Cayman Islands

All three of the Cayman Islands (Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman) feature full-service dive operations offering a wide range of services for divers of all experience levels, from shallow sites perfect for beginners to depths suitable only for hardcore techies. Guided boat trips take divers to spectacular sites, most located within half an hour’s ride from shore. Shore diving is also available. Underwater visibility is consistently in the “excellent” range, averaging from 60 to 100+ feet (60 to 30+ meters). A light skin suit or 3-mm wet suit will suffice, as water temperatures range from 70 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit (21 to 29.4 degrees Celsius) year-round.

Of the Cayman Islands’ 365 named dive sites, 240 of them are on Grand Cayman. Shallow reefs and deep walls are adorned with colorful corals and punctuated with plentiful marine life. And the turtles don’t shy away from scuba divers, so if you don’t chase them, they’ll likely hang around for a while, maybe posing for a photo or two. For those who’d rather enter from shore, you can gear up at one of several waterfront dive centers and literally take the stairs to the seafloor. Freediving is also a popular activity here.