best time to dive cayman islands

Press the question mark key to get the keyboard shortcuts for changing dates. Cayman Islands Seasonal Dive Planner The Caymans' hottest period is from May to November. Roberts Wall is located on the North Wall in Grand Cayman. Perhaps because of this, the coral isnt looking a healthy as it could. 4. A 2.75 meter (9ft) bronze statue of Amphitrite (the wife of the mythological god Poseidon) rises up from the base of the reef. 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. Bloody Bay Wall- Most scuba divers will say this is their favorite dive site in the Cayman Islands. During the day rays, turtles, the occasional barracuda and plenty of reef fish mean theres a lot to keep divers engaged. Divers can observe the bow guns and go along the rails to make some great photos. divemasters and lovers of all things underwater, know the best time 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. From the mooring, divers often descend through a cut in the reef and out onto the wall. Most dive operators will take you there. On Grand Cayman, I stayed at hotels on the west end along Seven Mile beach. Divers in the Caymans visit Kittiwake for the wreck itself. Closer to the reef, turtles, groupers, horse-eyed jacks, and an over-abundance of lionfish make this colorful site even more interesting. The best time to visit the Cayman Islands is between March and April. The Cayman Islands has also designated four special areas for protection such as marine park zones, replenishment zones, environmental zones, and no diving zones. 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. Take a walk along the coast line or rent a bicycle and ride around the island. for even more in-depth travel advice. Grand Cayman is a sophisticated Caribbean island with great nightlife, great resort options, and the wonderful attraction of stingray city, and very good wall diving. The Cayman Islands boasts world-class beaches, luxurious properties, worldwide culinary influences, high-end shops, local stores, and everything in between. The Cayman dollar is exchanged at a rate fixed to the US dollar (CI $1 equals US $1.25). Head to the turret guns for a superb photo opportunity and keep your eyes peeled for barracuda, bright sponges, and schooling reef fish. December and July are good times for families because children are out of school for the holidays and summer. 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. Were a free review guide run by passionate Divers, Sports, and Outdoor fanatics. Jackson's Bight- Located also in the Bloody Bay Marine Park, it does not fail to provide scuba divers with an amazing dive. Scuba Divers can experience the world's best 12ft dive site at Stingray City, the beautiful Starfish Point and Bloody Bay . Red Sail Sports have been Scuba Diving in Cayman for 40 years. While the Cayman Islands are famous for its encounters with stingrays in Stingray City where the rays are said to be almost tame, there are many more sites that the islands offer. Great diving. Today, Cayman is one of the top dive destinations anywhere. And as you might imagine, the coral-encrusted archway makes for a fantastic photo opportunity. A huge pinnacle branches out, creating a corridor-like passageway that is used by large pelagics cruising up from the abyss. Please Sign-in or Register to save My Ideas for later, Our social channels With a PADI Travel account, you can favourite dive operators to come back to later on any device or computer. 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. The best part about the dive is the . This is a wall that drops 2000 meters to the sea floor. You can hand-feed wild Southern stingrays. Because the site is prone to strong currents, it isnt frequently dived which makes a trip to this very healthy reef even more special. And when you have the right product, youre a little bit happier which affects the people around you! Away from the stingray action, there are a number of coral heads with a variety of life to check out. The prices of hotels and short excursions that would normally be prohibitively expensive fall to more reasonable levels during this time. The top is at 15m/50ft but the bottom is around 90m/200ft so diver ought to watch their depth gauges carefully as they circle the mountain. Average rainfall jumps to more than five inches in May, June and July. Many divers who have been diving in this area said that this is really an up close and personal experience with stingrays as they are literally touching and surrounding you. Stingray City has very large, friendly stingrays. We have put together a comprehensive collection of packages to suit your needs. Only ten miles long and one mile wide, this is a place where you can truly focus on your opportunity to relax. 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. 4. The months of January and February are the coldest, with average lows in the low 60s. These Florida Keys resorts are ideal for family getaways and romantic retreats. Cayman Turtle Centre. The USS Kittiwake is an ex-US Navy ship that was purposely sunk in Grand Cayman to create a new dive site. Drop us a comment below and tell us your favorite site! Seven Mile Beach 4. Most people see flights, accommodations, and activities far cheaper during this time since fewer tourists are visiting. Butterflyfish, triggerfish, shrimp, snapper, and more hand out in and around the large coral heads that sit nor far from the waters surface. that the underwater world (and overwater, if you plan on surfacing When we talk about Fiji, what immediately comes into our mind is a tropical dream holiday. 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. The Cayman Islands are home to some of the best spots for scuba diving and snorkeling in the world. U.S. News rates the cheapest travel insurance options, considering expert and consumer recommendations. Plenty of schooling reef fish call Ghost Mountain home and the pinnacle is also carpeted in deep, bloody-red finger sponges. Often you can see massive tarpons, barracudas, and schools of silversides. 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. 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. For beginners or those who get nervous in enclosed spaces, there are plenty of decks around the exterior to check out. Aside from tourism promotion, marine conservation is in place in all the dive sites in the Cayman Islands. 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. It is Batabano, the countrys biggest festival, which is scheduled for early May each year. 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. 310-915-6677 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). 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. 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. . For this reason, wreck junkies and aficionados often have the Keith on their to-dive lists. This spot is about 20-feet deep, and has a lot of coral. They pickup from the Westin, Ritz and Kimpton Seafire beaches for their West Dives, which is one of their standout features. Before she was decommissioned in 1994, the USS Kittiwake was a Navy Chanticleer-class submarine rescue vessel. While Grand Cayman, the most popular island, has a mix of accessible shore and boat diving. We'll whisk you through the security queues (where available). It now rests in an upright position at a depth of 27meters (89feet). Drift dives are possible here depending on your operator. to dive in Cayman Islands. No crowds. Get certified to scuba dive. Swim throughs, ledges, overhangs, and an average depth of 12 meters (40ft) make this a Cayman dive site for all experience levels to explore. Around the coral fingers, stingrays, eagle rays and yellowhead jawfish rest on the sandy patches. There are over 15 PADI 5-Star Centers in the Cayman Islands, ready to teach you everything you want to know about diving. They have ladders that you can use to enter and exit the water safely. Live a life others only dream about. If wall diving is your thing, check out diving in Turks & Caicos. During this time, you can expect to see a variety of marine life, including turtles, rays, and a wide array of tropical fish. The water depth here is around 18-meters. 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. You may see hammerhead sharks if you are lucky. 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. The protected Bloody Bay Marine Park lies in Little Cayman and offers magnificent marine life, great visibility, and spectacular bioluminescent corals. Best Time to Dive Cayman Islands Diving is available year-round. 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. The ridges are carpeted in a variety of hard and soft coral, barrel and tube sponges, and purple sea fans that house a vast array of miniature sea creatures. Grand Cayman Monthly Weather: Rain, Temperatures, Grand Cayman Vacation Tips: Hotels, Attractions, Weather, Cayman Islands overnight visitor statistics; Caribeez.com. This dive site first became popular in the 90s when it was featured in the film The Firm, starring Tom Cruise. Address. This is a fun dive spot that you can access from shore. Dive Shop and Front desk is open 7 days per week | 7am to 6pm and can be reached directly on (345)-640-7500 Click here to learn more. But the main reason for diving here are the sharks, especially hammerheads. Continue with Recommended Cookies. Indonesia. 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. Usually you will see at least a few tarpon at this spot. Live like a local and get under the skin of a destination with our in-country concierges. Theres also Little Cayman thats the least developed of the 3 islands. Just be prepared for a rain shower or two, as this is the start of the region's wet season. Cayman Islands, as well as our suggestions for the best places to It sounds like the best time overall, based on the posts so far. Sunset Reef is a popular shore dive just 60 meters (200ft) off the Sunset House Resorts pier. 2. Thus, you can keep going back and still discover new sites. This is currently number 20 on the 100 Best Dives list.. April is an especially good choice because it has the warmest weather of the entire five-month dry season. Just south of Seven Mile Beach and approximately 46 feet below the surface are Eden Rock and Devil's Grotto, two of the most popular diving spots on Grand Cayman. Through this site,my intent is to be able to sponsor the new chapter in my life as a scuba diver. We and our partners use data for Personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. When to go Best time Low season Off season Where to go when Settle on the sand at just 3.7 meters (12ft) and have hordes of southern stingrays glide gracefully around you. Pinterest Grand Cayman is the most commercial island, with cruise ships visiting, but it has some wrecks and the wall dives are close boat rides. There is a good amount of coral and fish here. 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. 390 S Church St, George Town KY1-1106, Cayman Islands. And, thanks to a keen focus on conservation, many of the country's famous underwater spectacles are still well worth a visit today. Closely packed ridges form huge coral heads between the shore and the reef wall. Youtube+ Clearly Cayman Group Specials - Big savings on 7-night stays! Besides the thick black corals, keep an eye out for tarpon, large yellow tube sponges, and ginormous barrel sponges. Find a Liveaboard -Practical Information - Book a Trip. If you don't feel comfortable using my referral links, you can always go directly to their site and bypass me. Besides scuba diving, there are plenty of other things to do on the Cayman Islands. Bay Islands, Honduras. From full scuba certification courses to one-day experiences for those who've never breathed off a regulator, the Cayman Islands qualify as an scuba diving shrine. Top dives include the famous 1000 Steps, the Hilmer Hooker wreck, and Bari Reef. This pristine wall on the south side of Cayman Brac features an abundance of hard corals, gorgonians, and massive red, orange, green, and purple sponges. There is a separate fee to dive this wreck that goes towards conservation, and you also get a nice yellow diver medallion to keep. 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. 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. 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. Here youll find more than 50 dives sites including the famous Bloody Bay. With over 40 operators and 365 sites marked with moorings, thrill-seekers from all over take the plunge here. Get in touch with our specialists for even more in-depth travel advice. Grand Caymans North Wall plunges deeper than 1800 metres/6000 feet and offers beautiful wall diving with opportunities to see spotted eagle rays and sea turtles. Along the drop-off, crevices and canyons cut through the reefs face. 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! On top of being generally warm, the waters are clear with underwater visibility running from 18 30 meters (60 100 feet). Its also the historical rainfall patterns. Photographers can make the worst dive buddies. Facebook See and be seen at these stunning natural wonders. Courtesy of IreneCorti/Getty Images/iStockphoto. 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. The ship has been opened up with large access holes so that you can swim through the interior of the ship. It is worth noting however that from June until October is the hurricane season in the Caribbean. Take your camera and get a snap with one of the abandoned bicycles that have also found a home here. It exceeds six inches in August and jumps again to more than eight inches in September and October. The people of the island are friendly and culturally diverse. While diving is a year-round activity in the Cayman Islands, June to August is considered to be the best time of year to dive Grand Cayman and the nearby islands of Cayman Brac and Little Cayman. 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. Manage Settings Look along the ledge by the mooring for crabs and check out the four massive barrel sponges. It is easily possible to visit all 3 of the Cayman Islands in a single dive trip and be able to enjoy the diversity they provide. Navigate backward to interact with the calendar and select a date. September is the worst month of the Caribbean hurricane season, which officially goes from June through November. As said earlier, Grand Cayman has over 50 dive sites and we will not leave this section without mentioning other noted dive spots. 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. 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). It should not be a surprise that January through April also happen to be popular months to visit the islands via western Caribbean cruises because of their ideal combination of cooler temperatures and low rainfall. Everything here is very low key and there is a small local population. Now it has become a beautiful artificial reef and home for colorful sponges, groupers, barracudas and other marine life. And when it comes to marine life, there is lots to see! Family Traveller Excellence Awards 2019 Winner. The wreck of the Captain Keith is unusual it is the only Soviet-made warship that divers can visit in the western hemisphere. Eden Rock has lots of coral and fish, and Devils Grotto has underwater caves that you can explore. 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. Although the rays who made this site their home permanently have moved on, there is still a good chance of spotting them here. I am a scuba diving newbie, a Project Manager by profession, and an entrepreneur at heart. I hope my research also helps you make a decision on your next scuba diving vacation.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[120,600],'scubadivegeek_com-large-billboard-2','ezslot_9',102,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-scubadivegeek_com-large-billboard-2-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[120,600],'scubadivegeek_com-large-billboard-2','ezslot_10',102,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-scubadivegeek_com-large-billboard-2-0_1'); .large-billboard-2-multi-102{border:none !important;display:block !important;float:none !important;line-height:0px;margin-bottom:15px !important;margin-left:auto !important;margin-right:auto !important;margin-top:15px !important;max-width:100% !important;min-height:600px;padding:0;text-align:center !important;}. The best diving depth at this Cayman site, between 30 and 40 meters (98-130ft) means its best for deep certified advanced divers. [What You Need to Know]. The sea is always warm in the Cayman Islands, with surface temperatures never dropping below around 25 o C (78 o F). They became my favorite focus on the reef. dive in each month of the year. 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. You can dive along this wall and explore the different entrances. MV Capt. Collect your trip ideas, share with friends or make an enquiry. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Both are wonderful underwater. This is one of the best dive sites in Cayman Brac, and is a must-do experience. Book your next cruise vacation on one of these floating megaresorts. iFrameResize({log:true, enablePublicMethods:true}); 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. but the best time to visit is between May and October. It's the kind of peaceful place where you will make your own fun. Sea temperature varies little, from a high of 86F/30C in August/September to a low of 80F/26.5C in February. Apart from the elephant ear sponges, keep your eyes peeled for blacktip Carribean reef sharks in the blue. (Closed Circuit Rebreathers/CCR) allows you to massively extend your dive time. This 82 hectare (200 acres) protected area is the refuge of the largest red-footed booby population in the Caribbean and is a popular bird-watching site. 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. 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. It is common to see barracudas and schools of horse-eye jacks in this area. 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. In this article, we review the top 20 scuba dive sites in the Cayman Islands. The islands are warm year-round with average highs. an enquiry. Another great wall diving site in Little Cayman is Joys Joy. The best time to visit the Cayman Islands is between March and June when the hotel rates drop. 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. 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. After exploring the area, here are some of the best dive sites in the Cayman Islands: 1. Although this is a wall dive, the cut in the sites name comes from the swim-through many divers use upon descent. 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. 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. The best time to see whitetip reef sharks in the Cayman Islands is from May to August.

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