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The Cayman Islands are famous for world's best waters. All three islands Grand Cayman, Little Cayman, Cayman Brac, have a lot to offer to the water sports enthusiasts. From spectacular dive sites to the crystalline seas with clear warm water, Cayman Islands have everything to lure visitors to it. |
1: Scuba diving and snorkeling
Scuba diving and snorkeling are the most popular water sports on the islands. There are numerous offshore reefs, and further out by boat lies the Cayman Trench, several miles deep and teeming with sea life. Excellent conditions and unique terrain have made the seas around the Cayman Islands the domain of scuba divers. The underwater landscape is unique in the Caribbean region because of a massive trench (Cayman Trench) which plunges down some 25,000 feet. The walls of the trench explode with life - sea fans, barrel sponges and sea whips abound as does a plethora of marine creatures that crawl, hover and dart around the reefs. Given the popularity of the sport, dive operators and dive packages are abundant. If diving is your only quest, go directly to Little Cayman as conditions are more pristine.
2: Windsurfing
Windsurfing is another popular water sports in the Caymans. Grand Cayman's East End, North Sound and west coast combine to create an ideal range of conditions for windsurfers of all levels. Avid windsurfers rate the four miles of reef-protected shallows off East End as the best location. Prevailing winds there are 15-25 miles per hour from November through March, with 6 to 10 knot southeasterly breezes in summer months. Cayman Windsurf, a BilCCentre, is at Morritt’s Tortuga Club, East End T9477492, F9476763, cawin@candw.ky with a full range of BiC boards and UP sails and instruction available. On Seven Mile Beach, Sailboards Caribbean (T/F 9491068, windsuf@candw.ky) also offer rental and instruction, this is a Mistral certified school.
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3: Sailing Sailing is another famous water sports on the Caymans. The Islands offer excellent underwater scenery that delights many visitors. Before you set sail, be aware of safety issues. Coral reefs grow near some islands and the trade winds may be unfavorable. For information about sailing contact the Cayman Islands Yacht Club, PO Box 30 985 SMB, Grand Cayman, T9454322, F9454432, with docking facilities for 154 boats, 7 ft maximum draft. |
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Aquanauts at Morgan’s Habour, PO Box 30147 SMB, T9451953, F9451954, also offers 15 slips accommodating boats of 6 ½ ft draft and the usual facilities. For a social sailing club there is the Grand Cayman Yacht Club, Red Bay Estates, T9477913, PO Box 30513 SMB.
4: Fishing
There are at least 14 companies on Grand Cayman offering fishing. The tourist office can also provide you a full list with prices, which depend on the type of boat you choose. Deep sea fishing boats can be chartered for a half day (US $ 350-700) or full day (US $ 500-1500). Reef and bone fishing is about US $ 400-700 for a full day including all equipment, bait and lunch.
Cayman has many fascinating dive sites to offer.
1: Stingray City
Stingray City is in 12 feet of water and is exclusively visited by scuba divers.
The site was discovered around a decade ago, when North Sound fishermen came to the calmer, shallower waters just over the reef to clean their fish. Soon they noticed stingrays, scavengers by nature, hanging around the boats inhaling any leftovers they could get their suckers on. Next, some particularly brave dive masters got in the water to hand-feed them, and before long the stingrays had become tame, almost pet-like. Today, one can swim under, over, and along with the rays. Their favorite food is squid, which can feed them by hand. At Stingray sandbar, which is only waist deep, one can use a mask and snorkel and watch the rays swarm around, brushing their velvety bellies against the hands and feet.
2: Butterfly Reef
It is a reef mooring type of dive located to the south of Cayman Brac. Its pin depth is 35 ft. and is perfect for diving.
3: Tiara Tunnels (Orange Canyon)
It is a reef mooring type of dive located to the south of Cayman Brac. Its pin depth is 80 ft. and is perfect for diving.
4: Anchor Wall
It is a mini wall reef kind of dive located to the south of Cayman Brac. Its pin depth is 75 ft. and is perfect for diving. Past the reef top at 80 feet, one can find the encrusted fluke anchor of a Spanish galleon wedged into the reef. It marks the entrance to a tunnel that shoots out to a vertical wall falling to 8,000 feet and crawling with some of the most abundant black coral in the Caribbean.
5: Sgt. Major Reef
It is a reef dive located to the south of Cayman Brac. Its pin depth is 32 ft. and is perfect for diving.
6: Lighthouse Reef
It is a reef mooring type of dive located to the south of Cayman Brac. Its pin depth is 28 ft. and is perfect for diving.
7: Airport Reef
It is a reef mooring type of dive located to the north of Cayman Brac. Its pin depth is 32 ft. and is perfect for snorkeling.
Source: www.caymanislands.ky
