It was named after the famous free-diver Penny Ventura. Average rainfall jumps to more than five inches in May, June and July. 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. you are in the right place at the right time to see the very best Below are our recommendations for the best months to dive in Cayman Islands, as well as our suggestions for the best places to For example, let's look at one airline flying from Miami to Grand Cayman. Located 2.5 kilometers (1.6 miles) northwest of the Capital City of George Town is one of the most popular dive sites, not just in the Cayman Islands, but in the Caribbean the Stingray City which is classified as a sandbar that has been naturally aggregated with southern stingrays that have been accustomed to human presence because of feeding. Exploring this site requires you to descend to 10 meters (33 feet) deep where you will arrive at the top portion of the reef. Data sourced from the National Climatic Data Center. The Cayman Islands boasts world-class beaches, luxurious properties, worldwide culinary influences, high-end shops, local stores, and everything in between. The islands are warm year-round with average highs holding steady in the 80s. While the gazebo itself is actually an arch, this small dive site never fails to please. Over a 30-year history, the islands have averaged less than two inches of rain from January through April and a little more than two inches in December, according to the Cayman Islands National Weather Service. For this reason, wreck junkies and aficionados often have the Keith on their to-dive lists. Theres also Little Cayman thats the least developed of the 3 islands. Top dives include the famous 1000 Steps, the Hilmer Hooker wreck, and Bari Reef. If wall diving is your thing, check out diving in Turks & Caicos. The worst time is September during the hurricane season. For macro subjects, you can see angelfish, morays, lettuce slug nudibranchs and many more. It was quite crowded with dive and snorkel boats when we got there, but it was no big deal once we got in the water. MV Capt. Web Visit website. The dive schedule would include a deep wall dive followed by a shallower reef or wreck. 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! The best time to go to the Cayman Islands is in March and April because there is spring break from school and April has a combination of warm temperatures and a low risk of rain. Exploring this site requires you to initially descend to 18 meters (60 feet) deep where the wall starts. I have worked in the corporate world and had little time for adventure. As of 2023, you can renew your passport online. If the forecast looks good, they should consider taking a last-minute trip to Grand Cayman if they also spot an attractive discount. Apart from the elephant ear sponges, keep your eyes peeled for blacktip Carribean reef sharks in the blue. Sidetrip: Visit Little Caymans Booby Pond Nature Reserve. When shopping and eating out, be sure to identify which currency prices . 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. Interested in diving the Cayman Islands? Rum Point Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned diver, Grand Cayman has a dive site for you. Though scuba diving in the Cayman Islands is mostly known for close encounters with stingrays, it has much more to offer. Booming and sprawling are not just words describing the tourism facilities in Little Cayman, but it can also be used to describe its world-class dive sites. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. Hotels, resorts and cruise ships dont like unsold rooms and cabins, so they are more likely to offer discounts to attract customers. The Cayman Islands-- Grand Cayman, Little Cayman, and Cayman Brac--have been attracting scuba divers for decades, including beginners! With regards to transportation, you have to take note that there are no taxis in Little Cayman and the best way to explore the island is by renting a bike. September is the worst month of the Caribbean hurricane season, which officially goes from June through November. Both of these sites are accessible from shore. May through November, and especially September and October, are the riskiest months to visit. Best Time to Dive Cayman Islands. Grand Cayman has beautiful beaches and probably the most topside activities or restaurants anyone would want. Three Fathom Wall is a popular night dive when eels, lobsters, and reef squid make an appearance. 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. 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. 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. Trinity Caves is one Cayman dive site that never disappoints. [] Still great for diving with great walls for all levels of divers and the walls and the Russian destroyer 356 aka Russian destroyer. 1 is a 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom unit. Otherwise, it is clear that December through April are the best months of the year to visit Grand Cayman, especially early April. The Cayman Islands are home to some of the best spots for scuba diving and snorkeling in the world. I have lived in the corporate world for a few years now with very little excitement in my life. Our review team always considers durability, price, quality, and value in their reviews. Each time has been a wonderful underwater adventure. Cayman gives both the novice and the experienced some of the best diving in the world, as environmentally protected reefs surround each of our three islands. They make a difference for anyone visiting the Caymans by cruise who plans to spend more time shopping, dining and visiting attractions than spend time on the beaches. My favorite were the groupers who followed us like pets. This is one of the deepest sea-walls in the world. 310-915-6677 Keith Tibbets- This Soviet-built Frigate that was owned by the Cuban navy was given to the Cayman Islands to purposefully sink it. Swim throughs, ledges, overhangs, and an average depth of 12 meters (40ft) make this a Cayman dive site for all experience levels to explore. Little Cayman, Cayman Islands. Cayman Brac Beach Resort. Hop to the other islands by hiring a private boat operator, or better yet, arrange for a liveaboard tour and explore as many Cayman Islands diving sites as you can. Instagram, My Ideas Cayman Brac offered multiple relaxed dive spots on reefs all along the edge of the island. In general, the tourism industry in the Cayman Islands is designed with divers in mind. Bloody Bay Marine Park is a particularly popular diving destination as it is home to 12 different dive sites, gorgeous coral, and diverse marine life. These hot temperatures start in May and last into November. Its also the historical rainfall patterns. In this article, we review the top 20 scuba dive sites in the Cayman Islands. The Cayman Islands are one of the Best Liveaboard Destinations for Beginners. Overall it is a place worth seeing. And when you have the right product, youre a little bit happier which affects the people around you! ASK US HERE! Don't forget to visit Stingray City before leaving Grand Cayman. All the information you need to plan your dive vacations anywhere in the world. Find & Book PADI Adventures App 6. Indonesia. From the mooring, divers often descend through a cut in the reef and out onto the wall. The Cayman Islands is a land of breath-taking experiences. Plus, the water temperature ranges between 78-82F (26-28C). This site is well-known and popular with divers, snorkelers, and glass-bottom boaters alike. December through April are especially popular times to go because of low risk of rainfall and more moderate temperatures. Roberts Wall is located on the North Wall in Grand Cayman. Cayman Islands Seasonal Dive Planner The Caymans' hottest period is from May to November. If you love nature, you can go hiking or explore some caverns and caves. Diving is available year-round. This is a must-do dive for people vacationing in Grand Cayman. Dive vacations in the Cayman Islands are a good choice for underwater photographers with their many opportunities to capture the beauty of the place and wonderful visibility, and also for travellers looking for deep dives - you can find many along the Cayman walls. There is also an air pocket in a decompression chamber that you can pop into and chat with your buddy!! This is the most famous dive site in the Cayman Islands - and with good reason. Theres good diving, with great Walls and of course stingray city, where you can see and feed stingrays. When we talk about Fiji, what immediately comes into our mind is a tropical dream holiday. This island is very small and there is little to do, other than dive. From classic wide-brimmed hats to water-repellent trucker hats, find your ideal style. Orange Canyon is a popular dive site on the west-side of Grand Cayman. They can offer up their first-hand knowledge to ensure you know when to dive to enjoy the very best marine life, be it the tiny critters or bigger beasts of . Get in touch with our specialists for even more in-depth travel advice. Once you decide which route you want to go, it's time to get in the water! Its land area is slightly bigger than Little Cayman with a measurement of 19 x 2 kilometers (12miles x 1.2miles). 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. Answer 1 of 11: Does anyone have firsthand experience with any of the dive operators on Little Cayman that they will share? 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. 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. Even if they are stingrays and have the potential to inflict painful wounds via their tail, do not panic as they are not in their aggressive or defensive mode. A shallow dive site, the colors here really pop making it a good choice for photographers. View Map. The three islands that make up the nation, Cayman Brac, Grand Cayman, and Little Cayman, are diverse and have distinct diving. I am the father of the best two children in the world and husband to the most patient woman on this planet. The Cayman Islands continues to receive global recognition and top the charts for diving. StingRay City on scuba with a small group was so much fun feeding the rays. Elkhorn corals adorn the tops of the ridges while large gorgonians, tube sponges, and hard corals occupy the gullies. 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. Little Cayman GoPro Video Workshop: April 2023, Best Liveaboard Destinations for Beginners, shifted the Kittiwake from her original position. The most striking and common marine life for me were the brightly yellow colored tube sponges. If you make a purchase from our site, we may earn a commission. Hotel prices are sourced from a sample of U.S. News Best Hotels rates through 2015-2016. Situated not far from the north point on Grand Cayman, Ghost Mountain is probably named for the behemoth mushroom-like pinnacle that suddenly emerges from the blue as divers near it. Through this site,my intent is to be able to sponsor the new chapter in my life as a scuba diver. This British overseas island is home to mystical caves, unscaled escarpments, tropical forests, diverse wildlife and a plethora of other unique experiences. Red Sail Sports have been Scuba Diving in Cayman for 40 years. Around the coral fingers, stingrays, eagle rays and yellowhead jawfish rest on the sandy patches. Cheeseburger Reef is located in George Town, Grand Cayman. 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. 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.. Most of the units for rent are 2-bedroom and 2-bathroons units. You will find the Cayman Islands to be very diverse, from quiet Little Cayman, to bustling Seven Mile Beach on Grand Cayman. I know there are shore dives that can be done, and we plan to do some of those next time. Grand Cayman Monthly Weather: Rain, Temperatures, Grand Cayman Vacation Tips: Hotels, Attractions, Weather, Cayman Islands overnight visitor statistics; Caribeez.com. Located 133 kilometers (83 miles) northeast of Grand Cayman is its little sister island Little Cayman. that the underwater world (and overwater, if you plan on surfacing Sign up to get the latest updates, offers and more. Click the link below to read our article about the USS Kittiwake: Wilderness Wall is located on the south-side of Cayman Brac. The shore diving was really easy to access with actual ladders or stairs and even showers at some sites. September and October are clearly the least popular months to go because of a high risk of heavy rains along with hot temperatures. During winter, temperatures can drop down to the low 70s. Reservations Office is open Monday-Friday | 8:30am-5:30pm Cayman Islands time. Under its 1986 declaration covering an area of hectares (23 acres) are dive sites that are popular to tourists and divers alike. We did see some nurse sharks, sea turtles and a few rays. Just be prepared for a rain shower or two, as this is the start of the region's wet season. The sea is always warm in the Cayman Islands, with surface temperatures never dropping below around 25 o C (78 o F). Best Time to Dive in Little Cayman. September and October are the riskiest months to visit Grand Cayman because of the higher than normal amounts of rain. Everything here is very low key and there is a small local population. The wreck can be penetrated in some parts but speak for your guide or instructor beforehand. The water drops over a hundred feet. There are lots of other fish and coral. The best time to visit Grand Cayman is March and April. They are located in George Town in Grand Cayman. Look along the ledge by the mooring for crabs and check out the four massive barrel sponges. Grand Cayman is a beautiful dive destination with many options for accommodations and for diving. This is currently number 20 on the 100 Best Dives list. The 20 Best Dive sites in Caymans? Grand Cayman is the most visited island in the Cayman Islands by Scuba Divers. Find a Liveaboard -Practical Information - Book a Trip. Our travel experts have highlighted our favourite places to visit each month, Terms & Conditions Although this is a wall dive, the cut in the sites name comes from the swim-through many divers use upon descent. I make money by sharing links to services that I personally use and recommend. Schools of bright snappers brightened the reefs among colorful sponges. We have put together a comprehensive collection of packages to suit your needs. You can go hiking in the Mastic Trail where it has really nice views from the harbors and the beaches. I created this website to help answer common questions about vacationing in the Cayman Islands, and to help tourists find the best things to do. The best time to visit the Cayman Islands is between March and April. I have been diving in Grand Cayman several times. 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. Find & Book Adventures Book your fun dives, snorkelling trips and courses online with thousands of PADI Dive Centers. Facebook It does not make the product pricier for you. Fiji: Dive the Soft Coral Capital of the World. Originally coined 356, this wreck is now called the M/V Captain Keith Tibbetts after a well-known Cayman Brac politician. 10 Go Scavenger Hunting At Seven Mile Beach. "High Season" at the hotels is mid-December to mid-April, so rates will be higher then. You can see Spotted Eagle Rays flying passed this area from depths of about 30 to 100 feet. You will need little more (and some prefer less) than a 3 mm full length wetsuit. 0 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 . Thus, you can keep going back and still discover new sites. If you want to enjoy these five dive sites . We rarely boast about our service but we believe it's what sets us apart and makes us truly original, so please forgive this moment of unabashed self-promotion. Here are a few of our favourite dive sites in Grand Cayman: 1. The water depth here is around 18-meters. Located in the western Caribbean, just 480 miles south of Miami, Cayman is perfect for scuba diving and snorkelling, boasting some of the Caribbean's best excursions. Away from the reef, divers can look around the LCM David Nicholson wreck. The Cayman Islands hosts one of the best dives in the World: Bloody Bay Wall on Little Cayman. In 2017, Tropical Storm Nate shifted the Kittiwake from her original position. The visibility at Donnas Delight on Little Cayman is typically good and the relaxed and easy diving here is suitable for all levels. The Kittiwake wreck as well as other wrecks in the close vicinity add variety and interesting structure which I really enjoyed. The best time to see whitetip reef sharks in the Cayman Islands is from May to August. . 390 S Church St, George Town KY1-1106, Cayman Islands. The North Wall is one of the most visited diving sites and plunges to a depth of 6000 feet (1800 meters). Best Times To Visit Cayman Islands The best time to visit the Cayman Islands is between March and June when the hotel rates drop. A huge pinnacle branches out, creating a corridor-like passageway that is used by large pelagics cruising up from the abyss. Its a very easy and fun dive, we saw some angelfish and eagle rays. The Cayman Islands are one of the Best Liveaboard Destinations in the World. Share your love of diving, experience new adventures, expand your dive skills, and help save the ocean. Wakatobi Dive Resort, a private island south of Sulawesi, understands thisand that shooters trek to this country, one of the most biodiverse hotspots on the planet, to capture images of every critter possible. Water temperatures are usually low 80's F. Marine life is plentiful and varied. Aside from taking photos at the solid bronze emblem at one of its 5 decks or at the stern with the propeller, penetration can be done with the USS Kittiwake courtesy from multiple sunlit entries and exit points. Eden Rock Dive Center. You need to protect your fingers from the eager snappers though. 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. A few great choices are the Sunset House Hotel in Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac Beach Resort and the Little Cayman Beach Resort. 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. In the Cayman Islands, spring is in full force. Jackson's Bight- Located also in the Bloody Bay Marine Park, it does not fail to provide scuba divers with an amazing dive. Out in the open, expect schools of Nassau groupers, turtles, and snappers. Despite the name, you arent guaranteed to see tarpon here. Lighthouse Point is located in West Bay in Grand Cayman. 4. Top 20 Best Dive Sites In Cayman Islands In 2023, The Best Starboard Paddle Boards: A Brand Guide, The Best iRocker Paddle Boards: A Brand Guide, Blackfin Paddle Boards: The Best Paddle boards from Blackfin, Top All-inclusive Resorts You Need To Visit, How To Choose a Kayak Paddle? In February, the cost is roughly $1,044 round trip . The water is about 12-feet deep here. 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. If you like diving in caves and grottos, Trinity Caves on Grand Caymans west side is the site for you. Dive Shop and Front desk is open 7 days per week | 7am to 6pm and can be reached directly on (345)-640-7500 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. Generally, the off-season is the cheapest time to visit Grand Cayman, from May through November. Hurricanes rarely hit Grand Cayman directly. They became my favorite focus on the reef. No crowds. While you can get some rain, it's not as common as during the summer. Stingray City is in only 12ft (4m) of water and is a huge draw for divers and underwater photographers. 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? Recommended Level: Beginner Intermediate Advanced Dive Type: Boat Reef Wall Macro Wreck Canyon Shore Night Shallow Shark Cave Stingray Swim-Through Drift Liveboard Deep Great Wall East and West Little Cayman Great Wall West - Turtle Watch on 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. PADI Dive Resorts for all budgets, in the best dive locations around the world. In addition, you're more likely to snag a hotel deal during these months. The boat dives were offered mostly in the mornings, and we were on our own in the afternoons. This wreck is the only Russian warship that can explore in the Western hemisphere. Away from the stingray action, there are a number of coral heads with a variety of life to check out. Discover these empowering women's history destinations selected by the U.S. News travel editors. Look in the blue off the wall for passing sharks, rays, and turtles. 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. 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. The wreck of the Captain Keith is unusual it is the only Soviet-made warship that divers can visit in the western hemisphere. 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 currently number 20 on the 100 Best Dives list.. 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. No worries, the diving is world class on Bloody Bay Wall. With over 40 operators and 365 sites marked with moorings, thrill-seekers from all over take the plunge here. 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 . Scuba Divers can experience the world's best 12ft dive site at Stingray City, the beautiful Starfish Point and Bloody Bay . You will find Nassau gropers, triggerfish, and other unique marine life at the Bloody Bay Wall. The chart to the right using data from the Caribbean Tourism Organization shows that March is the most popular month of the year to visit followed by December and July. marine life, be it the tiny critters or bigger beasts of the ocean. It's the kind of peaceful place where you will make your own fun. They have ladders that you can use to enter and exit the water safely. Now large groups of southern stingrays are lurking around daily. Enjoy 20% OFF select PADI eLearning programs, FREE ReActivate online refresher, subscription to Scuba Diving magazine + so much more when you join PADI Club. (Closed Circuit Rebreathers/CCR) allows you to massively extend your dive time. At night, this popular Caymans dive site is great for spotting octopus, lobster, and shrimp. Little Caymans Bloody Bay is home to some of the most dramatic and spectacular drop-offs and swim-throughs in the Carribean. The course includes a 2-hour pool and theory session, and an . 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. 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. However, as we just mentioned, diving in the Cayman Islands is possible all year round. Diving in the Caymans offers something for everyone, whether divers are taking their very first fin stokes or have years of experience under their weight belts. Live like a local and get under the skin of a destination with our in-country concierges. My wife and I are traveling there in February 2015 and are PADI AOW and Nitrox certified with ten years of recreational experience diving. So, either way, the experience is well worth the money. Most people see flights, accommodations, and activities far cheaper during this time since fewer tourists are visiting. Here youll find more than 50 dives sites including the famous Bloody Bay. This world-class scuba destination is colorful, bright, and teeming with life. Most of them are located around the Grand Cayman but a little over sixty sites stay around Cayman Brac and the Little Cayman. 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. Booming in the sense that Little Cayman has over 15 dive sites that have attracted divers from all parts of the globe, and sprawling since all the dive sites are teeming with marine life. Grab your gear and dive into the crystal clear waters of Grand Cayman! We conduct this course from our shore location where the water is ideal for new divers! The prices of hotels and short excursions that would normally be prohibitively expensive fall to more reasonable levels during this time.