Lighthouse Point is located in West Bay in Grand Cayman. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. 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. Scuba Diving in the Cayman Islands | Explore Cayman Occasionally, a nurse shark rest on the sand. Because the site is prone to strong currents, it isnt frequently dived which makes a trip to this very healthy reef even more special. A 2.75 meter (9ft) bronze statue of Amphitrite (the wife of the mythological god Poseidon) rises up from the base of the reef. Both of these sites are accessible from shore. The best time to visit Grand Cayman is March and April. Facebook 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. 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. This is a deep wall that drops several hundred feet into the abyss. Exploring this site requires you to descend to a depth of 18 meters (60 feet) where the entrance of this elaborate tunnel system starts. It is only a 10-minute walk from the cruise ship port in George Town to Eden Rock. Resident Nassau groupers often keep divers company and if you look closely, you may be rewarded with seahorses and lettuce-leaf slugs. Stingray City offers divers the opportunity to fully interact with these amazing creatures. If you make a purchase from our site, we may earn a commission. 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. Butterflyfish, triggerfish, shrimp, snapper, and more hand out in and around the large coral heads that sit nor far from the waters surface. 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. 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. Pelagics are attracted to the wall while schools of reef fish populate the shallows, swimming around the many purple, red, and yellow sponges. Under its 1986 declaration covering an area of hectares (23 acres) are dive sites that are popular to tourists and divers alike. Turtles munched on big sponges with no worries about divers hanging about. at any point on your diving holiday) has to offer. Click the link below to read our article about Eden Rock: Deep Stingray City is located in Grand Cayman. 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. Click the link below to read our article about the USS Kittiwake: Wilderness Wall is located on the south-side of Cayman Brac. Located in the Bloody Bay marine park on Little Caymans north side, Marilyns Cut is largely unspoiled and offers up pristine soft and hard corals. The shore diving was really easy to access with actual ladders or stairs and even showers at some sites. Its land area is slightly bigger than Little Cayman with a measurement of 19 x 2 kilometers (12miles x 1.2miles). With the wall beginning at just 6 meters (20ft), the site is popular with both divers and snorkelers. . 4. This is currently number 20 on the 100 Best Dives list.. PADI Dive Resorts for all budgets, in the best dive locations around the world. 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. The Best Scuba Diving Experiences On Grand Cayman 50 Best Scuba Diving Places in The World - Thrillophilia The dives are shallow and you can closely observe them swimming around or above you. GOT QUESTIONS ABOUT DIVING IN CAYMANS? The best time to see whitetip reef sharks in the Cayman Islands is from May to August. Cracks in the ceilings let in plenty of natural light making it easy to search the nooks and crannies for the many crustaceans and other marine creatures that occupy the tunnels. Best Diving in the Caribbean - Top 12 - Bluewater Dive Travel Clearly Cayman Group Specials - Big savings on 7-night stays! 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. Naturally, this is also the most expensive season, and reservations must be made at least three months in advance. They have ladders that you can use to enter and exit the water safely. Theyre not timid and as they surround you, these rays seem happy to receive a gentle stroke or two. Penetration can be done in this wreck courtesy from its numerous entry and exit points that were made before it was intentionally sunk to become an artificial reef. The prices of hotels and short excursions that would normally be prohibitively expensive fall to more reasonable levels during this time. Family Traveller Excellence Awards 2019 Winner. I have traveled to the Cayman islands many times. Hurricanes rarely hit Grand Cayman directly. an enquiry. I have lived in the corporate world for a few years now with very little excitement in my life. Keith Tibbets- This Soviet-built Frigate that was owned by the Cuban navy was given to the Cayman Islands to purposefully sink it. The amazing strawberry sponges were in abundance there. I would appreciate if you don't as these referral links are what keep me posting and sharing on this blog. Cayman Turtle Centre. Hotel prices are sourced from a sample of U.S. News Best Hotels rates through 2015-2016. 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. The water clarity is typically amazingly clear. Our DSD is $99 USD per person and includes all equipment needed and a fantastic shallow dive to a max depth of 40ft. Diving is available year-round. In the Cayman Islands, spring is in full force. Our Original Diving experts, made up of marine biologists, ScubaDiveGeek.com also participates in other affiliate programs and Google Adwords and is compensated for referring traffic and business to these and other companies. Live a life others only dream about. 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. Top dives include the famous 1000 Steps, the Hilmer Hooker wreck, and Bari Reef. Cayman Islands | Maduro Dive | Exclusive Scuba Diving Packages Web Visit website. Cayman Islands Diving | Sport Diver 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. Princess Pennies Pinnacle is located on the North Wall in Grand Cayman. Great Wall is the kind of dive that makes you feel like a tiny speck in the ocean as you hang near a wall that drops dramatically to more than 1,800 meters (6,000ft). #6 inBest Cheap Destination Wedding Locations, #4 inBest Places to Visit in January 2023. My wife and I are traveling there in February 2015 and are PADI AOW and Nitrox certified with ten years of recreational experience diving. From 5 star restaurants to fish frys at the local gas station. The course includes a 2-hour pool and theory session, and an . 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. 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. If you plan to do some land-based explorations on your trip, you'll have to choose between the busier warmer months (like April and November) or the cooler, but generally cheaper, months in between. 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. Also known as the Mixing Bowl, Three Fathom Wall is the point where Jacksons Bight and the Bloody Bay diving areas meet. With a PADI Travel account, you can favourite dive operators to come back to later on any device or computer. 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. 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. Wreck of the Oro Verde is located in Grand Cayman. 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. The ship was originally built for the US Army Transportation Corps over 70-years ago. It is rich with tunnels, chutes, cervices, and beautiful reefs. Besides the thick black corals, keep an eye out for tarpon, large yellow tube sponges, and ginormous barrel sponges. 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. Three Fathom Wall is a popular night dive when eels, lobsters, and reef squid make an appearance. Manage Settings Ghost Mountain Grand Cayman is another great spot for wall diving where you can further reach a protruding limestone that silhouettes like a ghost from afar. A 2018 poll listed Bonaire as the best dive spot for beginners, conservation, freediving, macro diving, shore diving, and snorkeling. 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. Settle on the sand at just 3.7 meters (12ft) and have hordes of southern stingrays glide gracefully around you. There's much to discover beyond theme parks in this Southeastern state. Bloody Bay Wall Bloody Bay Wall is located in Little Cayman. Plenty of schooling reef fish call Ghost Mountain home and the pinnacle is also carpeted in deep, bloody-red finger sponges. Not to be confused with the Anchor Point dive sites in Scotlands Loch Fyne, the Solomon Islands, or Sri Lanka, the Cayman dive site is located on Grand Cayman and is characterized by swathes of black coral. 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. However, there are large coral canyons that provide exciting swim-throughs for divers. You will see a lot of tarpon at this spot, as well as coral and other fish. Cayman Brac offered multiple relaxed dive spots on reefs all along the edge of the island. Situated on a wide beach on the island's West End, the property offers 40 air-conditioned rooms (renovated in late 2015 and featuring soothing Caribbean . As said earlier, Grand Cayman has over 50 dive sites and we will not leave this section without mentioning other noted dive spots. 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. Find the best travel insurance for you with these U.S. News ratings, which factor in expert and consumer recommendations. 3. Average rainfall jumps to more than five inches in May, June and July. Both are wonderful underwater. Diving Cayman Islands: Best Wall Dives in the World While Grand Cayman, the most popular island, has a mix of accessible shore and boat diving. Head to the turret guns for a superb photo opportunity and keep your eyes peeled for barracuda, bright sponges, and schooling reef fish. 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! Marine Life & Environment - Top Dive Spots - Diving Conditions, How to Get There-How to Dive Cayman Islands-Best Time to Dive, NEW! to save My Ideas for later. This is a wall that drops 2000 meters to the sea floor. Would also recommend spending an afternoon at Rum Point, where you can relax and also do some snorkeling if you like. Sea temperature varies little, from a high of 86F/30C in August/September to a low of 80F/26.5C in February. I have stayed there several times at a dive resort with on-site dive operation. Our team will meet you at the airport and fast-track you through. 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. 0 There are also lots of tarpon and small silver sprats in this area. 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 . The seven mile beach area is beautiful for walking and photo opportunities. Because great in-depth gear reviews will help you select the right products for your specific needs, budget, and interests. Little Cayman, Cayman Islands. MV Capt. 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. 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. Click here to learn more. 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. These hot temperatures start in May and last into November. Best Time To Dive The Cayman Island Live like a local and get under the skin of a destination with our in-country concierges. There are lots of beautiful beaches to visit and to relax. Best Time to Dive Cayman Islands. ASK US HERE! But they are sometimes the cheapest months to visit. Otherwise, it is clear that December through April are the best months of the year to visit Grand Cayman, especially early April. Aside from corals, barrel sponges are sprawling in this vibrant reef that is also filled with tropical reef fish like groupers, butterflyfish, angelfish, moray eels and lionfish which is believed to be an invasive species. Choose from a selection of more than 250 vessels and 18,000 trips worldwide. Dive Shop and Front desk is open 7 days per week | 7am to 6pm and can be reached directly on (345)-640-7500 Twitter It is 330-feet in length, and was sunk in Cayman Brac in 1996. Little Cayman is a lovely, quiet little island with a population of less than 170. Best Cayman Islands Dive Centers and Resorts - TripSavvy You need to protect your fingers from the eager snappers though. MV Captain Keith Tibbetts is an ex-Soviet Union ship that was built in 1984 for the Cuban Navy. 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. 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. Cruise lines can reduce the number of ships that visit Grand Cayman in the fall, but hotels and resorts cant reduce the number of rooms. Grand Cayman has dives for all experience levels, and our on-site dive shop Ocean Frontiers Diving Adventures offers a range of PADI dive courses and signature dive adventures. Diving in Little Cayman | PADI If you enjoy snorkeling, then check out our article where we discuss the top 25 snorkel spots in Grand Cayman. Only ten miles long and one mile wide, this is a place where you can truly focus on your opportunity to relax. Grand Cayman is a beautiful dive destination with many options for accommodations and for diving. 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. [] These Florida Keys resorts are ideal for family getaways and romantic retreats. In the shallows, flamingo tongues cling onto sea fans while lobsters, eels, and jewfish can be found hiding in the ridges and gullies. It is an amazing sight, and a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience. When shopping and eating out, be sure to identify which currency prices . The wreck of the Captain Keith is unusual it is the only Soviet-made warship that divers can visit in the western hemisphere. Trinity Caves is a popular dive site that is located off the coast of 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. Grand Cayman Diving - Scuba Diving in the Cayman Islands Of the three main islands, Grand Cayman is where most divers go where you can explore over 50 dive sites allowing you to do virtually all types of diving and is suited for all levels of certification.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[120,600],'scubadivegeek_com-box-4','ezslot_16',103,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-scubadivegeek_com-box-4-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[120,600],'scubadivegeek_com-box-4','ezslot_17',103,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-scubadivegeek_com-box-4-0_1'); .box-4-multi-103{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 dive boat did make the excursion across to Little Cayman's Bloody Bay wall one day which is very achievable from Cayman Brac.