora of other unique experiences. 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! Everything most divers want. This spot is about 20-feet deep, and has a lot of coral. This is currently number 20 on the 100 Best Dives list. Grand Cayman has beautiful beaches and probably the most topside activities or restaurants anyone would want. Click the link below to read our article about the USS Kittiwake: Wilderness Wall is located on the south-side of Cayman Brac. Generally, even with up to four dives per day on offer Cayman Islands scuba diving . Get certified to scuba dive. September and October are the riskiest months to visit Grand Cayman because of the higher than normal amounts of rain. Some of those services give me a small percentage of what you pay as commission for my referral. Dining can be pricey but the meals I have had have been wonderful. to save My Ideas for later. The amazing strawberry sponges were in abundance there. Address. Along the drop-off, crevices and canyons cut through the reefs face. Discover these empowering women's history destinations selected by the U.S. News travel editors. Our travel experts have highlighted our favourite places to visit each month, Terms & Conditions 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. The sea is always warm in the Cayman Islands, with surface temperatures never dropping below around 25 o C (78 o F). Orange Canyon is a popular dive site on the west-side of Grand Cayman. 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. Schools of bright snappers brightened the reefs among colorful sponges. Stingray City has very large, friendly stingrays. Grand Cayman is the most visited island in the Cayman Islands by Scuba Divers. 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. PrivacyPolicy, 2023 Original Diving | Web Design by D3R. There is a separate fee to dive this wreck that goes towards conservation, and you also get a nice yellow diver medallion to keep. The Cayman Islands are widely regarded as the birthplace of recreational scuba diving, thanks to some pioneering efforts by local operators in the 1980s. With the wall beginning at just 6 meters (20ft), the site is popular with both divers and snorkelers. 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. There is decent shore diving from their dock. Grab your gear and dive into the crystal clear waters of Grand Cayman! 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. The Cayman Islands are one of the Best Liveaboard Destinations for Beginners. 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. Usually you will see at least a few tarpon at this spot. December rainfall drops back down to about three inches. Diving is available year-round. 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. Twitter 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. This is a wall that drops 2000 meters to the sea floor. Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman house over 300 dive sites, making up the breathtaking Cayman dive map. This is an especiallygreat time to visit clear, calm waters are perfect for snorkeling, diving, sailing and fishing. Cheeseburger Reef is located in George Town, Grand Cayman. They can offer up their first-hand Roberts Wall is located on the North Wall in Grand Cayman. 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. PADI Dive Resorts for all budgets, in the best dive locations around the world. I am a scuba diving newbie, a Project Manager by profession, and an entrepreneur at heart. The reef slopes gradually from 5 to 17 meters (17-55ft), and is covered in hard corals, sea whips, small sponges and gorgonians. On Grand Cayman, I stayed at hotels on the west end along Seven Mile beach. Youtube+ There are also lots of tarpon and small silver sprats in this area. Reservations Office is open Monday-Friday | 8:30am-5:30pm Cayman Islands time. Book your fun dives, snorkelling trips and courses online with thousands of PADI Dive Centers. Pinterest Use Add to ideas + to collect your trip ideas, share with friends or make There are actually around two dozen dive sites within the bay, with Bloody Bay Wall top of the list. 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. Its not often divers can see a mermaid on a dive, but at Sunset Reef they can. Beginners can enjoy another smaller chimney instead. We could easily get to reefs and wrecks by ourselves from shore and take as much time as our tanks allowed. Lighthouse Point is located in West Bay in Grand Cayman. 6. Plus, along the wall, you can meet triggerfish, eagle rays, turtles, lobsters and many more! Cayman Islands Seasonal Dive Planner The Caymans' hottest period is from May to November. Jacques Costeau loved diving in the Caymans and its easy to see why. 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. Located near a popular resort is a vertical drop off that is filled with all sorts of marine life the North Wall. You will find Nassau gropers, triggerfish, and other unique marine life at the Bloody Bay Wall. This is a wall that drops 2000 meters to the sea floor. (Closed Circuit Rebreathers/CCR) allows you to massively extend your dive time. Cayman Brac offers a good mix of wall, wreck and reef diving for all experience levels. There are lots of options for great photography and for posing for memorable photos, such as by the Kittiwake sign, swimming by the prop, or pretending to steer the helm on the bridge. There is a reason you won't find under a 5-star review for Silver Thatch, they are the best. It is an amazing sight, and a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience. This site is well-known and popular with divers, snorkelers, and glass-bottom boaters alike. I thought it might be too touristy, but it was a lot of fun. Grand Cayman Island probably has the best diving as it has the North Wall deep drop-off dive and the USS Kittiwake wreck dive. With a PADI Travel account, you can favourite dive operators to come back to later on any device or computer. Cruise ships visit here, so expect everything you would find in most international cruise ship ports. 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. I stayed at an all inclusive where the food was exceptional, prepared by a world class chef. Rainfall starts to climb in May. I am Dan, this site is my blog where I document my research on the best diving spots in the world. // ]]>, Call us today at+1-310-915-6677 or email us info@bluewaterdivetravel.com. Look in the blue off the wall for passing sharks, rays, and turtles. Once you decide which route you want to go, it's time to get in the water! Babylon is located on the North Wall in Grand Cayman. Theres plenty to do if you are not 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. The waters here are 15 to 25 meters deep. Other highlights include barracudas, yellowtail snappers, hawksbill turtles, and stingrays that sleep in the sand. Bloody Bay Wall is located in Little Cayman. With world class conditions and a robust dive industry, the Cayman Islands is one of the best places to learn how to dive. at any point on your diving holiday) has to offer. Rum Point Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned diver, Grand Cayman has a dive site for you. I have worked in the corporate world and had little time for adventure. As a photographer, I never lacked for subjects both wide angle and macro and anything in between. The best part about the dive is the . Little Cayman GoPro Video Workshop: April 2023, Best Liveaboard Destinations for Beginners, shifted the Kittiwake from her original position. Answer 1 of 11: Does anyone have firsthand experience with any of the dive operators on Little Cayman that they will share? [What You Need to Know]. Located in the western Caribbean, just 480 miles south of Miami, Cayman is perfect for scuba diving and snorkelling, boasting some of the Caribbean's best excursions. A favourite stop for those diving and snorkeling lovers, the Bay Islands' important three islands are Roatan, Utila and Guanaja. Now it has become a beautiful artificial reef and home for colorful sponges, groupers, barracudas and other marine life. The best dive site is either Bloody Bay Wall in Little Cayman or the USS Kittiwake in Grand Cayman. Its land area is slightly bigger than Little Cayman with a measurement of 19 x 2 kilometers (12miles x 1.2miles). 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. Around the coral fingers, stingrays, eagle rays and yellowhead jawfish rest on the sandy patches. Bay Islands, Honduras. Stingrays and turtles are known to swim here. Here are a few of our favourite dive sites in Grand Cayman: 1. The shore diving was really easy to access with actual ladders or stairs and even showers at some sites. June to October brings . 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. It seems the dive guides hunt the lionfish and then feed the groupers, so they joined us right away each dive. Would also recommend spending an afternoon at Rum Point, where you can relax and also do some snorkeling if you like. Also known as the Mixing Bowl, Three Fathom Wall is the point where Jacksons Bight and the Bloody Bay diving areas meet. 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. Sidetrip: Visit Little Caymans Booby Pond Nature Reserve. Drop us a comment below and tell us your favorite site! MV Capt. Closer to the reef, turtles, groupers, horse-eyed jacks, and an over-abundance of lionfish make this colorful site even more interesting. We highly advise you ask your local dive shop on the dos and donts in diving a particular dive site. See and be seen at these stunning natural wonders. 4. 3. In the shallows, flamingo tongues cling onto sea fans while lobsters, eels, and jewfish can be found hiding in the ridges and gullies. Today, Cayman is one of the top dive destinations anywhere. 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. Located 133 kilometers (83 miles) northeast of Grand Cayman is its little sister island Little Cayman. Yes, that is the Cayman Islands and this is due in part of the tax holiday being implemented that has attracted businesses worldwide. 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. . Erwin Poliakoff, Baton Rouge, Louisiana USA Nikon D7000, Tokina 10-17 zoom, Nikkor 60mm, 85mm, and 105mm macros, Nauticam housing This area is an international tourist destination and can be crowded. . Booming in the sense that Little Cayman has over 15 dive sites that have attracted divers from all parts of the globe, and sprawling since all the dive sites are teeming with marine life. From 5 star restaurants to fish frys at the local gas station. Share your love of diving, experience new adventures, expand your dive skills, and help save the ocean. Moray eels and angelfish move among the coral, and turtles are often seen cruising over the reef. Sign up to get the latest updates, offers and more. As for temperature and weather, the Cayman Islands are tropical, meaning it's warm 365 days a year. Cayman Islands has an average water temperature ranging from 26 29C (78 84F). Both are wonderful underwater. Located 8 kilometers (5 miles) east of Little Cayman is another elongated island that is popular with anglers and scuba divers. June to October brings higher topside temperatures (up to 33C, 91F). The depths start at around 12m/40ft and end at 30m/98ft. 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. 1. From our 24hr helpline to our expert local guides and selection of handpicked reading lists. Divers in the Caymans visit Kittiwake for the wreck itself. Each time has been a wonderful underwater adventure. If you want to get rid of the tourist crowd in Grand Cayman and explore a dive site that is remote and that the diver to fish ratio is 1 to a million, then we suggest you head out northwest of Grand Cayman via a Cayman Liveaboard vessel in a site called Babylon. Cathy Church has a shop at Sunset House where you can often meet her and see her beautiful underwater photos from the area. Most people see flights, accommodations, and activities far cheaper during this time since fewer tourists are visiting. Cactus coral, sea fans, great star coral, and tube sponges blanket the reef and provide refuge for a variety of sea creatures. It does not make the product pricier for you. For this reason, wreck junkies and aficionados often have the Keith on their to-dive lists. From Grand Cayman, you can transfer to Little Cayman or Cayman Brac. 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. The Cayman Islands are one of the Best Liveaboard Destinations in the World. As the name suggests, this Cayman dive site is known for eagle rays. The best time to go to the Cayman Islands is in March and April because there is spring break from school and April has a combination of warm temperatures and a low risk of rain. 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 . December and July are good times for families because children are out of school for the holidays and summer. Seahorses - While the Cayman Islands are best known for their stunning coral reefs and diverse marine life, don't forget about the amazing small critters that call these waters home . 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. The Cayman Islands certainly offer diversity without a long trip from the states. The best time to see whitetip reef sharks in the Cayman Islands is from May to August. Only ten miles long and one mile wide, this is a place where you can truly focus on your opportunity to relax. 310-915-6677 document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Grand Cayman is the most commercial island, with a lot of resorts, great nightlife, and more tourist attractions. Were a free review guide run by passionate Divers, Sports, and Outdoor fanatics. As said earlier, Grand Cayman has over 50 dive sites and we will not leave this section without mentioning other noted dive spots. 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. This is a must do dive. Having a less touristic crowd, Cayman Brac still has several tourism facilities like Cayman Brac Dive Resorts that are scattered along its narrow coast. In the Cayman Islands, spring is in full force. Its a very easy and fun dive, we saw some angelfish and eagle rays. Lionfish have become an invasive species and some of the dive operators offer culling excursions. 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. 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. In February, the cost is roughly $1,044 round trip . Grand Cayman is a beautiful dive destination with many options for accommodations and for diving. It is common to see barracudas and schools of horse-eye jacks in this area. 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. Overall it is a place worth seeing. Find & Book Liveaboards Choose from a selection of more than 250 vessels and 18,000 trips worldwide. 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. A shallow dive site, the colors here really pop making it a good choice for photographers. Phone +1 345-949-7111. Courtesy of IreneCorti/Getty Images/iStockphoto. 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. Fiji: Dive the Soft Coral Capital of the World. But the main reason for diving here are the sharks, especially hammerheads. DIVEIN.com was founded in 2009 by the two brothers Torben and Nicolai. January and February are the coolest months with average lows in the high 60s. The Cayman Islands is a land of breath-taking experiences. Diving Season: The best time to dive Cuba's Jardines de la Reina is during the dry season, from November to late April, as this time has the most ideal visibility and sea conditions. This does not affect the quality or independence of our editorial content. Bert Brothers Boulders is one of the most beautiful dive sites on Cayman Brac. This island is very small and there is little to do, other than dive. 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. The non-divers with us were content to lounge by the pool, visit the spa, ride bikes, and go for walks. Here youll find more than 50 dives sites including the famous Bloody Bay. The seven mile beach area is beautiful for walking and photo opportunities. Welcome to my scuba diving bucket list. Hurricane Ivan in 2004 cleaved the 100m/328ft ship in half but divers can still explore both sections of the wreckage. There are lots of beautiful beaches to visit and to relax. 10 Go Scavenger Hunting At Seven Mile Beach. If the forecast looks good, they should consider taking a last-minute trip to Grand Cayman if they also spot an attractive discount. 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. for even more in-depth travel advice. 10 Best Dive Destinations in the Caribbean Best diving in the Caribbean 10 Best Dive Destinations in the Caribbean Cecily Russell 25 February, 2022 Vast blue waters, plummeting wall dives and pelagic life are just a few reasons why you'll find some of the world's best diving in the Caribbean. Grand Cayman also offers accessible shore diving on great coral reefs with little to no current. And when it comes to marine life, there is lots to see! 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. Tourism volume is estimated based on in-market destination search query interest from Google and on travel.usnews.com in 2015-2016. The rainiest months in Grand Cayman are September and October during the height of the annual hurricane season. Our DSD is $99 USD per person and includes all equipment needed and a fantastic shallow dive to a max depth of 40ft. Hotels, resorts and cruise ships dont like unsold rooms and cabins, so they are more likely to offer discounts to attract customers. For shark diving, we suggest the Maze, Scuba Bowl and the Grouper Grotto which is also filled with lots of good-size groupers. The Kittiwake wreck as well as other wrecks in the close vicinity add variety and interesting structure which I really enjoyed. We understand that diving the best Grand Cayman Dives is the primary goal of your Grand Cayman Dive vacation. We dived 3 days in February 2014, and they were all excellent and memorable dives. The Seven Mile Beach area and the main city, Georgetown, are very developed with large hotels and resorts, restaurants, shops, etc. You can also go wreck diving as there are some shipwrecks that can be explored like the remains of USS Kittiwake. The resident goliath grouper is a popular dive buddy at this Cayman dive site. You can go hiking in the Mastic Trail where it has really nice views from the harbors and the beaches. There are also usually direct flights from Boston, Chicago, and New York. The islands are warm year-round with average highs. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'scubadivegeek_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_14',101,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-scubadivegeek_com-medrectangle-4-0');The Cayman Islands has a tropical marine climate with two pronounced seasons: a rainy season that runs from May to October and a dry season from November to April. Sharks and turtles are frequent visitors as are snappers, groupers, and grunts. Find the best travel insurance for you with these U.S. News ratings, which factor in expert and consumer recommendations. Dive vacations in the Cayman Islands are a good choice for underwater photographers with their many opportunities to capture the beauty of the place and wonderful visibility, and also for travellers looking for deep dives - you can find many along the Cayman walls. In effect, there are more registered businesses in Cayman Island as compared to its local population. The winter and early spring months are the most popular time in the Cayman Islands. A 50% deposit is required at the time of booking with the final 50% . If wall diving is your thing, check out diving in Turks & Caicos. Wheres the best place(s) to stay when looking into a diving trip in the Caymans? A few great choices are the Sunset House Hotel in Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac Beach Resort and the Little Cayman Beach Resort. 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. These Florida Keys resorts are ideal for family getaways and romantic retreats. While you can get some rain, it's not as common as during the summer. 5. The best diving depth at this Cayman site, between 30 and 40 meters (98-130ft) means its best for deep certified advanced divers.