If you want to get rid of the tourist crowd in Grand Cayman and explore a dive site that is remote and that the diver to fish ratio is 1 to a million, then we suggest you head out northwest of Grand Cayman via a Cayman Liveaboard vessel in a site called Babylon. divemasters and lovers of all things underwater, know the best time 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;}. The boat dives were offered mostly in the mornings, and we were on our own in the afternoons. MV Captain Keith Tibbetts is an ex-Soviet Union ship that was built in 1984 for the Cuban Navy. Sidetrip: Visit Little Caymans Booby Pond Nature Reserve. You will need little more (and some prefer less) than a 3 mm full length wetsuit. The Cayman Islands-- Grand Cayman, Little Cayman, and Cayman Brac--have been attracting scuba divers for decades, including beginners! The three islands that make up the nation, Cayman Brac, Grand Cayman, and Little Cayman, are diverse and have distinct diving. If you are into grottos or swim-throughs, then you must head out to the west side of Grand Cayman and explore the three long tunnel swim-throughs of the Trinity Caves. 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. 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. 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. 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. Its also the historical rainfall patterns. 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. When we talk about Fiji, what immediately comes into our mind is a tropical dream holiday. It is rich with tunnels, chutes, cervices, and beautiful reefs. The ship has been opened up with large access holes so that you can swim through the interior of the ship. 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. 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. 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. April is an especially good choice because it has the warmest weather of the entire five-month dry season. Scuba Divers can experience the world's best 12ft dive site at Stingray City, the beautiful Starfish Point and Bloody Bay . 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. 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. If you make a purchase from our site, we may earn a commission. The Cayman dollar is exchanged at a rate fixed to the US dollar (CI $1 equals US $1.25). January and February are the coolest months with average lows in the high 60s. It does not make the product pricier for you. Dining can be pricey but the meals I have had have been wonderful. Our DSD is $99 USD per person and includes all equipment needed and a fantastic shallow dive to a max depth of 40ft. Naturally, this is also the most expensive season, and reservations must be made at least three months in advance. Cayman Islands International Film Festival. Eagle rays glide past in the blue water, triggerfish, Nassau groupers, electric yellow sponges and much make this site popular with divers in the Caymans. Access to tools and resources at your fingertips, curated to enhance your diving experience. Top dives include the famous 1000 Steps, the Hilmer Hooker wreck, and Bari Reef. This gives the unique Caymans dive site a blend of steep vertical walls, sloping reefs, and coral-crusted fingers. Ive been to Grand Cayman and Little Cayman. This is a deep wall that drops several hundred feet into the abyss. It now rests in an upright position at a depth of 27meters (89feet). December to April is also the busiest time of year for tourism, so it's important to book your dive trips in advance. You can dive along this wall and explore the different entrances. Find a Liveaboard -Practical Information - Book a Trip. Great diving. 0 Lemon Reef is a mini-wall dive site located on the North Wall in Grand Cayman. ASK US HERE! 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.. Divers can observe the bow guns and go along the rails to make some great photos. Live like a local and get under the skin of a destination with our in-country concierges. The dive boat did make the excursion across to Little Cayman's Bloody Bay wall one day which is very achievable from Cayman Brac. Hurricane Ivan in 2004 cleaved the 100m/328ft ship in half but divers can still explore both sections of the wreckage. Red Sail Sports have been Scuba Diving in Cayman for 40 years. Cayman Islands Reservations Phone: (345)-947-0000 Our Reservations Office is located on site at the Dive Shop & Resort in the Cayman Islands. You will find Nassau gropers, triggerfish, and other unique marine life at the Bloody Bay Wall. "High Season" at the hotels is mid-December to mid-April, so rates will be higher then. For macro subjects, you can see angelfish, morays, lettuce slug nudibranchs and many more. 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 133 kilometers (83 miles) northeast of Grand Cayman is its little sister island Little Cayman. There is a separate fee to dive this wreck that goes towards conservation, and you also get a nice yellow diver medallion to keep. There are 365 dive sites throughout the islands, offering something for all levels of experience. In the Cayman Islands, spring is in full force. The water clarity is typically amazingly clear. you are in the right place at the right time to see the very best dive in each month of the year. This is really a divers paradise. I have stayed there several times at a dive resort with on-site dive operation. When diving the Cayman Islands you can see a lot of large sponges, some good macro, and some tiny fish. 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. Beginners can enjoy another smaller chimney instead. Occasionally, a nurse shark rest on the sand. All levels of divers can enjoy the site as there is plenty to see at shallow depths or at deeper parts. I know there are shore dives that can be done, and we plan to do some of those next time. With virtually no currents and outstanding underwater visibility, Cayman has amazing wall dives, coral reefs and wrecks for you to explore and discover. For us divers, the financial self-sufficiency of the Cayman Islands is only the icing on the cake. Grand Cayman Island probably has the best diving as it has the North Wall deep drop-off dive and the USS Kittiwake wreck dive. 6. 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. Theyre not timid and as they surround you, these rays seem happy to receive a gentle stroke or two. 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. 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. Bloody Bay Wall is considered the epicenter of scuba diving in this marine park. Our Original Diving experts, made up of marine biologists, divemasters and lovers of all things underwater, know the best time to dive in Little Cayman. Stingray City offers divers the opportunity to fully interact with these amazing creatures. This is a wreck worth a dive or two. Located near a popular resort is a vertical drop off that is filled with all sorts of marine life the North Wall. We understand that diving the best Grand Cayman Dives is the primary goal of your Grand Cayman Dive vacation. 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. Clearly Cayman Group Specials - Big savings on 7-night stays! Its land area is slightly bigger than Little Cayman with a measurement of 19 x 2 kilometers (12miles x 1.2miles). Grand Cayman has beautiful beaches and probably the most topside activities or restaurants anyone would want. It was named after the famous free-diver Penny Ventura. to save My Ideas for later. There is slightly more rain during the summer months. Roundabout is located along the North Wall in Grand Cayman. From these locations, I was able to dive the west end and also the North Wall. 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. It is worth noting however that from June until October is the hurricane season in the Caribbean. While Grand Cayman, the most popular island, has a mix of accessible shore and boat diving. Diving is available year-round. Cathy Church has a shop at Sunset House where you can often meet her and see her beautiful underwater photos from the area. 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. Kittiwake Shipwreck and diver in Grand Cayman - photo from Canva. As for temperature and weather, the Cayman Islands are tropical, meaning it's warm 365 days a year. They became my favorite focus on the reef. Schools of bright snappers brightened the reefs among colorful sponges. 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. 1-800-652-1972. 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. See and be seen at these stunning natural wonders. The islands are warm year-round with average highs holding steady in the 80s. Jacques Costeau loved diving in the Caymans and its easy to see why. 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.