Plus, along the wall, you can meet triggerfish, eagle rays, turtles, lobsters and many more! 310-915-6677 StingRay City on scuba with a small group was so much fun feeding the rays. In the 2019 Scuba Diving Magazine Readers Choice Awards, the Islands were named one of the Best Overall Dive Destination in the Caribbean/Atlantic and scored first place for Best Advanced Diving and Underwater Photography. 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. 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 Cayman Islands are home to some of the best spots for scuba diving and snorkeling in the world. 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. A direct flight from Miami to Grand Cayman takes only 70 minutes. From 5 star restaurants to fish frys at the local gas station. Scuba Diving Operators on Little Cayman - Little Cayman Forum They became my favorite focus on the reef. Stingray City is in only 12ft (4m) of water and is a huge draw for divers and underwater photographers. Choose your design and prove your PADI certified diver status across the world with a recycled plastic card, eCard or both. A shallow dive site, the colors here really pop making it a good choice for photographers. If you find a good deal on DIVEIN, you click to the retailer, and you buy the product, we get a commission of the sale. Click the link below to read our article about Cheeseburger Reef: Sunset House is located on the south-side of Grand Cayman, near George Town. There are actually around two dozen dive sites within the bay, with Bloody Bay Wall top of the list. The best time to dive is between December and April when the water is at its warmest and the visibility is at its best. 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. Phone +1 345-949-7111. For us divers, the financial self-sufficiency of the Cayman Islands is only the icing on the cake. You can also go wreck diving as there are some shipwrecks that can be explored like the remains of USS Kittiwake. 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. Cayman Islands Diving | Scubago If you don't feel comfortable using my referral links, you can always go directly to their site and bypass me. Roberts Wall is located on the North Wall in Grand Cayman. Continue with Recommended Cookies. With over 40 operators and 365 sites marked with moorings, thrill-seekers from all over take the plunge here. There is slightly more rain during the summer months. Diving Season: The best time to dive Cuba's Jardines de la Reina is during the dry season, from November to late April, as this time has the most ideal visibility and sea conditions. Please Sign-in or Register Wilderness Wall starts at 15 meters (50ft) before plunging down into the depths. Cayman Islands Scuba Liveaboards - Here's What to Know The Best Scuba Diving Experiences On Grand Cayman dive in each month of the year. Best Diving in the Caribbean - Top 12 - Bluewater Dive Travel The prices of hotels and short excursions that would normally be prohibitively expensive fall to more reasonable levels during this time. Sunset Reef is a popular shore dive just 60 meters (200ft) off the Sunset House Resorts pier. Click here to learn more. There is shopping, bars to hang out in, and live music. Sharks and turtles are frequent visitors as are snappers, groupers, and grunts. Eels, rays, sharks, and turtles are frequently seen. Hotel prices are sourced from a sample of U.S. News Best Hotels rates through 2015-2016. The Cayman Turtle Farm is one of the most visited land attractions on the island.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'scubadivegeek_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_1',121,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-scubadivegeek_com-large-mobile-banner-1-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'scubadivegeek_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_2',121,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-scubadivegeek_com-large-mobile-banner-1-0_1'); .large-mobile-banner-1-multi-121{border:none !important;display:block !important;float:none !important;line-height:0px;margin-bottom:7px !important;margin-left:auto !important;margin-right:auto !important;margin-top:7px !important;max-width:100% !important;min-height:50px;padding:0;text-align:center !important;}. Theyre not timid and as they surround you, these rays seem happy to receive a gentle stroke or two. But the main reason for diving here are the sharks, especially hammerheads. Diving the Cayman Islands - SCUBA Travel Lionfish have become an invasive species and some of the dive operators offer culling excursions. 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. Welcome to my scuba diving bucket list. 2. Because great in-depth gear reviews will help you select the right products for your specific needs, budget, and interests. The islands' location in the western part of the Caribbean shields them from being hit too hard by the annual hurricane season, which lasts from June to November. Interested in diving the Cayman Islands? Bloody Bay Wall- Most scuba divers will say this is their favorite dive site in the Cayman Islands. 1 is a 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom unit. 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. 10 Go Scavenger Hunting At Seven Mile Beach. Look in the blue off the wall for passing sharks, rays, and turtles. While Grand Cayman, the most popular island, has a mix of accessible shore and boat diving. Roundabout is located along the North Wall in Grand Cayman. Click the link below to read our article about Eden Rock: Deep Stingray City is located in Grand Cayman. Matt Hampton was a guest of the Cayman Islands Department of Tourism (visitcaymanislands.com), British Airways, which has London returns from 688 (ba.com), and the Westin Seven Mile Beach, which . April is an especially good choice because it has the warmest weather of the entire five-month dry season. Water temperatures are usually low 80's F. Marine life is plentiful and varied. You will see a lot of tarpon at this spot, as well as coral and other fish. Book your fun dives, snorkelling trips and courses online with thousands of PADI Dive Centers. December through April are especially popular times to go because of low risk of rainfall and more moderate temperatures. 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. Grand Cayman scuba diving is also more popular than on the other islands due to the stingray population there. The best part about the dive is the . Located just a short walk from George Town, the Sunset House Hotel is home to Sunset Divers, and both resort and dive center are favorites of divers. Most of the units for rent are 2-bedroom and 2-bathroons units. For macro subjects, you can see angelfish, morays, lettuce slug nudibranchs and many more. . 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. It is an amazing sight, and a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience. Cayman Islands, as well as our suggestions for the best places to 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. Though Kittiwake is a very popular diving site on Grand Island, the shallow and crystal-clear waters of the site make it an equally amazing snorkeling spot as well. You can enter different swim-through areas where the wall drops to great depths. This is a deep wall that drops several hundred feet into the abyss. I have been diving in Grand Cayman several times. Perhaps because of this, the coral isnt looking a healthy as it could. Why? The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a country in Western Asia located at the northeast end of the Arabian Peninsula in the Persian Gulf. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,100],'scubadivegeek_com-leader-1','ezslot_4',120,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-scubadivegeek_com-leader-1-0'); By descending down to 15 meters (50 feet) deep, you will arrive at what divers call the hanging garden which is a vertical limestone wall filled with black corals, barrel sponges, and purple sea fans. Hurricane Ivan in 2004 cleaved the 100m/328ft ship in half but divers can still explore both sections of the wreckage. The dive boat did make the excursion across to Little Cayman's Bloody Bay wall one day which is very achievable from Cayman Brac. 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 . Clearly Cayman Group Specials - Big savings on 7-night stays! You can go hiking in the Mastic Trail where it has really nice views from the harbors and the beaches. 1. 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. This spot is about 20-feet deep, and has a lot of coral. It exceeds six inches in August and jumps again to more than eight inches in September and October. I guess thats one drawback of guided dives, everyone is constantly on the move, not ideal for photography, especially macro photography. You may see hammerhead sharks if you are lucky. The Best Diving in Cayman Islands 2022 - Divein It now rests in an upright position at a depth of 27meters (89feet). 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. Best Time to Dive in Little Cayman. . PADI Dive Resorts for all budgets, in the best dive locations around the world. Bloody Bay Wall is located in Little Cayman. I hope my research also helps you make a decision on your next scuba diving vacation.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[120,600],'scubadivegeek_com-large-billboard-2','ezslot_9',102,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-scubadivegeek_com-large-billboard-2-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[120,600],'scubadivegeek_com-large-billboard-2','ezslot_10',102,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-scubadivegeek_com-large-billboard-2-0_1'); .large-billboard-2-multi-102{border:none !important;display:block !important;float:none !important;line-height:0px;margin-bottom:15px !important;margin-left:auto !important;margin-right:auto !important;margin-top:15px !important;max-width:100% !important;min-height:600px;padding:0;text-align:center !important;}. September and October are clearly the least popular months to go because of a high risk of heavy rains along with hot temperatures. 6. Corals and sponges are plentiful. Youtube+ Best Diving sites in Cayman Islands - Scuba dive reviews by Divezone 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. On top of being generally warm, the waters are clear with underwater visibility running from 18 30 meters (60 100 feet). Choose from a selection of more than 250 vessels and 18,000 trips worldwide. This is the most famous dive site in the Cayman Islands - and with good reason. Some of those services give me a small percentage of what you pay as commission for my referral. Diving in Little Cayman | PADI The Best Time to Visit the Cayman Islands in 2023 | Travellers The best diving depth at this Cayman site, between 30 and 40 meters (98-130ft) means its best for deep certified advanced divers. 10 Best Dive Sites in Caribbean Islands in 2023 Visibility in the Cayman Islands is wonderful, averaging between 60 and 100 feet (18-30 meters). Having a less touristic crowd, Cayman Brac still has several tourism facilities like Cayman Brac Dive Resorts that are scattered along its narrow coast. Cayman Islands Diving | Silver Thatch Water Sports | Breakers The islands are warm year-round with average highs holding steady in the 80s. The worst time is September during the hurricane season. 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. [What You Need to Know]. Grand Cayman is the most visited island in the Cayman Islands by Scuba Divers. We highly advise you ask your local dive shop on the dos and donts in diving a particular dive site. Our Exclusive Dive-only Packages in the Cayman Islands - Ocean Frontiers This is currently number 20 on the 100 Best Dives list.. 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. They have ladders that you can use to enter and exit the water safely. Look along the ledge by the mooring for crabs and check out the four massive barrel sponges. Penetration is encouraged but to get the most out of the experience, take a torch. MV Capt. Our review team always considers durability, price, quality, and value in their reviews. Apart from the elephant ear sponges, keep your eyes peeled for blacktip Carribean reef sharks in the blue. Sharp-eyed divers can find leopard flatworms and the tunnels are also popular hangouts for rays and green moray eels. Just south of Seven Mile Beach and approximately 46 feet below the surface are Eden Rock and Devil's Grotto, two of the most popular diving spots on Grand Cayman. Best Times to Visit Cayman Islands | U.S. News Travel Dive Shop and Front desk is open 7 days per week | 7am to 6pm and can be reached directly on (345)-640-7500 If you don't want to sacrifice weather for a break on hotel prices, plan a trip for the region's dry season, which runs from November to April. There are lots of other fish and coral. 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. The main dive spot of Little Cayman is located on the northwest coast in a marine protected area the Bloody Bay Marine Park. Facebook From Grand Cayman, you can transfer to Little Cayman or Cayman Brac. Get forecasts each morning for every major island. "High Season" at the hotels is mid-December to mid-April, so rates will be higher then. This is one of the best dive sites in Cayman Brac, and is a must-do experience. When we talk about Fiji, what immediately comes into our mind is a tropical dream holiday. If you have time, you should also take a flight to Little Cayman from Grand Cayman, and dive at Bloody Bay Wall. Exploring this site requires you to initially descend to 18 meters (60 feet) deep where the wall starts. The Cayman Islands dollar is legal tender in these islands. This is currently number 20 on the 100 Best Dives list. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. Live a life others only dream about. Best Resorts in the Cayman Islands | Islands Northerners also want to get away from the cold and snow of winter. I am the father of the best two children in the world and husband to the most patient woman on this planet. Now large groups of southern stingrays are lurking around daily. Living The Dream Divers Diving Packages | Grand Cayman It is possible to go scuba diving in Little Cayman all year round and the water temperature only varies from 21-27 degrees. 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. 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. Macro photographers should seek the banded coral shrimp and divers licensed to 30m/98ft will enjoy the gorgonian fans in the cavern at this depth. December and July are good times for families because children are out of school for the holidays and summer. All the information you need to plan your dive vacations anywhere in the world. With the wall beginning at just 6 meters (20ft), the site is popular with both divers and snorkelers. Cheeseburger Reef is located in George Town, Grand Cayman. Dive Into the Cayman Islands | Cond Nast Traveler They are located in George Town in Grand Cayman. Today, Cayman is one of the top dive destinations anywhere. Also known as the Mixing Bowl, Three Fathom Wall is the point where Jacksons Bight and the Bloody Bay diving areas meet. Collect your trip ideas, share with friends or make an enquiry. We'll whisk you through the security queues (where available). The most striking and common marine life for me were the brightly yellow colored tube sponges. Book an introductory scuba diving package to learn the basics of diving from certified PADI instructors. Jackson's Bight- Located also in the Bloody Bay Marine Park, it does not fail to provide scuba divers with an amazing dive. September is the worst month of the Caribbean hurricane season, which officially goes from June through November. Flights to Grand Cayman arrive at Owen Roberts International Airport. I stayed at an all inclusive where the food was exceptional, prepared by a world class chef. Little Cayman, Cayman Islands. Their sister company, Tortuga Divers, operates from Morritts Tortuga Club in East End. Boasting strong diving infrastructure, diverse types of diving, incredible walls and wrecks, and great visibility. The famous diver and explorer Jacques Cousteau said that Bloody Bay Wall is one of the top dive sites in the world. So, what are you waiting for? 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. Eden Rock Dive Center. Best time to dive in Cayman Islands The diving is great year round in the Caribbean, something that is promoted with the dive 365 program. Located in popular Bloody Bay, Donnas Delight is home to some classic Cayman wall diving: Giant barrel sponges, arching sea fans, and bright corals. Under its 1986 declaration covering an area of hectares (23 acres) are dive sites that are popular to tourists and divers alike. Our travel experts have highlighted our favourite places to visit each month, Terms & Conditions Scott S. Bateman is a professional journalist who has traveled widely throughout the Caribbean and the Americas. 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. Best Time to Visit Cayman Islands - tripbirdie.com All levels of divers can enjoy the site as there is plenty to see at shallow depths or at deeper parts. It is common to see barracudas and schools of horse-eye jacks in this area. Cayman Islands Travel Guide - Cayman Islands Travel Tips & Attractions The best time to visit the Cayman Islands is between March and June when the hotel rates drop. The course includes a 2-hour pool and theory session, and an . June to October brings higher topside temperatures (up to 33C, 91F). The USS Kittiwake is an ex-US Navy ship that was purposely sunk in Grand Cayman to create a new dive site. Exploring this site requires you to descend to a depth of 18 meters (60 feet) where the entrance of this elaborate tunnel system starts. Of course, the Soviets didnt call her Keith Tibbets, she was renamed for a local dive operator after the Cayman government purchased the wreck for dive tourism. The dive schedule would include a deep wall dive followed by a shallower reef or wreck. A favourite stop for those diving and snorkeling lovers, the Bay Islands' important three islands are Roatan, Utila and Guanaja. 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.
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