Part of the Cayman Islands’ beauty is that they offer warm-water diving year-round. Note that Nassau grouper mating season begins at the end of January and wraps up mid-February. At this time, mature grouper leave their reef homes and congregate at an offshore site. For divers, this means fewer interactions at regularly visited spots. To get to the Sister Islands, you’ll need to take a Cayman Airways flight from Grand Cayman to Little or Brac. This regional carrier also offers direct flights to Grand Cayman from five U.S. cities: New York, Chicago, Dallas, Miami and Tampa.

Little Cayman
Little Cayman Beach Resort is ideal for divers looking to focus on their sport and not worry about much else. It has two restaurants, a pool, a spa and basketball courts where nightly games — not just b-ball — take place. Its on-site shop, Reef Divers, has one of the Caribbean’s most on-the-ball dive staffs that is both incredibly friendly and knowledgeable.

Don’t-Miss Dives

Mixing Bowl In addition to its resident grouper, this steep wall is also a showcase of macro life, and schooling chub and grunts.

Eagle Ray Round-Up Part of the Jackson Bight stretch of Little Cayman’s north shore, this wall dive is a haven for bigger life, including rays, tarpon and Caribbean reef sharks.

Marilyn’s Cut In Bloody Bay Marine Park, this gorgeous drop-off is best known for its large swim-through and Sid Vicious, a damselfish with anger issues.

Cayman Brac
Cayman Brac Beach Resort has a gorgeous beach for its backyard, plus plenty of hammocks. This property also has two restaurants, a pool, and tennis courts, plus there are bicycles to borrow and access to complimentary hiking guides who will show you the trails.

Don’t-Miss Dives

M/V Captain Keith Tibbetts This artificial reef is known for its intact structure, on its port side since November 2008, thanks to Hurricane Paloma.

Knuckles Wall Sand chutes interrupt this gentle slope, adding habitat for lobsters and stingrays; it’s also a good spot to see nurse sharks.

Treehouse Reef This 40-foot site has a resident green moray eel, plus a sizable collection of macro life, such as sea slug.

Diver's Guide to the Little Cayman and Cayman Brac

Average water temp: 77 to 84 degrees
What to wear: There’s a reason the dive guides wear beanies: These dedicated dive resorts give you nearly as many dives as a liveaboard vessel would. After a couple of days of repetitive dives, you’ll want some layering to add to your 3mm full suit.
Average visibility: 60 to 100 feet

For more information, visit DIVING CAYMAN ISANDS.

To read about one diver's trip to the sister islands CLICK HERE.