Grand Cayman Dive Locations

[Ab]

I am going to be doing some diving on Grand Cayman and am looking to find out what the best dive spots are that are available by boat. Thank you in advance.

 

[TampaScuba]

I love Grand Cayman, the North side is less touristy and I saw a 20 foot long Spotted eagle ray when I was just snorkeling, place is amazing. We also swam with tons of sea turtles! Make sure you make it out to rum-point and visit Berry the barracuda under their dock. He's docile and you can get pretty close HAVE FUN!

 

[Damselfish]

I am going to be doing some diving on Grand Cayman and am looking to find out what the best dive spots are that are available by boat. Thank you in advance.

Do you already have a place you're staying?

 

[Ambassador Divers]

iDive Global Locations

Here you go..enjoy!

 

[Doctorfish]

For a new diver, you probably should stick to the West or maybe North Wall. You will be spending a fair amount of time looking at your gauges or the DM anyway. The diving you will probably enjoy most would be shallower second dives where you don't have to worry about depth, bottom time and air consumption as much. In my opinion, the shallow dives on the west are better than the North. Towards the end of your trip, once you are feeling comfortable, you should consider some shore dives at sites like Turtle Reef, Sunset House, Lighthouse Point etc.

 

[Ab]

I am staying at Sunset House.

 

[tkaelin]

I think you might enjoy the Kittiwake wreck and Sunset House has trips to the site.

 

[Ab]

Do you already have a place you're staying?

Should have replied with a quote... very new to scubaboard but i'm staying at Sunset House

 

[diversteve]

Boat dives from Sunset House tend to stay along the west/south sides due to the distance. What's kind of odd about their site list is that North and East sites are listed first, I'd be very surprised if they do any of those on a regular 2-tank. Almost nobody does the East side except on special excursions.

The Kittiwake as mentioned might be a good option, anyone OW can dive the 1st three decks. Stingray City can also be a lot of fun one afternoon, from SH they'll van shuttle you over to their boat on the sound. They keep one at the north pier for that.

If they still do it, once everyone is on the boat they'll ask for suggestions. Some off that list you could ask about:

south
Japanese Gardens
Blackie's Hole - we liked this dive.
Eagle Ray Rock (not Pass)

west
Killer Puffer
Aquarium
Knife
Trinity Caves (IIRC deeper than they list)
Orange Canyon (IIRC deeper than they list)
Bonnie's Arch
Big Tunnels (listed at 55' but the Tunnel is 90+) Staying above it you're mostly in blue water.

I think their listing is showing mooring depth and not dive depth. Most of the sites could be up to 100' for the 1st dive. Many have a shallower option but some don't.

Turtle Reef would be a good 1st shore dive. It's a bit of a drive from SH but it's shallow, has an easy entry and the mini-wall is 40yds. offshore. And bottoms out at around 50-70'. The wall is just covered with stuff, as the name indicates there's always turtles there and if you go south there'll be a hundred+ Tarpon hovering in the shadows pretty shallow. Nearby both Lighthouse Point and Cobalt Coast are also shore options. If you don't have a car, Andy's Rental will pick you up. SH probably has arrangements also.

If the Silversides are still in at Devil's Grotto in town (maybe another month) that's an excellent interesting shallow dive. Not so much if they're not - it's pretty featureless with a few wistful Tarpon still hoping. It's also 100 yds from the cruise port so plan accordingly. You'll see the ships from Sunset House. it's a cheap cab ride. You can also dive Eden Rock at the same location. Eden Rock Dive has tanks on-site - Sunset actually won't let you remove them from their property.

We also had a very pleasant afternoon at Sunset House. Surface swam out to the Nicholson ball then dropped and drifted back over the Mermaid and ended up in the shallows to the north of the Saltwater Pool. We must've been near the photo school practice area because the fish were super friendly. My Bar is great after.

 

[Lopez116]

Boat dives from Sunset House tend to stay along the west/south sides due to the distance. What's kind of odd about their site list is that North and East sites are listed first, I'd be very surprised if they do any of those on a regular 2-tank. Almost nobody does the East side except on special excursions.

The Kittiwake as mentioned might be a good option, anyone OW can dive the 1st three decks. Stingray City can also be a lot of fun one afternoon, from SH they'll van shuttle you over to their boat on the sound. They keep one at the north pier for that.

If they still do it, once everyone is on the boat they'll ask for suggestions. Some off that list you could ask about:

south
Japanese Gardens
Blackie's Hole - we liked this dive.
Eagle Ray Rock (not Pass)

west
Killer Puffer
Aquarium
Knife
Trinity Caves (IIRC deeper than they list)
Orange Canyon (IIRC deeper than they list)
Bonnie's Arch
Big Tunnels (listed at 55' but the Tunnel is 90+) Staying above it you're mostly in blue water.

I think their listing is showing mooring depth and not dive depth. Most of the sites could be up to 100' for the 1st dive. Many have a shallower option but some don't.

Turtle Reef would be a good 1st shore dive. It's a bit of a drive from SH but it's shallow, has an easy entry and the mini-wall is 40yds. offshore. And bottoms out at around 50-70'. The wall is just covered with stuff, as the name indicates there's always turtles there and if you go south there'll be a hundred+ Tarpon hovering in the shadows pretty shallow. Nearby both Lighthouse Point and Cobalt Coast are also shore options. If you don't have a car, Andy's Rental will pick you up. SH probably has arrangements also.

If the Silversides are still in at Devil's Grotto in town (maybe another month) that's an excellent interesting shallow dive. Not so much if they're not - it's pretty featureless with a few wistful Tarpon still hoping. It's also 100 yds from the cruise port so plan accordingly. You'll see the ships from Sunset House. it's a cheap cab ride. You can also dive Eden Rock at the same location. Eden Rock Dive has tanks on-site - Sunset actually won't let you remove them from their property.

We also had a very pleasant afternoon at Sunset House. Surface swam out to the Nicholson ball then dropped and drifted back over the Mermaid and ended up in the shallows to the north of the Saltwater Pool. We must've been near the photo school practice area because the fish were super friendly. My Bar is great after.

Silversides are still in. I dove Eden Rock last year with no silversides and this year with them. Was not expecting much, but I was absolutely blown away.

I took video with my iphone, which turned out pretty good. I will try to upload tomorrow.


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