Cayman Islands
One of the most popular tourist and dive destinations in the western Caribbean is the Cayman Islands. The Cayman Islands is a trio of islands - Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac, and Little Cayman – located in the Western Caribbean, 480 miles southwest of Miami, about 277 miles south of Cuba, and 310 miles northwest of Jamaica. Through the sky or along the water, there are many routes to the Cayman Islands. But whether you arrive by plane or by boat, you’ll soon see that getting to the islands is simple. With many travel options to the Caribbean, it’s no wonder why divers return again and again.
The rainy season is from May to October and our dry season is from November to April. This doesn’t mean it rains constantly or rarely during these respective times. The names of the seasons simply reflect the trends in the Caribbean. It’s common in summer to have brief showers in the afternoon and occasional rain in the mornings. Rainfall tends to be higher in the western parts of our islands. The average temperature is 75-85 degrees Fahrenheit in winter and 80-95 degrees in summer. Year round, the daily temperature generally stays within the range of 70-95 degrees. Almost all resorts have air-conditioned rooms and seasonal trade winds help make the islands even more enjoyable.
Grand Cayman
Grand Cayman is the largest and westernmost of the island chain. Spanning around 76 square miles and 22 miles long, it offers abundant activities, accommodations, and attractions for all explorers. Visitors experience a captivating blend of art, culture, and nature. This island effortlessly weaves these elements into a perfect Caribbean atmosphere. Starting at the Seven Mile Beach on the west side, this is an endless stretch of award-winning sand for relaxation. Nearby, North Sound offers the unique "Stingray City," where you can interact with graceful stingrays and leave with a heartwarming memory. Venture to George Town, where luxury meets tradition and modern treats. Explore duty-free shopping and engage with native vendors, unearthing global and local treasures. Visit the eastern district, home to rare Blue Iguanas at Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park. Savor freshly caught fish at nearby restaurants, a culinary delight intertwined with local tales.
The first dive shop opened by scuba pioneer Bob Soto in 1957. Today, Cayman is one of the top Caribbean dive destinations, offering more than 40 operators and 365 sites marked with moorings.
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. Our secluded locale, far from other landmasses, is what keeps our oceans clean and our coral healthy. Here you’ll happen upon the most spectacular seawalls in the Caribbean as our islands rest on submerged mountains.
Whether you’re shore diving or off a boat, the waters are about 25°C year-round with some of the best visibility in the world. You can even rent propulsion vehicles and see multiple sites in just one dive, making the most of your time under the water.
One of our favorite resorts on Grand Cayman is Sunset House.
At only ten miles long and one mile wide, there may be more peace and quiet per-square-inch on Little Cayman than anywhere else. Bask on empty beaches with soft sand and only the sound of the breeze rustling the palm trees, or take a bike or a scooter up and down the shore.
Venture to South Hole Sound Lagoon for a secluded swim in water that is every shade of blue. Or row out to the unofficial fourth island in Cayman. Just a kayak away off the coast of Little Cayman, Owen Island offers seascapes in their purest form, making you feel as if you were the last person on the planet.
On land, peaceful Little Cayman offers a calm, serene landscape where the bustle of the birds at the Booby Pond Nature Reserve may be the loudest commotion on land. Little Cayman is so calm because all the activity is set aside for the fish in the surrounding reefs. Bloody Bay Wall Marine Park is one of the most popular dives. With a dramatic drop-off over 5,000 feet, Bloody Bay Wall gives divers the opportunity to glimpse Cayman’s underwater life in a dramatic backdrop. Just 100 feet below the surface, the island’s native sharks, stingrays and turtles can be viewed against the stunning backdrop of the Wall
At only ten miles long and one mile wide, there may be more peace and quiet per-square-inch on Little Cayman than anywhere else. Bask on empty beaches with soft sand and only the sound of the breeze rustling the palm trees, or take a bike or a scooter up and down the shore.
Venture to South Hole Sound Lagoon for a secluded swim in water that is every shade of blue. Or row out to the unofficial fourth island in Cayman. Just a kayak away off the coast of Little Cayman, Owen Island offers seascapes in their purest form, making you feel as if you were the last person on the planet.
On land, peaceful Little Cayman offers a calm, serene landscape where the bustle of the birds at the Booby Pond Nature Reserve may be the loudest commotion on land. Little Cayman is so calm because all the activity is set aside for the fish in the surrounding reefs. Bloody Bay Wall Marine Park is one of the most popular dives. With a dramatic drop-off over 5,000 feet, Bloody Bay Wall gives divers the opportunity to glimpse Cayman’s underwater life in a dramatic backdrop. Just 100 feet below the surface, the island’s native sharks, stingrays and turtles can be viewed against the stunning backdrop of the Wall
Grand Cayman popular dive sites include:
USS Kittiwake - entered service in 1946 and retired in 1994. She was sunk off Seven Mile Beach to create an artificial reef and dive site.
Eden Rock & Devil’s Grotto - Eden Rock and the Devil’s Grotto sit next to each other. Start at the cruise ship port and walk for 10 minutes. Accessible from the shoreline, Eden Rock is brimming with colorful coral and tropical creatures. Then venture to the underwater caves of Devil’s Grotto and see schools of silver sprats and tarpon.
Macabuca - accessed from the shore, with ladders installed to help access the water safely. Here divers get up close and personal with the magic of Cayman’s fish and coral.
Cayman Brac
Named for its breathtaking bluff, Cayman Brac is off the beaten track but remains charming, allowing thrill-seekers and nature-lovers to get up close and personal with rare flora and fauna. Brac is a short 30-minute flight from Grand Cayman. The villages include West End, Watering Place, Cotton Tree Bay, Creek, and Spot Bay. Laidback accommodations offer ideal places to unwind after a day’s adventures and diving. Limestone caves and sinkholes contrast waters with dive sites along seawalls and even a sunken ship. Images courtesy of Climbing Magazine and X-Ray Magazine.
Our favorite resort on this island is the Brac Reef Beach Resort
Cayman Brac dive sites:
Wildneress Wall – located on the southern side of Cayman Brac, this site is a much-beloved dive spot for locals and visitors alike. Divers are amazed exploring this deep wall that drops hundreds of feet into the abyss.
MV Captain Keith Tibbetts - built by the Soviet Union specifically for the Cuban Navy in 1984, its short life ended when it was sunk off Cayman Brac in 1996.
Fry Cove – near Salt Water Point is a hidden gem of the Cayman Brac diving scene. Depending on the conditions, this moderate swell dive will take you to a cave and wall laden with pillar and elk-horn corals. Experience sergeant majors and snapper, and in the summer, spot swarms of silverside minnows as they school.
Little Cayman
At only ten miles long and one mile wide, there may be more peace and quiet per-square-inch on Little Cayman than anywhere else. Bask on empty beaches with soft sand and only the sound of the breeze rustling the palm trees, or take a bike or a scooter up and down the shore.
Venture to South Hole Sound Lagoon for a secluded swim in water that is every shade of blue. Or row out to the unofficial fourth island in Cayman. Just a kayak away off the coast of Little Cayman, Owen Island offers seascapes in their purest form, making you feel as if you were the last person on the planet.
On land, peaceful Little Cayman offers a calm, serene landscape where the bustle of the birds at the Booby Pond Nature Reserve may be the loudest commotion on land. Little Cayman is so calm because all the activity is set aside for the fish in the surrounding reefs. Bloody Bay Wall Marine Park is one of the most popular dives. With a dramatic drop-off over 5,000 feet, Bloody Bay Wall gives divers the opportunity to glimpse Cayman’s underwater life in a dramatic backdrop. Just 100 feet below the surface, the island’s native sharks, stingrays and turtles can be viewed against the stunning backdrop of the Wall.
Want to dive Little Cayman, book the Little Cayman Beach Resort with us..!
Little Cayman dive sites:
Bloody Bay Wall - Cousteau famously declared this spectacular 2km-drop sea wall one of nature's greatest marvels — a prime diving destination for intrepid adventurers seeking to explore its depths! Explore gorgeous coral reefs and get up close to experience fascinating sea creatures. From arrow crabs to octopuses, you'll see a variety of exotic marine life making this one dive that will truly stay with you forever. Sites here include Randy’s Gazebo and Lea Lea’s Lookout.
Jackson Bight – the Mixing Bowl offers sloping reefs and sandy boulevards and you may experience many pelagic species including sharks, groupers, and turtles.