Little Cayman Liveaboard Diving

Liveaboard Diving in Little Cayman

What To Expect On A Little Cayman Liveaboard

A Liveaboard to Little Cayman will take guests to a place renowned for its unspoiled natural beauty above and beneath the waves; Little Cayman is the smallest and least developed of the three Cayman Islands. A nature lover's paradise, the tiny island's luscious mangrove forests, pristine tropical lagoons, and hidden ponds support abundant colorful native fauna. The island boasts more birds and reptiles than it does people. Some of the island's most distinctive inhabitants, the Sister Islands Rock Iguana, are easily encountered in the village streets. Keep an eye out for the quirky 'Iguana Crossing' road signs stating that these prehistoric creatures have the right of way. Other wildlife includes the stunning array of birds - Little Cayman is home to the largest breeding colony of Red-footed boobies in the western hemisphere. A host of other seabirds, such as Brown Boobies, Frigates, White-tailed tropic birds, and many species of non-breeding wetland migrants, such as plovers, ducks, and sandpipers, can be observed here. Only a select number of liveaboards are available in the Cayman Islands, ensuring no overcrowding at dive sites from other vessels.

Little Cayman Underwater

Little Cayman's unspoiled natural beauty extends far beneath the waves. Home to one of the most iconic wall dives in the world, no liveaboard cruise to the Cayman Islands would be complete without visiting Bloody Bay Wall. The near vertical cliffs of Bloody Bay Wall, with its dramatic almost 90-degree drop-off, form some of the most beautiful and breathtaking ocean scenery to be found anywhere in the Caribbean. Tiny bristle stars, arrow crabs, Christmas tree worms, Moray eels, and a host of vibrant reef fish find shelter within the many holes and crevices of the wall. The larger reef predators, such as the stunning big-lipped Nassau Grouper, show little fear of divers and often approach curiously, allowing for incredible photo opportunities.

Dive Sites of Little Cayman

BLOODY BAY WALL: The world-famous Bloody Bay Wall epitomizes wall diving. With a breathtaking near-vertical drop-off that plunges more than 3000 ft into the abyss, Bloody Bay Wall boasts some of the most spectacular and dramatic wall scenery to be found anywhere in the ocean. With visibility often over 100ft, diving alongside this submarine precipice is a humbling experience, likened by many to floating through space. The wall is bursting with marine life, with every inch seemingly populated with a colorful array of corals, fans, and exotic sponges that protrude outwards toward the deep. The iconic vase, tube, and elephant ear sponges exist in various shades, from blood red and orange to the most luminous yellows.

The marine life here is abundant, protected by Marine Park status; every crevice, nook, and cranny is a shelter for critters such as arrow crabs, Moray eels, and a mind-boggling assortment of iridescent fish. The larger inhabitants, such as the big-lipped Nassau grouper, fearlessly approach divers, often using them as cover while they stalk their prey. Reef sharks and turtles provide frequent encounters, and many large pelagics, such as Hammerhead sharks, lurk in the deep nearby.

Top Tips for Divers

• Ensure to maintain a good diving profile and watch your depth when diving the wall.
• As with all popular dive sites and areas of high boat traffic, it is a good idea to bring and use an SMB.
• To fully appreciate the vibrant colors of the sponges, bring a flashlight or strobe with you so you can observe them in their full glory.
• Practice good buoyancy and be mindful of your fins to avoid impacting the fragile marine life that inhabits the walls and reefs.
• The official currency of the Cayman Islands is the Cayman Islands Dollar, but US Dollars are readily accepted.

Getting to Little Cayman

Liveaboard diving offers the best way to experience Little Cayman's Bloody Bay Wall. Cayman Island Liveaboard dive cruises typically last 8 days and depart from the capital city George Town, on Grand Cayman Island. Sailing the beautiful turquoise waters of the Caribbean Sea, you will visit all three islands, weather permitting, diving the best of all the Cayman Islands have to offer.