Diving tips Cayman Islands

 

Fish and species seen

Reef sharksBarracudaHippocampusTurtleMurenEagle StingrayEagle StingrayLangousteVivaneauAnguille de jardin

The Cayman Islands are located in the western part of the Caribbean Sea. They are part of the British crown territories but are, nevertheless, very Americanized. They were discovered by the famous navigator Christopher Columbus and are governed by the emblematic figure of the United Kingdom, Queen Elizabeth II. The Cayman Islands, when they are named in English, are represented by three islands of different sizes: Grand Cayman is the main one and extends over 197 km²; Little Cayman and Cayman Brac are the smaller sisters and measure 26 and 36 km² respectively. This archipelago is a high place of History in the chapters of explorations and colonies. George Town, the administrative capital and chief town, has a tropical climate with summer heat all year round. It is the largest city of the Cayman Islands but also the most animated, considered, moreover, as one of the most important banking centers in the world. The archipelago is, indeed, a real tax haven that attracts many offshore companies. These islands could, indeed, be the object of sanctions from the European Union. On a relaxing vacation or for a more sporty driving vacation, the Cayman Islands will delight all those who are looking for exoticism and escape. Several nature reserves and water parks are home to endemic land and marine species that you will not see anywhere else, some of which are unfortunately on the verge of extinction. The crystal clear waters and incredible panoramas will delight snorkeling and scuba, diving enthusiasts. The 250 or so dive sites are sublime and teem with colorful and picturesque fauna and flora.

Where to go diving in the Cayman Islands?

Dive in Grand Cayman

The main island of the archipelago, Grand Cayman is the first-choice destination for a diving trip. It has a myriad of different diving possibilities between steep walls, unusual caves, and extraordinary wrecks. The crystal clear waters are notably the refuge of a large number of stingrays and a rich animal and vegetal biodiversity, very interesting for macro photography.

West Wall is the most famous wall of the island with a varied topography made of tunnels, caves, and caverns that attract a very diverse fauna, coupled with excellent visibility and a very appreciable water temperature.

For beginners and snorkeling enthusiasts, we highly recommend the exploration of Eden Rock and Devil's Grotto but also Fish Pot Reef. These sites are accessible to all levels and allow you to see tropical fish, sting rays but also eels in the tunnels and caves of this site.

Do you want to marvel at an explosion of colors? The dive sites La Mesa and Victoria Secret will be perfect for that. Both have magnificent soft and hard coral formations, specimens of a sometimes rare species. You will find finger corals and beautiful sponges. You can also admire many wrecks. They are essentially cargo ships and remains of boats which have become the refuge of abundant flora and a very diverse fauna. The Balboa wreck, the Cali wreck, or the Oro Verde wreck rest in the abyss. The most recent wreck is certainly that of the USS Kittiwake. This boat sunk in 2011 at a depth that remains accessible, is protected by a national park, and is an excellent discovery for snorkeling.

Diving at Cayman Brac

A diving trip at Cayman Brac offers a charming and exotic experience. The landscapes are breathtaking and more than 40 sites are suitable for diving in warm waters colored by underwater life. It is a great spot to take some great shots!

The dive site Bret Brothers Boulders is ideal for an outing around macro photography. A marine rainbow can be seen in these bottoms colored by the flora. Here, moose horn corals, soft corals, hard corals, tubular sponges and gorgonians dominate in the middle of a crowd of tropical fish and green moray eels.

For a dive richer in animal life, we advise you to discover the Wilderness Wall, a vertiginous wall as its name suggests. Tunnels and canyons are the main attraction where you can see groupers, schools of bigeye trevally, schools of snappers and angelfish. It is also interesting to explore Cemetary Wall where you will enjoy a dive rich in more impressive pelagics such as moray eels, sting rays, snappers, sharks, eagle rays and even funny turtles.

Not to be missed under any circumstances, an immersion in the heart of the wreck MV CAPTAIN KEITH TIBBETS. This is surely THE dive spot at Cayman Brac, full of history, now transformed into an artificial reef. This Russian warship bought by the Cayman Islands is now entirely covered with corals and fishes of all species. One can observe blennies, groupers, barracudas, moray eels, scorpion fish, hawksbill turtles and garden eels.

Diving at Little Cayman

The youngest of the three islands is a little gem that holds a lot of surprises. A true sanctuary for iguanas, its panoramas are also breathtaking. Isolated beaches, lagoons and mangrove forests make it a magical natural environment. The dives are accessible to all levels and are mainly done in the Bloody Bay Marine Park. The species that populate these waters are mainly turtles, lobsters, groupers, eagle rays, blennies, lobsters, crabs, nurse sharks and moray eels. Large walls totally covered with dense and lush vegetation are also present on this site. It is, without a doubt, the most beautiful spot of Little Cayman.

When to dive in the Cayman Islands?

In the Cayman Islands, you are assured, whatever the weather conditions, to dive in incredible spots that will give you strong aesthetic shocks. It is, however, advisable to be careful during the hurricane season between June and November because the sea is likely to be agitated. The water temperature and visibility are very pleasant and offer unforgettable diving trips.

What are the diving conditions?

Water temperature: You will swim in water with an average temperature of 25 to 28°C all year round, which is pleasant for diving.

Visibility in clear water is excellent but can be blurred by swell. It is around 100 to 200 feet depending on the location of some dive sites. Visibility would tend to be higher along the large drop-offs.

The currents are variable but offer dives accessible to all. Large pelagics can be seen in rough seas.

Difficulty and level : From snorkeling to macro photography to deep diving, there is something for all tastes and levels. From beginner to experienced, you will necessarily find something for you. It is even an ideal destination for beginners.

What can you expect to see during a dive in the Cayman Islands?

How to say it? Every dive spot in the Cayman Islands is authentic and you will feel like a fish in water. This is the charm and warmth of the Caribbean. The sites are numerous and unique, the setting is idyllic and enchanting, the fauna and flora are rich in colors and nuances. It is a true haven of peace surrounded by flamboyant vegetation and populated by animal species, some of which are endemic. Historic and preserved shipwrecks where sharks, turtles, morays, snappers, groupers, tarpon, lute, seahorses and especially the star of the place the stingray, make the experience even more impressive. An abundance of corals, sponges, anemones and gorgonians bloom along the carcasses rusted by the water and by the time, to offer us a sumptuous spectacle. In a few words, this is a destination to be discovered at least once in a lifetime!