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LITTLE CAYMAN & CAYMAN BRAC
Year:2001
Jewels of the Caribbean
Season: Year-round diving
Visibility: 30-40 metres, sometimes up to 60-70 metres
Water temperature: 26-28°C
Rising from the ocean bed in the clear waters of the
northern Caribbean Sea lies a massive underwater mountain range
known as the Cayman Ridge. Three of its spectacular peaks break
the surface of the water to form the islands of Grand
Cayman, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman. To the north lies the
island of Cuba and to the east Jamaica. The water is deliciously
warm and the diving is easy. No rivers deposit sediment into the
crystal clear waters that are said to be amongst the least polluted
in the world. The islands are surrounded by fringing reefs
with staghorn coral, canyons, pinnacles, archways and of course,
the magnificent walls that provide the necessary protection for
all varieties of marine life while still enabling the larger
pelagic species to come within reach of the diver. Because diving
is such a major part of the tourist industry, diving in the
Cayman Islands has become highly organized and very
professionally run. The diving industry, together with the government,
have formed the Cayman Islands Watersports Operators
Association, which sets the highest standards in diving safety, boat
operation and diving guides. The creation of permanent
mooring sites and continuing environmental education all help to
preserve the health and delicate ecology of the reefs and their
associated marine life.
Whilst Grand Cayman offers good (although often
nowadays rather crowded) diving, the discerning diver should visit
Little Cayman and Cayman Brac in order to experience the very
finest diving that the Cayman Islands, and indeed the
Caribbean as a whole, has to offer. Why not take the chance of
experiencing the joys of superb marine life in crystal clear, warm
water from the exclusive and peaceful Little Cayman Beach
Resort or from the luxurious Cayman
Aggressor. Whether you chose to explore these underwater wonderlands by liveaboard or from
a shore-based location you will soon see why the fine
reputation of these two small islands is very well deserved.
LITTLE CAYMAN
Little Cayman's most famous dive area, Bloody Bay
Marine Park, is widely acknowledged as one of the most varied
and spectacular dive sites in the world. Two walls,
Jackson Wall and Bloody Bay Wall, make up this stunning marine
park where very strict legislation limits the number of dive
boats allowed to operate in the area each day. Only two dive
boats per operator are allowed to enter the marine park and
each boat is limited to no more than 20 divers.
Bloody Bay Wall comprises a 4-kilometre unbroken arc
of magnificent coral wall which starts at a depth of 7
metres and drops vertically to 300 metres. With visibility
reaching up to a spectacular 70 metres, it is thought to be the
clearest and most spectacular diving area in the
Caribbean! There are more than 20 dive sites to choose from along the
wall. Dotted with caves, deeply etched canyons and tunnels,
the wall is rich in large coral heads, tall gorgonians and
brilliantly coloured clusters of tube sponges all teeming with
a variety of multi-coloured fish and many other forms of
marine life. There is so much diving potential that there
are still many unexplored areas of reef. Diving in these
warm waters with exceptional visibility is something you will
remember for a long time!
Jackson's Reef abounds with life. A population of
very friendly French Angelfish are usually more than willing
to pose for photographs. Spotted Eagle Rays, Southern
Stingrays and Green and Black-and-white Morays frequent
the reef. For the night diver there are lots of night dwellers:
octopus, basket starfish and orange ball anemones to name
but a few.
At Marilyn's Cut, outcroppings along the wall provide
anchorage for red rope sponges, yellow tube sponges and
various of gorgonians. The hard corals along the top of the
wall attract colourful wrasse, while the soft corals provide
cover for lurking Trumpetfish. A large Nassau Grouper
(locally known as 'Ben') usually hangs out near a giant barrel
sponge below the crest of the wall. Ben has a great affinity for
camera lenses and has been the star of many underwater
photographs!
Nancy's Cup of Tea begins at about 12 metres, plunges
dramatically in a cascade of overhanging outcrops and ends
hundreds of metres down. Orange and red strawberry vase
sponges festoon rugged limestone mounds. A large pinnacle
surrounded by a deep passageway supports huge growths of
black coral, red rope sponges and delicate twists of wire
coral. Nassau Groupers, French Angelfish, filefish and wrasse
live in the shelter of the cracks and crevices.
Some of the less frequently dived areas east of Bloody
Bay along the north shore of Little Cayman are spectacular
and include Blacktip Tunnels, Sailfin Reef
and Crystal Palace Wall. Cayman Islands Department of Environment has
recently designated four new dive sites: two to the west
of Bloody Bay Wall, and two along the South Shore.
Little Cayman's enviable reputation as having the best diving
in the Caribbean is emphasised by the stunning quality of
diving at these new dive sites.
CAYMAN BRAC
Perhaps the most recently publicized dive in the world is
the wreck of the Captain Keith Tibbetts
(a Russian warship in a previous existence!), which was sunk amid great ceremony
in September 1996 and now lies upright in 10-24 metres of
water. The 95 metre long vessel is completely intact, right down to
its gun turrets, and can be fully explored (apart from the
engine room and lower decks which have been sealed off in the
interests of safety). Already a healthy population of fish,
including Southern Stingrays and Spotted Eagle Rays, has colonized
the wreck.
Wilderness Wall is a superbly preserved, almost virginal,
reef covered in an abundance of the healthiest sponges and
corals. Some of the sponges, which come in brilliant jewel-like
reds, greens, oranges and yellows, reach enormous proportions.
Delicate gorgonians, hard corals, rope and tube sponges
decorate the crevices and canyons which cut through the wall. This
dramatic and mystical dive attracts stingrays, Nassau
Groupers, angelfish, snappers, turtles and schooling Horse-eye
Jacks. Pelagic encounters are a distinct possibility here as rock
formations form gullies and corridors from the deep open
water through which pelagic species become channelled. The
superb reef crest and wide sandy plateau on top of the wall
provide superb opportunities for a fascinating safety stop.
GRAND CAYMAN
Grand Cayman is 22 miles long, 8 miles wide and at the
highest point only 20 metres above sea level. About 60 miles
of walls and reefs encircle Grand Cayman and, although
many thousands of divers visit the island every year, the reefs are
still in good condition with an abundance of marine life.
Grand Cayman's most famous dive site is, of course,
Stingray City, where shafts of sunlight flicker through the water reflecting
on the numerous Southern Stingrays which congregate on the
flat, sandy ocean floor at a depth of only 4 metres. These tame
creatures nuzzle and nudge divers while soliciting for food.
Swirling round and performing their underwater acrobatics in the
crystal clear waters, they provide superb opportunities for
underwater photography. Spectacularly colourful corals,
fascinating fish and, of course, the world famous Stingray City await
the diver who explores this fabulous Caribbean underwater
world. This famous dive site is often included on the
Cayman Aggressor's itinerary.
LITTLE CAYMAN BEACH RESORT
A recent survey in Rodale's Scuba Diving Magazine voted
Little Cayman Beach Resort first place for wall diving in the
entire Caribbean, second place for favourite reef diving and
within the top five Caribbean destinations in each of the
following categories: advanced diving, photography and sea life. Not
only is the diving superb, but once you arrive at Little Cayman
Beach Resort, you will be treated as a very special guest. Little
Cayman Beach Resort prides itself on its high level of hospitality.
Luggage is taken from you on arrival and whisked to your
room. You won't have to lift it again until you are back at the
airport awaiting your departure! The elegant and superbly
appointed guest rooms are very spacious with air
conditioning and modern, tasteful decoration. Each room has a
balcony or patio, colour television, ceiling fans and private
bathroom. There is a choice of pool view or oceanfront rooms, all
of which are set amongst tropical foliage and landscaped
gardens. When not indulging in the world-famous diving
that Little Cayman has to offer, you can take your choice of
relaxing in or out of the swimming pool or jacuzzi, sipping
a tropical cocktail in the Beach Nuts Bar or dining in the
Bird of Paradise Restaurant. There are tennis courts,
basketball, bicycles, sailboats and kayaks available for all
guests. Uncrowded, powder-soft sandy beaches beckon the
romantics to roam bare foot along the shore at dawn, dusk or
on those magic moonlit nights for which Little Cayman is
so famous.
The 12 new and exclusive Conch Club Apartments
nestle on secluded South Hole Sound and are an ideal choice
for families or groups of friends. Each of these two- and
three-bedroomed 'townhouses' is elegantly furnished with
vaulted ceilings, a fully-equipped kitchen (with self-clean
oven, washer, dryer and refrigerator), ceiling fans, central air
conditioning, terrace and patio (with beach furniture) and
wonderful views. Two bedroomed apartments have one
bedroom with a queen sized bed and one bedroom with two
single beds. There is a convertible sofa which provides a
double bed in the living area, two full bathrooms each with
shower, bath and WC plus an extra WC on the ground floor.
These apartments are available for up to 4 adults plus 2
children under the age of 17. Three bedroomed apartments have
one bedroom with a queen sized bed, one bedroom with a
double bed and one bedroom with two single beds. Three
bedroomed apartments have three full bathrooms each with shower,
bath and WC. These apartments are available for up to 6
adults plus 2 children under the age of 17.
To the south are breath-taking views across the
sparkling ocean and white sandy beach. To the north is a bird
sanctuary. There is a private fresh-water swimming pool and
a jacuzzi exclusively for the use of Conch Club residents.
The apartments are about 400 yards from Little Cayman
Beach Resort and guests staying in the apartments are welcome
to use all the facilities of the resort (including the
complementary use of bicycles).
Reef Divers is the resort-owned and managed dive centre
with a fleet of modern, custom designed boats, dive gear for hire
and experienced, friendly and knowledgeable staff including
dive guides and instructors. There is a selection of underwater
video and photography equipment for hire and E6 processing is
carried out on-site. There is excellent diving equipment
rental and a full range of PADI diving courses is offered. Reef
Divers offer a wide choice of dive sites each day including trips to
the wreck of the Keith Tibbetts off Cayman Brac. The very
comfortable dive boats have many features designed to make
diving as easy and stress free as possible, with padded seats
and gear storage areas as well as a sheltered cabin area and plenty
of shade on the forward deck. Entry is by giant stride from
the large stern dive platform and exit is made easy using dive
ladders and handrails. There is a padded camera table in the
cabin area for the sole use of underwater photographers.
Freshwater showers and toilet facilities are available along with rinse
tanks for dive and photography gear. Iced water, juice, fruit and
snacks are usually available on the boats. All boats are fully
equipped with ship-to-ship and ship-to-shore radio, emergency
oxygen kit and first aid equipment. Boats depart each morning at
0830 for a two-tank dive, returning to the resort at noon.
Afternoon dives are scheduled for a 1430 departure. Night dives are
available, on request, locally at an additional charge.
The aim of Reef Divers is to make your diving as easy
as possible. Take your assembled gear to the dive boat on
the first morning and from then on they will set it up
(including tank changes between dives). Each evening your gear
will be rinsed off and stored overnight, ready for use the
next day. Thorough dive orientations and briefings are given
for all dives and divers are welcome to use computers to
maximize bottom time.
Tanks for shore diving are available at no extra charge,
but the best shore diving is about 2 miles from the resort.
Vehicles may be rented through the tour desk at the resort.
The cost of vehicle hire is currently US $60 per day.
Pool View Room
£632 (non-divers: £354) from 15 April -15 December.
£709 (non-divers: £431) from 1 January -14 April.
£730 (non-divers: £452) from 16-31 December.
Oceanfront Room
£796 (non-divers: £518) from 15 April -15 December.
£872 (non-divers: £594) from 1 January -14 April.
£894 (non-divers: £616) from 16-31 December.
Conch Club Apartments
Rates vary according to the number of bedrooms and
number of occupants, but in general rates for four people in a
two-bedroom apartment are close to Pool View Room rates. Please
contact our office for precise rates.
Please note that intermediate rates will apply to stays that
straddle seasons.
Includes:
· Airport transfers.
· 6 nights room-only accommodation on a twin/share basis
at Little Cayman Beach Resort.
· 5 days diving (3 boat dives daily including a 2-tank
morning dive and 1-tank afternoon dive), dive guide,
cylinders and weights.
Meal Plans:
£29 per night for breakfast and dinner (served buffet-style
and including tea, coffee, lemonade and water).
£39 per night for breakfast, lunch and dinner (served
buffet-style and including tea, coffee, lemonade and water).
Additional Nights:
Pool View Room
£112 (without diving: £57) from 15 April -15 December.
£125 (without diving: £70) from 1 January -14 April.
£129 (without diving: £74) from 16-31 December.
Oceanfront Room
£140 (without diving: £85) from 15 April -15 December.
£153 (without diving: £98) from 1 January -14 April.
£156 (without diving: £101) from 16-31 December.
Single Occupancy Supplement:
Pool View Room
£28 per night from 15 April -15 December.
£35 per night from 1 January -14 April.
£38 per night from 16-31 December.
Oceanfront Room
£42 per night from 15 April -15 December.
£49 per night from 1 January -14 April.
£52 per night from 16-31 December.
Deposit: £150
CAYMAN AGGRESSOR
Cayman Aggressor IV is a very comfortable liveaboard that
carries a maximum of 18 passengers in nine twin-berth
cabins. Seven cabins have one large lower bed and an upper single
bed and private head and shower. Two cabins, each with two
single beds, share a head and shower between them. Each cabin
has TV/VCR units and individually controlled
air-conditioning. Six crew provide superb service throughout the cruise
and make sure your diving holiday runs smoothly. Between
dives guests can relax on the sundeck (either in or out of the
shade) or try the amazing hot tub! The salon has an excellent
collection of books, videos and music to enjoy. A personal
computer station provides e-mail facilities (for a small
charge) along with a colour printer and slide scanner.
The dive deck covers the aft third of the main deck. Large
gear lockers double as seats and line the rails and centre. Two
tanks are mounted at the back of each locker, so it is easy to don
your equipment at your seat or ask for the tank to be taken to
the dive platform. Dive information is displayed on a large
board which shows depth and marine life information. A large
three-tiered camera table has plenty of space for camera assembly
or preparation and separate rinse tanks are kept for cameras
and videos. The photography department provides rental
cameras and accessories as well as the services of the photo pro if
you require a model or expert advice. E-6 processing is
available daily. Light tables are always available for slide viewing. A
range of PADI and NAUI speciality courses are offered on
Cayman Aggressor including Nitrox training and facilities. A full
range of diving equipment is available for rental by pre-arrangement.
For after the dive there is a freshwater shower and clean
towels awaiting, as well as the chef's freshly prepared snacks to
appease the after-dive hunger pangs! Delicious barbecues,
American-style and local dishes are served; breads, biscuits and
baked snacks come strait from the oven. Most meals are served
buffet-style.
Cayman Aggressor operates out of The Georgetown
Tourist Dock, Grand Cayman for 7 nights cruises, departing every
Saturday throughout the year. After an initial checkout
dive Cayman Aggressor steams out of Grand Cayman and
travels overnight arriving in Little Cayman for diving the Bloody
Bay Marine Park for the rest of the week. If suitable weather
conditions prevail diving will also take place on the wreck of
the Keith Tibbetts and other Cayman Brac dive sites. A dive
at Stingray City on Grand Cayman is often included also.
A Cayman Aggressor brochure is available from our
office on request.
£1314 (non-divers: £1184)
Includes:
· 7 nights cruise on Cayman
Aggressor on a twin/share basis with full board (except dinner on the last night),
including non-alcoholic and local alcoholic beverages.
· 5 full days of diving (up to 4 or 5 divers a day, including
night dives) plus one or two dives on the last day, cylinders
and weights.
Please note: Cayman taxi regulations do not allow
Cayman Aggressor to arrange transfers between the airport and the
boat; however, you will be reimbursed for your taxi fare at the end
of the week! Dinner on the last night is not included, but
guests will be provided with guidance about good local restaurants.
Additional Week: A £140 discount applies.
Single Occupancy Supplement: If you are travelling alone
and are willing to share a twin cabin with a fellow passenger of
the same sex you can avoid paying any supplement. If you prefer
to have a cabin to yourself a 50% supplement applies.
Deposit: £450
FLIGHTS
British Airways flights depart from London (Gatwick) on
Tuesday, Thursday or Saturday morning, arriving at Grand
Cayman in the early evening. Return flights depart from Grand
Cayman on Tuesday, Thursday or Saturday evening, arriving at
London (Gatwick) the following morning.
American Airlines flights depart every morning from
London (Heathrow) to Grand Cayman via Miami, arriving in the
early evening. Return flights depart from Grand Cayman every
afternoon via Miami, with arrival at London (Heathrow) the
following midday.
Little Cayman Beach Resort packages are available for
any length of time, but as both the British Airways and
American Airlines flights arrive in Grand Cayman too late to connect
to Little Cayman, an overnight stay in Grand Cayman is
required on the outbound journey.
Cayman Aggressor packages run from Saturday to
Saturday, which means leaving London on Saturday morning by
either British Airways or American Airlines and boarding the
boat that evening, returning the following Saturday
afternoon/evening and arriving at London on Sunday morning/midday.
British Airways
£561 for departures 1-31 January, 15 April-30 June.
£633 for departures 1 February-4 April, 1-19 July, 23
August-14 December.
£819 for departures 5-14 April.
£948 for departures 20 July-22 August, 15-31 December.
Includes:
· Scheduled flights London (Gatwick)/Grand
Cayman/London (Gatwick) by British Airways.
American Airlines
£628 for departures 19-30 April, 1 November-14 December.
£762 for departures 15 January-3 April, 1 May-30 June, 1
September-31 October.
£891 for departures 4-18 April, 1 July-31 August, 15-31
December.
£968 for departures 1-14 January.
Includes:
· Scheduled flights London
(Heathrow)/Miami/Grand Cayman/Miami/London (Heathrow) by American Airlines.
Deposit: £100
Overnights in Grand Cayman: £60 per night room-only
at Sammy's Airport Inn on a twin/share basis, including
airport transfers by courtesy coach. (A single supplement of £45
per night applies).
Little Cayman Airfare: £110 for scheduled flights
Grand Cayman/Little Cayman/Grand Cayman by Island Air.
COMBINING THE CAYMANS WITH WALKER'S CAY
Providing you pass through Miami en route to the Cayman
Islands, it is very easy to combine a visit to the Caymans with
a visit to Walker's Cay in the Bahamas with its incredible
shark diving. Simply add the total cost of a holiday in the
Cayman Islands, including airfare, to the cost of a stay at Walker's
Cay. In addition, there is a Miami airline stopover charge of £50.
Reports from previous trips to LITTLE CAYMAN & CAYMAN BRAC:
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