Still not convinced that a signature diving trip with Cayman Turtle Divers is the experience of a lifetime? Peruse our FAQs below for answers to any Cayman Island diving questions you may have before booking you trip.
See something that’s not listed? Contact us to speak in person! We are happy to help plan your Cayman Island diving experience.
Diving in Grand Cayman during your port of call can sometimes be difficult when not arranged through the ship tour operators but in the Cayman Islands we've got it pretty easy. Cruise ships usually arrive in Grand Cayman in the early morning and begin tender operations shortly thereafter, getting you to shore in plenty of time to enjoy diving on Grand Cayman. Buses and taxis are parked conveniently close to the North, South and Royal Watler cruise terminals, making transport to Seven Mile Beach a breeze.
With our 8:30 a.m. Grand Cayman diving departures and our fast, dry and seaworthy dive boat we can whisk you away from reality and to the best dive sites that Cayman has to offer. Because most of Grand Cayman's dive sites are close to shore, we get you back in plenty of time to enjoy lunch on the beach with the rest of the family or a stroll through Grand Cayman's historical downtown George Town before tendering back to your ship.
We go wherever the best diving conditions are so that is all dependent on weather. Most of our year is spent diving and exploring the West and North walls of Grand Cayman Island. When things get a little windy we find calm waters on Grand Cayman's West and South walls. No matter where we dive we offer complimentary pickup along Seven Mile beach at your hotel or condo. Pickups are done by van or by boat just on the water's edge.
April – October
Temperature ranges 80F to 84F.
Protection: Swimsuits, dive skins & lightweight wetsuits
October – March
Temperature ranges 78F to 80F.
Protection: Full and Shortie wetsuits and lightweight wetsuits
Generally, 100' plus year round, but some sites are affected by tide changes and rain reducing visibility slightly.
We use new SCUBAPRO Pilot BCD’s with MK2/ R295 Regulators and Octos. Rental masks are made by Akona and fins by Mares. All dives include complimentary computer use with our new Suunto Gecko Nitrox compatible computers. We try to maximize your bottom time on every dive so for your comfort we also have Henderson 2.5mm shortie wetsuits for rent.
When diving with us we put a maximum of 6 divers on each boat trip unless otherwise requested. We provide a guided tour on each and every snorkel or diving excursion. We believe in small groups so everyone gets the care and attention they deserve. No crowds means everyone can see the critters!
Weather dictates where we dive at different times of the year. We prefer to dive the North, West and South sides of Grand Cayman Island.
Many of Grand Caymans West and South side dive sites are just a few minutes off shore. It's rarely more than a 15 minute boat ride to some of the best wall dives the Cayman Islands have to offer. When diving Grand Cayman's North side we cruise out a little further to get outside of the barrier reef. Cayman Islands dive boat rides tend to be about 20 minutes.
Grand Cayman has over 160 named dive sites. With new sites going in all the time and the scheduled sinking of the USS Kittiwake very soon, we can satisfy anyone’s underwater desires.
We provide our guests with a complimentary assortment of snacks and ice water on all of our Cayman diving tours and charters. If you would like, we are happy to arrange catered lunches and snacks with prior notice.
Bring a towel, some sunscreen and an appetite for fun. You are welcome to bring your own snacks and drinks as we have a cooler with ice on board.
If it has been more than a year and you have less than 25 dives, then we strongly suggest you take a dive refresher course. If it has been more than 18 months and you have less than 10 dives, then we do require a refresher course – see our dive rates.
Temperatures in the Cayman Islands are almost always pleasant. These Caribbean islands experience fairly even temperatures throughout the year. In January, temperatures range from 73 to 81; in July, norms range from 80 to 88 (all in degrees Fahrenheit). The Cayman Islands' rainy season runs from May to November, and annual rainfall is about 46 inches. Don't be afraid to visit during the rainy season, though; unlike the sustained afternoon thunderstorms of Miami and other tropical locations, Cayman rain showers are short, sporadic, and won't impede vacation fun.
The Cayman Islands dollar is legal tender in these islands. The Cayman dollar is exchanged at a rate fixed to the US dollar (CI $1 equals US $1.25). The Cayman Islands dollar is issued in units of $100, $50, $25, $10, $5 and $1 with coins of 25 cents, 10, 5 and one cent. When shopping and eating out, be sure to identify which currency prices are marked in. You will find prices in both CI and US across the island. Don't worry about converting US dollars, however; you'll find them welcome throughout the island, although you may receive change back in CI dollars.
Children can begin to SCUBA dive at 10 years old. I recommend the Discover SCUBA course for the little ones. The course is designed to teach just the basics. In just an hour or two, your child can experience the sensation of breathing from a regulator and the weightlessness of neutral buoyancy. If it’s just not their thing, both child and parent have made a minimal investment. Parents or guardians must sign for any child under 18 years old.
A hyperbaric chamber is available for treatment of decompression illness. It is located at George Town Hospital in the heart of Grand Cayman. Make sure you have updated your DAN insurance before you leave on your Cayman Islands dive holiday.
