The wreck was specifically set up for safe penetration, giving divers many interior rooms to explore. Grand Cayman Island probably has the best diving as it has the North Wall deep drop-off dive and the USS Kittiwake wreck dive. It's the kind of peaceful place where you will make your own fun. Questions about Cayman Island Diving | FAQs | Cayman Turtle Divers 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. Now it has become a beautiful artificial reef and home for colorful sponges, groupers, barracudas and other marine life. It is common to see barracudas and schools of horse-eye jacks in this area. And when it comes to marine life, there is lots to see! Cayman Islands, as well as our suggestions for the best places to "High Season" at the hotels is mid-December to mid-April, so rates will be higher then. Here, you can take diving lessons, go on a guided dive, or rent tanks and gear. 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. She met her end on the reef in the late 70s, allegedly due to mutiny aboard. Stingray City offers divers the opportunity to fully interact with these amazing creatures. ASK US HERE! The Cayman Islands are a premier diving destination, boasting 365 dive sites, as well as the International Scuba Diving Hall of Fame . Usually you will see at least a few tarpon at this spot. The Cayman Islands dollar is legal tender in these islands. Generally, the off-season is the cheapest time to visit Grand Cayman, from May through November. Best Resorts in the Cayman Islands | Islands It does not make the product pricier for you. I have worked in the corporate world and had little time for adventure. Divers of all levels can explore the engines, pistons, and pieces of the wreck that are scattered at 18m/60ft. Erwin Poliakoff, Baton Rouge, Louisiana USA Nikon D7000, Tokina 10-17 zoom, Nikkor 60mm, 85mm, and 105mm macros, Nauticam housing 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? 10 Best Dive Sites in Caribbean Islands in 2023 For big animals - you can find a good number of turtles and groupers, tarpon, nurse sharks, great barracuda, and stingrays. 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. When we talk about Fiji, what immediately comes into our mind is a tropical dream holiday. A highlight dive is the Tibbets wreck with great structure and lots of life. 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. June to October brings . Cheeseburger Reef is located in George Town, Grand Cayman. From Rolex watches to Caymanite earrings to a shell necklace. Enjoy the comfort of an airport lounge with free drinks and snacks, even if you're flying economy. The resident goliath grouper is a popular dive buddy at this Cayman dive site. You may see hammerhead sharks if you are lucky. Below are our recommendations for the best months to dive in Eden Rock & Devils Grotto are two dive sites that are next to each other. I thought it might be too touristy, but it was a lot of fun. The main gateway to the Cayman Islands is through Grand Cayman. Enjoy 20% OFF select PADI eLearning programs, FREE ReActivate online refresher, subscription to Scuba Diving magazine + so much more when you join PADI Club. 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. The Cayman Diving Season The islands are very much a year round diving destination. December through April are especially popular times to go because of low risk of rainfall and more moderate temperatures. Penetration is encouraged but to get the most out of the experience, take a torch. A favourite stop for those diving and snorkeling lovers, the Bay Islands' important three islands are Roatan, Utila and Guanaja. Best Dive Sites in the Cayman Islands for a Magical - pickyourtrail If you love nature, you can go hiking or explore some caverns and caves. Theyre not timid and as they surround you, these rays seem happy to receive a gentle stroke or two. 1. Today, Cayman is one of the top dive destinations anywhere. It is Batabano, the countrys biggest festival, which is scheduled for early May each year. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Dive N Stay Vacation Packages - Compass Point Dive Resort - Cayman Islands (1st January 2023 - 31st December 2023) We offer pre-set Dive & Stay Vacation Packages for 3, 5 or 7 nights, and can also customize your package for any number of nights and for various group sizes. Grand Cayman Diving - Scuba Diving in the Cayman Islands Grand Cayman scuba diving is also more popular than on the other islands due to the stingray population there. Closely packed ridges form huge coral heads between the shore and the reef wall. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. In February, the cost is roughly $1,044 round trip . The North Wall is one of the most visited diving sites and plunges to a depth of 6000 feet (1800 meters). The Kittiwake wreck as well as other wrecks in the close vicinity add variety and interesting structure which I really enjoyed. Divers can observe the bow guns and go along the rails to make some great photos. The best time to visit the Cayman Islands is between March and June when the hotel rates drop. September and October are clearly the least popular months to go because of a high risk of heavy rains along with hot temperatures. It is an amazing sight, and a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience. 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. I've stayed at hotels and used independent dive operators and I have stayed at dive resorts with on-site dive operations. You can dive from shore because they have ladders that you can use to enter and exit the water. This area is an international tourist destination and can be crowded. Live like a local and get under the skin of a destination with our in-country concierges. During the day rays, turtles, the occasional barracuda and plenty of reef fish mean theres a lot to keep divers engaged. Best Time to Dive in Little Cayman. While at first the Oro Verde was a complete ship, rough seas and tumultuous weather have dispersed the wreckage. In general, the tourism industry in the Cayman Islands is designed with divers in mind. The sea is always warm in the Cayman Islands, with surface temperatures never dropping below around 25 o C (78 o F). 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. For scuba diving, the best time to dive the Cayman Islands is pretty much any time except peak hurricane season. 5. Its not often divers can see a mermaid on a dive, but at Sunset Reef they can. Best Dive & Stay Packages in the Cayman Islands - Ocean Frontiers Unfortunately, the tarpons that gave this site its name have moved on, but you may be lucky and catch a glimpse of these silver kings. 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. My wife and I are traveling there in February 2015 and are PADI AOW and Nitrox certified with ten years of recreational experience diving. Hotel prices are sourced from a sample of U.S. News Best Hotels rates through 2015-2016. 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. Visibility in the Cayman Islands is wonderful, averaging between 60 and 100 feet (18-30 meters). The Cayman Islands-- Grand Cayman, Little Cayman, and Cayman Brac--have been attracting scuba divers for decades, including beginners! 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. Because great in-depth gear reviews will help you select the right products for your specific needs, budget, and interests. iFrameResize({log:true, enablePublicMethods:true}); Choose from a selection of more than 250 vessels and 18,000 trips worldwide. We have put together a comprehensive collection of packages to suit your needs. We gave our Gear Lovers one job: It is 330-feet in length, and was sunk in Cayman Brac in 1996. The water depth here is around 18-meters. The prices of hotels and short excursions that would normally be prohibitively expensive fall to more reasonable levels during this time. This is a wall that drops 2000 meters to the sea floor. 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. And as you might imagine, the coral-encrusted archway makes for a fantastic photo opportunity. Cayman Islands Seasonal Dive Planner The Caymans' hottest period is from May to November. an enquiry. Choose your design and prove your PADI certified diver status across the world with a recycled plastic card, eCard or both. The Cayman Islands is a land of breath-taking experiences. . You get to enjoy some of the warm weather, which is especially nice if you live in the northern U.S., where it's still winter. 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. The sea is always warm in the Cayman Islands, with surface temperatures never dropping below around 25 o C (78 o F). Top dives include the famous 1000 Steps, the Hilmer Hooker wreck, and Bari Reef. Book your fun dives, snorkelling trips and courses online with thousands of PADI Dive Centers. The Cayman Turtle Farm is one of the most visited land attractions on the island.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'scubadivegeek_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_1',121,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-scubadivegeek_com-large-mobile-banner-1-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,50],'scubadivegeek_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_2',121,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-scubadivegeek_com-large-mobile-banner-1-0_1'); .large-mobile-banner-1-multi-121{border:none !important;display:block !important;float:none !important;line-height:0px;margin-bottom:7px !important;margin-left:auto !important;margin-right:auto !important;margin-top:7px !important;max-width:100% !important;min-height:50px;padding:0;text-align:center !important;}. Furthermore, the islands are home to some of the world's best beaches, making them an ideal vacation destination. Northerners also want to get away from the cold and snow of winter. Best Liveaboard Destinations in the World, Vaccines recommended: Hep A; Typhoid if you will travel to rural areas, Visa: None needed for US citizens or European Union, Safety: Generally safe but petty theft can occur. 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. There is also a small restaurant and dive resort. Find & Book Adventures Book your fun dives, snorkelling trips and courses online with thousands of PADI Dive Centers. 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 see Spotted Eagle Rays flying passed this area from depths of about 30 to 100 feet. 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. Access to tools and resources at your fingertips, curated to enhance your diving experience. 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. Besides the thick black corals, keep an eye out for tarpon, large yellow tube sponges, and ginormous barrel sponges. For macro subjects, you can see angelfish, morays, lettuce slug nudibranchs and many more. Best Time to Dive in Little Cayman - Original Diving We understand that annual leave is precious so we can ensure that Web Visit website. Best Time To Dive The Cayman Island Don't forget to visit Stingray City before leaving Grand Cayman. Great views, amazing stay - Review of Ocean Cabanas Dive Resort, West 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. Some resorts offer "Hurricane protection". There is a reason you won't find under a 5-star review for Silver Thatch, they are the best. Under its 1986 declaration covering an area of hectares (23 acres) are dive sites that are popular to tourists and divers alike. Away from the stingray action, there are a number of coral heads with a variety of life to check out. 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. Best Scuba Diving Destinations in the World - The Cayman Islands [] Grand Cayman and Little Cayman are the main diving areas in the Cayman Islands which are recognized as having one of the best wall dives in the world. Choose from private or single rates, we will find you the best possible option to help you enjoy the famous Cayman Stingray City. The amazing diversity and dive sites for all levels are just one of the reasons why the Cayman Islands is also one of the top dive destinations in the Carribean. Orange Canyon is a popular dive site on the west-side of Grand Cayman. Babylon is located on the North Wall in Grand Cayman. Wreck of the Oro Verde is located in Grand Cayman. These hot temperatures start in May and last into November. After exploring the area, here are some of the best dive sites in the Cayman Islands: 1. Courtesy of IreneCorti/Getty Images/iStockphoto. Sign up to get the latest updates, offers and more. 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. Perhaps because of this, the coral isnt looking a healthy as it could. Roberts Wall is located on the North Wall in Grand Cayman. . Both of these sites are accessible from shore. Despite the name, you arent guaranteed to see tarpon here. 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. 1. 10 Best Dive Destinations in the Caribbean But the main reason for diving here are the sharks, especially hammerheads. Best Cayman Islands Dive Centers and Resorts - TripSavvy Dive Into the Cayman Islands | Cond Nast Traveler Indonesia. The Cayman dollar is exchanged at a rate fixed to the US dollar (CI $1 equals US $1.25). . I am the father of the best two children in the world and husband to the most patient woman on this planet. Once you decide which route you want to go, it's time to get in the water! But its not just the heat that matters when visiting the Cayman Islands. Diving in the Cayman Islands - Bluewater Dive Travel 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. for even more in-depth travel advice. You can enter different swim-through areas where the wall drops to great depths. Cayman Islands Diving | Sport Diver 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. Take your camera and get a snap with one of the abandoned bicycles that have also found a home here. This is a shore dive, meaning that you enter the water from the shore, and then swim to Cheeseburger Reef. Ocean Cabanas Dive Resort: Great views, amazing stay - See 33 traveler reviews, 112 candid photos, and great deals for Ocean Cabanas Dive Resort at Tripadvisor. As a photographer, I never lacked for subjects both wide angle and macro and anything in between. Another great wall diving site in Little Cayman is Joys Joy. I am a scuba diving newbie, a Project Manager by profession, and an entrepreneur at heart. This is one of the deepest sea-walls in the world. Phone +1 345-949-7111. When to go Best time Low season Off season Where to go when Aside from tourism promotion, marine conservation is in place in all the dive sites in the Cayman Islands. As you enter the cave, you will realize that it is not totally dark as it is illuminated by streaking sunlight streaming from overhead cracks and crevices. Schools of bright snappers brightened the reefs among colorful sponges. Scuba Divers can experience the world's best 12ft dive site at Stingray City, the beautiful Starfish Point and Bloody Bay . Discover these empowering women's history destinations selected by the U.S. News travel editors. Megan Johnson|Sharael KolbergMarch 3, 2023, Holly Johnson|Erin EvansFebruary 28, 2023, U.S. News Travel EditorsFebruary 28, 2023, Kyle McCarthy|Catriona KendallFebruary 22, 2023. There is a lot of soft coral here, which makes for an interesting experience. This is currently number 20 on the 100 Best Dives list.. Sharp-eyed divers can find leopard flatworms and the tunnels are also popular hangouts for rays and green moray eels. From classic wide-brimmed hats to water-repellent trucker hats, find your ideal style. Eels, rays, sharks, and turtles are frequently seen. You will need little more (and some prefer less) than a 3 mm full length wetsuit. There are also usually direct flights from Boston, Chicago, and New York. Hurricane Ivan in 2004 cleaved the 100m/328ft ship in half but divers can still explore both sections of the wreckage. You need to protect your fingers from the eager snappers though. This is a wall that drops 2000 meters to the sea floor. The worst time is September during the hurricane season. Although this is a wall dive, the cut in the sites name comes from the swim-through many divers use upon descent. January and February are the coolest months with average lows in the high 60s. If you're looking for great diving and hotel prices, the best time is between March and June when the rates all drop. There is a good amount of coral and fish here. Head to around 30m/98ft for some of the best wall views. Although the rays who made this site their home permanently have moved on, there is still a good chance of spotting them here. 7. These Florida Keys resorts are ideal for family getaways and romantic retreats. This is a must do dive. It seems the dive guides hunt the lionfish and then feed the groupers, so they joined us right away each dive. From Grand Cayman, you can transfer to Little Cayman or Cayman Brac. The Cayman Islands are home to some of the best spots for scuba diving and snorkeling in the world. This gives the unique Caymans dive site a blend of steep vertical walls, sloping reefs, and coral-crusted fingers. 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. The winter and early spring months are the most popular time in the Cayman Islands. 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). StingrayCity. Lighthouse Point is located in West Bay in Grand Cayman. Drop us a comment below and tell us your favorite site! Now large groups of southern stingrays are lurking around daily. Most dive operators will take you there. Butterflyfish, triggerfish, shrimp, snapper, and more hand out in and around the large coral heads that sit nor far from the waters surface. The Eden Rock Dive Center has everything you need for an unforgettable day underwater in the Cayman Islands. Find the best and most popular products and review them. Dive Courses | Learning to Dive in Grand Cayman | Cayman Resident 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 three islands that make up the nation, Cayman Brac, Grand Cayman, and Little Cayman, are diverse and have distinct diving. Diving is available year-round. There are 365 dive sites throughout the islands, offering something for all levels of experience. Best Times To Visit Cayman Islands The best time to visit the Cayman Islands is between March and June when the hotel rates drop. Though scuba diving in the Cayman Islands is mostly known for close encounters with stingrays, it has much more to offer. Little Caymans Bloody Bay is home to some of the most dramatic and spectacular drop-offs and swim-throughs in the Carribean. Because the site is prone to strong currents, it isnt frequently dived which makes a trip to this very healthy reef even more special. divemasters and lovers of all things underwater, know the best time Lemon Reef is a mini-wall dive site located on the North Wall in Grand Cayman. 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. All the information you need to plan your dive vacations anywhere in the world. Scuba diving in the Cayman Islands: an experience of a lifetime A shallow dive site, the colors here really pop making it a good choice for photographers. 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! My favorite were the groupers who followed us like pets. There is also a dive shop and restaurant. You will see a lot of tarpon at this spot, as well as coral and other fish. Best Times to Visit Cayman Islands | U.S. News Travel While many visitors come here to scuba dive, snorkel, or relax and soak up the sun on the beach, those looking for something more adventurous can try . Fiji: Dive the Soft Coral Capital of the World. Ive been to Grand Cayman and Little Cayman. In addition, you're more likely to snag a hotel deal during these months.
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