You might have read the wonderfully detailed blog about Johnny’s diving and adventure explorations in Little Cayman a little while ago. If you haven’t, I urge you to check it out, because today we are going to be talking all about the Little Cayman’s older brother, Grand Cayman.
Now, I’m yet to visit all of the places Johnny’s been last year, but I am sure I can portray to you a unique story of my own, of how I had the adventure of a lifetime in the heaven that is Grand Cayman. I’ll tell you all about my Grand Cayman diving experience, and then you can decide which of the two destinations better suits your idea of a perfect summer getaway. Let’s “dive” in.
Visiting Stingray City
If I had to compare the two, I can immediately tell you what Little Cayman doesn’t have – it doesn’t have Stingray City. Yes, it’s a tourist trap, and yes, it can be expensive if you don’t choose the right diving agency, but boy, does the hype live up to the expectations!
I’ve always been fascinated with marine life, and naturally, I’ve always wanted to touch an exotic marine animal, so naturally, Stingray City presented itself as the perfect opportunity. Bursting with numerous species of native tropical fish, with friendly stingrays happily dancing around you as you reach out your hand for a cute snuggle session, Stingray City was truly one of the best experiences on Grand Cayman. The water is warm, the visibility is phenomenal, and the marine life is peaceful and friendly – what more could you want?
Diving at Lighthouse Point
Speaking of friendly marine life, my visit to the Lighthouse Point just fifteen minutes north of Georgetown was an experience to remember. It was a nice change of pace from the bustling promenades and the golden sandy beaches teeming with curious tourists.
Stepping into the water from a concrete pier, you’ll swim out to shore, encountering a reef wall ranging in depth from 40ft to 70ft. This is also a perfect place for beginners to take their baby steps into scuba diving. Moving forward, you’ll be going deeper and encountering rich marine life. Here, you’ll find everything from tropical reef fish, sponges, and corals, all dancing happily in clear, warm ocean waters.
Visiting Cheeseburger Reef
What a name huh? Such creativity. Nevertheless, this beautiful natural wonder located just downwind of a local Burger King is a memorable diving spot rich with colorful marine life and breathtaking underwater landscapes. The coral formations were truly impressive, boasting beautiful slopes of colorful corals, sponges, and algae.
But that is just scratching the surface. Here, you will find large fish species, turtles, and even reef sharks. However, the summer is the best time of the year to enjoy scuba diving in Grand Cayman, as the seasonal tides bring with them a rush of Atlantic Silversides. Allow the silversides to surround you and make you feel as if you are swimming through a magical orb in the ocean. Truly an unforgettable experience.
Exploring the sunken USS Kittiwake
Let’s face it, sunken ships are among the most popular tourist attractions on earth, and rightfully so. The feeling of descending into the depths to explore a sunken ship and revel in its odd beauty and peaceful solace amidst the wonders of the ocean is simply an unforgettable experience.
Now, what makes this excursion worth your while is that the otherwise minimal marine life in this area allows the wreck to stay virtually intact, so that you can enjoy your exploration and admire the ship in all its glory. Don’t worry, the wreck sits at a comfortable 60 ft below sea level, so reaching it is easy even for complete beginners.
Breathtaking experiences at the North Wall
My story ends with a guided expedition to Babylon, a breathtaking reef wall located at the North Wall of Grand Cayman. Before arriving at Grand Cayman, I read that Babylon is a must-dive location, and one of the best diving spots in all of the Caribbean.
Boy, sometimes, the internet really doesn’t lie. It’s only accessible via boat, which makes it a pristine sanctuary of marine life, perhaps because it’s not readily accessible to such a large number of divers as other spots. From wired and black coral, to rope and barrel sponges coloring the wall in red, blue, purple and green, from parrot fish and tarpons to barracudas and tigerfish, this place has it all.
Much like Little Cayman, Grand Cayman is a tropical destination to remember. The clear blue waters, the teeming marine life, and the friendly surroundings make Grand Cayman one of the best adventures I’ve experienced so far.
About the author
Marie Nieves is a lifestyle blogger who loves unusual trips, gadgets and creative ideas. On her travels she likes to read poetry and prose and surf the Internet. Her favourite writer is Tracy Chevalier and she always carries one of her books in her bag. She spends most of her free time at home walking her Labrador Retriever named Max. She is an avid lover of photography who loves to talk about her experiences. You can find Marie on Facebook or follow her on Twitter and Pinterest.
