Scuba diving in the Cayman Islands is as complex as it is diverse and exhilarating. For your convenience and enjoyment, we have broken down every aspect of Cayman Islands Scuba diving into convenient sections, each providing as much or as little information as you desire.

Click here or scroll down for more detailed general information and a few photos, along with the history and geology of Cayman Islands scuba diving; or

Click here to start your tour of the beautiful undersea world of diving in the Cayman Islands.

Dramatic and diverse Cayman Islands scuba diving is the product of geology, which played a key role in fashioning the Cayman Islands into one of the most sought-after watersports destinations in the world. Residing atop the peak of a sheer submerged mountain range, the Cayman Islands are surrounded by the Cayman Trench. The northern edges of the Trench form the massive wall known as the Cayman Ridge, which plunges dramatically to depths in excess of 25,000 feet, making it the deepest point in the Caribbean sea. This drop-off (or ‘wall’) commences its vertical descent approximately 100 yards from shore where depths range from 40 to 60 feet.

When you dive Cayman, you can expect to see an abundance of sea life on every Cayman dive. Diving in Grand Cayman can be divided into four unique areas: west, north, south and east. Superlative diving at each of these dive sites varies upon prevailing wind and sea conditions. However, during all but the winter months, you will find the most consistently calm and clear diving along the west– and to a slightly less extent the north side dive sites. While there is rarely such a thing as a poor or even an average Cayman Islands dive, you will typically realize the most favorable diving on Grand Cayman by selecting a diverse personalized Cayman dive operator offering departures from both the north and west sides of the island. Diving in Grand Cayman will expose you to an exciting assortment of walls, caves, caverns, tunnels, chutes and swim-throughs; as well as thousands of species of fish and coral. Cayman's south side is where you will usually do your scuba diving in Cayman during a nor' wester, which is a cold front causing unfavorable sea conditions on the other sides of the island. The east end of Grand Cayman offers spectacular diving although Grand Cayman's prevailing easterly winds make East End the windward side of Grand Cayman, which creates sea conditions that are typically rougher than other sides of the island. On days when the winds are light out of the south/southwest, there are several spectacular shore dives on East End that will provide some of the best cayman islands dive imaginable. Note that shore diving at our recommended shore dive sites in East End is under most circumstances not for beginners and recommended only for experienced divers and strong swimmers.

Wherever you scuba dive, always follow safe diving practices and ensure that your dive gear is regularly serviced prior to scuba diving in the Cayman Islands. Dive rental is available from all of our recommended dive operators and dive shops, many with discounts for mentioning Activity Guide and Cayman dive gear is always of the very highest quality. Your dive gear is important. All Cayman dive shops adhere to the strictest international standards of safety and Grand Cayman dive shops as well as Little Cayman and Cayman Brac resorts must all adhere to rigorous government regulations put in place to guarantee your safety. There are many dive shops in Grand Cayman so if there is any doubt about the quality or dependability of your gear, be sure to have it inspected and rent replacement diving equipment if yours requires maintenance. When it comes to diving in Grand Cayman, your safety is the greatest concern, parallel only to your overall enjoyment of every single Cayman Islands dive you experience.

Cayman island diving will surely be the highlight of any diver's visit to the Cayman Islands. Whether it's a dedicated Cayman dive vacation or your first Cayman dive trip, your Grand Cayman island scuba diving will provide the most lasting memories and cherished photographs. If you don't have your own underwater camera, consider renting from an affordable variety of options from Cathy Church. Besides having the best duty free camera price and selection Cathy is among the top professional underwater photographers in the world and offers a free lesson with every camera; that in and of itself is truly priceless. While you are there you can view a gallery of her award winning underwater photography from around the world.

When you dive Cayman, you will attain the greatest dive site versatility while maintaining your freedom to enjoy the endless variety of attractions and restaurants by booking your dive and lodging packages separately. We do not offer recommendations for any dive resort in grand cayman because we feel that anyone with dedicated diving being their highest priority will derive the greatest reward and value staying at a Little Cayman dive resort. When you dive Grand Cayman, try to choose a property that best suits your vacation lifestyle and dive with one of our recommended Cayman dive operations to derive the absolute highest satisfaction and value from your Grand Cayman dive vacation.

Scuba diving Grand Cayman island and its sister islands is a must do for every dive enthusiast. Cayman Activity Guide will provide you with all of the Cayman dive information you will need to select the best grand caymen diving operators and sister island resorts, who will make your Cayman Islands dive trip the best, cheapest, most affordable and memorable dive vacation you ever had.

Be sure to check our forums and Activity Guide magazine online for the latest discounts, coupons and special offers; book your dives prior to arrival and save money on all of your diving in the Cayman Islands.

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