Located in Little Cayman, the Bloody Bay Wall dive site is noted for its high visibility, rich marine life, and the presence of a sheer wall that drops 2000 meters into the deep ocean. Take a walk along the coast line or rent a bicycle and ride around the island. Little Cayman was first discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1503. Sidetrip: Visit Little Caymans Booby Pond Nature Reserve. The Cayman Islands boasts world-class beaches, luxurious properties, worldwide culinary influences, high-end shops, local stores, and everything in between. In the shallows, flamingo tongues cling onto sea fans while lobsters, eels, and jewfish can be found hiding in the ridges and gullies. ScubaDiveGeek.com also participates in other affiliate programs and Google Adwords and is compensated for referring traffic and business to these and other companies. but the best time to visit is between May and October. an enquiry. This is an especiallygreat time to visit clear, calm waters are perfect for snorkeling, diving, sailing and fishing. 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. 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. He is the author of four books about cruising in the Caribbean, Alaska and Mexican Riviera. The wreck was specifically set up for safe penetration, giving divers many interior rooms to explore. There's much to discover beyond theme parks in this Southeastern state. Divers in the Caymans visit Kittiwake for the wreck itself. This is a shore dive, meaning that you enter the water from the shore, and then swim to Cheeseburger Reef. Navigate forward to interact with the calendar and select a date. From these locations, I was able to dive the west end and also the North Wall. The most interesting topside activities for us were exploring the island in a rental car and driving on the left side of the road. Bloody Bay Wall. Around the coral fingers, stingrays, eagle rays and yellowhead jawfish rest on the sandy patches. Grand Cayman is somewhat unique among major Caribbean destinations because it is one of the few islands that has average daytime temperatures exceed 90 degrees Fahrenheit during the summer and fall. Bloody Bay Wall Bloody Bay Wall is located in Little Cayman. North Wall 2. stingray city 3. In effect, there are more registered businesses in Cayman Island as compared to its local population. // ]]>, Call us today at+1-310-915-6677 or email us info@bluewaterdivetravel.com. The Cayman Islands are one of the Best Liveaboard Destinations for Beginners. For shark diving, we suggest the Maze, Scuba Bowl and the Grouper Grotto which is also filled with lots of good-size groupers. The ship was originally built for the US Army Transportation Corps over 70-years ago. Our travel experts have highlighted our favourite places to visit each month, Terms & Conditions Cruise ships visit here, so expect everything you would find in most international cruise ship ports. The worst time is September during the hurricane season. Crabs and lobsters are among the critters hiding in the crevices. The entire experience is about 3 hours long from the time we pick you up from your hotel or condo along Seven Mile Beach to drop off. Keith Tibbets- This Soviet-built Frigate that was owned by the Cuban navy was given to the Cayman Islands to purposefully sink it. If you enjoy diving, then you need to visit the USS Kittiwake during your vacation to Grand Cayman. that the underwater world (and overwater, if you plan on surfacing It is common to see barracudas and schools of horse-eye jacks in this area. Our mission has been to do this with the best crew, using the best equipment while offering the most competing Cayman Islands dive packages. MV Captain Keith Tibbetts is an ex-Soviet Union ship that was built in 1984 for the Cuban Navy. Phone +1 345-949-7111. Bert Brothers Boulders is also a great spot to see flying gurnards at around 5.5 meters (18ft). Divers can observe the bow guns and go along the rails to make some great photos. Tourism volume is estimated based on in-market destination search query interest from Google and on travel.usnews.com in 2015-2016. 1. The Cayman Islands are a premier diving destination, boasting 365 dive sites, as well as the International Scuba Diving Hall of Fame . A shallow dive site, the colors here really pop making it a good choice for photographers. As the name suggests, this Cayman dive site is known for eagle rays. Located near a popular resort is a vertical drop off that is filled with all sorts of marine life the North Wall. 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. East End 5. January and February are the coolest months with average lows in the high 60s. Although this is a wall dive, the cut in the sites name comes from the swim-through many divers use upon descent. In general, the tourism industry in the Cayman Islands is designed with divers in mind. 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 pickup from the Westin, Ritz and Kimpton Seafire beaches for their West Dives, which is one of their standout features. DIVEIN.com was founded in 2009 by the two brothers Torben and Nicolai. Best Time To Dive The Cayman Island It is worth noting however that from June until October is the hurricane season in the Caribbean. Grand Cayman Monthly Weather: Rain, Temperatures, Grand Cayman Vacation Tips: Hotels, Attractions, Weather, Cayman Islands overnight visitor statistics; Caribeez.com. Our DSD is $99 USD per person and includes all equipment needed and a fantastic shallow dive to a max depth of 40ft. 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. We understand that diving the best Grand Cayman Dives is the primary goal of your Grand Cayman Dive vacation. Indonesia. 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. 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. If you make a purchase from our site, we may earn a commission. We dived 3 days in February 2014, and they were all excellent and memorable dives. They are located in George Town in Grand Cayman. Book your next cruise vacation on one of these floating megaresorts. From spotting blue iguanas to kayaking in a bioluminescent bay to diving through intricate shipwrecks, here is a guide to making the most out of a first-time visit to Grand Cayman. This is currently number 20 on the 100 Best Dives list.. Their sister company, Tortuga Divers, operates from Morritts Tortuga Club in East End. 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. 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. Dive Shop and Front desk is open 7 days per week | 7am to 6pm and can be reached directly on (345)-640-7500 A favourite stop for those diving and snorkeling lovers, the Bay Islands' important three islands are Roatan, Utila and Guanaja. "High Season" at the hotels is mid-December to mid-April, so rates will be higher then. There is decent shore diving from their dock. Swim throughs, ledges, overhangs, and an average depth of 12 meters (40ft) make this a Cayman dive site for all experience levels to explore. 1 is a 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom unit. If you like diving in caves and grottos, Trinity Caves on Grand Caymans west side is the site for you. We were lucky enough to see the tail end of silversides on the wreck of the Balboa right in the Harbor too. 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. Roundabout is located along the North Wall in Grand Cayman. 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. On top of being generally warm, the waters are clear with underwater visibility running from 18 30 meters (60 100 feet). From full scuba certification courses to one-day experiences for those who've never breathed off a regulator, the Cayman Islands qualify as an scuba diving shrine. All content is copyright protected by either DIVEIN.com or respected copyright holders, Disclosure: We are reader supported, and earn. And as you might imagine, the coral-encrusted archway makes for a fantastic photo opportunity. Exploring this site requires you to initially descend to 18 meters (60 feet) deep where the wall starts. We gave our Gear Lovers one job: Cayman Islands, as well as our suggestions for the best places to 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. During winter, temperatures can drop down to the low 70s. Some resorts offer "Hurricane protection". Both of these sites are accessible from shore. 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. 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 . The wreck can be penetrated in some parts but speak for your guide or instructor beforehand. Topside, the community is expanding with ongoing construction. If you love nature, you can go hiking or explore some caverns and caves. 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. (Closed Circuit Rebreathers/CCR) allows you to massively extend your dive time. 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. 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. It is Batabano, the countrys biggest festival, which is scheduled for early May each year. This world-class scuba destination is colorful, bright, and teeming with life. The best part about the dive is the . So, either way, the experience is well worth the money. Away from the reef, divers can look around the LCM David Nicholson wreck. This is one of the deepest sea-walls in the world. Located 2.5 kilometers (1.6 miles) northwest of the Capital City of George Town is one of the most popular dive sites, not just in the Cayman Islands, but in the Caribbean the Stingray City which is classified as a sandbar that has been naturally aggregated with southern stingrays that have been accustomed to human presence because of feeding. Macro photographers should keep an eye out for the neck and decorator crabs who make their homes here. 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. Aside from corals, barrel sponges are sprawling in this vibrant reef that is also filled with tropical reef fish like groupers, butterflyfish, angelfish, moray eels and lionfish which is believed to be an invasive species. Over 200 permanent boat moorings are installed to avoid damaging corals with the dropping of boat anchors. Click the link below to read our article about Eden Rock: Deep Stingray City is located in Grand Cayman. We are proud to off-set 100% of the carbon generated by our clients' flights. 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. The islands are warm year-round with average highs. In 2017, Tropical Storm Nate shifted the Kittiwake from her original position. The worst time is September during the hurricane season. Welcome to my scuba diving bucket list. The rainiest months in Grand Cayman are September and October during the height of the annual hurricane season. This is the most famous dive site in the Cayman Islands - and with good reason. You can see Spotted Eagle Rays flying passed this area from depths of about 30 to 100 feet. Megan Johnson|Sharael KolbergMarch 3, 2023, Holly Johnson|Erin EvansFebruary 28, 2023, U.S. News Travel EditorsFebruary 28, 2023, Kyle McCarthy|Catriona KendallFebruary 22, 2023. I stayed at an all inclusive where the food was exceptional, prepared by a world class chef. You need to take a boat to reach this wreck. Best time to dive When to dive in the Cayman Islands entirely depends on your own personal preferences. 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. 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. 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). From 5 star restaurants to fish frys at the local gas station. 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. GOT QUESTIONS ABOUT DIVING IN CAYMANS? Besides scuba diving, there are plenty of other things to do on the Cayman Islands. Bay Islands, Honduras. The best time to see whitetip reef sharks in the Cayman Islands is from May to August. It was named Orange Canyon because of the large orange Elephant Ear Sponges that can be found here. Drift dives are possible here depending on your operator. 3. Cayman Islands has an average water temperature ranging from 26 29C (78 84F). Eels, rays, sharks, and turtles are frequently seen. The amazing strawberry sponges were in abundance there. "High Season" at the hotels is mid-December to mid-April, so rates will be higher then. 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. For scuba diving, the best time to dive the Cayman Islands is pretty much any time except peak hurricane season. Located 133 kilometers (83 miles) northeast of Grand Cayman is its little sister island Little Cayman. This is a wreck worth a dive or two. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. This area is an international tourist destination and can be crowded. As a diver, with a PADI account you can access your eLearning along with many more tools to help you on your adventures. Below are our recommendations for the best months to dive in However, the Cayman Islands can be impacted by hurricanes primarily between June and November. Boat rides were no longer than 15 minutes, with most being around 5 minutes. On Grand Cayman, I stayed at hotels on the west end along Seven Mile beach. 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. You will see many sea creatures such as octopus and arrow crabs. However, there are large coral canyons that provide exciting swim-throughs for divers. If you are vacationing in Cayman Brac, then you need to visit this spot. Look along the ledge by the mooring for crabs and check out the four massive barrel sponges. Get certified to scuba dive. 1-800-652-1972. Thus, you can keep going back and still discover new sites. With world class conditions and a robust dive industry, the Cayman Islands is one of the best places to learn how to dive. Why? Bert Brothers Boulders is one of the most beautiful dive sites on Cayman Brac. Our Original Diving experts, made up of marine biologists, You can dive from shore because they have ladders that you can use to enter and exit the water. Cruise lines can reduce the number of ships that visit Grand Cayman in the fall, but hotels and resorts cant reduce the number of rooms. Trinity Caves is one Cayman dive site that never disappoints. Before she was decommissioned in 1994, the USS Kittiwake was a Navy Chanticleer-class submarine rescue vessel. Best Time to Dive Cayman Islands. I would like to mention 2 points though, one that it is a bit expensive, both the accommodations and the diving, and secondly, it looks like they allow open water divers to do the deeper wall dives, where you can be as deep as 100 feet, just an FYI, in case youre not comfortable at that depth. June to October brings higher topside temperatures (up to 33C, 91F). 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. This is how we pay ourselves. 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. Under its 1986 declaration covering an area of hectares (23 acres) are dive sites that are popular to tourists and divers alike. While at first the Oro Verde was a complete ship, rough seas and tumultuous weather have dispersed the wreckage. 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. The wall dive also has several other topographical features including swim-throughs and tunnels. 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. #6 inBest Cheap Destination Wedding Locations, #4 inBest Places to Visit in January 2023. Flights to Grand Cayman arrive at Owen Roberts International Airport. But the main reason for diving here are the sharks, especially hammerheads. Yes, that is true and get ready since the 333 islands of Fiji will take you into a quintessential South United Arab Emirates: Unspoiled Dive Sites. 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. No diving trip in Grand Cayman would be complete without a dive at the infamous Stingray City. If you want to escape the crowds of cruise ship passengers, the East End is the place to go. Here, you can take diving lessons, go on a guided dive, or rent tanks and gear. A highlight dive is the Tibbets wreck with great structure and lots of life. The Cayman Islands hosts one of the best dives in the World: Bloody Bay Wall on Little Cayman. This spot is about 20-feet deep, and has a lot of coral. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. All the information you need to plan your dive vacations anywhere in the world. Generally, even with up to four dives per day on offer Cayman Islands scuba diving . Give the perfect gift for your favorite ocean lover and explorer. Tieneke, Joe, and Kevin went out of their way to accommodate our dive group and show us a really great time. While the gazebo itself is actually an arch, this small dive site never fails to please. Butterflyfish, triggerfish, shrimp, snapper, and more hand out in and around the large coral heads that sit nor far from the waters surface. 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. Average rainfall jumps to more than five inches in May, June and July. Stingray City offers divers the opportunity to fully interact with these amazing creatures. These hot temperatures start in May and last into November. 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!