sail_and_dive
Registered
We are debating whether to go to Little Cayman Sat-Sat (Nov 27 - Dec 4) or Mon-Mon (Dec 20-27). Any advice or thoughts about differences in water clarity and temperature would be appreciated.
Little Cayman Water Clarity: Nov or Dec?
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jdcpa
Contributor
I have never noticed any difference regarding clarity between those dates.
The clarity differences you get are based upon the wind and surge. The more northeasters, the more sand and particulate matter moves around in the water and the vis goes down. Never bad vis, just not as good as other dates.
It can go either way, it depends on the weather pattern. Statistically speaking you are more likley to get a front pass through in December than November, so it is more likley that December may have that issue more so than November.
The water temperature is pretty much the same, maybe a degree, two at the most difference. I would Google the question for the exact answer. I have not seen any water temp below 78 in either case, if that low. Mostly around 80.
The temperature issue you will notice is the air temperature if a front passes through. The air temperature can get cooler in late December than November.
We travel both of those times every year and really enjoy it.
If the northeasters are blowing, you get to dive the south side, which we enjoy and don't see as much of.
The clarity differences you get are based upon the wind and surge. The more northeasters, the more sand and particulate matter moves around in the water and the vis goes down. Never bad vis, just not as good as other dates.
It can go either way, it depends on the weather pattern. Statistically speaking you are more likley to get a front pass through in December than November, so it is more likley that December may have that issue more so than November.
The water temperature is pretty much the same, maybe a degree, two at the most difference. I would Google the question for the exact answer. I have not seen any water temp below 78 in either case, if that low. Mostly around 80.
The temperature issue you will notice is the air temperature if a front passes through. The air temperature can get cooler in late December than November.
We travel both of those times every year and really enjoy it.
If the northeasters are blowing, you get to dive the south side, which we enjoy and don't see as much of.
OP
sail_and_dive
Registered
This is helpful; thank you!
AggieDiver
Contributor
One other thing to consider is that most folks travelling to LC do a Sat to Sat schedule, so if you do Mon to Mon, you may have a less crowded plane and a light boat on Saturday when they are all flying out. We went on a Wed to Wed trip in August, and our plane to LC was only about half full, and my wife and I and one person working at the Marine Institute were the only ones who got off at LC.
Damselfish
Contributor
Monday-Monday definitely has the advantages mentioned, we try to avoid Saturday. The inter island flights tend to get booked on the weekend especially the most desirable times on Saturday - the ones that best match schedules with incoming/outgoing flights. If you can get on the flight you want there's still a good possibility of some luggage getting delayed to a later flight or having to send a bag to GC early for the return. (Not really a problem but nice if you don't have to.)
Deac in the Wake
Contributor
jdcpa's post is dead-on. I'd only add that I once dived the Wall on LC and we had viz over 800 feet. It was amazing. You could actually see further in the water than out. Who would've guessed?:cool2:
One other thing about sister-island flights: they may not be full seat-wise but there's a lot of cargo that goes back and forth and a pilot may bump passengers or leave with empty seats due to weight loads. By far, I've seen the strangest cargo on the GCM-LC-Brac routes.
One other thing about sister-island flights: they may not be full seat-wise but there's a lot of cargo that goes back and forth and a pilot may bump passengers or leave with empty seats due to weight loads. By far, I've seen the strangest cargo on the GCM-LC-Brac routes.
Day of week depends somewhat on where you connect in the States. I have found that it is difficult to make connections from Houston during the week. Last time I checked the only non-stop flight from Houston to Grand Cayman is Saturday only . . . for obvious reasons.
Having said that, there is always a way to get there. It just might involve connecting in a Cayman Airways hub.
Having said that, there is always a way to get there. It just might involve connecting in a Cayman Airways hub.
AggieDiver
Contributor
We flew Continental non-stop to GC from Houston on Wednesday back in August.
carriemak
Contributor
After going to LCBR for 9 years, I think we have mastered the 55# weight limit. Just don't take a lot of clothes or anything extra! You won't need it.
AggieDiver
Contributor
Just the switch from booties and open heel fins to full foot fins saved my wife and I several pounds each. Since there is little or no shore diving from LCBR and the water is very warm, there is really little need for booties.
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