This is an especiallygreat time to visit clear, calm waters are perfect for snorkeling, diving, sailing and fishing. It is rich with tunnels, chutes, cervices, and beautiful reefs. Cayman Islands, as well as our suggestions for the best places to The Kittiwake is a 76.5 meter (250ft) former submarine support ship. Stingray City is in only 12ft (4m) of water and is a huge draw for divers and underwater photographers. The water is about 10 to 20 feet deep. Visibility in the Cayman Islands is wonderful, averaging between 60 and 100 feet (18-30 meters). Part of the Bloody Bay wall, descending from the mooring here reveals a brightly colored vertical reef packed with sponges, corals, and vertebrate and invertebrate marine life. A huge pinnacle branches out, creating a corridor-like passageway that is used by large pelagics cruising up from the abyss. PADI Dive Resorts for all budgets, in the best dive locations around the world. Overall it is a place worth seeing. The people of the island are friendly and culturally diverse. Drop us a comment below and tell us your favorite site! 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. The Cayman Islands certainly offer diversity without a long trip from the states. Bloody Bay Wall is considered the epicenter of scuba diving in this marine park. 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. Rainfall starts to climb in May. The wreck can be penetrated in some parts but speak for your guide or instructor beforehand. Enquire Besides the thick black corals, keep an eye out for tarpon, large yellow tube sponges, and ginormous barrel sponges. This is also where you will board your liveaboard. Everything here is very low key and there is a small local population. Their sister company, Tortuga Divers, operates from Morritts Tortuga Club in East End. Is this the world's best place to learn to scuba dive? - thetimes.co.uk 1-800-652-1972. Flights to Grand Cayman arrive at Owen Roberts International Airport. Named for the bright orange elephant ear sponges that characterize this site, Orange Canyon doesnt contain a closed canyon per se, but an open channel with lively reef on either side. Youtube+ 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. Another top option for divers, Cayman Brac Beach Resort is, as its name implies, located on the third island in the Cayman Islands: 15-square-mile Cayman Brac. 3. Best Time to Visit Cayman Islands - tripbirdie.com You can spot eagle rays, reef sharks, sailfin blennies, tilefish, peacock flounders, garden eels, or yellow-headed jawfish. Closer to the reef, turtles, groupers, horse-eyed jacks, and an over-abundance of lionfish make this colorful site even more interesting. The dives are shallow and you can closely observe them swimming around or above you. If you want to go a little more remote, try Little Cayman. Princess Pennies Pinnacle is located on the North Wall in Grand Cayman. June to October brings . 6. Both are wonderful underwater. Cayman Islands Seasonal Dive Planner The Caymans' hottest period is from May to November. Head to the turret guns for a superb photo opportunity and keep your eyes peeled for barracuda, bright sponges, and schooling reef fish. However, there are large coral canyons that provide exciting swim-throughs for divers. For water sports lovers, there are great spots for snorkeling including night snorkeling with bioluminescence, options to go sailing or on a catamaran cruise. This wreck is the only Russian warship that can explore in the Western hemisphere. You can dive from shore because they have ladders that you can use to enter and exit the water. This is the most famous dive site in the Cayman Islands - and with good reason. We have put together a comprehensive collection of packages to suit your needs. Here are a few of our favourite dive sites in Grand Cayman: 1. Best Resorts in the Cayman Islands | Islands So, what are you waiting for? Diving the Cayman Islands - SCUBA Travel As you enter the cave, you will realize that it is not totally dark as it is illuminated by streaking sunlight streaming from overhead cracks and crevices. 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. In the Cayman Islands, spring is in full force. 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. Wilderness Wall starts at 15 meters (50ft) before plunging down into the depths. Sidetrip: Grand Cayman is the biggest island and it is where most accommodations and restaurants are located. The wreck was specifically set up for safe penetration, giving divers many interior rooms to explore. As the name suggests, this Cayman dive site is known for eagle rays. 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. During this time, you can expect to see a variety of marine life, including turtles, rays, and a wide array of tropical fish. 11 Dive Resorts in the Cayman Islands | PADI Travel 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. Cayman Islands Reservations Phone: (345)-947-0000 Our Reservations Office is located on site at the Dive Shop & Resort in the Cayman Islands. Sidetrip: Visit Little Caymans Booby Pond Nature Reserve. 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. This island is very small and there is little to do, other than dive. 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. We understand that annual leave is precious so we can ensure that It lays at 60 ft (20 m) and scuba divers are able to explore all five levels of this 250 ft (75 m) vessel. December and July are good times for families because children are out of school for the holidays and summer. The winter and early spring months are the most popular time in the Cayman Islands. Plus, along the wall, you can meet triggerfish, eagle rays, turtles, lobsters and many more! They can offer up their first-hand Our Original Diving experts, made up of marine biologists, Water Temperatures: Ranges from around 22C (72F) in December to 29C (84F) in July. Tieneke, Joe, and Kevin went out of their way to accommodate our dive group and show us a really great time. Stingray City offers divers the opportunity to fully interact with these amazing creatures. In 2017, Tropical Storm Nate shifted the Kittiwake from her original position. There's much to discover beyond theme parks in this Southeastern state. Once you decide which route you want to go, it's time to get in the water! Best Time to Dive in Little Cayman - Original Diving It is easily possible to visit all 3 of the Cayman Islands in a single dive trip and be able to enjoy the diversity they provide. Along the wall you'll spot black coral bushes, barrel sponges and sea fans where barracudas, turtles, eagle rays and parrotfish like to show up. Wonderful restaurants nearby. No worries, the diving is world class on Bloody Bay Wall. 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. View Map. Best 5 Dive Resorts In Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands - Trip101 Although this is a wall dive, the cut in the sites name comes from the swim-through many divers use upon descent. 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. And when you have the right product, youre a little bit happier which affects the people around you! I like the idea of being able to dive off both islands while staying on one. Find & Book Adventures Book your fun dives, snorkelling trips and courses online with thousands of PADI Dive Centers. The sea is always warm in the Cayman Islands, with surface temperatures never dropping below around 25 o C (78 o F). Babylon is located on the North Wall in Grand Cayman. 10 Best Scuba Diving Companies In Grand Cayman (2023) We conduct this course from our shore location where the water is ideal for new divers! 1. Now large groups of southern stingrays are lurking around daily. 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! Clearly Cayman Group Specials - Big savings on 7-night stays! 10 Things To Do At Cayman Islands Besides Scuba Diving There are lots of other fish and coral. 6. Diving in Little Cayman | PADI For beginners or those who get nervous in enclosed spaces, there are plenty of decks around the exterior to check out. There is a lot of soft coral here, which makes for an interesting experience. The best part about the dive is the . Best Time To Dive The Cayman Island Little Cayman, Cayman Islands. It does not make the product pricier for you. This is a must do dive. Cruise ships visit here, so expect everything you would find in most international cruise ship ports. We are proud to off-set 100% of the carbon generated by our clients' flights. So, either way, the experience is well worth the money. July has a jump in visits for families in part because school children are out for the summer. Tarpon Alley is part of the North Wall with depths between 15 to 25 meters (50-80ft). Perhaps because of this, the coral isnt looking a healthy as it could. Best Time to Dive Cayman Islands. 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. 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. Scuba Divers can experience the world's best 12ft dive site at Stingray City, the beautiful Starfish Point and Bloody Bay . This dive site first became popular in the 90s when it was featured in the film The Firm, starring Tom Cruise. 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. 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. Unfortunately, the tarpons that gave this site its name have moved on, but you may be lucky and catch a glimpse of these silver kings. Book an introductory scuba diving package to learn the basics of diving from certified PADI instructors. Its not often divers can see a mermaid on a dive, but at Sunset Reef they can. This is one of the best dive sites in Cayman Brac, and is a must-do experience. The prices of hotels and short excursions that would normally be prohibitively expensive fall to more reasonable levels during this time. 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. Press the question mark key to get the keyboard shortcuts for changing dates. The amazing strawberry sponges were in abundance there. Its also the historical rainfall patterns. The 6 Best Dive Sites in the Cayman Islands - PADI Blog The majority of travel agents will advise you that the best time to visit Grand Cayman in order to get the most bang for your buck on a vacation to the Cayman Islands is between the months of March and June. MV Captain Keith Tibbetts is an ex-Soviet Union ship that was built in 1984 for the Cuban Navy. Best Time to Visit The Cayman Islands are mostly sunny and warm year-round, but it may be best to visit between March and June when the hotel rates drop. The dive boat did make the excursion across to Little Cayman's Bloody Bay wall one day which is very achievable from Cayman Brac. Grand Cayman Island probably has the best diving as it has the North Wall deep drop-off dive and the USS Kittiwake wreck dive. 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. The Cayman Islands is a land of breath-taking experiences. In a nutshell, its an island full of land and water adventures. Although the rays who made this site their home permanently have moved on, there is still a good chance of spotting them here. Despite the name, there arent actually caves here. This world-class scuba destination is colorful, bright, and teeming with life. You can see Spotted Eagle Rays flying passed this area from depths of about 30 to 100 feet. Around the coral fingers, stingrays, eagle rays and yellowhead jawfish rest on the sandy patches. I thought it might be too touristy, but it was a lot of fun. It's the kind of peaceful place where you will make your own fun. They became my favorite focus on the reef. We were lucky enough to see the tail end of silversides on the wreck of the Balboa right in the Harbor too. January and February are the coolest months with average lows in the high 60s. Eagle Ray Pass is located along the North Wall in Grand Cayman. When diving through the cut itself, look under and in crevices, plenty of little critters make homes for themselves here. From April to October water temperature are at least 27 o C (81 o F) and can . The sea is always warm in the Cayman Islands, with surface temperatures never dropping below around 25 o C (78 o F). Rum Point Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned diver, Grand Cayman has a dive site for you. Best Times To Visit Cayman Islands The best time to visit the Cayman Islands is between March and June when the hotel rates drop. Besides scuba diving, there are plenty of other things to do on the Cayman Islands. This does not affect the quality or independence of our editorial content. 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. Wheres the best place(s) to stay when looking into a diving trip in the Caymans? If you love nature, you can go hiking or explore some caverns and caves. There is slightly more rain during the summer months. MV Capt. 10 Go Scavenger Hunting At Seven Mile Beach. This is a wreck worth a dive or two. A highlight dive is the Tibbets wreck with great structure and lots of life. It sounds like the best time overall, based on the posts so far. If you are vacationing in Cayman Brac, then you need to visit this spot. With world class conditions and a robust dive industry, the Cayman Islands is one of the best places to learn how to dive. Most people see flights, accommodations, and activities far cheaper during this time since fewer tourists are visiting. Eden Rock has lots of coral and fish, and Devils Grotto has underwater caves that you can explore. Three long, wide tunnels, accessible to the majority of divers, extend from the sand flats to open out onto the reef wall. 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. Resident Nassau groupers often keep divers company and if you look closely, you may be rewarded with seahorses and lettuce-leaf slugs. While you can get some rain, it's not as common as during the summer. All content is copyright protected by either DIVEIN.com or respected copyright holders, Disclosure: We are reader supported, and earn. Bert Brothers Boulders is one of the most beautiful dive sites on Cayman Brac. 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 . Bay Islands, Honduras. 5. Exploring its underwater habitats allows you to see an incredible reef that starts at 6 meters (20 feet) deep and slowly slopes down towards a vertical limestone wall that drops down up to 1,000 meters (3,300 feet) deep. 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. Courtesy of IreneCorti/Getty Images/iStockphoto. The Seven Mile Beach area and the main city, Georgetown, are very developed with large hotels and resorts, restaurants, shops, etc. Even though July is a popular month, it is not necessarily a good time to go because of the reasons below. Scuba diving in the Cayman Islands: an experience of a lifetime There are actually around two dozen dive sites within the bay, with Bloody Bay Wall top of the list. If you don't feel comfortable using my referral links, you can always go directly to their site and bypass me. Scuba diving in Little Cayman - Liveaboard.com It is an amazing sight, and a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience. But which Cayman Island has the best diving? In general, the best time to dive in the Cayman Islands is between January and April, when the water temperature is warm and visibility is excellent. Cayman Islands Diving | Scubago to save My Ideas for later. If you're looking for great diving and hotel prices, the best time is between March and June when the rates all drop. My favorite were the groupers who followed us like pets. 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. 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. From our 24hr helpline to our expert local guides and selection of handpicked reading lists. Little Cayman is a lovely, quiet little island with a population of less than 170. Only ten miles long and one mile wide, this is a place where you can truly focus on your opportunity to relax. Greenhouse is a nice medium-depth reef dive with plenty of grooves and gullies to explore. Devil's Grotto- Suitable for both beginners and advanced, it's a great shallow shore dive that features massive swim-throughs, chimneys and coral formations. an enquiry. The wreck of the Captain Keith is unusual it is the only Soviet-made warship that divers can visit in the western hemisphere. 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. Navigate forward to interact with the calendar and select a date. For shark diving, we suggest the Maze, Scuba Bowl and the Grouper Grotto which is also filled with lots of good-size groupers. If you want to enjoy these five dive sites . There is a lot of marine life among the coral and resident angelfish and groupers are found at the stern of the ship. Theres also Little Cayman thats the least developed of the 3 islands. The flight and hotel fares are discounted up to 50 percent this time of year. We could easily get to reefs and wrecks by ourselves from shore and take as much time as our tanks allowed. Which Cayman island has the best diving? | ZuBlu Occasionally, a nurse shark rest on the sand. StingRay City on scuba with a small group was so much fun feeding the rays. The Cayman Islands-- Grand Cayman, Little Cayman, and Cayman Brac--have been attracting scuba divers for decades, including beginners! Each time has been a wonderful underwater adventure. Settle on the sand at just 3.7 meters (12ft) and have hordes of southern stingrays glide gracefully around you. In effect, there are more registered businesses in Cayman Island as compared to its local population. Photographers can make the worst dive buddies. There is a reason you won't find under a 5-star review for Silver Thatch, they are the best. Theres good diving, with great Walls and of course stingray city, where you can see and feed stingrays. 20 Best Dive Sites In The Cayman Islands (2023) In this article, we review the top 20 scuba dive sites in the Cayman Islands. Three Fathom Wall is a popular night dive when eels, lobsters, and reef squid make an appearance. 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. Bert Brothers Boulders is also a great spot to see flying gurnards at around 5.5 meters (18ft). Eels, rays, sharks, and turtles are frequently seen. 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. The Best Time to Visit Grand Cayman in 2023 | Travellers Most of the units for rent are 2-bedroom and 2-bathroons units. Ghost Mountain Grand Cayman is another great spot for wall diving where you can further reach a protruding limestone that silhouettes like a ghost from afar. 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. From Grand Cayman, you can transfer to Little Cayman or Cayman Brac. Stingray City has very large, friendly stingrays. 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. 10 Best Dive Destinations in the Caribbean But Little Cayman also has good diving including Bloody Bay Wall dive, which means a Caymans Island liveaboard is the best way to experience all the best Cayman's diving. Data sourced from the National Climatic Data Center. Choose your design and prove your PADI certified diver status across the world with a recycled plastic card, eCard or both. When we talk about Fiji, what immediately comes into our mind is a tropical dream holiday. Live a life others only dream about. Best Time to Dive Cayman Islands Diving is available year-round. At night, this popular Caymans dive site is great for spotting octopus, lobster, and shrimp. 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. Instagram, My Ideas Click the link below to read our article about the USS Kittiwake: Wilderness Wall is located on the south-side of Cayman Brac. 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. 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. They can offer up their first-hand knowledge to ensure you know when to dive to enjoy the very best marine life, be it the tiny critters or bigger beasts of . Choose from a selection of more than 250 vessels and 18,000 trips worldwide. Lighthouse Point is located in West Bay in Grand Cayman. Cayman Islands Diving - Caribbean Sea - Dive The World Often you can see massive tarpons, barracudas, and schools of silversides. I have worked in the corporate world and had little time for adventure. I've stayed at hotels and used independent dive operators and I have stayed at dive resorts with on-site dive operations. Sign up to get the latest updates, offers and more.