Little Cayman Swells in late Feb/early March?

[wolfegirl]

We'll be going to LCBR on 2/23 and I was looking at the dive sites on their web site. Having been there before (in '07), wondering how many sites will be repeats from previous trips. I know they try to select sites with least swells on any given day, so does anyone know what direction the swells are expected to be coming from in late February? ..or if you were there that time of year, which side of the island was usually calmest?

thanks.

p.s. was lionfish served at LCBR during your stay(s)? When we were there previously, they hadn't yet invaded.

 

[zf2nt]

The swell will vary with the winds, so there is no general rule you can make. Don't worry about repeats from previous trips, by the way. I go back to some of the same sites over and over and always find something new. Most of these sites I have done many hundreds of times, and I still love them.

 

[Damselfish]

I agree, I would say don't worry about repeats. While I like to dive a variety of sites on a single trip, when I return the next time I'm happy to dive the same ones again.

Was last there Aug 2012, don't recall about the lionfish. They may have been serving lionfish fingers at the managers reception but not sure. Wasn't like something on the dinner buffet.

 

[releck97]

In general, the winds are from the east/northeast at this time of year. As soon as you plan your trip based on the prevailing winds, Mother Nature will throw you a curve ball. As stated above, enjoy your trip and dives, no matter where the swells take you!

 

[keyshunter]

We'll be going to LCBR on 2/23 and I was looking at the dive sites on their web site. Having been there before (in '07), wondering how many sites will be repeats from previous trips. I know they try to select sites with least swells on any given day, so does anyone know what direction the swells are expected to be coming from in late February? ..or if you were there that time of year, which side of the island was usually calmest?

p.s. was lionfish served at LCBR during your stay(s)? When we were there previously, they hadn't yet invaded.

Can you accurately predict the weather in Needham, Mass. during that time frame? Cayman weather is just as unpredictable. Since I spend most of my time in the Keys, I do quite a bit of weather watching. Forecasts for weather even a few days out are far from infallible. The advantage to the Caymans is that, being islands, there is usually a lee side to dive. The crews at LCBR select sites primarily based upon sea state, visibility, and current. I have been on Little many times at that time of year (and am planning on being there this Mar. as well). There are times we have not been able to dive the north (BBMP) side of the island for a week or more. Which was fine with me, since I much prefer the more pristine wall on the south side of the island. And, there have been times we did the north side every day. It is just the luck-of-the-draw, but both side have excellent diving.

 

[zf2nt]

There are times we have not been able to dive the north (BBMP) side of the island for a week or more.

That is extremely rare. I have gone back through my log book several times and never found a stretch longer than 4 days when the boats didn't get over to the north shore.

HOWEVER...I'm sitting on the porch at the Trust House on Little Cayman right now, using their Wi-Fi hotspot, because the winds are too big out of the north to go out. Today is the 4th day in a row...and tomorrow is not looking good. This may emerge as the first 5 day stretch in my logbook, and that goes back many years.

Bruce

 

[Damselfish]

Can you accurately predict the weather in Needham, Mass. during that time frame?

They can't predict the weather around Boston the day before, as evidenced by the 8" of "snow showers" we got yesterday..but I digress.

 

[keyshunter]

That is extremely rare. I have gone back through my log book several times and never found a stretch longer than 4 days when the boats didn't get over to the north shore.

HOWEVER...I'm sitting on the porch at the Trust House on Little Cayman right now, using their Wi-Fi hotspot, because the winds are too big out of the north to go out. Today is the 4th day in a row...and tomorrow is not looking good. This may emerge as the first 5 day stretch in my logbook, and that goes back many years.

Bruce

Unless you manage to slip into the small predicted weather window Tuesday, you may set an all time personal record. LOL