Cayman Islands Scuba Diving
The Cayman Islands are a world-renowned destination for scuba diving, offering crystal-clear waters, colorful coral reefs, and an abundance of marine life. The three islands that make up the Cayman Islands – Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac, and Little Cayman – are surrounded by some of the most stunning dive sites in the Caribbean, with a range of options for divers of all levels. From shallow, beginner-friendly reefs teeming with tropical fish to deep, advanced-level dives to explore shipwrecks and walls, there’s something for every type of diver in the Cayman Islands. The islands are also home to a number of professional dive operators and resorts, offering everything from guided dives and certification courses to underwater photography and videography services.
Popular Dive Sites in the Cayman Islands
Here are five of the most popular and highly recommended dive sites in the Cayman Islands, each with their own unique features and experiences for divers of all skill levels.
- Bloody Bay Wall – Located on the northwest coast of Little Cayman, this site is renowned for its sheer drop-off and abundance of marine life, including schools of fish, sea turtles, and reef sharks.
- Stingray City – This site, located on the north coast of Grand Cayman, is famous for its resident population of southern stingrays. Divers can interact with these gentle creatures in shallow, crystal-clear water.
- Babylon – This site, located off the west coast of Grand Cayman, is known for its spectacular coral formations and deep crevices that are home to a variety of marine life, including schools of colorful fish, lobsters, and nurse sharks.
- Trinity Caves – Trinity Caves features a series of interconnected swim-throughs and tunnels that provide a fascinating underwater experience. Divers can also spot a variety of marine life, including eagle rays and reef sharks.
- Eagle Ray Pass – This site, located on the north coast of Grand Cayman, is named after its resident population of eagle rays. Divers can watch these graceful creatures swim by in crystal-clear water, and may also encounter reef sharks, sea turtles, and schools of fish.
- North Wall – This is has the deepest depths for scuba diving in Grand Cayman. A popular dive site on the North Wall is Ghost Mountain and on a clear visible day, it’s definitely a sight to behold. Other interesting facts about the North Wall are the higher chances of seeing Eagle rays, which are amazing creatures.
Dive Operators in the Cayman Islands
Below is a list of top-rated dive operators in the Cayman Islands — please contact them directly to get their current rates, pick up times and drop-off locations.
Living the Dream Divers
Living the Dream Divers is a highly rated and reputable dive operator in the Cayman Islands, located on the north side of Grand Cayman. They offer personalized diving experiences and small group sizes for divers of all levels, and are known for their attention to detail and exceptional service.
Red Sail Sports
Red Sail Sports is one of the largest watersports operators in the Cayman Islands, offering a wide range of scuba diving activities, from shore diving to boat dives, and certification courses.
Ambassador Divers
Ambassador Divers is a family-owned and operated dive operator located on the west side of Grand Cayman. They offer daily boat and shore dives, as well as snorkeling trips and courses for all levels.
Cayman Turtle Divers
Cayman Turtle Divers is a PADI 5-Star Dive Resort offering daily scuba diving trips to some of the best dive sites in the Cayman Islands.
Ocean Frontiers
Ocean Frontiers is a dive resort located on the East End of Grand Cayman, offering diving excursions to the pristine reefs of the island’s less-traveled areas.
Eden Rock Diving Center
Eden Rock Diving Center is one of the oldest dive operators in the Cayman Islands, offering guided dives and snorkeling trips to some of the island’s most famous dive sites.
Sunset House
Sunset House is a dive resort located on the southwest coast of Grand Cayman, offering diving trips to the island’s best dive sites, including the famous wreck of the USS Kittiwake.
Dive Tech at Cobalt Coast
Dive Tech at Cobalt Coast is a dive resort located on the northwest coast of Grand Cayman, offering diving trips to some of the island’s most remote dive sites, as well as certification courses and technical diving.
Indigo Divers
Indigo Divers is a boutique dive operator located on the East End of Grand Cayman, offering personalized dive experiences and small group sizes.
Off the Wall Divers
Off the Wall Divers is a PADI 5-Star Dive Resort located on the east side of Grand Cayman. They offer daily boat and shore dives, as well as wreck diving and night diving.
Tortuga Divers
Tortuga Divers is a dive operator located at the Westin Grand Cayman Seven Mile Beach Resort & Spa, offering daily diving trips to the island’s top dive sites, as well as certification courses and snorkeling trips.
Divetech at Lighthouse Point
Divetech at Lighthouse Point is a dive resort located on the northwest coast of Grand Cayman, offering diving trips to some of the island’s most remote dive sites, as well as certification courses and technical diving.
Indepth Watersports
Indepth Watersports is a dive operator located on the west side of Grand Cayman, offering daily boat dives, shore dives, and certification courses. They specialize in customized dive trips and small group sizes.Boat Dives in the Cayman Islands
It is difficult to come up with a top ten list for boat dives as every single dive site has a unique feature. In the Cayman Islands, dive sites are named after their uniqueness and sometimes after Divers themselves that discover the site. Another problem when creating a top ten dive site list is that it is difficult for a diver to request a dive site unless weather permits. Dive operators plan dives depending on wind and water factors that make it safe for diving. If all the safety factors are in place that is the only time that divers can request for a specific dive site from the dive operator. Please also read, ten things you need to know about diving in the Cayman Islands to see which part of the island is accessible during the summer and winter months.
Diving Equipment, Supplies, Sales & Service
Cayman’s dive industry is so well developed that there are several stores specializing in repairs, equipment sales and rentals and tank refills. Most dive shops sell or rent at least some gear. But the ones listed here have extensive selection and highly knowledgeable staff who can guide you in your purchase.
10 Things you need to know about diving in The Cayman Islands
1. You don’t have to bring your own equipment
All dive companies in the Cayman Islands provide dive equipment rentals and some of them even provide it as part of the dive rate. Whether it’s a wetsuit or dive computer you need, just ask your dive shop. Several diving supply companies also make it easy for you to rent our purchase the equipment you need.
2. Cayman uses dual currency
Wherever you go, the stores and restaurants will gladly accept both Cayman and US dollars, though the change will always be given in the local currency. Credit and debit cards are widely accepted as are traveler’s cheques. Banks can exchange British Pounds, Euros and Canadian dollars. All other currencies should be converted to one of these four.
3. All dive boats carry weights for divers
You don’t have to worry about weights as all dive boats are equipped with dive weights and weight belts. Weights are included in the dive price, just as tanks are. Whether you are boat diving or shore diving, weights and belts are ready for your dive.
4. If you want to do a North wall dive site, come during the Summer
The best time to do a north wall dive is during the summer months. Cayman’s summer season, from April to September, is when you will find the calmest (and warmest) water. During the winter, when winds are coming out of the north, the North Wall sites may be rough.
5. If you want to do a South side dive site, come during the Winter
The south side of the island is accessible during the winter months. Winter weather patterns coming from the north create a calm lee effect on the south side of the island. So this is the perfect time to explore the dozens of dive sites on Cayman’s southern reefs and walls.
6. You don’t need to wear a wet suit during summer months
The temperatures are warm enough not to don a dive suit but if you get cold easily, then by all means wear a dive suit. Wet suits and skins are available for rental at all dive shops, or can be purchased at the dive supply companies. With the warm water temperature and warming effects of the sun, you can easily dive in the summer without a wetsuit.
7. Dive boats are less crowded during the summer months
If being on a boat with lots of other divers bothers you then the best time to do a boat dive is during the summer months when boats are less crowded. Cayman remains cooler during the summer than some U.S. destinations because there is always a breeze. With low-season rates on offer April to October, summer is a great time to dive.
8. Take seasickness tablets if you get sea sick easily
Northern winds during the winter months can cause boats to rock back and forth and if you get sea sick easily then please take a sea sick tablet before the dive. Boat trips are short as most dive sites are only 15-20 minutes offshore. Check with a pharmacist, either here or at home, about the range of products available from wrist bands to ear patches.
9. Stingray City is accessible all year round
Stingray City dive site lies in the protected waters of North Sound. This sound is large and shallow and ringed by mangroves on 3 sides and protected by the fringing reef on the 4th side. The water is normally calm for this world-famous dive.
10. Easy to do referrals with any dive company on Island
It only takes 2 days for you to get certified if you have done the online courses before coming to the island. All operators offer a check-out dive or certification rate for you to complete your training and achieve your C-card.
This article has been collaboratively crafted with the assistance of AI-driven insights and meticulously curated by Fevi Yu, our SEO Content Manager and Web Administrator. It has undergone rigorous editing and fact-checking by a Destination Editor-At-Large, who is also a resident of the Cayman Islands. Should you have any inquiries, require clarifications, or seek additional information, we invite you to contact us at info@destination.ky
