These legendary islands — Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman — are popular among newbies and veteran divers, techies and snorkelers. From wrecks, deep walls and big-animal encounters to shallow reefs and little critters, there's something for you. As people search for authentic experiences in the far reaches of our world, divers come to Grand Cayman for the wide variety of reefs that wrap around the island like a jeweled garland. Many of the dive sites off Grand Cayman come with the descriptor "world-famous": There is the world-famous Stingray City and Sandbar, world-famous North Wall and Tarpon Alley, and world-famous Seven Mile Beach. There's a reason the International Scuba Diving Hall of Fame is headquartered in Grand Cayman — the island is the big dog of the dive world. Why? Walls that reach almost to the center of the Earth. Intricate mazes of swim-throughs. Vibrant, fish-filled coral gardens. Mysterious wrecks. Pinnacles. Glassy-clear, warm water. Sharks, rays, sea turtles, tarpon and caverns stuffed with silversides. Deep dives, shallow dives, technical dives and everything in between. And it's only an hour-and-15-minute flight from Miami. Grand Cayman's sister islands — Cayman Brac and Little Cayman — also offer spectacular diving, including the wreck of the M/V Capt. Keith Tibbetts and Bloody Bay Wall.

If you've never been to Cayman, it's time to see why divers return to these waters year after year.

DESTINATION PRIMER
AVERAGE WATER TEMP: 82ºF WHAT TO WEAR: Shorty or diveskin (3 mm fullsuit in winter) AVERAGE VIZ: 100-plus feet WHEN TO GO: Year-round WHAT TO EXPECT: Walls, reefs, rays, lots of turtles and divers from all over the world LANGUAGE: English CURRENCY: Cayman Islands dollar; exchange rate is fixed at US$1.25 = 1 KYD TAXES: 10 percent room tax ELECTRICITY: 110V, 60 cycle (U.S. compatible) TIME ZONE: Eastern Standard Time

MUST KNOW
AIRPORT/EXIT FEES: The departure tax is included in airfare KEY GIFT: Seven Fathoms Rum (aged in barrels underwater!) DON'T FORGET: An underwater camera THE VIBE: Relaxing "no-current" dives that totally recharge TOPSIDE: Experiences that can be laid-back or high-energy

MUST DO
In Grand Cayman, release a sea turtle at the Turtle Farm at Boatswain's Beach. Hike to the Bluff on Cayman Brac. FOR MORE INFORMATION SPORTDIVER.COM/CAYMANISLANDS