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. 1. 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. Navigate backward to interact with the calendar and select a date. There's much to discover beyond theme parks in this Southeastern state. The islands are warm year-round with average highs. link to Fiji: Dive the Soft Coral Capital of the World, link to United Arab Emirates: Unspoiled Dive Sites, Wall diving, drift diving, cave diving, shore diving, boat diving, deep diving, and wreck diving, 100 different species of hard and soft corals plus over 500 species of tropical fish like the South-Atlantic stingrays, eagle rays, manta rays, nurse sharks, Caribbean reef sharks, flying gurnards, Nassau groupers, tarpon fish, Grand Cayman: Snorkeling at Stingray City, visit Dolphin Cove, hiking in the Mastic Trail, Pedro St. James National Historic Site, Cayman Islands National Museum, and the Cayman Turtle Farm. That's is how we pay ourselves. 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. A huge pinnacle branches out, creating a corridor-like passageway that is used by large pelagics cruising up from the abyss. 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. Dining can be pricey but the meals I have had have been wonderful. Its a very easy and fun dive, we saw some angelfish and eagle rays. The sea is always warm in the Cayman Islands, with surface temperatures never dropping below around 25 o C (78 o F). Grand Cayman scuba diving is also more popular than on the other islands due to the stingray population there. 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. Cactus coral, sea fans, great star coral, and tube sponges blanket the reef and provide refuge for a variety of sea creatures. In the 2019 Scuba Diving Magazine Readers Choice Awards, the Islands were named one of the Best Overall Dive Destination in the Caribbean/Atlantic and scored first place for Best Advanced Diving and Underwater Photography. Because great in-depth gear reviews will help you select the right products for your specific needs, budget, and interests. DIVEIN.com was founded in 2009 by the two brothers Torben and Nicolai. It's the kind of peaceful place where you will make your own fun. Over 200 permanent boat moorings are installed to avoid damaging corals with the dropping of boat anchors. The non-divers with us were content to lounge by the pool, visit the spa, ride bikes, and go for walks. Generally, even with up to four dives per day on offer Cayman Islands scuba diving . 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. Located in the Bloody Bay marine park on Little Caymans north side, Marilyns Cut is largely unspoiled and offers up pristine soft and hard corals. . You may see hammerhead sharks if you are lucky. You can enter different swim-through areas where the wall drops to great depths. Cayman Brac is the last of the islands and also much less traveld than Grand Caymen. It was named after the famous free-diver Penny Ventura. Its not often divers can see a mermaid on a dive, but at Sunset Reef they can. The best diving depth at this Cayman site, between 30 and 40 meters (98-130ft) means its best for deep certified advanced divers. Here are a few of our favourite dive sites in Grand Cayman: 1. Jackson's Bight- Located also in the Bloody Bay Marine Park, it does not fail to provide scuba divers with an amazing dive. Pelagics are attracted to the wall while schools of reef fish populate the shallows, swimming around the many purple, red, and yellow sponges. Also known as the Mixing Bowl, Three Fathom Wall is the point where Jacksons Bight and the Bloody Bay diving areas meet. The Cayman Islands are home to some of the best spots for scuba diving and snorkeling in the world. 4. I've stayed at hotels and used independent dive operators and I have stayed at dive resorts with on-site dive operations. 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. 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. In general, the tourism industry in the Cayman Islands is designed with divers in mind. Why? Most of the units for rent are 2-bedroom and 2-bathroons units. July has a jump in visits for families in part because school children are out for the summer. But these arent the only good and bad times. The ship has been opened up with large access holes so that you can swim through the interior of the ship. Plenty of schooling reef fish call Ghost Mountain home and the pinnacle is also carpeted in deep, bloody-red finger sponges. I have worked in the corporate world and had little time for adventure. Located 133 kilometers (83 miles) northeast of Grand Cayman is its little sister island Little Cayman. 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. Little Cayman is a lovely, quiet little island with a population of less than 170. Cayman gives both the novice and the experienced some of the best diving in the world, as environmentally protected reefs surround each of our three islands. Recommended Level: Beginner Intermediate Advanced Dive Type: Boat Reef Wall Macro Wreck Canyon Shore Night Shallow Shark Cave Stingray Swim-Through Drift Liveboard Deep Great Wall East and West Little Cayman Great Wall West - Turtle Watch on Divers can observe the bow guns and go along the rails to make some great photos. So, either way, the experience is well worth the money. If you make a purchase from our site, we may earn a commission. In addition, you're more likely to snag a hotel deal during these months. We were lucky enough to see the tail end of silversides on the wreck of the Balboa right in the Harbor too. 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. Exploring this site requires you to descend to a depth of 18 meters (60 feet) where the entrance of this elaborate tunnel system starts. Today, Cayman is one of the top dive destinations anywhere. but the best time to visit is between May and October. Located in popular Bloody Bay, Donnas Delight is home to some classic Cayman wall diving: Giant barrel sponges, arching sea fans, and bright corals. You will see many sea creatures such as octopus and arrow crabs. 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. Yes, that is the Cayman Islands and this is due in part of the tax holiday being implemented that has attracted businesses worldwide. Access to tools and resources at your fingertips, curated to enhance your diving experience. For us divers, the financial self-sufficiency of the Cayman Islands is only the icing on the cake. Hotel prices are sourced from a sample of U.S. News Best Hotels rates through 2015-2016. Look along the ledge by the mooring for crabs and check out the four massive barrel sponges. 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. Just be prepared for a rain shower or two, as this is the start of the region's wet season. They have ladders that you can use to enter and exit the water safely. If you want to escape the crowds of cruise ship passengers, the East End is the place to go. Cayman Brac Beach Resort. From April to October water temperature are at least 27 o C (81 o F) and can . Stingray City has very large, friendly stingrays. I thought it might be too touristy, but it was a lot of fun. Find & Book Adventures Book your fun dives, snorkelling trips and courses online with thousands of PADI Dive Centers. On top of being generally warm, the waters are clear with underwater visibility running from 18 30 meters (60 100 feet). You can dive from shore because they have ladders that you can use to enter and exit the water. The worst time is September during the hurricane season. 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 Dive Cayman Islands Diving is available year-round. MV Captain Keith Tibbetts is an ex-Soviet Union ship that was built in 1984 for the Cuban Navy. Plus, along the wall, you can meet triggerfish, eagle rays, turtles, lobsters and many more! Beginners can enjoy another smaller chimney instead. Some of those services give me a small percentage of what you pay as commission for my referral. This is one of the deepest sea-walls in the world. Thus, you can keep going back and still discover new sites. 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. Otherwise, it is clear that December through April are the best months of the year to visit Grand Cayman, especially early April. There are lots of other fish and coral. 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 . Cayman Brac offered multiple relaxed dive spots on reefs all along the edge of the island. Our team will meet you at the airport and fast-track you through. Away from the stingray action, there are a number of coral heads with a variety of life to check out. There are plenty of great dive resorts available, but liveaboard is the best option if you want to dive around all three islands. This world-class scuba destination is colorful, bright, and teeming with life. If you don't feel comfortable using my referral links, you can always go directly to their site and bypass me. Both Grand Cayman and Little Cayman have great diving. The worst time is September during the hurricane season. This area is an international tourist destination and can be crowded. StingrayCity. The dives are shallow and you can closely observe them swimming around or above you. The three islands that make up the nation, Cayman Brac, Grand Cayman, and Little Cayman, are diverse and have distinct diving. All content is copyright protected by either DIVEIN.com or respected copyright holders, Disclosure: We are reader supported, and earn. 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. Drop us a comment below and tell us your favorite site! Corals and sponges are plentiful. From April to October water temperature are at least 27 o C (81 o F) and can reach over 30 o C (85 o F). Located near a popular resort is a vertical drop off that is filled with all sorts of marine life the North Wall. You can hand-feed wild Southern stingrays. The resident goliath grouper is a popular dive buddy at this Cayman dive site. Bloody Bay Wall Bloody Bay Wall is located in Little Cayman. Besides scuba diving, there are plenty of other things to do on the Cayman Islands. 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. 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. The Pedro St. James National Historic Site is a great place for photography, or you can visit Rum Point for a true Caribbean beach experience. Both of these sites are accessible from shore. Get certified to scuba dive. [What You Need to Know]. North Wall 2. stingray city 3. The Cayman dollar is exchanged at a rate fixed to the US dollar (CI $1 equals US $1.25). Best Time to Dive in Little Cayman. Interested in diving the Cayman Islands? Aside from being outside the high season which means that Grand Cayman dive resorts all-inclusive hotel prices and Caribbean dive packages are cheaper, this is also the months that the diving parameters are at its best. // , Call us today at+1-310-915-6677 or email us info@bluewaterdivetravel.com. iFrameResize({log:true, enablePublicMethods:true}); A shallow dive site, the colors here really pop making it a good choice for photographers. Jacques Costeau loved diving in the Caymans and its easy to see why. From these locations, I was able to dive the west end and also the North Wall. Out in the open, spotted eagle rays are often seen swimming in groups of at least 5 individuals and their passing by is often correlated to the flyby of fighter jets in low altitude. Cayman Islands Seasonal Dive Planner The Caymans' hottest period is from May to November. The Cayman Islands are one of the Best Liveaboard Destinations in the World. Head to the turret guns for a superb photo opportunity and keep your eyes peeled for barracuda, bright sponges, and schooling reef fish. It is an amazing sight, and a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience. As a photographer, I never lacked for subjects both wide angle and macro and anything in between. There is also a small restaurant and dive resort. April is an especially good choice because it has the warmest weather of the entire five-month dry season. The best time to visit Grand Cayman is March and April. These hot temperatures start in May and last into November. Usually you will see at least a few tarpon at this spot. 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). If you want to enjoy these five dive sites . 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. It exceeds six inches in August and jumps again to more than eight inches in September and October. Top dives include the famous 1000 Steps, the Hilmer Hooker wreck, and Bari Reef. January and February are the coolest months with average lows in the high 60s. 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. Water temperatures are usually low 80's F. Marine life is plentiful and varied. Instead, they pass through the vicinity and bring heavy rains and wind to the island. The Cayman Islands boasts world-class beaches, luxurious properties, worldwide culinary influences, high-end shops, local stores, and everything in between. The Cayman Islands are one of the Best Liveaboard Destinations for Beginners. 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. Click the link below to read our article about the USS Kittiwake: Wilderness Wall is located on the south-side of Cayman Brac. There are lots of beautiful beaches to visit and to relax. The islands are warm year-round with average highs holding steady in the 80s. "High Season" at the hotels is mid-December to mid-April, so rates will be higher then. From Rolex watches to Caymanite earrings to a shell necklace. Roberts Wall is located on the North Wall in Grand Cayman. It is Batabano, the countrys biggest festival, which is scheduled for early May each year. 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. Eagle Ray Pass is located along the North Wall in Grand Cayman. 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. PADI Dive Resorts for all budgets, in the best dive locations around the world. Give the perfect gift for your favorite ocean lover and explorer. Rum Point Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned diver, Grand Cayman has a dive site for you. Do you love diving in the Caymans? Northerners also want to get away from the cold and snow of winter. As of 2023, you can renew your passport online. The Cayman Islands dollar is legal tender in these islands. Courtesy of Sunset House Resort, Grand Cayman. During winter, temperatures can drop down to the low 70s. The Cayman Islands-- Grand Cayman, Little Cayman, and Cayman Brac--have been attracting scuba divers for decades, including beginners! Were a free review guide run by passionate Divers, Sports, and Outdoor fanatics. 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. Find the best travel insurance for you with these U.S. News ratings, which factor in expert and consumer recommendations. The wreck can be penetrated in some parts but speak for your guide or instructor beforehand. 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. 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. Both are wonderful underwater. 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. GOT QUESTIONS ABOUT DIVING IN CAYMANS? Stingrays, stingrays, and more stingrays is what draws divers to this Cayman site. Discover these empowering women's history destinations selected by the U.S. News travel editors. A 50% deposit is required at the time of booking with the final 50% . Cayman Islands has an average water temperature ranging from 26 29C (78 84F). Grand Cayman also offers accessible shore diving on great coral reefs with little to no current.
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