best time to dive cayman islands

This is a deep wall that drops several hundred feet into the abyss. Away from the stingray action, there are a number of coral heads with a variety of life to check out. that the underwater world (and overwater, if you plan on surfacing This British overseas island is home to mystical caves, unscaled escarpments, tropical forests, diverse wildlife and a plethora of other unique experiences. 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! Beginners can enjoy another smaller chimney instead. 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. Wheres the best place(s) to stay when looking into a diving trip in the Caymans? If you make a purchase from our site, we may earn a commission. Theres plenty to do if you are not diving. This is one of the deepest sea-walls in the world. 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. But they are sometimes the cheapest months to visit. Plus, along the wall, you can meet triggerfish, eagle rays, turtles, lobsters and many more! 6. Our Original Diving experts, made up of marine biologists, Hotels, resorts and cruise ships dont like unsold rooms and cabins, so they are more likely to offer discounts to attract customers. The wreck can be penetrated in some parts but speak for your guide or instructor beforehand. For water sports lovers, there are great spots for snorkeling including night snorkeling with bioluminescence, options to go sailing or on a catamaran cruise. 3. The Caymans have one major event that also may impact the best times to go there. This is a wall that drops 2000 meters to the sea floor. Its a very easy and fun dive, we saw some angelfish and eagle rays. You could spend . You can also go wreck diving as there are some shipwrecks that can be explored like the remains of USS Kittiwake. Eden Rock & Devils Grotto are two dive sites that are next to each other. The worst time is September during the hurricane season. Plus, the water temperature ranges between 78-82F (26-28C). Closely packed ridges form huge coral heads between the shore and the reef wall. 4 of the Best Places to Go Shore Diving in Grand Cayman. Our DSD is $99 USD per person and includes all equipment needed and a fantastic shallow dive to a max depth of 40ft. For this reason, wreck junkies and aficionados often have the Keith on their to-dive lists. December and July are good times for families because children are out of school for the holidays and summer. The famous diver and explorer Jacques Cousteau said that Bloody Bay Wall is one of the top dive sites in the world. Recommended Level: Beginner Intermediate Advanced Dive Type: Boat Reef Wall Macro Wreck Canyon Shore Night Shallow Shark Cave Stingray Swim-Through Drift Liveboard Deep Great Wall East and West Little Cayman Great Wall West - Turtle Watch on iFrameResize({log:true, enablePublicMethods:true}); . Topside, the community is expanding with ongoing construction. Youtube+ PADI Dive Resorts for all budgets, in the best dive locations around the world. Address. You may see hammerhead sharks if you are lucky. In this article, we review the top 20 scuba dive sites in the Cayman Islands. It was named Orange Canyon because of the large orange Elephant Ear Sponges that can be found here. And, thanks to a keen focus on conservation, many of the country's famous underwater spectacles are still well worth a visit today. Closer to the reef, turtles, groupers, horse-eyed jacks, and an over-abundance of lionfish make this colorful site even more interesting. 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). I have worked in the corporate world and had little time for adventure. For big animals - you can find a good number of turtles and groupers, tarpon, nurse sharks, great barracuda, and stingrays. 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. Answer 1 of 11: Does anyone have firsthand experience with any of the dive operators on Little Cayman that they will share? Take a walk along the coast line or rent a bicycle and ride around the island. 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 water is about 12-feet deep here. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a country in Western Asia located at the northeast end of the Arabian Peninsula in the Persian Gulf. This is a wall that drops 2000 meters to the sea floor. In 2017, Tropical Storm Nate shifted the Kittiwake from her original position. Water temperatures are usually low 80's F. Marine life is plentiful and varied. . The winter and early spring months are the most popular time in the Cayman Islands. 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. Canyons and drop-offs provide a varied topography making the site a firm favorite with photographers. You will find Nassau gropers, triggerfish, and other unique marine life at the Bloody Bay Wall. Find the best travel insurance for you with these U.S. News ratings, which factor in expert and consumer recommendations. Web Visit website. 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. They became my favorite focus on the reef. Courtesy of Sunset House Resort, Grand Cayman. From our 24hr helpline to our expert local guides and selection of handpicked reading lists. dive in each month of the year. 6. Facebook The Cayman Islands is a land of breath-taking experiences. (Closed Circuit Rebreathers/CCR) allows you to massively extend your dive time. Look out for the big groupers who sometimes get inside the huge barrel sponges, turtle, the occasional shark, plenty of reef fish, and the macro life at the cleaning stations. 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 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.. If you like diving in caves and grottos, Trinity Caves on Grand Caymans west side is the site for you. 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! 0 Many divers who have been diving in this area said that this is really an up close and personal experience with stingrays as they are literally touching and surrounding you. While the upper part of the reef is already teeming with corals, it becomes denser as you traverse the vertical limestone where it is now intermixed with sponges and sea fans. MV Captain Keith Tibbetts is an ex-Soviet Union ship that was built in 1984 for the Cuban Navy. All content is copyright protected by either DIVEIN.com or respected copyright holders, Disclosure: We are reader supported, and earn. You can enter different swim-through areas where the wall drops to great depths. This is a fun dive spot that you can access from shore. Share your love of diving, experience new adventures, expand your dive skills, and help save the ocean. Below are our recommendations for the best months to dive in Both of these sites are accessible from shore. Courtesy of IreneCorti/Getty Images/iStockphoto. The Cayman Islands dollar is legal tender in these islands. For shark diving, we suggest the Maze, Scuba Bowl and the Grouper Grotto which is also filled with lots of good-size groupers. A shallow dive site, the colors here really pop making it a good choice for photographers. Diving is available year-round. The best diving depth at this Cayman site, between 30 and 40 meters (98-130ft) means its best for deep certified advanced divers. 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. Babylon- Grand Cayman Island is surrounded by a wall, but what makes the Babylon site special is the pinnacle with a canyon cutting the north wall. The water depth here is around 18-meters. 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. 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. The chart to the right using data from the Caribbean Tourism Organization shows that March is the most popular month of the year to visit followed by December and July. The water drops over a hundred feet. Grand Cayman is a beautiful dive destination with many options for accommodations and for diving. 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. 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. So, what are you waiting for? You can dive along this wall and explore the different entrances. 5. The best dive site is either Bloody Bay Wall in Little Cayman or the USS Kittiwake in Grand Cayman. Naturally, this is also the most expensive season, and reservations must be made at least three months in advance. I make money by sharing links to services that I personally use and recommend. In February, the cost is roughly $1,044 round trip . Named for a historical anchorage, Anchor Point features a tight chimney-like descent at the beginning of the dive. December to April is also the busiest time of year for tourism, so it's important to book your dive trips in advance. 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. Look in the blue off the wall for passing sharks, rays, and turtles. September and October are the riskiest months to visit Grand Cayman because of the higher than normal amounts of rain. Our review team always considers durability, price, quality, and value in their reviews. 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. Overall it is a place worth seeing. Butterflyfish, triggerfish, shrimp, snapper, and more hand out in and around the large coral heads that sit nor far from the waters surface. It is rich with tunnels, chutes, cervices, and beautiful reefs. Head to the turret guns for a superb photo opportunity and keep your eyes peeled for barracuda, bright sponges, and schooling reef fish. Though scuba diving in the Cayman Islands is mostly known for close encounters with stingrays, it has much more to offer. If you want to enjoy these five dive sites . Black coral and colorful sponges decorate the near-vertical face and the shallows are dotted with large coral heads teeming with marine life. As for temperature and weather, the Cayman Islands are tropical, meaning it's warm 365 days a year. Your dive profile in Stingray City is relatively shallow since your maximum depth is just only 6 meters (20 feet) when you reach the sandy seafloor. The three islands that make up the nation, Cayman Brac, Grand Cayman, and Little Cayman, are diverse and have distinct diving. Out in the open, expect schools of Nassau groupers, turtles, and snappers. 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. Best Time To Dive The Cayman Island Best Times To Visit Cayman Islands The best time to visit the Cayman Islands is between March and June when the hotel rates drop. It is only a 10-minute walk from the cruise ship port in George Town to Eden Rock. The Cayman Islands hosts one of the best dives in the World: Bloody Bay Wall on Little Cayman. You can dive from shore because they have ladders that you can use to enter and exit the water. A 50% deposit is required at the time of booking with the final 50% . However, there are large coral canyons that provide exciting swim-throughs for divers. 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. Little Cayman GoPro Video Workshop: April 2023, Best Liveaboard Destinations for Beginners, shifted the Kittiwake from her original position. Here, you can take diving lessons, go on a guided dive, or rent tanks and gear. I am Dan, this site is my blog where I document my research on the best diving spots in the world. Photographers will love Greenhouse for its varied macro life. Grand Cayman, the main island, is often one of the most popular destinations in the Caribbean, especially with western Caribbean cruises. Would also recommend spending an afternoon at Rum Point, where you can relax and also do some snorkeling if you like. Still great for diving with great walls for all levels of divers and the walls and the Russian destroyer 356 aka Russian destroyer. In a nutshell, its an island full of land and water adventures. This does not affect the quality or independence of our editorial content. From 5 star restaurants to fish frys at the local gas station. In effect, there are more registered businesses in Cayman Island as compared to its local population. With the wall beginning at just 6 meters (20ft), the site is popular with both divers and snorkelers. Most of the units for rent are 2-bedroom and 2-bathroons units. Intermediate divers can begin their dive at the chimney, a narrow tunnel starting at 12m/40ft and ending at 24m/80ft. Please Sign-in or Register Located 133 kilometers (83 miles) northeast of Grand Cayman is its little sister island Little Cayman. Grand Cayman is the most commercial island, with cruise ships visiting, but it has some wrecks and the wall dives are close boat rides. So, either way, the experience is well worth the money. This site is my attempt to live the adrenaline my life is missing and be able to live real-life storybook stories with my wife and children. If you have time, you should also take a flight to Little Cayman from Grand Cayman, and dive at Bloody Bay Wall. 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. This dive site first became popular in the 90s when it was featured in the film The Firm, starring Tom Cruise. But its not just the heat that matters when visiting the Cayman Islands. See and be seen at these stunning natural wonders. Kittiwake Shipwreck and diver in Grand Cayman - photo from Canva. For macro subjects, you can see angelfish, morays, lettuce slug nudibranchs and many more. The water is about 10 to 20 feet deep. Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman house over 300 dive sites, making up the breathtaking Cayman dive map. 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. Get in touch with our specialists for even more in-depth travel advice. And when it comes to marine life, there is lots to see! The visibility at Donnas Delight on Little Cayman is typically good and the relaxed and easy diving here is suitable for all levels. There is decent shore diving from their dock. Crabs and lobsters are among the critters hiding in the crevices. This is a must do dive. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. During this time, you can expect to see a variety of marine life, including turtles, rays, and a wide array of tropical fish. Do you love diving in the Caymans? It was named after the famous free-diver Penny Ventura. I stayed at an all inclusive where the food was exceptional, prepared by a world class chef. Please Sign-in or Register to save My Ideas for later, Our social channels . While at first the Oro Verde was a complete ship, rough seas and tumultuous weather have dispersed the wreckage. Princess Pennies Pinnacle is located on the North Wall in Grand Cayman. Besides the thick black corals, keep an eye out for tarpon, large yellow tube sponges, and ginormous barrel sponges. This island is very small and there is little to do, other than dive. 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. 390 S Church St, George Town KY1-1106, Cayman Islands. The best part about the dive is the . With regards to transportation, you have to take note that there are no taxis in Little Cayman and the best way to explore the island is by renting a bike. Eels, rays, sharks, and turtles are frequently seen. Little Cayman, Cayman Islands. At night, this popular Caymans dive site is great for spotting octopus, lobster, and shrimp. These Florida Keys resorts are ideal for family getaways and romantic retreats. The dive schedule would include a deep wall dive followed by a shallower reef or wreck. It is 330-feet in length, and was sunk in Cayman Brac in 1996. 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. While you can get some rain, it's not as common as during the summer. There is a separate fee to dive this wreck that goes towards conservation, and you also get a nice yellow diver medallion to keep. Stingrays and turtles are known to swim here. This is the most famous dive site in the Cayman Islands - and with good reason. This area is an international tourist destination and can be crowded. Grand Cayman has beautiful beaches and probably the most topside activities or restaurants anyone would want. Aside from tourism promotion, marine conservation is in place in all the dive sites in the Cayman Islands. Penetration is encouraged but to get the most out of the experience, take a torch. Greenhouse is a nice medium-depth reef dive with plenty of grooves and gullies to explore. You can go hiking in the Mastic Trail where it has really nice views from the harbors and the beaches. Bloody Bay Wall. Grab your gear and dive into the crystal clear waters of Grand Cayman! Diving in the Caymans offers something for everyone, whether divers are taking their very first fin stokes or have years of experience under their weight belts. Get forecasts each morning for every major island. Eden Rock Dive Center. Ive been to Grand Cayman and Little Cayman. marine life, be it the tiny critters or bigger beasts of the ocean. Our travel experts have highlighted our favourite places to visit each month, Terms & Conditions Book your next cruise vacation on one of these floating megaresorts. 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. With over 40 operators and 365 sites marked with moorings, thrill-seekers from all over take the plunge here. 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. There is also a small restaurant and dive resort. Plenty of schooling reef fish call Ghost Mountain home and the pinnacle is also carpeted in deep, bloody-red finger sponges. Rum Point Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned diver, Grand Cayman has a dive site for you. The wall dive also has several other topographical features including swim-throughs and tunnels. Located south-east of the Gulf of Mexico and close to Jamaica, Cuba, and Haiti, diving in the Caymans offers classic Carribean underwater scenes and the chance to spot both large and small marine life. We rarely boast about our service but we believe it's what sets us apart and makes us truly original, so please forgive this moment of unabashed self-promotion. 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. The Cayman dollar is exchanged at a rate fixed to the US dollar (CI $1 equals US $1.25). For diving, the reefs are easy to reach from many dive operators and offer a diversity of schooling fish, sponges, turtles, rays, and even sharks. A favourite stop for those diving and snorkeling lovers, the Bay Islands' important three islands are Roatan, Utila and Guanaja.

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