Wreck Diving

project indicates that for healthy reef systems, implementing breaks and limiting human interaction could be used as a crucial management practice.

Sadly, many dive sites in Grand Cayman have been affected by the spread of the deadly Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease (SCTLD). Researchers from the US Geological Survey have found evidence that SCTLD is caused by a breakdown in the symbiotic relationship between corals and Zooxanthellae algae. This discovery is a big step towards finding future treatments for this disease. Given the rapid spread of SCTLD in the Cayman Islands, the DoE wants to remind the public to disinfect all snorkel and dive gear before and after each shore dive and boat trip by soaking them in disinfectant solution (with 1% bleach) for 10 minutes.

According to a 2021 United Nations report, marine heatwaves are expected to become more common as the planet warms. This can be devastating to Cayman’s coral reefs and lead to coral bleaching, loss of marine life and loss of ‘reef services’ such as flood protection.

On a more positive note, this year's annual PADI Women's Dive Day invited divers to accumulate 639 hours of dive time on the day in honour of the 2.3 million people diagnosed with breast cancer in 2020. The event raised over CI$10,000 and attracted more than 130 participants locally as well as support and donations from the dive community overseas. The annual PADI Women’s Dive Day occurs on the third Saturday of July and raises money for the Cayman Islands Breast Cancer Foundation.

In addition, Cayman is still actively promoting its lionfish culling programme by encouraging divers and dive operators to safely remove as many lionfish from Cayman waters as possible.

WRECK DIVING Wreck diving is becoming increasingly popular as it provides a dramatic diving experience. There are a number of spectacular wrecks situated around the Cayman Islands and, as more marine life inhabit these sites, the better they get. It’s fair to say that the following dive sites should be at the top of any diver’s list.

The USS Kittiwake In October 2017, this 251ft, 2,200 tonne, decommissioned military ship was toppled on its side by the winds of Hurricane Nate. The hull of the ex-USS Kittiwake is perfectly intact, but its port rail is now burrowed in the sand instead of standing upright. While divers and tourism officials were anxious that this world-renowned dive site, the winner of the TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence, seemed ruined, there was a silver-lining. For many experienced Kittiwake divers, it was like a new dive site altogether! For the less experienced divers, it might be a little more daunting due to the lack of light coming through, but the darkened areas have attracted new breeds of sea life to the site.

The ship rests in 64ft of water off the northern end of Seven Mile Beach and is a great dive site. Go with a guided tour and keep an open mind. The Kittiwake is situated in a marine park which is protected under Cayman Law and this means that nothing can be touched or removed. Wearing gloves and fishing at this site (other than lionfish culling) is prohibited. There is an entry fee to snorkel or dive the site and all vessels, commercial or private, are required to be licensed through the Cayman Islands Tourism Association (CITA). If you would like to dive or snorkel the Kittiwake, you must go with a licenced operator. Contact CITA (Tel: (345) 949 8522) for a list of licenced operators to plan your trip. Due to boat and jet ski traffic, it is not advisable to swim to the Kittiwake from the shore. The fees are CI$8 per day to dive and CI$4 per day to snorkel. You can also get an annual pass for CI$25 or a lifetime pass for CI$200. The cost to license your private boat is CI$50 a year.

Cali Less than 150ft offshore from George Town and 15-20ft deep, the wreck of the Cali is an easily accessible and enjoyable dive for beginners. The 220ft steel schooner, which rests in pieces on the sea floor, is only a oneminute swim from the shore. reefs, the wreckage of this 375ft freighter is home to a large variety of fish and coral. It lies approximately 150ft off the west coast of the Island at a depth of 25ft-40ft. You can explore the ship’s stern section and swim over the three-bladed propellers. The wreck is a popular night dive and is situated around the cruise ship docking area, therefore, it is not accessible when cruise ships are in port and it is recommended you use a dive company or boat. As the proposed new cruise ship dock is no longer being built, enjoy this wreck as much as you’d like! It may just become your favourite site. (Note: You need permission from the harbour master to dive the Balboa)

Oro Verde This 131ft steel cargo vessel is popular among wreck divers. It can be found 40ft-50ft below the surface and approximately 150ft off Seven Mile Beach, so it is not suitable for a shore dive. The amount of marine life available for viewing is spectacular considering how shallow the wreck is. Unfortunately, the ship has collapsed somewhat due to the elements, but the animals that make it their home are the

Snorkelling Sites

George Town Conveniently located, here you will find a mass of coral heads, caves and abundant fish life.

North Sound Here you will find the world famous Sandbar and Stingray City, where you can feed and interact with stingrays in only 3ft of water. The Coral Gardens are nearby, where you will find corals and fish. Both sites are only accessible by boat.

Seven Mile Beach The main snorkelling area here can be found at the north end of Seven Mile Beach at Cemetery Reef, which is about 300ft offshore, but often in less than 10ft of water.

West Bay Down the road from the Cayman Turtle Centre is Lighthouse Point and Cobalt Coast Dive Resort, which are great sites to find elusive sea turtles.

centrepiece of this wreck. Such as, the massive jewfish that has come to be known as George, the moray eel named Kermit, and Puff the barracuda.

Carrie Lee For those who are Trimix certified, the Carrie Lee is recommended as a more challenging and technical dive. The 185ft freighter is completely intact and rests at a depth of 180ft-260ft off the south west coast. The wreck is teeming with marine life and provides a great diving experience. However, divers should take caution against the currents that surround this wreck and monitor their air.

Doc Polson 450ft off Seven Mile Beach, just

Diving Areas

East End Dramatic coral and wall diving. Reef sharks, nurse sharks and even hammerheads can occasionally be seen.

George Town Coral, caves and tunnels at Eden Rock and a mermaid at Sunset House, just south of George Town. Look out for the tarpon!

North Wall Most dive sites on ‘The Wall’ are only accessible by boat. See incredible coral wall formations, sheer walls and occasionally eagle rays, nurse sharks, moray eels and all sorts of other underwater wonders. Inside the reef is the world famous Stingray City, where you can interact with stingrays in 12ft of water.

West Bay Great shore dives from Cracked Conch, Lighthouse Point and Cobalt Coast. You can access ‘The Wall’ via boat trips or underwater scooters, or the mini wall from the shore. The wreck of the Kittiwake is found on the northern end of the West side.

Seven Mile Beach Walls and shallow dives of 35ft-60ft, all accessible by boat.

Sister Islands Fabulous unspoiled diving for all levels of ability, from shallow reefs and deep walls to the Keith Tibbetts Wreck. past Cemetery Reef, lies the Doc Polson wreck. Though the 100ft cable layer sank back in 1982, it is still 80% intact and is populated with diverse marine life, making it one of the most popular dive sites in Cayman. It is recommended to use a boat to get to the site, as there is some boating traffic around the area.

Keith Tibbetts, Cayman Brac This 330ft Russian Brigadier Type II Frigate was sunk in 1996 and is home to thousands of fish, turtles and grunts. Lying about 600ft off shore and 56ft underwater, it is the only Russian warship in the Western Hemisphere available for scuba diving. In 2004, a storm broke the ship in two and its bow now sits at a 45-degree angle. Although the amidships has become a debris field, it is still a popular dive site. The drop off to the wall is only 100ft away from the wreck and extends down thousands of feet giving divers the option of exploring the wall as well.

Dive 365 Dive 365 is an exciting programme that has developed over 360+ separate dive sites around the Cayman Islands, giving divers a unique dive site for every day of the year and more! As well as enabling divers to explore the magnificent underwater world, the programme also allows sites to be rested. The diversity of sites offers dive options for all skill levels. Divers can explore over 230 dive sites in Grand Cayman (not including the yacht moorings) and roughly 134 in the Sister Islands (including the Cayman Brac yacht mooring). For more information call CITA on (345) 949 8522. Additionally, www.idivecayman.com provides HD footage and diver reviews of each site in Grand Cayman, making it a helpful resource when deciding on a particular site.

Lionfish Native to the Indo-Pacific region, it’s believed that an aquarium owner released only eight captive lionfish off the coast of Florida in 1985. While lionfish are strikingly beautiful creatures with their distinctive stripes and spines, they are also an eco-disaster to the Caribbean and its dive industry. They are voracious predators that devour small, juvenile fish and crustaceans in large quantities, as well as competing with native species for space and more food. This, coupled with the fact that they can reach reproductive maturity at less than one-year old, and lay 30,000 eggs every four days, makes them a major problem for Cayman waters. Since they are not native to Caribbean waters, they have no known predators, which means their population will only multiply. The Cayman community is doing its bit by culling the lionfish in order to combat their growing population and save the dive industry. However, be aware that lionfish are extremely venomous. Do not attempt to catch one without proper Department of Environment (DoE) training and a licence. Divers, snorkelers, and fishermen can obtain licences from the DoE to remove lionfish from the sea. The DoE and a couple of dive operators (Ambassador Divers, Divetech, Red Sail Sports and Ocean Frontiers) run a 90-minute licensing course that is open to everyone. For more information, call the DoE on (345) 949 8469, email: doe@gov.ky or visit www.doe. ky/marine/lionfish-invasive.

Lionfish are delicious and completely safe to eat. As a white fish, they are mild and flaky when cooked. If you don’t want to catch them yourself, they appear on the menu at Tukka and Eagle Rays Bar & Grill in East End and Guy Harvey’s in George Town. This is one reef fish we can eat with a clean conscience!

Coral Nurseries Normally all coral in Cayman is completely protected and should never be touched! However, in 2016, four dive operators in Grand Cayman (Cayman Eco Divers, Divetech, Ocean Frontiers and Sunset House), plus the Brac SCUBA Shack and CCMI on Little Cayman, have obtained permits from the Department of Environment and have been growing staghorn coral in small nurseries. This work has begun to lead to clippings from these nursery corals being planted back out on the reef. Over time they will grow and

begin to reproduce more coral themselves, but only if the conditions on Cayman’s reefs stay healthy for corals. However, this labour intensive programme is only effective for a few types of coral. The best thing we can all do for Cayman’s reefs is not to hurt them in the first place. Locally, when boating, do not anchor in coral; when diving or snorkelling, be careful never to touch the reef and when fishing, obey the Marine Park rules, since a healthy fish population is important for a healthy coral reef. Perhaps the biggest threats to coral reefs are overfishing, pollution and climate change, therefore efforts to become sustainable are also important. Anything that individuals or businesses can do to reduce their environmental impact will help Cayman’s coral reefs along with the rest of the planet.

Respecting the Reef As the Islands’ greatest natural resource, home to nearly all of our gorgeous fish, and our protection in the case of any natural disaster, it is essential that coral reefs are preserved and treated with respect. Divers can responsibly explore the spectacular reefs by following these small steps:

Never touch the coral Whether done intentionally or by mistake, touching the coral can cause permanent damage. Never take pieces of coral as souvenirs. Keep control over your buoyancy so you don’t accidentally touch the reef. Remain aware of your fins and other diving equipment –make sure nothing is hanging loose which could brush against the reef.

Use reef-friendly sunscreens Recent studies suggest that most contemporary sunscreens, particularly spray sunscreen, contain damaging chemicals (oxybenzone and octinoxate) which is toxic to coral and even in tiny doses can stunt coral growth, cause coral bleaching and affect marine creatures like shrimp and clams. Instead, use rash guards and reef-friendly sunscreen, which contains only mineral UV-blocking ingredients such as titanium dioxide and oxide, when you are in the water. Reeffriendly sunscreens can be purchased from Foster’s, Kirk Market and Le Visage.

No Diving Overlay Zones Currently, there are seven no diving overlay zones in Grand Cayman and one on each Sister Island that restricts SCUBA diving without permission. Visit www.doe.ky/ marine/marine-parks for details.

LEARNING TO DIVE

Learning to dive is essential for many new arrivals to the Island. Popular training agencies for diver education and certification are PADI, NAUI, SDI, TDI, IANTD, and SSI, offered by a variety of dive operators in Cayman.

Prior to committing to a full certification programme, many people try a Discover Scuba Couse and Dive first (formally known as a Resort Course). This ‘minicourse’ consists of a short theory session where you’ll learn the simple do’s and don’ts of diving, get an introduction to the equipment and learn some very basic skills. You will first start in a swimming pool or shallow confined open water to become acclimatised to being underwater before finally taking a shallow ocean dive with your instructor. This programme normally takes three to four hours and is a great way to see if diving is for you.

While the Discover Scuba Dive is a fantastic introduction, it does have its limitations. You are limited to a shallow depth (40ft max) and you can only dive with the dive instructor or the shop you completed the course with or another dive centre referred by the instructor. If you want to go further, the next step is the Open Water Certification course.

Adult Open Water Courses The open water courses are often completed in as little as three days and is the licence you need to dive. Many people choose the e-learning route which allows you to do the class work at home, and then the remainder of the course only takes two days. This option gets you in the ocean quicker and out of the classroom on your days off. Completion of this training is the minimum qualification required to rent equipment, go on excursions and basically get you in and out of the water safely. Many dive operators on the Island offer flexible learning options designed to suit your schedule.

Dive Courses for Kids & Teens The open water course is also offered to those aged 10 and up, and children under 15 are able to become certified as Junior Open Water divers. Options also exist for you to be taught at home in your own pool.

For little ones, there are lots of educational and fun scuba/snorkel activities available. Programmes include SASY (from age five), Rangers or Seals (from age eight), Junior Open Water Diver (from age ten) and of course, guided diving excursions to the shallow reefs, Stingray City and the Kittiwake. Programmes range from pool sessions to ocean adventures, with kids learning about marine life, fish identification, coral reefs, underwater photography or even cruising on an underwater scooter. The following companies offer dive programmes for children ages five and up: Divetech, Wall to

Wall Diving, Seahorse Diving School and Eden Rock Diving Center.

In 2021, Divetech began beta testing a new PADI Junior Divemaster Programme for ages 15-17. This course involves portions of full divemaster training, with some modifications for younger divers and gives them the opportunity to undertake work experience, gain exposure to the industry and gain practical experience and knowledge. Credit from this programme can be applied towards the full divemaster credentials for up to 36 months after completing the course. Candidates for this course must have an advanced Open Water and Rescue Diver certification, completed first aid/CPR training within the past 24 months and a minimum of 20 logged dives.

pursuit. Don Fosters, Divetech, Eden Rock Diving Center and Sunset House are some of the oldest dive resorts on the Island and all boast great shore diving.

As a certified diver you can also go on boat excursions. For many, the main reason to dive in Cayman is to explore the beautiful walls and drop-offs. You will soon have your own favourite sites and your conversations will turn to North West Point, Tarpon Alley, Great House Wall, Orange Canyon and coral covered passages, where you’ll see eagle rays, horseeyed jacks and hawksbill turtles.

Dive Trips Before long, you will be taking two-tank (two dive locations) trips to explore the renowned beauty of the West Wall, which runs parallel to Seven Mile Beach, the breath-taking North Wall, and East End, where the scenery is some of the most dramatic. Generally, dive boats will leave early and get you home for lunch, however there are afternoon trips as well. The first dive is usually one of the wall dives. Experienced divers will have the opportunity to explore with a guide or their dive buddy. The best thing about guided dives is that the instructors know where they are going and will show you the best a particular site has to offer, as well as the critters. After a short surface interval, you will be on a second dive on one of Cayman’s shallow reefs or wrecks. By exploring the nooks and crannies, you see a host of amazing creatures including lobsters, eels, soft coral, sea anemones and more. In shallower waters, the colours will amaze you and are more vibrant due to the increased level of light.

Sunset House provides great shore diving and boat dives, as does Divetech. Divetech’s mini-wall is a must see, as is the sunken 13ft sculpture of Guardian of the Reef which is half warrior and half seahorse. You should also head out to visit Ocean Frontiers in East End to experience dramatic wall dives and caverns. Finally, Eden Rock Diving Center offers easy access to Eden Rock and Devil’s Grotto. Once you have caught the dive bug, head over to the Sister Islands, known as the diving gem of the Caribbean, for a few days of diving some of Cayman’s pristine dive sites – just a 30 minute flight away. You will not be disappointed with Bloody Bay Wall in Little Cayman, with its beautiful drop-offs, corals and marine life. Finally, Cayman Brac is famous for the Wreck of MV Captain Keith Tibbetts, an interesting and very popular dive site.

ADVANCED DIVING Advanced Diving Courses After completing your open water certification, you may want to complete further courses to build on your experience. The Advanced course introduces you to deep diving, navigation diving, plus three other specialty dives in areas that interest you. The very little classroom study required for the course can also be done online, with the remainder of the course completed in the water.

Various other advanced courses include: underwater photography/videography, search and recovery, stingray interaction, reef awareness, wreck diving, scooters, buoyancy, technical applications and the popular Enriched Air (Nitrox) course.

Technical Diving Technical dives are conducted beyond the 130ft depth limit for recreational diving, they require a decompression stop and occur beyond the light zone or in an overhead environment. This type of advanced, extended-range diving requires a commitment to safe, responsible, selfdisciplined diving.

If you are truly adventurous, you can learn to use Rebreathers (devices originally designed by the military that emit no bubbles or noise), mixed gases or certain techniques for extended-range diving. Rebreather diving (Closed Circuit Rebreathers/CCR) allows you to massively extend your dive time. You could spend three hours at 100ft and, as there are no bubbles, you’ll get up closer to the marine life. Nitrox, Advanced Nitrox, Normoxic Trimix, Trimix and Advanced Trimix courses enable divers to safely explore greater depths. This allows divers to dive to the same depths as normal scuba divers, but for a longer bottom time. It also provides an extra margin of safety as it reduces the amount of nitrogen being absorbed by your body.

A Nitrox course usually costs CI$150 and one-tank of Nitrox will only cost about CI$10 more than a regular tank of air. If you like diving within 100ft-150ft, Advanced Nitrox enables you to stay safely at these depths for about 45 minutes instead of the usual 10-20 minutes.

Normoxic/Non-Hypoxic Training takes divers to the 200ft range, reducing oxygen content to about 18% and adding helium to buffer the effects of narcosis. For those wishing to go deeper (330ft+), Advanced Trimix, Expedition and Rebreather courses, and try-dives are offered by

Divetech.

You may even wish to turn your passion for diving into a career by becoming a Divemaster. Divemaster training develops your skills to a professional level. You’ll work alongside full-time instructors and you get paid too!

FREE DIVING Free diving is a form of underwater diving that relies on a diver’s breath instead of breathing apparatus. Being without equipment allows you to interact with marine life while strengthening your lungs and toning your muscles.

Currently, free diving courses are only offered at Divetech (Tel: (345) 946 5658) and Ambassador Divers (Tel: (345) 916 1064). These courses vary from half-day experiences to a full certification course. Divetech's Experience Programme is designed for snorkelers who would like to increase their capabilities in the water. Ambassador Divers offers a PFI 20m/66ft class. Both courses include basic classroom lessons, followed by shallow water/pool skills and then open water free diving.

For those wanting to pursue free diving more seriously, there is the PADI Free Diver (two days), PADI Advanced Free