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Spectacular coral reefs, vibrant marine life, heart-stopping drop-offs, and elusive sunken shipwrecks—this might sound like a scene from an adventure movie, but it’s actually what you’ll get to experience while scuba diving in the Cayman Islands. You may already know the three islands that make up Cayman—Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac, and Little Cayman—as a sophisticated paradise exuding barefoot elegance, but Cayman is also the birthplace of recreational diving, celebrated for its natural beauty and diverse range of diving sites.
What makes Cayman stand out amongst the sea of Caribbean diving destinations is its optimal location: a secluded, stand-alone position just southeast of the Gulf of Mexico. Being so far from other land masses keeps Cayman’s coral reefs healthy, allowing for crystal clear waters year-round. The islands also happen to be perched atop a submerged mountain range, making drop-offs extreme and one of a kind. Add the natural underwater geography to the sheer number of dive sites—365 in total, one for every day of the year—and you’ve got the ideal location for divers of all levels, whether you’re looking for a devilishly steep drop-off or a simpler yet no less fruitful shore dive. With virtually no currents and pristine visibility, conditions in Cayman are superb for underwater exploration, which is why travelers from around the world venture to this luxe gem every year to explore.
Aside from spectacular sights, visitors can also expect a dose of Caymankind—that signature warm and welcoming Caymanian hospitality—when visiting the islands. Such hospitality is not limited to just hotels and restaurant experiences, either. Cayman’s dive industry is also venerated for its valet services and superb safety measures. Diving staff often handle the transport of gears, tanks, and all other equipment, so guests can simply get on and off the boat, allowing for maximum ease of experience.
As you begin to plan your once-in-a-lifetime diving trip to the Cayman Islands, here are all the incredible underwater sights you need to see to make your trip truly unforgettable.
Ghost Mountain | Located just off the northern tip of Grand Cayman, this boat-accessible freshwater dive site is a wonderful option for the more advanced divers. A giant pinnacle shaped like a mushroom seems to emerge from the deep waters at around 50 feet, and the deepest point of the pinnacle shears off to around 4,000 feet. There is a hole through the pinnacle, but it is unsafe to attempt to swim through it. Divers at Ghost Mountain can expect to find thriving gorgonian fans—a colorful fan of fleshly, soft corals—and octopus sponges, the orange or cinnamon-colored sponges that encrust dead corals and sea walls.
Stingray City | As Grand Cayman’s most popular dive site, Stingray City checks all the boxes. It’s versatile enough for all levels; it’s the perfect place to snap an unbelievable photograph; and you’re guaranteed to see a variety of exciting marine life, including several wild stingrays. If you’re traveling with non-divers, there’s also a wide sandbar where visitors can pet, play with, and photograph the friendly rays. The dive site is protected from the weather by a naturally occurring reef line that keeps things calm most of the year, but the best time to visit is between May and October.
Babylon | Located northeast of Old Man Bay, Babylon is widely considered one of the best wall dives in all of the Caribbean. Babylon is quite remote to access, making it much less touristy and more untouched than other dive sites. The drop starts at 40 feet and descends to over 100 feet, but less experienced divers can enjoy the flats just before the drop-off. The best part about the dive is the incredible wildlife and coral you’ll see along the way, including angelfish, parrot fish, chromis, and barracuda. Some divers even see turtles and sharks, making this dive one you most certainly won’t forget.
Kittiwake | This unique shipwreck dive is one you won’t want to miss. After serving as a submarine rescue ship for nearly 50 years, the USS Kittiwake was decommissioned and gifted to the Cayman Islands tourism board to be sunk as an artificial reef just off the famous Seven Mile Beach. Today, the site is suited for both snorkeling and diving; advanced divers can explore all five of the ships’ decks, whereas more novice divers should stick to the first two levels. Underwater explorers can expect to encounter a variety of marine life at this site, from goliath groupers to squirrelfish and arrowhead crabs.
Bloody Bay Wall | On Little Cayman, you’ll find one of the most venerated dive sites in the Caribbean: Bloody Wall Bay, accessible to both beginners and advanced divers alike, with a drop that plummets down to an astounding 6,000 feet. With a variety of exotic sponges, brightly colored coral, small caves and crevices, and a myriad of vibrant marine life, there’s plenty to see at this exhilarating site.
To learn more about diving in the Cayman Islands and begin planning your trip, visit https://www.visitcaymanislands.com/en-us/experiences/caribbean-diving.