The Cayman Islands are a fantastic getaway for people from all walks of life. A popular spot for a honeymoon, and a great destination for a vacation “just because”, this group of three idyllic islands offers plenty of entertainment above the water, plus an amazing selection of dive sites – in fact, there are so many moored dive sites, that a new program focuses on the fact that divers can pick a new site for each and every day of the calendar year! Let’s take a look at what you’ll find when you dive the Cayman Islands.
Grand Cayman
This is the largest of the three islands, and offers more than 175 dive sites. Whether you want to explore a steep wall covered in brilliant soft coral and swarming with fish and invertebrates, or if you prefer to relax and enjoy a simple shallow dive along one of the many spectacular coral reefs that surround the island, you can do so. The island is also home to quite a few shipwrecks, for those divers with a penchant for history and mysteries!
One of the area’s favorite dives is North Sound’s Stingray City, and with maximum depth at only 12 feet, it can be enjoyed by even the newest of divers. The marine life around Grand Cayman is colorful and curious. You’ll find green sea turtles, beautifully vibrant butterfly, angel, and parrot fish, and gardens filled with bobbing sea eels, plus lots of larger residents, including sharks and manta rays, further out.
Cayman Brac
The second largest of the Caymans, Cayman Brac is home to about 1800 permanent residents, and offers more than 50 unique dive sites. One of these is the MV. Captain Keith Tibbetts, a 330 foot long Russian Class II Brigadier which was purchased by the Cayman Islands and deployed as an artificial reef in 1996. This ship, which is also known as the Russian Destroyer #356, was built in 1984 and is in excellent condition. She lies beneath 108 feet of water, with her conning tower accessible at about 25 feet, and offers an exceptional multi-level dive.
Among the island’s other dive sites, you will find Charlie’s Reef on the north shore, where a six foot green moray resides, and where schooling Spanish grunts greet you. There are walls and overhangs to explore around the island, so pick a site, hop on a charter, and dive right in. Cayman Brac also offers about 20 shore dives, and if you just want to snorkel, you can do that, too. Just remember your camera!
Little Cayman
The island of Little Cayman does offer quite a few reefs, but it is best known for its stunning, sheer walls that drop all the way into the abyss more than 6,000 feet below the surface. This area is home to some of the largest fish, sharks, and turtles you will find anywhere, and the reefs are spectacular. If you want to get away from the crowds and see an astonishing view of big blue, then book a trip to Little Cayman, and you will not be disappointed!
The island is 10 miles long and a mile wide, and offers more than 50 unique dive sites, including Cumbers Cave, which is at a depth of only 20 feet. This area features swimthroughs and a fantasyland of coral heads swarming with all kinds of tropical fish. Once you’re finished diving for the day, you can enjoy Disneyland or Busch Gardens for a different kind of thrill!
With the number of dive sites certain to exceed 365 as more new sites are discovered, the Cayman Islands are easy to get to, plus they offer a real break from everyday life. Once you visit, you’ll want to come back time and again – after all, how many sites can you dive on a week’s vacation?