Cayman Islands Completes Dive 365
Thursday, December 13, 2012 at 7:53AM 
The Cayman Islands highlighted its unparalleled array of diving locations at the Dive Equipment and Marketing Association's annual trade show with its completed DIVE 365 initiative. Featuring 365 diverse dive spots, Dive 365 opened its final mooring last month, indulging enthusiastic divers in Cayman’s pristine crystal blue waters and spectacular underwater landscape, offering a new experience for each day of the year.
Since launching in 2008, the Dive 365 initiative has highlighted the Cayman Islands’ dedication to providing divers with more opportunities while preserving the precious marine environment. Adding 68 new dive sites around Cayman, the initiative has aimed to alleviate the environmental impact of recreational diving at more popular sites while simultaneously offering divers the opportunity to immerse in Caymanian dive culture, opening up the lesser-known gems for safe public use. The 365 sites offer dives for all skill levels and, with new locations including secret spots of some of the destination’s top dive masters.
The initiative has added several high-profile dive destinations over the years, including the Kittiwake, a former US submarine rescue ship sunk off the shores of Seven Mile Beach. Approaching the second anniversary of its sinking in January 2011, the Kittiwake is now an artificial reef, housing an abundance of spectacular marine life. Other dive attractions include the wreck of the Russian-built Cuban naval frigate 330 ft. M/V Captain Keith Tibbetts off the coast of Cayman Brac and Little Cayman’s legendary Bloody Bay Wall, a plunging coral wall with a sheer drop of more than 6,000 feet.
Ghost Mountain Dive site“Recognised as the birthplace of recreational diving, the Cayman Islands strives to continue to expand and diversify our dive offerings,” Cayman Islands Premier McKeeva Bush says. “As the Caribbean’s premier diving destination, we aim to sustain the environment that draws divers to our unique underwater landscape.”
With 40 dive operators, a unique combination of deep wall and shallow reef diving, and a rich history, as well as year-round 80 degree water temperatures, Cayman Islands Department of Tourism director Shomari Scott says Cayman’s dive program continues to cement the Cayman Islands as the top diving destination in the Caribbean.
“The Cayman Islands is the ultimate destination for divers of all skill levels, providing PADI-certified classes on-island, environmentally conscious dive spots worthy of both professionals and recreational divers, and a dive culture unique to Cayman ” Scott says. “With 365 dive locations to offer, Dive 365 is an example of not only our commitment to providing new and challenging experiences to the dive community, but also our dedication to sustaining the environment crucial to our underwater playground.”
For more information on diving in the Cayman Islands and to plan your dive trip, visit www.cita.ky.
Reader Comments (2)
The Cayman Islands is just an amazing Caribbean destination for water sports. The islands not only have excellent places to scuba dive and snorkel, but the necessary facilities are there to ensure to have a wonderful experience.
My friend who is going to Cayman to celebrate his honeymoon asked me about places of attraction over there for couples. I have suggested to him a few good restaurants for romantic dinners and also told him that he must enjoy the Cayman watersports there.