To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. marine life, be it the tiny critters or bigger beasts of the ocean. 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. 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. There is a lot of marine life among the coral and resident angelfish and groupers are found at the stern of the ship. If you have time, you should also take a flight to Little Cayman from Grand Cayman, and dive at Bloody Bay Wall. For shark diving, we suggest the Maze, Scuba Bowl and the Grouper Grotto which is also filled with lots of good-size groupers. Average rainfall jumps to more than five inches in May, June and July.
Interested in diving the Cayman Islands? If you're looking for great diving and hotel prices, the best time is between March and June when the rates all drop. Frugal travel planners can look for good deals during these months while keeping an eye on the 10-day weather forecast. Otherwise, it is clear that December through April are the best months of the year to visit Grand Cayman, especially early April. The Cayman Diving Season The islands are very much a year round diving destination. 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 . 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.. While the gazebo itself is actually an arch, this small dive site never fails to please. The Cayman Islands hosts one of the best dives in the World: Bloody Bay Wall on Little Cayman. 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. With over 40 operators and 365 sites marked with moorings, thrill-seekers from all over take the plunge here. Discover these empowering women's history destinations selected by the U.S. News travel editors. 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. 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. Answer 1 of 11: Does anyone have firsthand experience with any of the dive operators on Little Cayman that they will share? 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. Intermediate divers can begin their dive at the chimney, a narrow tunnel starting at 12m/40ft and ending at 24m/80ft. Its a very easy and fun dive, we saw some angelfish and eagle rays. 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. Best time to dive When to dive in the Cayman Islands entirely depends on your own personal preferences. The water is about 10 to 20 feet deep. 7.
Diving in the Cayman Islands | PADI Cayman Islands | Maduro Dive | Exclusive Scuba Diving Packages Butterflyfish, triggerfish, shrimp, snapper, and more hand out in and around the large coral heads that sit nor far from the waters surface. MV Captain Keith Tibbetts is an ex-Soviet Union ship that was built in 1984 for the Cuban Navy. Still great for diving with great walls for all levels of divers and the walls and the Russian destroyer 356 aka Russian destroyer. Exploring this site requires you to descend to a depth of 18 meters (60 feet) where the entrance of this elaborate tunnel system starts. 0 This is brought to you by the paradise-features of diving Cayman Islands: three islands where the bounty of nature is amplified as you go underwater.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'scubadivegeek_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_3',115,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-scubadivegeek_com-medrectangle-3-0'); Who would ever think that at the peak of an undersea mountain range lies a country that has one of the Worlds largest financial centers? Find the best travel insurance for you with these U.S. News ratings, which factor in expert and consumer recommendations. The water clarity is typically amazingly clear. Greenhouse is a nice medium-depth reef dive with plenty of grooves and gullies to explore. Click the link below to read our article about Macabuca: Tarpon Alley is located at the North Wall in Grand Cayman. After exploring the area, here are some of the best dive sites in the Cayman Islands: 1. The main gateway to the Cayman Islands is through Grand Cayman. 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. Beginners can enjoy another smaller chimney instead. 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. 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. 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. Sharp-eyed divers can find leopard flatworms and the tunnels are also popular hangouts for rays and green moray eels.
Cayman Islands Diving - Everything You Need to Know PADI Dive Resorts for all budgets, in the best dive locations around the world. Yes, that is the Cayman Islands and this is due in part of the tax holiday being implemented that has attracted businesses worldwide. The sea is always warm in the Cayman Islands, with surface temperatures never dropping below around 25 o C (78 o F).
Cayman Islands Travel Guide - Cayman Islands Travel Tips & Attractions It is only a 10-minute walk from the cruise ship port in George Town to Eden Rock. 1-800-652-1972. to save My Ideas for later.
The 6 Best Dive Sites in the Cayman Islands - PADI Blog Lighthouse Point is located in West Bay in Grand Cayman. A favourite stop for those diving and snorkeling lovers, the Bay Islands' important three islands are Roatan, Utila and Guanaja. Stingray City is in only 12ft (4m) of water and is a huge draw for divers and underwater photographers. 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;}. With a PADI Travel account, you can favourite dive operators to come back to later on any device or computer. Also known as the Mixing Bowl, Three Fathom Wall is the point where Jacksons Bight and the Bloody Bay diving areas meet. But which Cayman Island has the best diving? Besides the thick black corals, keep an eye out for tarpon, large yellow tube sponges, and ginormous barrel sponges. 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. While Grand Cayman, the most popular island, has a mix of accessible shore and boat diving. Black groupers, sergeant majors, yellowtail snapper, and moray eels are just a few of the species you can expect to see. Hurricane Ivan in 2004 cleaved the 100m/328ft ship in half but divers can still explore both sections of the wreckage. But its not just the heat that matters when visiting the Cayman Islands. Only ten miles long and one mile wide, this is a place where you can truly focus on your opportunity to relax. Three Fathom Wall is a popular night dive when eels, lobsters, and reef squid make an appearance. Grand Cayman Island probably has the best diving as it has the North Wall deep drop-off dive and the USS Kittiwake wreck dive. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Book an introductory scuba diving package to learn the basics of diving from certified PADI instructors. If the forecast looks good, they should consider taking a last-minute trip to Grand Cayman if they also spot an attractive discount. . Water Temperatures: Ranges from around 22C (72F) in December to 29C (84F) in July. 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. Grab your gear and dive into the crystal clear waters of Grand Cayman! 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. The wall dive also has several other topographical features including swim-throughs and tunnels. Enquire There are over 15 PADI 5-Star Centers in the Cayman Islands, ready to teach you everything you want to know about diving. Named for a historical anchorage, Anchor Point features a tight chimney-like descent at the beginning of the dive. We gave our Gear Lovers one job:
Dive Into the Cayman Islands | Cond Nast Traveler #6 inBest Cheap Destination Wedding Locations, #4 inBest Places to Visit in January 2023. 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. The three islands that make up the nation, Cayman Brac, Grand Cayman, and Little Cayman, are diverse and have distinct diving. StingrayCity. Head to the turret guns for a superb photo opportunity and keep your eyes peeled for barracuda, bright sponges, and schooling reef fish. Before she was decommissioned in 1994, the USS Kittiwake was a Navy Chanticleer-class submarine rescue vessel. You will find Nassau gropers, triggerfish, and other unique marine life at the Bloody Bay Wall. I quickly learned that if I poked at an area with my stick, the groupers would go right there, a great tool to get them to pose right where i wanted them in my reef scenes. 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. It lays at 60 ft (20 m) and scuba divers are able to explore all five levels of this 250 ft (75 m) vessel. 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. It was named Orange Canyon because of the large orange Elephant Ear Sponges that can be found here. If you want to enjoy these five dive sites . Grand Cayman makes a good dive vacation, but for us it was a great stop with plenty of good diving over 3 days on the way home from Cayman Brac. 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. The best time to visit the Cayman Islands is between March and June when the hotel rates drop. Click here to learn more. You can enter different swim-through areas where the wall drops to great depths.
Living The Dream Divers Diving Packages | Grand Cayman Cayman Islands Seasonal Dive Planner The Caymans' hottest period is from May to November. 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 islands are warm year-round with average highs. Located in Little Cayman, the Bloody Bay Wall dive site is noted for its high visibility, rich marine life, and the presence of a sheer wall that drops 2000 meters into the deep ocean. 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. There's much to discover beyond theme parks in this Southeastern state. It is rich with tunnels, chutes, cervices, and beautiful reefs. The Eden Rock Dive Center has everything you need for an unforgettable day underwater in the Cayman Islands. This is a wreck worth a dive or two.
Best Resorts in the Cayman Islands | Islands Even though July is a popular month, it is not necessarily a good time to go because of the reasons below. There is slightly more rain during the summer months. 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. The best part about the dive is the . And when it comes to marine life, there is lots to see! Here youll find more than 50 dives sites including the famous Bloody Bay. When diving through the cut itself, look under and in crevices, plenty of little critters make homes for themselves here. 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. It is 330-feet in length, and was sunk in Cayman Brac in 1996. 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. 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. The resident goliath grouper is a popular dive buddy at this Cayman dive site. [CDATA[ 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.
Diving in the Cayman Islands | Cayman Resident We were lucky enough to see the tail end of silversides on the wreck of the Balboa right in the Harbor too. View Map. ScubaDiveGeek.com also participates in other affiliate programs and Google Adwords and is compensated for referring traffic and business to these and other companies. This is a wall that drops 2000 meters to the sea floor. Navigate forward to interact with the calendar and select a date. Besides scuba diving, there are plenty of other things to do on the Cayman Islands. I've stayed at hotels and used independent dive operators and I have stayed at dive resorts with on-site dive operations. No diving trip in Grand Cayman would be complete without a dive at the infamous Stingray City. 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). The units are privately owned and furnished, but they have 21 accommodations available for rental use. Grandview Condominiums are located on the south end of 7 Mile Beach in George Town on the scuba diving island of Grand Cayman.
Cayman Islands Diving | Sport Diver Little Caymans Bloody Bay is home to some of the most dramatic and spectacular drop-offs and swim-throughs in the Carribean. It exceeds six inches in August and jumps again to more than eight inches in September and October. Flights to Grand Cayman arrive at Owen Roberts International Airport. I make money by sharing links to services that I personally use and recommend. Cactus coral, sea fans, great star coral, and tube sponges blanket the reef and provide refuge for a variety of sea creatures. The water is about 100 feet deep, and there is a good variety of soft and hard corals. . 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). But these aren't the only good and bad times. The top of the wall is around 9 meters (30ft) so the site can be enjoyed as a shallow or deep dive.
Best Dive & Stay Packages in the Cayman Islands - Ocean Frontiers We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Twitter 6. This is currently number 20 on the 100 Best Dives list.. 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. With virtually no currents and outstanding underwater visibility, Cayman has amazing wall dives, coral reefs and wrecks for you to explore and discover. Bert Brothers Boulders is also a great spot to see flying gurnards at around 5.5 meters (18ft). Both of these sites are accessible from shore. Tarpon Alley is part of the North Wall with depths between 15 to 25 meters (50-80ft). Kittiwake- Though this wreck has been sunken rather recently and has not developed much coral yet, it is still a fantastic dive site for all levels. 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.