The Cayman Islands dollar is issued in units of $100, $50, $25, $10, $5 and $1 with coins of 25 cents, 10, 5 and one cent. During this time, you can expect to see a variety of marine life, including turtles, rays, and a wide array of tropical fish. A direct flight from Miami to Grand Cayman takes only 70 minutes. This is a deep wall that drops several hundred feet into the abyss. Aside from taking photos at the solid bronze emblem at one of its 5 decks or at the stern with the propeller, penetration can be done with the USS Kittiwake courtesy from multiple sunlit entries and exit points. Scott S. Bateman is a professional journalist who has traveled widely throughout the Caribbean and the Americas. This dive site first became popular in the 90s when it was featured in the film The Firm, starring Tom Cruise. Theres plenty to do if you are not diving. There are lots of other fish and coral. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Thus, you can keep going back and still discover new sites. 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. Founder of Georges Watersports & Thingstodocayman.net. 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. The sea is always warm in the Cayman Islands, with surface temperatures never dropping below around 25 o C (78 o F). Cactus coral, sea fans, great star coral, and tube sponges blanket the reef and provide refuge for a variety of sea creatures. September is the worst month of the Caribbean hurricane season, which officially goes from June through November. 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. 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. It lays at 60 ft (20 m) and scuba divers are able to explore all five levels of this 250 ft (75 m) vessel. Eden Rock & Devils Grotto are two dive sites that are next to each other. If wall diving is your thing, check out diving in Turks & Caicos. Three long, wide tunnels, accessible to the majority of divers, extend from the sand flats to open out onto the reef wall. I have stayed there several times at a dive resort with on-site dive operation. A 2018 poll listed Bonaire as the best dive spot for beginners, conservation, freediving, macro diving, shore diving, and snorkeling. My wife and I are traveling there in February 2015 and are PADI AOW and Nitrox certified with ten years of recreational experience diving. Otherwise, it is clear that December through April are the best months of the year to visit Grand Cayman, especially early April. And, thanks to a keen focus on conservation, many of the country's famous underwater spectacles are still well worth a visit today. Plus, the water temperature ranges between 78-82F (26-28C). 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. The wreck of the Captain Keith is unusual it is the only Soviet-made warship that divers can visit in the western hemisphere. You can see Spotted Eagle Rays flying passed this area from depths of about 30 to 100 feet. The wall drop is not for the light-hearted as it can reach over 6500ft (2000 m), but along the drop, you can see yellow tube sponges, black and wire corals and waving sea fans. As a diver, with a PADI account you can access your eLearning along with many more tools to help you on your adventures. Closer to the reef, turtles, groupers, horse-eyed jacks, and an over-abundance of lionfish make this colorful site even more interesting. In the Cayman Islands, spring is in full force. If you don't feel comfortable using my referral links, you can always go directly to their site and bypass me. Exploring this site requires you to initially descend to 18 meters (60 feet) deep where the wall starts. The resident goliath grouper is a popular dive buddy at this Cayman dive site. The famous diver and explorer Jacques Cousteau said that Bloody Bay Wall is one of the top dive sites in the world. 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. Nature lovers are lured to diverse hiking trails, caves, and a variety of flora and fauna around the island. Family Traveller Excellence Awards 2019 Winner. you are in the right place at the right time to see the very best Click here to learn more. We are proud to off-set 100% of the carbon generated by our clients' flights. Boat rides were no longer than 15 minutes, with most being around 5 minutes. As for temperature and weather, the Cayman Islands are tropical, meaning it's warm 365 days a year. 5. Cayman Islands Reservations Phone: (345)-947-0000 Our Reservations Office is located on site at the Dive Shop & Resort in the Cayman Islands. 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. For example, let's look at one airline flying from Miami to Grand Cayman. . Its land area is slightly bigger than Little Cayman with a measurement of 19 x 2 kilometers (12miles x 1.2miles). 1. But these aren't the only good and bad times. Most people see flights, accommodations, and activities far cheaper during this time since fewer tourists are visiting. 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. dive in each month of the year. This is a wall that drops 2000 meters to the sea floor. Three Fathom Wall is a popular night dive when eels, lobsters, and reef squid make an appearance. It is only a 10-minute walk from the cruise ship port in George Town to Eden Rock. "High Season" at the hotels is mid-December to mid-April, so rates will be higher then. Stingrays, stingrays, and more stingrays is what draws divers to this Cayman site. While the visibility here is often a little clouded, thats thanks to the nutrient-rich flow of water which enriches the corals on the pinnacle. And as you might imagine, the coral-encrusted archway makes for a fantastic photo opportunity. But which Cayman Island has the best diving? 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. Instead, they pass through the vicinity and bring heavy rains and wind to the island. The ship has been opened up with large access holes so that you can swim through the interior of the ship. The Cayman Islands are a premier diving destination, boasting 365 dive sites, as well as the International Scuba Diving Hall of Fame . Away from the stingray action, there are a number of coral heads with a variety of life to check out. This site is well-known and popular with divers, snorkelers, and glass-bottom boaters alike. Dive conditions could not have been more perfect, flat seas (the north side is supposed to be more choppy but the day we dived Eagle Ray pass, it was just 2 feet seas, the rest of the dives were on the west side, where the sea was flat both days), warm water (80 degrees for our stay), clear water with awesome 90-100+ feet visibility (great for wide angle photography). Penetration can be done in this wreck courtesy from its numerous entry and exit points that were made before it was intentionally sunk to become an artificial reef. Jackson's Bight- Located also in the Bloody Bay Marine Park, it does not fail to provide scuba divers with an amazing dive. Through this site,my intent is to be able to sponsor the new chapter in my life as a scuba diver. You will find Nassau gropers, triggerfish, and other unique marine life at the Bloody Bay Wall. We understand that diving the best Grand Cayman Dives is the primary goal of your Grand Cayman Dive vacation. Rainfall starts to climb in May. 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. Water Temperatures: Ranges from around 22C (72F) in December to 29C (84F) in July. No worries, the diving is world class on Bloody Bay Wall. The best time to see whitetip reef sharks in the Cayman Islands is from May to August. Exploring this site requires you to descend to 10 meters (33 feet) deep where you will arrive at the top portion of the reef. There are over 15 PADI 5-Star Centers in the Cayman Islands, ready to teach you everything you want to know about diving. 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. With 365 named dive sites, the enchanting Cayman Islands is a year-round underwater paradise. 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 . Indonesia. Both are wonderful underwater. The Caymans have one major event that also may impact the best times to go there. The amazing strawberry sponges were in abundance there. Penetration is encouraged but to get the most out of the experience, take a torch. Lighthouse Point is located in West Bay in Grand Cayman. In a nutshell, its an island full of land and water adventures. View Map. Grand Cayman is a beautiful dive destination with many options for accommodations and for diving. The water depth here is around 18-meters. [What You Need to Know]. Only ten miles long and one mile wide, this is a place where you can truly focus on your opportunity to relax. Grand Cayman scuba diving is also more popular than on the other islands due to the stingray population there. While you can get some rain, it's not as common as during the summer. From these locations, I was able to dive the west end and also the North Wall. Take a walk along the coast line or rent a bicycle and ride around the island. Trinity Caves is one Cayman dive site that never disappoints. Trinity Caves is a popular dive site that is located off the coast of West Bay in Grand Cayman. The units are privately owned and furnished, but they have 21 accommodations available for rental use. The islands are warm year-round with average highs. The best time to visit the Cayman Islands is between March and April. Why? 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. On Grand Cayman, I stayed at hotels on the west end along Seven Mile beach. We did see some nurse sharks, sea turtles and a few rays. When diving the Cayman Islands you can see a lot of large sponges, some good macro, and some tiny fish. When diving through the cut itself, look under and in crevices, plenty of little critters make homes for themselves here. The Pedro St. James National Historic Site is a great place for photography, or you can visit Rum Point for a true Caribbean beach experience. Intermediate divers can begin their dive at the chimney, a narrow tunnel starting at 12m/40ft and ending at 24m/80ft. Find & Book Adventures Book your fun dives, snorkelling trips and courses online with thousands of PADI Dive Centers. 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. Data sourced from the National Climatic Data Center. Most dive operators will take you there. Eden Rock has lots of coral and fish, and Devils Grotto has underwater caves that you can explore. They have ladders that you can use to enter and exit the water safely. Sea temperature varies little, from a high of 86F/30C in August/September to a low of 80F/26.5C in February. In effect, there are more registered businesses in Cayman Island as compared to its local population. Marine Life & Environment - Top Dive Spots - Diving Conditions, How to Get There-How to Dive Cayman Islands-Best Time to Dive, NEW! 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! But these arent the only good and bad times. Drift dives are possible here depending on your operator. When shopping and eating out, be sure to identify which currency prices . While the gazebo itself is actually an arch, this small dive site never fails to please. . Grab your gear and dive into the crystal clear waters of Grand Cayman! If you want to go a little more remote, try Little Cayman. Eagle Ray Pass is located along the North Wall in Grand Cayman. Babylon is located on the North Wall in Grand Cayman. Grand Cayman has beautiful beaches and probably the most topside activities or restaurants anyone would want. Here, you can take diving lessons, go on a guided dive, or rent tanks and gear. December and July are good times for families because children are out of school for the holidays and summer. The best time to visit Grand Cayman is March and April. Stingray City is in only 12ft (4m) of water and is a huge draw for divers and underwater photographers. Access to tools and resources at your fingertips, curated to enhance your diving experience. The worst time is September during the hurricane season. The Cayman Islands hosts one of the best dives in the World: Bloody Bay Wall on Little Cayman. The Kittiwake is a 76.5 meter (250ft) former submarine support ship. Courtesy of IreneCorti/Getty Images/iStockphoto. This is a wreck worth a dive or two. The depths start at around 12m/40ft and end at 30m/98ft. During the day rays, turtles, the occasional barracuda and plenty of reef fish mean theres a lot to keep divers engaged. PADI Dive Resorts for all budgets, in the best dive locations around the world. The Eden Rock Dive Center has everything you need for an unforgettable day underwater in the Cayman Islands. From Grand Cayman, you can transfer to Little Cayman or Cayman Brac. While accessible from shore, it is a long surface swim so diving the Oro Verde by boat is recommended. Situated on a wide beach on the island's West End, the property offers 40 air-conditioned rooms (renovated in late 2015 and featuring soothing Caribbean . The reef slopes gradually from 5 to 17 meters (17-55ft), and is covered in hard corals, sea whips, small sponges and gorgonians. Great diving. No diving trip in Grand Cayman would be complete without a dive at the infamous Stingray City. 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. Also known as the Mixing Bowl, Three Fathom Wall is the point where Jacksons Bight and the Bloody Bay diving areas meet. Pelagics are attracted to the wall while schools of reef fish populate the shallows, swimming around the many purple, red, and yellow sponges. . Visibility in the Cayman Islands is wonderful, averaging between 60 and 100 feet (18-30 meters). 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. It is an amazing sight, and a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience. Photographers will love Greenhouse for its varied macro life. The months of January and February are the coldest, with average lows in the low 60s. The winter and early spring months are the most popular time in the Cayman Islands. but the best time to visit is between May and October. Jacques Costeau loved diving in the Caymans and its easy to see why. There is a reason you won't find under a 5-star review for Silver Thatch, they are the best. Best Time to Dive in Little Cayman. 6. Cayman Islands has an average water temperature ranging from 26 29C (78 84F). 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. Under its 1986 declaration covering an area of hectares (23 acres) are dive sites that are popular to tourists and divers alike. 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. 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. The best diving depth at this Cayman site, between 30 and 40 meters (98-130ft) means its best for deep certified advanced divers. There are lots of beautiful beaches to visit and to relax. to dive in Cayman Islands. A 50% deposit is required at the time of booking with the final 50% . 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. Here are a few of our favourite dive sites in Grand Cayman: 1. For shark diving, we suggest the Maze, Scuba Bowl and the Grouper Grotto which is also filled with lots of good-size groupers. Below are our recommendations for the best months to dive in This is really a divers paradise. You need to protect your fingers from the eager snappers though. I have lived in the corporate world for a few years now with very little excitement in my life. The seven mile beach area is beautiful for walking and photo opportunities. Both of these sites are accessible from shore. There is shopping, bars to hang out in, and live music. Before the USS Kittiwake was sunk, the Oro Verde was the wreck dive of choice in the Caymans. You will find the Cayman Islands to be very diverse, from quiet Little Cayman, to bustling Seven Mile Beach on Grand Cayman. Some of the nicest dive resorts in the Caribbean are in the Cayman Islands, and many of them have great shore diving and boat diving. The course includes a 2-hour pool and theory session, and an . A few great choices are the Sunset House Hotel in Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac Beach Resort and the Little Cayman Beach Resort. Some resorts offer "Hurricane protection". I am a scuba diving newbie, a Project Manager by profession, and an entrepreneur at heart. 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. Best Time To Dive The Cayman Island Before she was decommissioned in 1994, the USS Kittiwake was a Navy Chanticleer-class submarine rescue vessel. The main dive spot of Little Cayman is located on the northwest coast in a marine protected area the Bloody Bay Marine Park. At night, this popular Caymans dive site is great for spotting octopus, lobster, and shrimp. Little Cayman GoPro Video Workshop: April 2023, Best Liveaboard Destinations for Beginners, shifted the Kittiwake from her original position. North Wall 2. stingray city 3. The largest among the three islands, Grand Cayman is highly popular among SCUBA divers from all over the world. The highlight of the dive is the photo opportunity with this Cayman reefs most famous resident. 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. Watch your buoyancy and head out into the blue, look back to really appreciate the Great Walls sheer size and impressive drop-off. Click the link below to read our article about the USS Kittiwake: Wilderness Wall is located on the south-side of Cayman Brac. There is also a small restaurant and dive resort. The ship was originally built for the US Army Transportation Corps over 70-years ago. The wreck can be penetrated in some parts but speak for your guide or instructor beforehand. From 5 star restaurants to fish frys at the local gas station. Manage Settings There are also lots of tarpon and small silver sprats in this area. Princess Pennies Pinnacle is located on the North Wall in Grand Cayman. The flight and hotel fares are discounted up to 50 percent this time of year. This gives the unique Caymans dive site a blend of steep vertical walls, sloping reefs, and coral-crusted fingers. The Cayman Islands are home to some of the best spots for scuba diving and snorkeling in the world. 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. Address. The dives are shallow and you can closely observe them swimming around or above you. I would appreciate if you don't as these referral links are what keep me posting and sharing on this blog. With over 365 dive sites, clear waters, coral reefs and abundant marine life, the Cayman Islands are one of the best diving spots in the world. Find a Liveaboard -Practical Information - Book a Trip. The sea is always warm in the Cayman Islands, with surface temperatures never dropping below around 25 o C (78 o F). If you want to enjoy these five dive sites . In general, the tourism industry in the Cayman Islands is designed with divers in mind. All levels of divers can enjoy the site as there is plenty to see at shallow depths or at deeper parts. It was then sunk in Grand Cayman in 1980 to make a new dive site. There are plenty of great dive resorts available, but liveaboard is the best option if you want to dive around all three islands. Answer 1 of 11: Does anyone have firsthand experience with any of the dive operators on Little Cayman that they will share? Tieneke, Joe, and Kevin went out of their way to accommodate our dive group and show us a really great time. ASK US HERE! 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 is one of the deepest sea-walls in the world. Choose from a selection of more than 250 vessels and 18,000 trips worldwide. This British overseas island is home to mystical caves, unscaled escarpments, tropical forests, diverse wildlife and a plethora of other unique experiences. U.S. News rates the cheapest travel insurance options, considering expert and consumer recommendations. 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. Continue with Recommended Cookies. Bloody Bay Wall is located in Little Cayman. 1. The best time to visit Grand Cayman is March and April. Named for a historical anchorage, Anchor Point features a tight chimney-like descent at the beginning of the dive. This is a must-do dive for people vacationing in Grand Cayman. He is the author of four books about cruising in the Caribbean, Alaska and Mexican Riviera. The Cayman Islands has also designated four special areas for protection such as marine park zones, replenishment zones, environmental zones, and no diving zones. From our 24hr helpline to our expert local guides and selection of handpicked reading lists. 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. // ]]>, Call us today at+1-310-915-6677 or email us info@bluewaterdivetravel.com. It is possible to go scuba diving in Little Cayman all year round and the water temperature only varies from 21-27 degrees. Despite the name, you arent guaranteed to see tarpon here. Drop us a comment below and tell us your favorite site! Aside from tourism promotion, marine conservation is in place in all the dive sites in the Cayman Islands. Choose your design and prove your PADI certified diver status across the world with a recycled plastic card, eCard or both. 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. Sharp-eyed divers can find leopard flatworms and the tunnels are also popular hangouts for rays and green moray eels. Most of them are located around the Grand Cayman but a little over sixty sites stay around Cayman Brac and the Little Cayman. Black groupers, sergeant majors, yellowtail snapper, and moray eels are just a few of the species you can expect to see. This is a wall that drops 2000 meters to the sea floor. Butterflyfish, triggerfish, shrimp, snapper, and more hand out in and around the large coral heads that sit nor far from the waters surface. With world class conditions and a robust dive industry, the Cayman Islands is one of the best places to learn how to dive. The protected Bloody Bay Marine Park lies in Little Cayman and offers magnificent marine life, great visibility, and spectacular bioluminescent corals. 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. Grand Cayman also offers accessible shore diving on great coral reefs with little to no current. During winter, temperatures can drop down to the low 70s. From the mooring, divers often descend through a cut in the reef and out onto the wall. Roberts Wall is located on the North Wall in Grand Cayman. Book your next cruise vacation on one of these floating megaresorts. 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. A favourite stop for those diving and snorkeling lovers, the Bay Islands' important three islands are Roatan, Utila and Guanaja. Out in the open, spotted eagle rays are often seen swimming in groups of at least 5 individuals and their passing by is often correlated to the flyby of fighter jets in low altitude. This world-class scuba destination is colorful, bright, and teeming with life. December through April are especially popular times to go because of low risk of rainfall and more moderate temperatures. Enjoy 20% OFF select PADI eLearning programs, FREE ReActivate online refresher, subscription to Scuba Diving magazine + so much more when you join PADI Club. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. Some of those services give me a small percentage of what you pay as commission for my referral. As of 2023, you can renew your passport online. Rum Point Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned diver, Grand Cayman has a dive site for you. Dining can be pricey but the meals I have had have been wonderful. There is a separate fee to dive this wreck that goes towards conservation, and you also get a nice yellow diver medallion to keep. Everything most divers want. You need to take a boat to reach this wreck. Enjoy the comfort of an airport lounge with free drinks and snacks, even if you're flying economy. Our DSD is $99 USD per person and includes all equipment needed and a fantastic shallow dive to a max depth of 40ft. Often you can see massive tarpons, barracudas, and schools of silversides. 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.