Grandview Condominiums are located on the south end of 7 Mile Beach in George Town on the scuba diving island of Grand Cayman. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. Topside, the community is expanding with ongoing construction. This is a fun dive spot that you can access from shore. The units are privately owned and furnished, but they have 21 accommodations available for rental use. Little Caymans Bloody Bay is home to some of the most dramatic and spectacular drop-offs and swim-throughs in the Carribean. . Grand Cayman Monthly Weather: Rain, Temperatures, Grand Cayman Vacation Tips: Hotels, Attractions, Weather, Cayman Islands overnight visitor statistics; Caribeez.com. Babylon is located on the North Wall in Grand Cayman. This is currently number 20 on the 100 Best Dives list.. Flights to Grand Cayman arrive at Owen Roberts International Airport. Click the link below to read our article about the USS Kittiwake: Wilderness Wall is located on the south-side of Cayman Brac. Settle on the sand at just 3.7 meters (12ft) and have hordes of southern stingrays glide gracefully around you. With world class conditions and a robust dive industry, the Cayman Islands is one of the best places to learn how to dive. Canyons and drop-offs provide a varied topography making the site a firm favorite with photographers. For example, let's look at one airline flying from Miami to Grand Cayman. 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. Cactus coral, sea fans, great star coral, and tube sponges blanket the reef and provide refuge for a variety of sea creatures. We have put together a comprehensive collection of packages to suit your needs. (Closed Circuit Rebreathers/CCR) allows you to massively extend your dive time. A 2.75 meter (9ft) bronze statue of Amphitrite (the wife of the mythological god Poseidon) rises up from the base of the reef. Bloody Bay Wall Bloody Bay Wall is located in Little Cayman. It is common to see barracudas and schools of horse-eye jacks in this area. As a diver, with a PADI account you can access your eLearning along with many more tools to help you on your adventures. marine life, be it the tiny critters or bigger beasts of the ocean. // ]]>, Call us today at+1-310-915-6677 or email us info@bluewaterdivetravel.com. Grand Cayman makes a good dive vacation, but for us it was a great stop with plenty of good diving over 3 days on the way home from Cayman Brac. 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. Located in popular Bloody Bay, Donnas Delight is home to some classic Cayman wall diving: Giant barrel sponges, arching sea fans, and bright corals. Head to the turret guns for a superb photo opportunity and keep your eyes peeled for barracuda, bright sponges, and schooling reef fish. 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. A direct flight from Miami to Grand Cayman takes only 70 minutes. 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. Matt Hampton was a guest of the Cayman Islands Department of Tourism (visitcaymanislands.com), British Airways, which has London returns from 688 (ba.com), and the Westin Seven Mile Beach, which . Bloody Bay Marine Park is one of Cayman's best known dive sites and is named after the battles that took place between the British navy and its privateers following the outlaw of piracy. 1. From Rolex watches to Caymanite earrings to a shell necklace. You will find the Cayman Islands to be very diverse, from quiet Little Cayman, to bustling Seven Mile Beach on Grand Cayman. While Grand Cayman receives the most publicity and visitors, all three Cayman Islands - Cayman Brac and Little Cayman being the other two -- offer outstanding scuba diving. . The worst time is September during the hurricane season. Honduras coast hosts the Bay Islands which is a compilation of eight islands and 53 small cays and these islands are one of the best scuba diving places in the world. The amazing strawberry sponges were in abundance there. If you like diving in caves and grottos, Trinity Caves on Grand Caymans west side is the site for you. It is only a 10-minute walk from the cruise ship port in George Town to Eden Rock. It does not make the product pricier for you. The islands are warm year-round with average highs. Roberts Wall is located on the North Wall in Grand Cayman. From spotting blue iguanas to kayaking in a bioluminescent bay to diving through intricate shipwrecks, here is a guide to making the most out of a first-time visit to Grand Cayman. 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. that the underwater world (and overwater, if you plan on surfacing 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. Why? Most of them are located around the Grand Cayman but a little over sixty sites stay around Cayman Brac and the Little Cayman. Plenty of schooling reef fish call Ghost Mountain home and the pinnacle is also carpeted in deep, bloody-red finger sponges. This island is very small and there is little to do, other than dive. 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. Theyre not timid and as they surround you, these rays seem happy to receive a gentle stroke or two. "High Season" at the hotels is mid-December to mid-April, so rates will be higher then. These hot temperatures start in May and last into November. Swim throughs, ledges, overhangs, and an average depth of 12 meters (40ft) make this a Cayman dive site for all experience levels to explore. Cheeseburger Reef is located in George Town, Grand Cayman. Both of these sites are accessible from shore. 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 highlight of the dive is the photo opportunity with this Cayman reefs most famous resident. Grab your gear and dive into the crystal clear waters of Grand Cayman! Princess Pennies Pinnacle is located on the North Wall in Grand Cayman. Moray eels and angelfish move among the coral, and turtles are often seen cruising over the reef. info@bluewaterdivetravel.com, Visited on 04/2018 - Submitted on 02/04/2020, Visited on 03/2013 - Submitted on 08/31/2014, Visited on 02/2014 - Submitted on 04/19/2014, Visited on 02/2014 - Submitted on 03/01/2014, Visited on 08/2013 - Submitted on 02/21/2014, Big savings on 7-night group stays at Little Cayman, Cayman Brac and Cobalt Coast Resorts, live availability of some of the best liveaboards in the Cayman Islands. Overall it is a place worth seeing. 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. Black coral and colorful sponges decorate the near-vertical face and the shallows are dotted with large coral heads teeming with marine life. 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. Everything most divers want. Keith Tibbets- This Soviet-built Frigate that was owned by the Cuban navy was given to the Cayman Islands to purposefully sink it. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. Located 133 kilometers (83 miles) northeast of Grand Cayman is its little sister island Little Cayman. Grand Cayman Island probably has the best diving as it has the North Wall deep drop-off dive and the USS Kittiwake wreck dive. There are actually around two dozen dive sites within the bay, with Bloody Bay Wall top of the list. Rainfall starts to climb in May. Bloody Bay Wall is located in Little Cayman. But they are sometimes the cheapest months to visit. Otherwise, it is clear that December through April are the best months of the year to visit Grand Cayman, especially early April. We understand that annual leave is precious so we can ensure that This dive site first became popular in the 90s when it was featured in the film The Firm, starring Tom Cruise. The Seven Mile Beach area and the main city, Georgetown, are very developed with large hotels and resorts, restaurants, shops, etc. ASK US HERE! The depths start at around 12m/40ft and end at 30m/98ft. With over 365 dive sites, clear waters, coral reefs and abundant marine life, the Cayman Islands are one of the best diving spots in the world. Find & Book Liveaboards Choose from a selection of more than 250 vessels and 18,000 trips worldwide. Bloody Bay Wall is considered the epicenter of scuba diving in this marine park. Continue with Recommended Cookies. Crabs and lobsters are among the critters hiding in the crevices. 1. And as you might imagine, the coral-encrusted archway makes for a fantastic photo opportunity. Thus, you can keep going back and still discover new sites. This is one of the deepest sea-walls in the world. "High Season" at the hotels is mid-December to mid-April, so rates will be higher then. 4 of the Best Places to Go Shore Diving in Grand Cayman. During the day rays, turtles, the occasional barracuda and plenty of reef fish mean theres a lot to keep divers engaged. Originally coined 356, this wreck is now called the M/V Captain Keith Tibbetts after a well-known Cayman Brac politician. Click here to learn more. They pickup from the Westin, Ritz and Kimpton Seafire beaches for their West Dives, which is one of their standout features. Choose your design and prove your PADI certified diver status across the world with a recycled plastic card, eCard or both. Divers can observe the bow guns and go along the rails to make some great photos. If you love nature, you can go hiking or explore some caverns and caves. We gave our Gear Lovers one job: As of 2023, you can renew your passport online. My poker stick resembled the dive guides spears, so they followed me closely and would even "show" me where the lion fish were, confused when I didn't feed them. June to October brings . Book your fun dives, snorkelling trips and courses online with thousands of PADI Dive Centers. Before the USS Kittiwake was sunk, the Oro Verde was the wreck dive of choice in the Caymans. Roundabout is located along the North Wall in Grand Cayman. #6 inBest Cheap Destination Wedding Locations, #4 inBest Places to Visit in January 2023. Most of the units for rent are 2-bedroom and 2-bathroons units. Penetration can be done in this wreck courtesy from its numerous entry and exit points that were made before it was intentionally sunk to become an artificial reef. 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 . Apart from the elephant ear sponges, keep your eyes peeled for blacktip Carribean reef sharks in the blue. 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. Cayman Brac offered multiple relaxed dive spots on reefs all along the edge of the island. Pelagics are attracted to the wall while schools of reef fish populate the shallows, swimming around the many purple, red, and yellow sponges. December through April are especially popular times to go because of low risk of rainfall and more moderate temperatures. 20 Best Dive Sites In The Cayman Islands (2023) In this article, we review the top 20 scuba dive sites in the Cayman Islands. Of course, the Soviets didnt call her Keith Tibbets, she was renamed for a local dive operator after the Cayman government purchased the wreck for dive tourism. 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. Find the best travel insurance for you with these U.S. News ratings, which factor in expert and consumer recommendations. 4. 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. The waters here are 15 to 25 meters deep. Having a less touristic crowd, Cayman Brac still has several tourism facilities like Cayman Brac Dive Resorts that are scattered along its narrow coast. 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. Lighthouse Point is located in West Bay in Grand Cayman. Pinterest No crowds. Drop us a comment below and tell us your favorite site! . Most people see flights, accommodations, and activities far cheaper during this time since fewer tourists are visiting. Cayman Brac Beach Resort. The resident goliath grouper is a popular dive buddy at this Cayman dive site. Generally, even with up to four dives per day on offer Cayman Islands scuba diving . Bloody Bay Wall- Most scuba divers will say this is their favorite dive site in the Cayman Islands. Water temperatures are usually low 80's F. Marine life is plentiful and varied. Welcome to my scuba diving bucket list. Lionfish have become an invasive species and some of the dive operators offer culling excursions. Rum Point Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned diver, Grand Cayman has a dive site for you. The course includes a 2-hour pool and theory session, and an . The visibility at Donnas Delight on Little Cayman is typically good and the relaxed and easy diving here is suitable for all levels. Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman house over 300 dive sites, making up the breathtaking Cayman dive map. You need to take a boat to reach this wreck. However, the Cayman Islands can be impacted by hurricanes primarily between June and November. Trinity Caves is a popular dive site that is located off the coast of West Bay in Grand Cayman. The reef slopes gradually from 5 to 17 meters (17-55ft), and is covered in hard corals, sea whips, small sponges and gorgonians. 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. The majority of travel agents will advise you that the best time to visit Grand Cayman in order to get the most bang for your buck on a vacation to the Cayman Islands is between the months of March and June. Great diving. Bert Brothers Boulders is one of the most beautiful dive sites on Cayman Brac. See and be seen at these stunning natural wonders. This is a wreck worth a dive or two. Please Sign-in or Register The Cayman Islands hosts one of the best dives in the World: Bloody Bay Wall on Little Cayman. Now large groups of southern stingrays are lurking around daily. 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. I've stayed at hotels and used independent dive operators and I have stayed at dive resorts with on-site dive operations. We understand that diving the best Grand Cayman Dives is the primary goal of your Grand Cayman Dive vacation. Little Cayman GoPro Video Workshop: April 2023, Best Liveaboard Destinations for Beginners, shifted the Kittiwake from her original position. Scott S. Bateman is a professional journalist who has traveled widely throughout the Caribbean and the Americas. Marine Life & Environment - Top Dive Spots - Diving Conditions, How to Get There-How to Dive Cayman Islands-Best Time to Dive, NEW! They can offer up their first-hand Theres also Little Cayman thats the least developed of the 3 islands. The best diving depth at this Cayman site, between 30 and 40 meters (98-130ft) means its best for deep certified advanced divers. This is a deep wall that drops several hundred feet into the abyss. The islands are warm year-round with average highs holding steady in the 80s. 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. Despite the name, you arent guaranteed to see tarpon here. Below are our recommendations for the best months to dive in Because great in-depth gear reviews will help you select the right products for your specific needs, budget, and interests. 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. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a country in Western Asia located at the northeast end of the Arabian Peninsula in the Persian Gulf. Plus, the water temperature ranges between 78-82F (26-28C). The best time to see whitetip reef sharks in the Cayman Islands is from May to August. 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. 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. Hurricane Ivan in 2004 cleaved the 100m/328ft ship in half but divers can still explore both sections of the wreckage. Best Time to Dive Cayman Islands. Their sister company, Tortuga Divers, operates from Morritts Tortuga Club in East End. I like the idea of being able to dive off both islands while staying on one. There are also lots of tarpon and small silver sprats in this area. 1 is a 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom unit. If you want to get rid of the tourist crowd in Grand Cayman and explore a dive site that is remote and that the diver to fish ratio is 1 to a million, then we suggest you head out northwest of Grand Cayman via a Cayman Liveaboard vessel in a site called Babylon. As a photographer, I never lacked for subjects both wide angle and macro and anything in between. Our DSD is $99 USD per person and includes all equipment needed and a fantastic shallow dive to a max depth of 40ft. Photographers will love Greenhouse for its varied macro life.