best time to dive cayman islands

Your dive profile in Stingray City is relatively shallow since your maximum depth is just only 6 meters (20 feet) when you reach the sandy seafloor. Along the drop-off, crevices and canyons cut through the reefs face. Because the site is prone to strong currents, it isnt frequently dived which makes a trip to this very healthy reef even more special. The entire experience is about 3 hours long from the time we pick you up from your hotel or condo along Seven Mile Beach to drop off. 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. Its land area is slightly bigger than Little Cayman with a measurement of 19 x 2 kilometers (12miles x 1.2miles). If you make a purchase from our site, we may earn a commission. There are lots of options for great photography and for posing for memorable photos, such as by the Kittiwake sign, swimming by the prop, or pretending to steer the helm on the bridge. The water is about 100 feet deep, and there is a good variety of soft and hard corals. Its a very easy and fun dive, we saw some angelfish and eagle rays. December and July are good times for families because children are out of school for the holidays and summer. Penetration is encouraged but to get the most out of the experience, take a torch. Please Sign-in or Register to save My Ideas for later, Our social channels And as you might imagine, the coral-encrusted archway makes for a fantastic photo opportunity. If you enjoy diving, then you need to visit the USS Kittiwake during your vacation to Grand Cayman. The Cayman Islands are one of the Best Liveaboard Destinations for Beginners. You can dive from shore because they have ladders that you can use to enter and exit the water. 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. Find & Book Liveaboards Choose from a selection of more than 250 vessels and 18,000 trips worldwide. There is slightly more rain during the summer months. Cayman Turtle Centre. This is a wall that drops 2000 meters to the sea floor. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Apart from the elephant ear sponges, keep your eyes peeled for blacktip Carribean reef sharks in the blue. There is decent shore diving from their dock. The Cayman Diving Season The islands are very much a year round diving destination. In 2017, Tropical Storm Nate shifted the Kittiwake from her original position. The boat dives were offered mostly in the mornings, and we were on our own in the afternoons. For water sports lovers, there are great spots for snorkeling including night snorkeling with bioluminescence, options to go sailing or on a catamaran cruise. However, the Cayman Islands can be impacted by hurricanes primarily between June and November. Originally coined 356, this wreck is now called the M/V Captain Keith Tibbetts after a well-known Cayman Brac politician. With a PADI Travel account, you can favourite dive operators to come back to later on any device or computer. The heat may be less of an issue for anyone planning to spend a week there mainly on the beaches during the day and shopping or having fun in the cooler evenings. 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. 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. Do you love diving in the Caymans? The water is about 12-feet deep here. My favorite were the groupers who followed us like pets. 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. December through April are especially popular times to go because of low risk of rainfall and more moderate temperatures. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a country in Western Asia located at the northeast end of the Arabian Peninsula in the Persian Gulf. We were lucky enough to see the tail end of silversides on the wreck of the Balboa right in the Harbor too. It is possible to go scuba diving in Little Cayman all year round and the water temperature only varies from 21-27 degrees. If you want to go a little more remote, try Little Cayman. Usually you will see at least a few tarpon at this spot. Stingray City offers divers the opportunity to fully interact with these amazing creatures. Get in touch with our specialists for even more in-depth travel advice. Collect your trip ideas, share with friends or make an enquiry. With over 40 operators and 365 sites marked with moorings, thrill-seekers from all over take the plunge here. Take your camera and get a snap with one of the abandoned bicycles that have also found a home here. Bay Islands, Honduras. Although the rays who made this site their home permanently have moved on, there is still a good chance of spotting them here. Keith Tibbets- This Soviet-built Frigate that was owned by the Cuban navy was given to the Cayman Islands to purposefully sink it. The wall drop is not for the light-hearted as it can reach over 6500ft (2000 m), but along the drop, you can see yellow tube sponges, black and wire corals and waving sea fans. July has a jump in visits for families in part because school children are out for the summer. There is a lot of marine life among the coral and resident angelfish and groupers are found at the stern of the ship. The dive resorts are more expensive than places like Roatan or Belize, but given the reputation of the islands and the quality and ease of the diving, we find the prices reasonable. The water is about 10 to 20 feet deep. 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. This is really a divers paradise. Canyons and drop-offs provide a varied topography making the site a firm favorite with photographers. The sea is always warm in the Cayman Islands, with surface temperatures never dropping below around 25 o C (78 o F). you are in the right place at the right time to see the very best Once you decide which route you want to go, it's time to get in the water! In a nutshell, its an island full of land and water adventures. While at first the Oro Verde was a complete ship, rough seas and tumultuous weather have dispersed the wreckage. Resident Nassau groupers often keep divers company and if you look closely, you may be rewarded with seahorses and lettuce-leaf slugs. Click the link below to read our article about Eden Rock: Deep Stingray City is located in Grand Cayman. There is also a dive shop and restaurant. 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. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. Purposely sunk in 2011, she now sits upright in the sand at 18 meters (60ft) and is a teeming artificial reef encrusted with coral. The depths start at around 12m/40ft and end at 30m/98ft. 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. The amazing strawberry sponges were in abundance there. Below are our recommendations for the best months to dive in Wreck of the Oro Verde is located in Grand Cayman. The Cayman Islands boasts world-class beaches, luxurious properties, worldwide culinary influences, high-end shops, local stores, and everything in between. Live like a local and get under the skin of a destination with our in-country concierges. Instead, they pass through the vicinity and bring heavy rains and wind to the island. We dived 3 days in February 2014, and they were all excellent and memorable dives. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. Located in popular Bloody Bay, Donnas Delight is home to some classic Cayman wall diving: Giant barrel sponges, arching sea fans, and bright corals. 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. You can hand-feed wild Southern stingrays. As said earlier, Grand Cayman has over 50 dive sites and we will not leave this section without mentioning other noted dive spots. Both of these sites are accessible from shore. Best Time To Dive The Cayman Island It was named after the famous free-diver Penny Ventura. This is one of the top island destinations in the United Kingdom. The Cayman Islands are widely regarded as the birthplace of recreational scuba diving, thanks to some pioneering efforts by local operators in the 1980s. PADI Dive Resorts for all budgets, in the best dive locations around the world. 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. Explore the top-rated styles for every type of trip to the beach. 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. 10 Go Scavenger Hunting At Seven Mile Beach. Press the question mark key to get the keyboard shortcuts for changing dates. It is an amazing sight, and a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience. Because great in-depth gear reviews will help you select the right products for your specific needs, budget, and interests. 4. Around the coral fingers, stingrays, eagle rays and yellowhead jawfish rest on the sandy patches. Just be prepared for a rain shower or two, as this is the start of the region's wet season. It exceeds six inches in August and jumps again to more than eight inches in September and October. Sidetrip: Visit Little Caymans Booby Pond Nature Reserve. Were a free review guide run by passionate Divers, Sports, and Outdoor fanatics. Roundabout is located along the North Wall in Grand Cayman. The Cayman Islands certainly offer diversity without a long trip from the states. There is also an air pocket in a decompression chamber that you can pop into and chat with your buddy!! Our mission has been to do this with the best crew, using the best equipment while offering the most competing Cayman Islands dive packages. This is the most famous dive site in the Cayman Islands - and with good reason. Grand Cayman Island probably has the best diving as it has the North Wall deep drop-off dive and the USS Kittiwake wreck dive. These hot temperatures start in May and last into November. 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. 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. Head to the turret guns for a superb photo opportunity and keep your eyes peeled for barracuda, bright sponges, and schooling reef fish. This gives the unique Caymans dive site a blend of steep vertical walls, sloping reefs, and coral-crusted fingers. Founder of Georges Watersports & Thingstodocayman.net. StingrayCity. Our travel experts have highlighted our favourite places to visit each month, Terms & Conditions Sharks and turtles are frequent visitors as are snappers, groupers, and grunts. 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. Its not often divers can see a mermaid on a dive, but at Sunset Reef they can. 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. Find the best travel insurance for you with these U.S. News ratings, which factor in expert and consumer recommendations. No crowds. You will find Nassau gropers, triggerfish, and other unique marine life at the Bloody Bay Wall. We did not make it to Stingray city, but did get to the other must do dive in Grand Cayman - the USS Kittiwake, a submarine rescue vessel. 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. Most people see flights, accommodations, and activities far cheaper during this time since fewer tourists are visiting. This area is an international tourist destination and can be crowded. Cayman Brac offers a good mix of wall, wreck and reef diving for all experience levels. but the best time to visit is between May and October. knowledge to ensure you know when to dive to enjoy the very best You need to take a boat to reach this area. Sunset Reef is a popular shore dive just 60 meters (200ft) off the Sunset House Resorts pier. The most striking and common marine life for me were the brightly yellow colored tube sponges. All levels of divers can enjoy the site as there is plenty to see at shallow depths or at deeper parts. I have worked in the corporate world and had little time for adventure. For beginners or those who get nervous in enclosed spaces, there are plenty of decks around the exterior to check out. "High Season" at the hotels is mid-December to mid-April, so rates will be higher then. Yes, that is true and get ready since the 333 islands of Fiji will take you into a quintessential South United Arab Emirates: Unspoiled Dive Sites. Diving is available year-round. 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. 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. 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). Princess Pennies Pinnacle is located on the North Wall in Grand Cayman. 7. April is an especially good choice because it has the warmest weather of the entire five-month dry season. Look in the blue off the wall for passing sharks, rays, and turtles. Live a life others only dream about. Still great for diving with great walls for all levels of divers and the walls and the Russian destroyer 356 aka Russian destroyer. Rum Point Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned diver, Grand Cayman has a dive site for you. We understand that diving the best Grand Cayman Dives is the primary goal of your Grand Cayman Dive vacation. Wilderness Wall starts at 15 meters (50ft) before plunging down into the depths. 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. A 2.75 meter (9ft) bronze statue of Amphitrite (the wife of the mythological god Poseidon) rises up from the base of the reef. Jackson's Bight- Located also in the Bloody Bay Marine Park, it does not fail to provide scuba divers with an amazing dive. I am the father of the best two children in the world and husband to the most patient woman on this planet. There is a separate fee to dive this wreck that goes towards conservation, and you also get a nice yellow diver medallion to keep. Income disclosure: We are reader supported, and earn affiliate commissions when you buy via links found on DIVEIN.com: If you find a good deal on our site, you click to the retailer and you buy the product, we get a commission of the sale. I am a scuba diving newbie, a Project Manager by profession, and an entrepreneur at heart. It was then sunk in Grand Cayman in 1980 to make a new dive site. 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. The sea is always warm in the Cayman Islands, with surface temperatures never dropping below around 25 o C (78 o F). Manage Settings 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;}. This site is a firm favorite among local dive masters, most likely because of the intriguing geological features but there is plenty of marine life here too. Moray eels and angelfish move among the coral, and turtles are often seen cruising over the reef. There is also a small restaurant and dive resort. There are lots of other fish and coral. Bert Brothers Boulders is also a great spot to see flying gurnards at around 5.5 meters (18ft). to save My Ideas for later. The Kittiwake is a 76.5 meter (250ft) former submarine support ship. Red Sail Sports have been Scuba Diving in Cayman for 40 years. The course includes a 2-hour pool and theory session, and an . I guess thats one drawback of guided dives, everyone is constantly on the move, not ideal for photography, especially macro photography. Nature lovers are lured to diverse hiking trails, caves, and a variety of flora and fauna around the island. So, either way, the experience is well worth the money. Grand Cayman has more dive sites than Little Cayman. Best time to dive When to dive in the Cayman Islands entirely depends on your own personal preferences. Little Caymans Bloody Bay is home to some of the most dramatic and spectacular drop-offs and swim-throughs in the Carribean. Use Add to ideas + to collect your trip ideas, share with friends or make Before the USS Kittiwake was sunk, the Oro Verde was the wreck dive of choice in the Caymans. Elkhorn corals adorn the tops of the ridges while large gorgonians, tube sponges, and hard corals occupy the gullies. The 6 Best Dive Sites in the Cayman Islands Cecily Russell 3 April, 2022 The trio of Cayman Islands is a British Overseas Territory situated in the western Caribbean Sea. Bloody Bay Wall. 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. Despite the name, there arent actually caves here. MV Captain Keith Tibbetts is an ex-Soviet Union ship that was built in 1984 for the Cuban Navy. June to October brings . The months of January and February are the coldest, with average lows in the low 60s. Divers can observe the bow guns and go along the rails to make some great photos. Here, you can take diving lessons, go on a guided dive, or rent tanks and gear. Ive been to Grand Cayman and Little Cayman. 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. For us divers, the financial self-sufficiency of the Cayman Islands is only the icing on the cake. From April to October water temperature are at least 27 o C (81 o F) and can . Indonesia. Youtube+ Flamingo tongues can be found on the sea fans, while arrow crabs, bristle worms, and long-spined sea urchins hide in the cracks and grooves. The water clarity is typically amazingly clear. September is the worst month of the Caribbean hurricane season, which officially goes from June through November. Find & Book Adventures Book your fun dives, snorkelling trips and courses online with thousands of PADI Dive Centers. Away from the reef, divers can look around the LCM David Nicholson wreck. It sounds like the best time overall, based on the posts so far. The Cayman Islands is a land of breath-taking experiences. All the information you need to plan your dive vacations anywhere in the world. This is an especiallygreat time to visit clear, calm waters are perfect for snorkeling, diving, sailing and fishing. [What You Need to Know]. The wreck was specifically set up for safe penetration, giving divers many interior rooms to explore. From classic wide-brimmed hats to water-repellent trucker hats, find your ideal style. With 365 named dive sites, the enchanting Cayman Islands is a year-round underwater paradise. Welcome to my scuba diving bucket list. The Cayman Islands is a world-class diving destination famous for its reefs, wrecks and rum. Photographers will love Greenhouse for its varied macro life. There are also lots of tarpon and small silver sprats in this area. Trinity Caves is a popular dive site that is located off the coast of West Bay in Grand Cayman. We highly advise you ask your local dive shop on the dos and donts in diving a particular dive site. Intermediate divers can begin their dive at the chimney, a narrow tunnel starting at 12m/40ft and ending at 24m/80ft. There is a reason you won't find under a 5-star review for Silver Thatch, they are the best. The waters here are 15 to 25 meters deep. Thus, you can keep going back and still discover new sites. Babylon- Grand Cayman Island is surrounded by a wall, but what makes the Babylon site special is the pinnacle with a canyon cutting the north wall. Our reviews: We can make the world a little bit better with great in-depth reviews. 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. Sign up to get the latest updates, offers and more. The North Wall is one of the most visited diving sites and plunges to a depth of 6000 feet (1800 meters). Everything here is very low key and there is a small local population. Only ten miles long and one mile wide, this is a place where you can truly focus on your opportunity to relax. Hotels, resorts and cruise ships dont like unsold rooms and cabins, so they are more likely to offer discounts to attract customers. I have traveled to the Cayman islands many times. 1. With the wall beginning at just 6 meters (20ft), the site is popular with both divers and snorkelers. There are also usually direct flights from Boston, Chicago, and New York. 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. Family Traveller Excellence Awards 2019 Winner. You can dive along this wall and explore the different entrances. On top of being generally warm, the waters are clear with underwater visibility running from 18 30 meters (60 100 feet). Data sourced from the National Climatic Data Center. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. December rainfall drops back down to about three inches. Hurricanes rarely hit Grand Cayman directly. 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. 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. As of 2023, you can renew your passport online. Perhaps because of this, the coral isnt looking a healthy as it could. As well as healthy coral and large pelagic species, you can expect to catch sight of Nassau groupers, stingrays, angelfish, snappers, horse-eye jacks, and turtles.

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