Flights to Grand Cayman arrive at Owen Roberts International Airport. Most of the units for rent are 2-bedroom and 2-bathroons units. ScubaDiveGeek.com also participates in other affiliate programs and Google Adwords and is compensated for referring traffic and business to these and other companies. Find the best travel insurance for you with these U.S. News ratings, which factor in expert and consumer recommendations. Cheeseburger Reef is located in George Town, Grand Cayman. Kittiwake Shipwreck and diver in Grand Cayman - photo from Canva. Grand Cayman is the most visited island in the Cayman Islands by Scuba Divers. While Grand Cayman receives the most publicity and visitors, all three Cayman Islands - Cayman Brac and Little Cayman being the other two -- offer outstanding scuba diving. My wife and I are traveling there in February 2015 and are PADI AOW and Nitrox certified with ten years of recreational experience diving. The Cayman Islands-- Grand Cayman, Little Cayman, and Cayman Brac--have been attracting scuba divers for decades, including beginners! Get in touch with our specialists The 20 Best Dive sites in Caymans? Pelagics are attracted to the wall while schools of reef fish populate the shallows, swimming around the many purple, red, and yellow sponges. The boat dives were offered mostly in the mornings, and we were on our own in the afternoons. Also, check out our article where we review the top 25 things to do in Grand Cayman. Wheres the best place(s) to stay when looking into a diving trip in the Caymans? Grandview Condominiums are located on the south end of 7 Mile Beach in George Town on the scuba diving island of Grand Cayman. Along with the vertical structures of the wall are small cracks and crevices that have become the refuge of marine critters like crabs, lobsters, moray eels and octopus. June to October brings . Red Sail Sports have been Scuba Diving in Cayman for 40 years. Another great wall diving site in Little Cayman is Joys Joy. Having a less touristic crowd, Cayman Brac still has several tourism facilities like Cayman Brac Dive Resorts that are scattered along its narrow coast. A 2018 poll listed Bonaire as the best dive spot for beginners, conservation, freediving, macro diving, shore diving, and snorkeling. You will find Nassau gropers, triggerfish, and other unique marine life at the Bloody Bay Wall. Keith Tibbets- This Soviet-built Frigate that was owned by the Cuban navy was given to the Cayman Islands to purposefully sink it. Photographers can make the worst dive buddies. The water is about 10 to 20 feet deep. Only ten miles long and one mile wide, this is a place where you can truly focus on your opportunity to relax. 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. Jacques Costeau loved diving in the Caymans and its easy to see why. Cayman Islands has an average water temperature ranging from 26 29C (78 84F). With world class conditions and a robust dive industry, the Cayman Islands is one of the best places to learn how to dive. This is also where you will board your liveaboard. Nature lovers are lured to diverse hiking trails, caves, and a variety of flora and fauna around the island. Even though July is a popular month, it is not necessarily a good time to go because of the reasons below. 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. Under its 1986 declaration covering an area of hectares (23 acres) are dive sites that are popular to tourists and divers alike. It was then sunk in Grand Cayman in 1980 to make a new dive site. 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. You will see a lot of tarpon at this spot, as well as coral and other fish. There are 365 dive sites throughout the islands, offering something for all levels of experience. The depths start at around 12m/40ft and end at 30m/98ft. January and February are the coolest months with average lows in the high 60s. The shore diving was really easy to access with actual ladders or stairs and even showers at some sites. It should not be a surprise that January through April also happen to be popular months to visit the islands via western Caribbean cruises because of their ideal combination of cooler temperatures and low rainfall. Purposely sunk in 2011, she now sits upright in the sand at 18 meters (60ft) and is a teeming artificial reef encrusted with coral. While Grand Cayman, the most popular island, has a mix of accessible shore and boat diving. The Cayman Islands hosts one of the best dives in the World: Bloody Bay Wall on Little Cayman. 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. Jackson's Bight- Located also in the Bloody Bay Marine Park, it does not fail to provide scuba divers with an amazing dive. If you want to enjoy these five dive sites . Fiji: Dive the Soft Coral Capital of the World. But the main reason for diving here are the sharks, especially hammerheads. Look along the ledge by the mooring for crabs and check out the four massive barrel sponges. Sharks and turtles are frequent visitors as are snappers, groupers, and grunts. During the day rays, turtles, the occasional barracuda and plenty of reef fish mean theres a lot to keep divers engaged. All levels of divers can enjoy the site as there is plenty to see at shallow depths or at deeper parts. The flight and hotel fares are discounted up to 50 percent this time of year. Our travel experts have highlighted our favourite places to visit each month, Terms & Conditions 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. Collect your trip ideas, share with friends or make an enquiry. 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. I have traveled to the Cayman islands many times. Tarpon Alley is part of the North Wall with depths between 15 to 25 meters (50-80ft). The best time to visit Grand Cayman is March and April. There is decent shore diving from their dock. From the mooring, divers often descend through a cut in the reef and out onto the wall. It is worth noting however that from June until October is the hurricane season in the Caribbean. Best Time To Dive The Cayman Island 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;}. 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. 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. That's is how we pay ourselves. July has a jump in visits for families in part because school children are out for the summer. If you enjoy snorkeling, then check out our article where we discuss the top 25 snorkel spots in Grand Cayman. Most dive operators will take you there. 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. We were lucky enough to see the tail end of silversides on the wreck of the Balboa right in the Harbor too. The three islands that make up the nation, Cayman Brac, Grand Cayman, and Little Cayman, are diverse and have distinct diving. Despite being small measuring only 16 x 1.6 kilometers (10 x 1 mile), tourism is booming and tourism facilities are sprawling especially in South Town. The Cayman Islands is a world-class diving destination famous for its reefs, wrecks and rum. Away from the reef, divers can look around the LCM David Nicholson wreck. East End 5. Eden Rock Dive Center. The primary reason why scuba divers frequently visit the Cayman Islands is to do a different kind of investment: definitely not monetary, but instead fun, enjoyment and great underwater adventures. He is the author of four books about cruising in the Caribbean, Alaska and Mexican Riviera. The wreck was specifically set up for safe penetration, giving divers many interior rooms to explore. Trinity Caves is a popular dive site that is located off the coast of West Bay in Grand Cayman. Access to tools and resources at your fingertips, curated to enhance your diving experience. Erwin Poliakoff, Baton Rouge, Louisiana USA Nikon D7000, Tokina 10-17 zoom, Nikkor 60mm, 85mm, and 105mm macros, Nauticam housing Sunset Reef is a popular shore dive just 60 meters (200ft) off the Sunset House Resorts pier. Trinity Caves is one Cayman dive site that never disappoints. Why? Because great in-depth gear reviews will help you select the right products for your specific needs, budget, and interests. Enjoy 20% OFF select PADI eLearning programs, FREE ReActivate online refresher, subscription to Scuba Diving magazine + so much more when you join PADI Club. The Cayman Islands are one of the Best Liveaboard Destinations in the World. Because the site is prone to strong currents, it isnt frequently dived which makes a trip to this very healthy reef even more special. Find a Liveaboard -Practical Information - Book a Trip. Get certified to scuba dive. Find the best and most popular products and review them. Divers of all levels can explore the engines, pistons, and pieces of the wreck that are scattered at 18m/60ft. 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. Find & Book Adventures Book your fun dives, snorkelling trips and courses online with thousands of PADI Dive Centers. 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. Located near a popular resort is a vertical drop off that is filled with all sorts of marine life the North Wall. You may see hammerhead sharks if you are lucky. The Cayman Islands certainly offer diversity without a long trip from the states. Continue with Recommended Cookies. I have been diving in Grand Cayman several times. This is a must do dive. She met her end on the reef in the late 70s, allegedly due to mutiny aboard. Cruise ships visit here, so expect everything you would find in most international cruise ship ports. There is also a dive shop and restaurant. There are over 15 PADI 5-Star Centers in the Cayman Islands, ready to teach you everything you want to know about diving. Sidetrip: Visit Little Caymans Booby Pond Nature Reserve. From our 24hr helpline to our expert local guides and selection of handpicked reading lists. I am Dan, this site is my blog where I document my research on the best diving spots in the world. Diving is available year-round. Intermediate divers can begin their dive at the chimney, a narrow tunnel starting at 12m/40ft and ending at 24m/80ft. Youtube+ In February, the cost is roughly $1,044 round trip . The waters here are 15 to 25 meters deep. [What You Need to Know]. Often you can see massive tarpons, barracudas, and schools of silversides. The Cayman Islands dollar is legal tender in these islands. Cayman Islands International Film Festival. There is shopping, bars to hang out in, and live music. It's the kind of peaceful place where you will make your own fun. Wilderness Wall starts at 15 meters (50ft) before plunging down into the depths. This is a must-do dive for people vacationing in Grand Cayman. 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. at any point on your diving holiday) has to offer. Enquire September and October are the riskiest months to visit Grand Cayman because of the higher than normal amounts of rain. Eden Rock & Devils Grotto are two dive sites that are next to each other. The course includes a 2-hour pool and theory session, and an . The Cayman Islands boasts world-class beaches, luxurious properties, worldwide culinary influences, high-end shops, local stores, and everything in between. Grand Cayman Island probably has the best diving as it has the North Wall deep drop-off dive and the USS Kittiwake wreck dive. Our DSD is $99 USD per person and includes all equipment needed and a fantastic shallow dive to a max depth of 40ft.