Scuba and Wind in Grand Cayman

[H2Joe]

I'm planning a dive to Grand Cayman this upcoming weekend. The forecast is for 15 to 20 mph winds. How is this level of wind likely to affect the diving there? I can cancel until tomorrow....

 

[Drew Sailbum]

Well, it depends entirely on what part of the island. 15-20 mph winds are not really all that uncommon.

Off the lee shore (downwind) the seas will be calm. Dive sites are fairly close to shore all around the island. Most frequently, the west side (Seven Mile Beach) is the lee shore.

East End more commonly has rougher seas. Still in 15-20 mph winds, diving is very easy to accomodate. Seas will be rougher that the lee shore, but there are options to limit discomfort and safely dive.

 

[Aquamutt]

I just got back from a week in Grand Cayman where I dove five times (Tarpon Alley, Lemon Drop-off, Stingray City in the West End and Anchor Point and Black Rock Reef in the East End). Those wind levels are no cause for concern. Ocean Frontiers (in the East End) is a great outfit - very professional and good company too! Don't even THINK of missing Stingray City...wow!

 

[R.Soper]

H2Joe,

You can always find somewhere on the island out of the wind, if its a northwester you can go south (and i beleive east too.) I was told it was supposed to be a bit of a "northeaster" this weekend, and so the west side dive sites will be fine.

 

[Torontonian]

Don't even THINK of missing Stingray City...wow!

Haven't been to Cayman before, but might go there this late summer on a cruise ship. So is this one of the must go, or THE must go dive site? Any good links to explain why? Would this be a good place for my wife to go as a snorkler?

Thanks.

 

[Aquamutt]

Haven't been to Cayman before, but might go there this late summer on a cruise ship. So is this one of the must go, or THE must go dive site? Any good links to explain why? Would this be a good place for my wife to go as a snorkler?

Thanks.

If you're only going to do one dive in the Caymans (I would recommend more) then Stingray City is the one. There are tons of Stingrays who got used to being fed by divers and they come right up to you to chow down and get petted. They feel like fine sandpaper on top and slick underneath. There was also a tame (?) Green Moray Eel that played with the divers as well. Perhaps www.caymanislands.ky has some good photo links. I'll post some photos of my dive there soon...ok...just did it. Check'em out!

 

[Damselfish]

Many people snorkel at Stingray City, probably more than dive. Actually there are at least 2 sites, one deeper where divers often go and one shallower where they tend to take snorkelers. If she went with you on a dive oreinted boat she could certainly snorkel above and watch but might not get any interaction with the rays. Though if she has food then they'd probably come up to her too.

I don't know that I agree SC is "the dive" to do if you're doing only one. It is a neat experience but there are plenty of beautiful walls and reefs it would be a shame to miss, especially if you haven't done much of that. But depending on schedule, you can probably get on a 2 tank trip that does a site on the North Wall and Stingray City.

 

[nipi]

It's pretty flat on the south now so we are diving Prospect Reef Tunnels tonight followed by recompression at the Country & Western.

 

[aiki]

Many dives sites are great and interesting; operator often picks the side of the island with better conditions.

Sting Ray City is memorable, I don’t' think the feeding is allowed any more by visitors (only by DMs) since a DM got seriously injured (hand) by a moray eel thought to be tame a year and a half or two ago. This eel was later relocated.