Around the coral fingers, stingrays, eagle rays and yellowhead jawfish rest on the sandy patches. dive in each month of the year. 310-915-6677 4. 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. 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. There is also an air pocket in a decompression chamber that you can pop into and chat with your buddy!! Beginners can enjoy another smaller chimney instead. There are 365 dive sites throughout the islands, offering something for all levels of experience. Instead, they pass through the vicinity and bring heavy rains and wind to the island. Press the question mark key to get the keyboard shortcuts for changing dates. 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;}. Through this site,my intent is to be able to sponsor the new chapter in my life as a scuba diver. The main gateway to the Cayman Islands is through Grand Cayman. // ]]>, Call us today at+1-310-915-6677 or email us info@bluewaterdivetravel.com. From 5 star restaurants to fish frys at the local gas station. Replace or update your card, buy a Special Edition or Project AWARE version of your PADI certification card, or go digital with the purchase of a PADI eCard. 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. These hot temperatures start in May and last into November. 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. Indonesia. Divers of all levels can explore the engines, pistons, and pieces of the wreck that are scattered at 18m/60ft. But which Cayman Island has the best diving? Tourism volume is estimated based on in-market destination search query interest from Google and on travel.usnews.com in 2015-2016. Cheeseburger Reef is located in George Town, Grand Cayman. This is how we pay ourselves. If you enjoy snorkeling, then check out our article where we discuss the top 25 snorkel spots in Grand Cayman. Resident Nassau groupers often keep divers company and if you look closely, you may be rewarded with seahorses and lettuce-leaf slugs. The boat dives were offered mostly in the mornings, and we were on our own in the afternoons. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. Welcome to my scuba diving bucket list. 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. During winter, temperatures can drop down to the low 70s. Divers in the Caymans visit Kittiwake for the wreck itself. If you are vacationing in Cayman Brac, then you need to visit this spot. The Cayman Islands has also designated four special areas for protection such as marine park zones, replenishment zones, environmental zones, and no diving zones. We dived 3 days in February 2014, and they were all excellent and memorable dives. ScubaDiveGeek.com is a participant in the Amazon.com Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Family Traveller Excellence Awards 2019 Winner. There is also a small restaurant and dive resort. It lays at 60 ft (20 m) and scuba divers are able to explore all five levels of this 250 ft (75 m) vessel. The Kittiwake wreck as well as other wrecks in the close vicinity add variety and interesting structure which I really enjoyed. It also does not lack of options to go visit some museums, art galleries, go on walking eco-tours or historical tours, do some shopping and even have a blast at some amazing festivals. After being intentionally sunk to become an artificial reef, this former 76 meter (251 feet) long naval vessel now rests at 18 meters (60 feet) deep near the world-renowned Seven Mile Beach. Butterflyfish, triggerfish, shrimp, snapper, and more hand out in and around the large coral heads that sit nor far from the waters surface. A shallow dive site, the colors here really pop making it a good choice for photographers. There are lots of other fish and coral. I would appreciate if you don't as these referral links are what keep me posting and sharing on this blog. 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. Moray eels and angelfish move among the coral, and turtles are often seen cruising over the reef. Red Sail Sports have been Scuba Diving in Cayman for 40 years. Grand Cayman's North Wall plunges deeper than 1800 metres/6000 feet and offers beautiful wall diving with opportunities to see spotted eagle rays and sea turtles. Find & Book Adventures Book your fun dives, snorkelling trips and courses online with thousands of PADI Dive Centers. While the Cayman Islands are famous for its encounters with stingrays in Stingray City where the rays are said to be almost tame, there are many more sites that the islands offer. Ocean Cabanas Dive Resort: Great views, amazing stay - See 33 traveler reviews, 112 candid photos, and great deals for Ocean Cabanas Dive Resort at Tripadvisor. The top is at 15m/50ft but the bottom is around 90m/200ft so diver ought to watch their depth gauges carefully as they circle the mountain. These Florida Keys resorts are ideal for family getaways and romantic retreats. She met her end on the reef in the late 70s, allegedly due to mutiny aboard. The wreck can be penetrated in some parts but speak for your guide or instructor beforehand. PADI Dive Resorts for all budgets, in the best dive locations around the world. My wife and I are traveling there in February 2015 and are PADI AOW and Nitrox certified with ten years of recreational experience diving. Bloody Bay Wall Bloody Bay Wall is located in Little Cayman. If youre thinking Cheeseburger is an odd name for a dive site, you probably wont be surprised that this shore dive probably took its name after the Burger King that was located across the road! Get in touch with our specialists for even more in-depth travel advice. Our travel experts have highlighted our favourite places to visit each month, Terms & Conditions From our 24hr helpline to our expert local guides and selection of handpicked reading lists. You could spend . Look along the ledge by the mooring for crabs and check out the four massive barrel sponges. I thought it might be too touristy, but it was a lot of fun. Book your fun dives, snorkelling trips and courses online with thousands of PADI Dive Centers. This is the most famous dive site in the Cayman Islands - and with good reason. Grand Cayman also offers accessible shore diving on great coral reefs with little to no current. 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. It was named after the famous free-diver Penny Ventura. 1. You will see many sea creatures such as octopus and arrow crabs. The 20 Best Dive sites in Caymans? I like the idea of being able to dive off both islands while staying on one. Stingrays and turtles are known to swim here. Booming and sprawling are not just words describing the tourism facilities in Little Cayman, but it can also be used to describe its world-class dive sites. When shopping and eating out, be sure to identify which currency prices . MV Capt. This is also where you will board your liveaboard. A direct flight from Miami to Grand Cayman takes only 70 minutes. Find & Book PADI Adventures App Eden Rock Dive Center. Cayman Islands Seasonal Dive Planner The Caymans' hottest period is from May to November. Tarpon Alley is part of the North Wall with depths between 15 to 25 meters (50-80ft). 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. This is a shore dive, meaning that you enter the water from the shore, and then swim to Cheeseburger Reef. We gave our Gear Lovers one job: Photographers will love Greenhouse for its varied macro life. The Cayman Islands is a world-class diving destination famous for its reefs, wrecks and rum. Macro photographers should keep an eye out for the neck and decorator crabs who make their homes here. Cayman Turtle Centre. Closely packed ridges form huge coral heads between the shore and the reef wall. Babylon is located on the North Wall in Grand Cayman. link to Fiji: Dive the Soft Coral Capital of the World, link to United Arab Emirates: Unspoiled Dive Sites, Wall diving, drift diving, cave diving, shore diving, boat diving, deep diving, and wreck diving, 100 different species of hard and soft corals plus over 500 species of tropical fish like the South-Atlantic stingrays, eagle rays, manta rays, nurse sharks, Caribbean reef sharks, flying gurnards, Nassau groupers, tarpon fish, Grand Cayman: Snorkeling at Stingray City, visit Dolphin Cove, hiking in the Mastic Trail, Pedro St. James National Historic Site, Cayman Islands National Museum, and the Cayman Turtle Farm. StingRay City on scuba with a small group was so much fun feeding the rays. As a photographer, I never lacked for subjects both wide angle and macro and anything in between. The best dive site is either Bloody Bay Wall in Little Cayman or the USS Kittiwake in Grand Cayman. at any point on your diving holiday) has to offer. The famous diver and explorer Jacques Cousteau said that Bloody Bay Wall is one of the top dive sites in the world. "High Season" at the hotels is mid-December to mid-April, so rates will be higher then. Please Sign-in or Register In the 2019 Scuba Diving Magazine Readers Choice Awards, the Islands were named one of the Best Overall Dive Destination in the Caribbean/Atlantic and scored first place for Best Advanced Diving and Underwater Photography. A 2.75 meter (9ft) bronze statue of Amphitrite (the wife of the mythological god Poseidon) rises up from the base of the reef. Eagle Ray Pass is located along the North Wall in Grand Cayman. Most dive operators will take you there. 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. For shark diving, we suggest the Maze, Scuba Bowl and the Grouper Grotto which is also filled with lots of good-size groupers. All content is copyright protected by either DIVEIN.com or respected copyright holders, Disclosure: We are reader supported, and earn. 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. Divers can observe the bow guns and go along the rails to make some great photos. Facebook 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 Cayman Islands dollar is legal tender in these islands. For macro subjects, you can see angelfish, morays, lettuce slug nudibranchs and many more. The flight and hotel fares are discounted up to 50 percent this time of year. It is worth noting however that from June until October is the hurricane season in the Caribbean. Some of those services give me a small percentage of what you pay as commission for my referral. But its not just the heat that matters when visiting the Cayman Islands. 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 people of the island are friendly and culturally diverse. On top of being generally warm, the waters are clear with underwater visibility running from 18 30 meters (60 100 feet). The prices of hotels and short excursions that would normally be prohibitively expensive fall to more reasonable levels during this time. Bloody Bay Marine Park is a particularly popular diving destination as it is home to 12 different dive sites, gorgeous coral, and diverse marine life. I have been diving in Grand Cayman several times. Perhaps because of this, the coral isnt looking a healthy as it could. It is Batabano, the countrys biggest festival, which is scheduled for early May each year. Only ten miles long and one mile wide, this is a place where you can truly focus on your opportunity to relax. Click the link below to read our article where we explain the difference between Deep Stingray City and Stingray City Sandbar: Macabuca is located in West Bay in Grand Cayman. Roberts Wall is located on the North Wall in Grand Cayman. Take a walk along the coast line or rent a bicycle and ride around the island. Most people see flights, accommodations, and activities far cheaper during this time since fewer tourists are visiting. There is a lot of soft coral here, which makes for an interesting experience. Bloody Bay Coral Reef Wall - one of the most beautiful dive sites in the Cayman Islands It's time to head back underwater for another jaw-dropping location: the Bloody Bay Wall. 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. Boasting strong diving infrastructure, diverse types of diving, incredible walls and wrecks, and great visibility. With a PADI Travel account, you can favourite dive operators to come back to later on any device or computer. 1-800-652-1972. This is currently number 20 on the 100 Best Dives list.. 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. In general, the tourism industry in the Cayman Islands is designed with divers in mind. While the gazebo itself is actually an arch, this small dive site never fails to please. Northerners also want to get away from the cold and snow of winter. The winter and early spring months are the most popular time in the Cayman Islands. The rainiest months in Grand Cayman are September and October during the height of the annual hurricane season. You will see a lot of tarpon at this spot, as well as coral and other fish. Data sourced from the National Climatic Data Center. Our reviews: We can make the world a little bit better with great in-depth reviews. The Cayman Islands are one of the Best Liveaboard Destinations in the World. I guess thats one drawback of guided dives, everyone is constantly on the move, not ideal for photography, especially macro photography. But these arent the only good and bad times. The main dive spot of Little Cayman is located on the northwest coast in a marine protected area the Bloody Bay Marine Park. Also known as the Mixing Bowl, Three Fathom Wall is the point where Jacksons Bight and the Bloody Bay diving areas meet. There's much to discover beyond theme parks in this Southeastern state. In the Cayman Islands, spring is in full force. 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 site is well-known and popular with divers, snorkelers, and glass-bottom boaters alike. GOT QUESTIONS ABOUT DIVING IN CAYMANS? Seven Mile Beach 4. 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. 4 of the Best Places to Go Shore Diving in Grand Cayman. Discover these empowering women's history destinations selected by the U.S. News travel editors. 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 Cayman Islands are home to some of the best spots for scuba diving and snorkeling in the world. Fiji: Dive the Soft Coral Capital of the World. This gives the unique Caymans dive site a blend of steep vertical walls, sloping reefs, and coral-crusted fingers. It was then sunk in Grand Cayman in 1980 to make a new dive site. On Grand Cayman, I stayed at hotels on the west end along Seven Mile beach. 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. Despite the name, you arent guaranteed to see tarpon here. 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. Also, check out our article where we review the top 25 things to do in Grand Cayman. MV Captain Keith Tibbetts is an ex-Soviet Union ship that was built in 1984 for the Cuban Navy. The Cayman Islands are one of the Best Liveaboard Destinations for Beginners. He is the author of four books about cruising in the Caribbean, Alaska and Mexican Riviera. We did see some nurse sharks, sea turtles and a few rays. From April to October water temperature are at least 27 o C (81 o F) and can reach over 30 o C (85 o F). Marine Life & Environment - Top Dive Spots - Diving Conditions, How to Get There-How to Dive Cayman Islands-Best Time to Dive, NEW! 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. 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. There is decent shore diving from their dock. but the best time to visit is between May and October. They can offer up their first-hand My favorite were the groupers who followed us like pets. Look in the blue off the wall for passing sharks, rays, and turtles. Away from the stingray action, there are a number of coral heads with a variety of life to check out. Just be prepared for a rain shower or two, as this is the start of the region's wet season. 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. StingrayCity. It exceeds six inches in August and jumps again to more than eight inches in September and October. It seems the dive guides hunt the lionfish and then feed the groupers, so they joined us right away each dive. This is a must-do dive for people vacationing in Grand Cayman. 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. DIVEIN.com was founded in 2009 by the two brothers Torben and Nicolai. Diving is available year-round. 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. Exploring this site requires you to descend to 10 meters (33 feet) deep where you will arrive at the top portion of the reef. Theres plenty to do if you are not diving. The Cayman Islands is a land of breath-taking experiences. ASK US HERE! When diving through the cut itself, look under and in crevices, plenty of little critters make homes for themselves here. Naturally, this is also the most expensive season, and reservations must be made at least three months in advance. Crabs and lobsters are among the critters hiding in the crevices. 3. With 365 named dive sites, the enchanting Cayman Islands is a year-round underwater paradise. 1 is a 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom unit. Get certified to scuba dive. The amazing strawberry sponges were in abundance there. 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. No crowds. This is one of the deepest sea-walls in the world. Stingrays, stingrays, and more stingrays is what draws divers to this Cayman site. Apart from the elephant ear sponges, keep your eyes peeled for blacktip Carribean reef sharks in the blue. Get forecasts each morning for every major island. Nature lovers are lured to diverse hiking trails, caves, and a variety of flora and fauna around the island. It was named Orange Canyon because of the large orange Elephant Ear Sponges that can be found here. Stingray City offers divers the opportunity to fully interact with these amazing creatures. Located 8 kilometers (5 miles) east of Little Cayman is another elongated island that is popular with anglers and scuba divers. December through April are especially popular times to go because of low risk of rainfall and more moderate temperatures. Because the site is prone to strong currents, it isnt frequently dived which makes a trip to this very healthy reef even more special. Wilderness Wall starts at 15 meters (50ft) before plunging down into the depths. As of 2023, you can renew your passport online. This island is very small and there is little to do, other than dive. We understand that annual leave is precious so we can ensure that Courtesy of Sunset House Resort, Grand Cayman. July has a jump in visits for families in part because school children are out for the summer. 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. Theyre not timid and as they surround you, these rays seem happy to receive a gentle stroke or two. 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. You will find the Cayman Islands to be very diverse, from quiet Little Cayman, to bustling Seven Mile Beach on 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. May through November, and especially September and October, are the riskiest months to visit. 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. The islands are warm year-round with average highs holding steady in the 80s. Wreck of the Oro Verde is located in Grand Cayman. Cayman Islands has an average water temperature ranging from 26 29C (78 84F). The dive resorts are more expensive than places like Roatan or Belize, but given the reputation of the islands and the quality and ease of the diving, we find the prices reasonable. The primary reason why scuba divers frequently visit the Cayman Islands is to do a different kind of investment: definitely not monetary, but instead fun, enjoyment and great underwater adventures. divemasters and lovers of all things underwater, know the best time Bloody Bay Wall- Most scuba divers will say this is their favorite dive site in the Cayman Islands. Would also recommend spending an afternoon at Rum Point, where you can relax and also do some snorkeling if you like. The months of January and February are the coldest, with average lows in the low 60s. As a diver, with a PADI account you can access your eLearning along with many more tools to help you on your adventures. 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. The waters here are 15 to 25 meters deep. You can spot eagle rays, reef sharks, sailfin blennies, tilefish, peacock flounders, garden eels, or yellow-headed jawfish. For this reason, wreck junkies and aficionados often have the Keith on their to-dive lists. Everything most divers want. The rainy season spans from May through October though showers usually only last for a few hours at a time. 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. Founder of Georges Watersports & Thingstodocayman.net. [CDATA[ The dive schedule would include a deep wall dive followed by a shallower reef or wreck. You can go hiking in the Mastic Trail where it has really nice views from the harbors and the beaches. The top of the wall is around 9 meters (30ft) so the site can be enjoyed as a shallow or deep dive. PrivacyPolicy, 2023 Original Diving | Web Design by D3R. Hotel prices are sourced from a sample of U.S. News Best Hotels rates through 2015-2016. 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. 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. A 2018 poll listed Bonaire as the best dive spot for beginners, conservation, freediving, macro diving, shore diving, and snorkeling. The worst time is September during the hurricane season. I am Dan, this site is my blog where I document my research on the best diving spots in the world. Best Time to Dive in Little Cayman. Black groupers, sergeant majors, yellowtail snapper, and moray eels are just a few of the species you can expect to see. Today, Cayman is one of the top dive destinations anywhere. Cayman Islands, as well as our suggestions for the best places to 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. Best time to dive When to dive in the Cayman Islands entirely depends on your own personal preferences. Collect your trip ideas, share with friends or make an enquiry. We understand that diving the best Grand Cayman Dives is the primary goal of your Grand Cayman Dive vacation. It is an amazing sight, and a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience. Grab your gear and dive into the crystal clear waters of Grand Cayman! However, the Cayman Islands can be impacted by hurricanes primarily between June and November. The Cayman Islands boasts world-class beaches, luxurious properties, worldwide culinary influences, high-end shops, local stores, and everything in between. Drop us a comment below and tell us your favorite site! The water drops over a hundred feet. The Kittiwake is a 76.5 meter (250ft) former submarine support ship. You need to take a boat to reach this area. 10 Go Scavenger Hunting At Seven Mile Beach. The Cayman dollar is exchanged at a rate fixed to the US dollar (CI $1 equals US $1.25). Click the link below to read our article about Macabuca: Tarpon Alley is located at the North Wall in Grand Cayman. While Grand Cayman, the most popular island, has a mix of accessible shore and boat diving. 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. Sharks and turtles are frequent visitors as are snappers, groupers, and grunts. "High Season" at the hotels is mid-December to mid-April, so rates will be higher then. 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.
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