best time to dive cayman islands

For this reason, wreck junkies and aficionados often have the Keith on their to-dive lists. Questions about Cayman Island Diving | FAQs | Cayman Turtle Divers Bloody Bay Wall is considered the epicenter of scuba diving in this marine park. It is common to see barracudas and schools of horse-eye jacks in this area. If you're looking for great diving and hotel prices, the best time is between March and June when the rates all drop. Scuba diving in Little Cayman and Cayman Brac | ZuBlu Its also the historical rainfall patterns. Its land area is slightly bigger than Little Cayman with a measurement of 19 x 2 kilometers (12miles x 1.2miles). Sunset Reef is a popular shore dive just 60 meters (200ft) off the Sunset House Resorts pier. Live a life others only dream about. 4 Places to Go Shore Diving in Grand Cayman | The Residences Black groupers, sergeant majors, yellowtail snapper, and moray eels are just a few of the species you can expect to see. 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. This is a wreck worth a dive or two. Cathy Church has a shop at Sunset House where you can often meet her and see her beautiful underwater photos from the area. Press the question mark key to get the keyboard shortcuts for changing dates. June to October brings . Is this the world's best place to learn to scuba dive? - thetimes.co.uk As of 2023, you can renew your passport online. at any point on your diving holiday) has to offer. The water is about 12-feet deep here. My favorite were the groupers who followed us like pets. This is one of the top island destinations in the United Kingdom. I thought it might be too touristy, but it was a lot of fun. 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. Its not often divers can see a mermaid on a dive, but at Sunset Reef they can. Manage Settings 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. As a photographer, I never lacked for subjects both wide angle and macro and anything in between. Founder of Georges Watersports & Thingstodocayman.net. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,100],'scubadivegeek_com-leader-1','ezslot_4',120,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-scubadivegeek_com-leader-1-0'); By descending down to 15 meters (50 feet) deep, you will arrive at what divers call the hanging garden which is a vertical limestone wall filled with black corals, barrel sponges, and purple sea fans. 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. 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. Located just a short walk from George Town, the Sunset House Hotel is home to Sunset Divers, and both resort and dive center are favorites of divers. April is an especially good choice because it has the warmest weather of the entire five-month dry season. Aside from tourism promotion, marine conservation is in place in all the dive sites in the Cayman Islands. Corals and sponges are plentiful. With virtually no currents and outstanding underwater visibility, Cayman has amazing wall dives, coral reefs and wrecks for you to explore and discover. 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. As a diver, with a PADI account you can access your eLearning along with many more tools to help you on your adventures. There is a lot of marine life among the coral and resident angelfish and groupers are found at the stern of the ship. 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 Shop and Front desk is open 7 days per week | 7am to 6pm and can be reached directly on (345)-640-7500 Water temperatures are usually low 80's F. Marine life is plentiful and varied. Nature lovers are lured to diverse hiking trails, caves, and a variety of flora and fauna around the island. Crabs and lobsters are among the critters hiding in the crevices. Cayman Islands, as well as our suggestions for the best places to The Cayman Islands boasts world-class beaches, luxurious properties, worldwide culinary influences, high-end shops, local stores, and everything in between. StingrayCity. Cayman Brac Beach Resort. Though scuba diving in the Cayman Islands is mostly known for close encounters with stingrays, it has much more to offer. 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. Cruise lines can reduce the number of ships that visit Grand Cayman in the fall, but hotels and resorts cant reduce the number of rooms. From classic wide-brimmed hats to water-repellent trucker hats, find your ideal style. It is rich with tunnels, chutes, cervices, and beautiful reefs. Boasting strong diving infrastructure, diverse types of diving, incredible walls and wrecks, and great visibility. 6. Other highlights include barracudas, yellowtail snappers, hawksbill turtles, and stingrays that sleep in the sand. In a nutshell, its an island full of land and water adventures. Reservations Office is open Monday-Friday | 8:30am-5:30pm Cayman Islands time. But which Cayman Island has the best diving? However, the Cayman Islands can be impacted by hurricanes primarily between June and November. 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. We have put together a comprehensive collection of packages to suit your needs. Elkhorn corals adorn the tops of the ridges while large gorgonians, tube sponges, and hard corals occupy the gullies. Explore the top-rated styles for every type of trip to the beach. The Kittiwake is a 76.5 meter (250ft) former submarine support ship. There's much to discover beyond theme parks in this Southeastern state. Located near a popular resort is a vertical drop off that is filled with all sorts of marine life the North Wall. 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. for even more in-depth travel advice. 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. to dive in Cayman Islands. You can dive from shore because they have ladders that you can use to enter and exit the water. There are actually around two dozen dive sites within the bay, with Bloody Bay Wall top of the list. 3. That's is how we pay ourselves. Now large groups of southern stingrays are lurking around daily. The best time to visit the Cayman Islands is between March and June when the hotel rates drop. Sign up to get the latest updates, offers and more. 10 Best Dive Sites in Caribbean Islands in 2023 January and February are the coolest months with average lows in the high 60s. You will see a lot of tarpon at this spot, as well as coral and other fish. Some of the nicest dive resorts in the Caribbean are in the Cayman Islands, and many of them have great shore diving and boat diving. Most dive operators will take you there. Seven Mile Beach is considered the most popular tourist area in the Cayman Islands, thanks to its stunning white sand beaches and crystal-clear waters. There is slightly more rain during the summer months. If you are vacationing in Cayman Brac, then you need to visit this spot. 11 Best Things to Do in Cayman Islands | U.S. News Travel From these locations, I was able to dive the west end and also the North Wall. Both Grand Cayman and Little Cayman have great diving. Look in the blue off the wall for passing sharks, rays, and turtles. They can offer up their first-hand The wreck was specifically set up for safe penetration, giving divers many interior rooms to explore. "High Season" at the hotels is mid-December to mid-April, so rates will be higher then. Plenty of schooling reef fish call Ghost Mountain home and the pinnacle is also carpeted in deep, bloody-red finger sponges. Get in touch with our specialists for even more in-depth travel advice. Would also recommend spending an afternoon at Rum Point, where you can relax and also do some snorkeling if you like. The islands are warm year-round with average highs. Data sourced from the National Climatic Data Center. The Best Diving in Cayman Islands 2022 - Divein Sharks and turtles are frequent visitors as are snappers, groupers, and grunts. You can see Spotted Eagle Rays flying passed this area from depths of about 30 to 100 feet. 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. Plus, the water temperature ranges between 78-82F (26-28C). 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. Click the link below to read our article about the USS Kittiwake: Wilderness Wall is located on the south-side of Cayman Brac. North Wall 2. stingray city 3. 1 is a 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom unit. Book your fun dives, snorkelling trips and courses online with thousands of PADI Dive Centers. Find the best travel insurance for you with these U.S. News ratings, which factor in expert and consumer recommendations. This is one of the deepest sea-walls in the world. Seven Mile Beach 4. #6 inBest Cheap Destination Wedding Locations, #4 inBest Places to Visit in January 2023. This is a wall that drops 2000 meters to the sea floor. We understand that annual leave is precious so we can ensure that Scuba Divers can experience the world's best 12ft dive site at Stingray City, the beautiful Starfish Point and Bloody Bay . Sharp-eyed divers can find leopard flatworms and the tunnels are also popular hangouts for rays and green moray eels. If you want to go a little more remote, try Little Cayman. 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. You need to protect your fingers from the eager snappers though. From April to October water temperature are at least 27 o C (81 o F) and can . Best and Worst Times to Visit Grand Cayman - Caribeez.com This is one of the deepest sea-walls in the world. The shore diving was really easy to access with actual ladders or stairs and even showers at some sites. Best Scuba Diving Destinations in the World - The Cayman Islands The main dive spot of Little Cayman is located on the northwest coast in a marine protected area the Bloody Bay Marine Park. This gives the unique Caymans dive site a blend of steep vertical walls, sloping reefs, and coral-crusted fingers. 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. to save My Ideas for later. 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. Grand Cayman has more dive sites than Little Cayman. Stingray City has very large, friendly stingrays. 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 am a scuba diving newbie, a Project Manager by profession, and an entrepreneur at heart. 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. In this article, we review the top 20 scuba dive sites in the Cayman Islands. Their sister company, Tortuga Divers, operates from Morritts Tortuga Club in East End. Princess Pennies Pinnacle is located on the North Wall in Grand Cayman. We'll whisk you through the security queues (where available). Best Times to Visit Cayman Islands | U.S. News Travel The Cayman Islands dollar is legal tender in these islands. 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 . Little Cayman GoPro Video Workshop: April 2023, Best Liveaboard Destinations for Beginners, shifted the Kittiwake from her original position. If you enjoy diving, then you need to visit the USS Kittiwake during your vacation to Grand Cayman. (Closed Circuit Rebreathers/CCR) allows you to massively extend your dive time. Because great in-depth gear reviews will help you select the right products for your specific needs, budget, and interests. From Rolex watches to Caymanite earrings to a shell necklace. The waters here are 15 to 25 meters deep. December and July are good times for families because children are out of school for the holidays and summer. 390 S Church St, George Town KY1-1106, Cayman Islands. Of the three main islands, Grand Cayman is where most divers go where you can explore over 50 dive sites allowing you to do virtually all types of diving and is suited for all levels of certification.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[120,600],'scubadivegeek_com-box-4','ezslot_16',103,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-scubadivegeek_com-box-4-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[120,600],'scubadivegeek_com-box-4','ezslot_17',103,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-scubadivegeek_com-box-4-0_1'); .box-4-multi-103{border:none !important;display:block !important;float:none !important;line-height:0px;margin-bottom:15px !important;margin-left:auto !important;margin-right:auto !important;margin-top:15px !important;max-width:100% !important;min-height:600px;padding:0;text-align:center !important;}. There are over 15 PADI 5-Star Centers in the Cayman Islands, ready to teach you everything you want to know about diving. Courtesy of IreneCorti/Getty Images/iStockphoto. A direct flight from Miami to Grand Cayman takes only 70 minutes. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. I have lived in the corporate world for a few years now with very little excitement in my life. // ]]>, Call us today at+1-310-915-6677 or email us info@bluewaterdivetravel.com. Best Dive Sites in the Cayman Islands for a Magical - pickyourtrail There is also an air pocket in a decompression chamber that you can pop into and chat with your buddy!! 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. They are located in George Town in Grand Cayman. In 2017, Tropical Storm Nate shifted the Kittiwake from her original position. Kittiwake- Though this wreck has been sunken rather recently and has not developed much coral yet, it is still a fantastic dive site for all levels. However, as we just mentioned, diving in the Cayman Islands is possible all year round. 50 Best Scuba Diving Places in The World - Thrillophilia There is also a dive shop and restaurant. Cayman Islands Diving | Sport Diver Otherwise, it is clear that December through April are the best months of the year to visit Grand Cayman, especially early April. I have traveled to the Cayman islands many times. Scott S. Bateman is a professional journalist who has traveled widely throughout the Caribbean and the Americas. Our Exclusive Dive-only Packages in the Cayman Islands - Ocean Frontiers Overall it is a place worth seeing. Watch your buoyancy and head out into the blue, look back to really appreciate the Great Walls sheer size and impressive drop-off. Grand Cayman has dives for all experience levels, and our on-site dive shop Ocean Frontiers Diving Adventures offers a range of PADI dive courses and signature dive adventures. Look out for the big groupers who sometimes get inside the huge barrel sponges, turtle, the occasional shark, plenty of reef fish, and the macro life at the cleaning stations. Cayman Brac offers a good mix of wall, wreck and reef diving for all experience levels. Some of those services give me a small percentage of what you pay as commission for my referral. Some resorts offer "Hurricane protection". you are in the right place at the right time to see the very best This dive site first became popular in the 90s when it was featured in the film The Firm, starring Tom Cruise. Frugal travel planners can look for good deals during these months while keeping an eye on the 10-day weather forecast. Eagle rays glide past in the blue water, triggerfish, Nassau groupers, electric yellow sponges and much make this site popular with divers in the Caymans. Diving Cayman Islands: Best Wall Dives in the World View Map. If you have time, you should also take a flight to Little Cayman from Grand Cayman, and dive at Bloody Bay Wall. If you make a purchase from our site, we may earn a commission. Closely packed ridges form huge coral heads between the shore and the reef wall. Click the link below to read our article about Macabuca: Tarpon Alley is located at the North Wall in Grand Cayman. 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. Best Time To Dive The Cayman Island Little Cayman, Cayman Islands. Choose your design and prove your PADI certified diver status across the world with a recycled plastic card, eCard or both. Here is a list of some of the marine animals you can likely spot when diving the Cayman Islands: There are over 300 dive sites in the Cayman Islands. Despite the name, there arent actually caves here. 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. 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. Best 5 Dive Resorts In Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands - Trip101 Along with the vertical structures of the wall are small cracks and crevices that have become the refuge of marine critters like crabs, lobsters, moray eels and octopus. Scuba diving in Little Cayman - Liveaboard.com I have been diving in Grand Cayman several times. We gave our Gear Lovers one job: The water drops over a hundred feet. Generally, even with up to four dives per day on offer Cayman Islands scuba diving . Grand Cayman's North Wall plunges deeper than 1800 metres/6000 feet and offers beautiful wall diving with opportunities to see spotted eagle rays and sea turtles. 11 Dive Resorts in the Cayman Islands | PADI Travel 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. Diving in Little Cayman | PADI If wall diving is your thing, check out diving in Turks & Caicos. A huge pinnacle branches out, creating a corridor-like passageway that is used by large pelagics cruising up from the abyss. It's the kind of peaceful place where you will make your own fun. Top dives include the famous 1000 Steps, the Hilmer Hooker wreck, and Bari Reef. Because the site is prone to strong currents, it isnt frequently dived which makes a trip to this very healthy reef even more special. 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. Youtube+ 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. Scuba diving in the Cayman Islands: an experience of a lifetime The Cayman dollar is exchanged at a rate fixed to the US dollar (CI $1 equals US $1.25). Get forecasts each morning for every major island. We are proud to off-set 100% of the carbon generated by our clients' flights. 10 Things To Do At Cayman Islands Besides Scuba Diving September and October are the riskiest months to visit Grand Cayman because of the higher than normal amounts of rain. 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. There are plenty of great dive resorts available, but liveaboard is the best option if you want to dive around all three islands. The 6 Best Dive Sites in the Cayman Islands - PADI Blog Flights to Grand Cayman arrive at Owen Roberts International Airport. Roundabout is located along the North Wall in Grand Cayman. This is also where you will board your liveaboard. 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. But they are sometimes the cheapest months to visit. So, either way, the experience is well worth the money. It was named Orange Canyon because of the large orange Elephant Ear Sponges that can be found here. And when it comes to marine life, there is lots to see! 4. Topside, the community is expanding with ongoing construction. Turtles munched on big sponges with no worries about divers hanging about. Grand Cayman is a beautiful dive destination with many options for accommodations and for diving. Find & Book Adventures Book your fun dives, snorkelling trips and courses online with thousands of PADI Dive Centers. 0 During this time, you can expect to see a variety of marine life, including turtles, rays, and a wide array of tropical fish. It is possible to go scuba diving in Little Cayman all year round and the water temperature only varies from 21-27 degrees. Still great for diving with great walls for all levels of divers and the walls and the Russian destroyer 356 aka Russian destroyer. A highlight dive is the Tibbets wreck with great structure and lots of life. Diving the Cayman Islands - SCUBA Travel It does not make the product pricier for you. 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