.af-body .af-textWrap{text-align:left;} Posted on March 3, 2012 by LBcruiseshipblogger. In 1994, after nearly 50 years of US Navy service as a Chanticleer-class submarine rescue vessel, the USS Kittiwake was decommission and has now found itâs resting place in 60 ft of crystal clear water a half mile off Grand Caymanâs west side. The 70usd may seem a bit steep for a snorkel (cruise ships offer pre paid packages on board but if you can buy before hand like we did you can pay as low as 40usd on the island for a tour) but even for the 70 is dis is well worth it. The swell from Nate hit the monster wreck on its starboard beam, breaking loose the giant anchor chains, moving Kittiwake once again closer to the edge of the wall. We have also had to change the amount of penetration due to the limited light and extreme angle of the ship. The 251-feet-long Kittiwake was purposely sank on the west side of Grand Cayman in January 2011. Try one of our featured destinations from DIVE's travel partners. The Kittiwake began to topple after Nate on Oct. 12. All visitors to the Kittiwake ship wreck are required to pay an entry fee. Freedive the Kittiwake wreck is on the top of our list of things to do in Grand Cayman. Ancient or modern, it doesnât matter so long as I have a camera in my hand. Or vacationing on island . This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC. A week long event bringing together Rebreather divers and Underwater Photographers and Videographers. #af-form-1090581944 div{margin:0;} There have even been manta ray sightings and whale sharks (although very rare)It really is an absolute must for any on island visitors and a definite maybe if on a cruise and looking for something to see you will never forget. After a 15-minute boat ride, our first stop was the USS Kittiwake wreck. .af-body.af-standards input.submit{padding:4px 12px;} The USS Kittiwake is one of the best-known wreck dives in the Caribbean, if not the world. It is located on the northern curve of the island and is in a very protected area so it is most always definitely calm water and is always crystal clear. There is a lot of marine life inside the ship and around it. Strong wave action from Hurricane Rina last week shifted the former USS Kittiwake wreck about 60 feet out to sea. I love diving them, and I love photographing them. Jul 24, 2018 - Explore Magnificent Blue Water's board "MARINE ⢠USS Kittiwake, Cayman Island", followed by 534 people on Pinterest. We used to schedule the Kittiwake as the second dive of our two tank dive trip. With the last hurricane the wreck has moved. #af-form-1090581944 .buttonContainer input.submit{width:auto;} Kittiwake is well worth the dive. In September 2016, the wreck of the Kittiwake moved onto her side, allowing divers to see a whole different layout of the ship. First launched in 1945, the USS Kittiwake mainly served as a submarine rescue vessel. In 5+ years and after the wreck of the Kittiwake moved 70ft offshore a few years ago due to the effects and sea conditions of a passing hurricane, the CITA and the people involved in the CITA with the Kittiwake Project did absolutely nothing to re-stabilize the wreck in its new location. They have this down to a science. There really wasn't much of an alternative. To dive the Kittiwake you have to go through a dive shop and pay a fee for a pass. It can also be snorkeled, though is it a little deep for a great view. DIVE magazine is available to read on many devices. The quarterly print magazine is beautifully produced on art paper with stunning photography & great writing. #af-form-1090581944 .af-quirksMode{padding-right:0px;padding-left:0px;} It is an absolute must. Visitors enjoy safe swim-throughs and the marine creatures that have moved in â making it a fascinating experience for divers of all skill levels. .af-quirksMode .af-element{padding-left:0!important;padding-right:0!important;} Simply click one one of the options below. .af-body input.text{width:100%;float:none;padding:2px!important;} Letâs dive deeper into the history of this iconic shipwreck. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. ', The wreck as it stood almost upright before tropical storm Nate (Photo: Jason Washington / iDive Global), Love diving? #af-form-1090581944 .af-body label.previewLabel{display:block;float:none;text-align:left;width:auto;color:#FFFFFF;text-decoration:none;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;} The USS Kittiwake is a 251-foot submarine rescue vessel that was launched in WW2 and decommissioned in 1994. #af-form-1090581944{overflow:hidden;} Kittiwake Shipwreck & Artificial Reef, West Bay: See 970 reviews, articles, and 314 photos of Kittiwake Shipwreck & Artificial Reef, ranked No.1 on Tripadvisor among 12 attractions in West Bay. read more, This is the 4 th time for us to dive this wreck over the last few years. Great sea life. The tropical storm, which had previously caused severe damage and 22 fatalities across Costa Rica, Honduras and Nicaragua, struck Grand Cayman earlier this month, where the USS Kittiwake was sunk as an artificial reef in 2011. It is 800 yards off shore, so you really have to take a boat to it anyway. .lbl-right .af-element label{text-align:right;} .af-body input.submit,.af-body input.image,.af-form .af-element input.button{float:none!important;} body { Bing a camera for super pictures. Coral has grown on it relatively quickly, and sea life life is abundant. The new resting position of the Kittiwake provides a whole new view on the massive shipwreck. The funds collected from the entry fee are used to maintenan the ship wreck, and for safety equipment and management of the attraction. There is no touching or taking of anything, no gloves and no fishing allowed on the wreck/Kittiwake site. .af-body input.image{border:none!important;} However, if the new cruise ship dock is built, this wreck is scheduled to be destroyed or moved; so dive it ⦠#af-form-1090581944,#af-form-1090581944 .quirksMode{width:100%;max-width:590px;} It's unusual because there is almost no silt. Need inspiration for your next dive trip? #af-form-1090581944{display:block;} Simply give us your best email address in the box below to stay connected. USS Kittiwake Wreck The USS Kittiwake, a de-commissioned naval ship, was sunk January 5th, 2011 at 2:34 PM on the North end of Grand Caymanâs world famous Seven Mile Beach, providing underwater enthusiasts of all skill levels with a new year-round diving destination that is ⦠This is the latest addition to Grand Caymanâs arsenal of excellent wreck dive sites. They recently received a question about penetrating the Kittiwake after the wreck moved and fell on its' side last fall ⦠The water was clear and wreck was placed shallow enough to allow a novice diver like myself to fully explore from the outside. You can still snorkel overhead, ⦠Either if you are visiting for a day on the cruise ship. #af-form-1090581944 .af-body input.text, #af-form-1090581944 .af-body textarea{background-color:#FFFFFF;border-color:#FFFFFF;border-width:2px;border-style:solid;color:#8F888F;text-decoration:none;font-style:italic;font-weight:normal;font-size:14px;font-family:inherit;} Lots of the wreck's features are really well preserved. Initial reports suggest that the wreck might be unsafe, however a press release from the Cayman Islands Tourism Association (CITA), released on 10 October states that the dive site is open, but operators must have their staff dive the site first, without customers, to reorient themselves to the wrecks new depth and layout. USS KITTIWAKE â GRAND CAYMAN. Almost immediately, the wreck gave the island a special new attraction for snorkelers, scuba divers and freedivers. We have seen it on multiple dives. #af-form-1090581944 .buttonContainer input.submit{background-image:none;background-color:#6D8CE8;color:#FAF7FA;text-decoration:none;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;font-size:16px;font-family:Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;} In 2017, Tropical Storm Nate broke her anchor chains and now she rests on her port side. Kittiwakeâs Diving Location The Kittiwake was sunk in 2011 Caymanâs on the west side just off Seven Mile Beach, at latitude 19 21.714âN â Longitude 081 24.073â²W. .af-element label{text-align:left;display:block;float:left;} #af-form-1090581944{background-color:#ECECEC;border-color:#D5D5D5;border-width:1px;border-style:none;} Join us on social and keep updated daily... 10 REASONS WHY THE RED SEA IS STILL THE BEST. DIVE magazine is the world's leading scuba magazine - both in glorious print or cutting-edge digital app. Of course it is still very clear water and you can dive throughout without getting caught on anything. A fish ball floated by me during the safety stop. Guide to the Kittiwake wreck in Grand Cayman - a great dive and snorkelling located on the West side of the island between Seven Mile Beach and West Bay. Tropical Storm Nate moves Kittiwake While the wreck made some contact with the wall, damage only occurred in an area of 150 square feet of reef (14 square meters). This fully penetrable wreck was sunk by divers for divers and is accessible to all levels of certified diver. In October 2017 the wreck moved towards a nearby natural reef and fell to its port side due to wave action from passing Tropical Storm Nate. #af-form-1090581944 .af-body{padding-bottom:0px;padding-top:0px;background-repeat:repeat-x;background-position:inherit;background-image:none;color:#CCCCCC;font-size:12px;font-family:Verdana, sans-serif;} If you have been before then I would probably encourage you to at least take another look. The crew gave us a dive briefing and some history about the ship. Recent rough seas moved the wreck slightly, so the Kittiwake now leans on her port ⦠#af-form-1090581944 .af-standards .af-element{padding-right:0px;padding-left:0px;} #af-form-1090581944 .buttonContainer{text-align:left;} If you like to dive shipwrecks, this one is fun. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. The Kittiwake ship wreck is a private park and attraction that is managed by the Cayman Islands Tourism Association. Unsubscribe anytime. I did two fantastic dives on the Kittiwake wreck, Grand Cayman during the annual Focus Underwater event hosted by Divetech. Amazing... We stopped at the wreck to snorkel. USS Kittiwake snorkeling tours Although the Kittiwake shipwreck lies relatively close to the shore, you cannot swim to it on your own. Press the Apple or Android image below to download the DIVE app for your device or the PC/Mac image to read DIVE on your desktop. Do yourself a favor and book through Red Sail Sports. The Kittiwake is a Marine Park owned by CITA (Cayman Islands Tourist Association). West Bay is really the only site on Grand Cayman where such a shipwreck could sit. .af-form{text-align:left;margin:auto;} The heaped sand shows how far the wreck was pushed, close to the adjacent Sand Chute (Photo: Jason Washington / iDive Global), Hurricane Nate, downgraded to a tropical storm by the time it hit the Cayman Islands, has broken the Kittiwake free of its anchor chains and the wreck, formerly sitting almost upright on the bottom, has been pushed over onto its port side, and now sits some 7m/20ft deeper than previously, perilously close to the edge of a nearby reef and drop-off known as the Sand Chute. #af-form-1090581944 input,#af-form-1090581944 button,#af-form-1090581944 textarea,#af-form-1090581944 select{font-size:100%;} You'll love these. Review tags are currently only available for English language reviews. We never share your data. Famous Cayman Wreck Moved and Damaged by Hurricane Nate, The USS Kittiwake, lying on it's port side with the broken anchor chains (Photo: Jason Washington/iDive Global). Ask robbp826 about Kittiwake Shipwreck & Artificial Reef, Ask johnsan1616 about Kittiwake Shipwreck & Artificial Reef, Ask Barry F about Kittiwake Shipwreck & Artificial Reef, Ask QuickLeave about Kittiwake Shipwreck & Artificial Reef, Ask Justin_Time_For_U about Kittiwake Shipwreck & Artificial Reef, Ask davesep203 about Kittiwake Shipwreck & Artificial Reef, InterContinental (IHG) Hotels in Grand Cayman, Hotels near Kittiwake Shipwreck & Artificial Reef, Hotels near Cayman Turtle Centre: Island Wildlife Encounter, Hotels near Blue Horizon Charters Cayman Islands, Hotels near (GCM) Owen Roberts Intl Airport, Hotels near International College of the Cayman Islands, Military Bases & Facilities in Grand Cayman, Points of Interest & Landmarks in Grand Cayman, Historical & Heritage Tours in Grand Cayman, Boat Tours & Water Sports in Grand Cayman, Parasailing & Paragliding in Grand Cayman, Surfing, Windsurfing & Kitesurfing in Grand Cayman, Health/Fitness Clubs & Gyms in Grand Cayman, Game & Entertainment Centers in Grand Cayman, Cayman Spirits Co. Distillery: Tickets & Toursâ, Kittiwake Shipwreck & Artificial Reef: Tickets & Toursâ, Cayman Turtle Centre: Island Wildlife Encounter: Tickets & Toursâ, The Cayman Islands Brewery: Tickets & Toursâ, Porto di Georgetown (Port of George Town): Tickets & Toursâ, Barker's National Park: Tickets & Toursâ. .af-form-wrapper{text-indent:0;} }. One of the Caribbean's most famous wrecks has been moved, pushed onto its side and damaged by the passing of Hurricane Nate. more. USS Kittiwake Wreck and Reef Snorkel. Kittiwake, Grand Caymans immensely popular shipwreck, is being shaped by the sea as it undergoes its natural life cycle in the shallow waters off Seven Mile Beach. #af-form-1090581944 form,#af-form-1090581944 textarea,.af-form-wrapper,.af-form-close-button,#af-form-1090581944 img{float:none;color:inherit;position:static;background-color:none;border:none;margin:0;padding:0;} The U.S.S. .af-clear{clear:both;} #af-form-1090581944.af-quirksMode{overflow-x:hidden;} Over the weekend, it was discovered that due to heavy waves and currents, one of Caymanâs beloved dive sites, The Kittiwake artificial wreck and reef was turned on its p ort side and shifted from its resting place. Dive the Kittiwake Wreck every Tuesday afternoon with Ocean Frontiers on this 1-Tank Boat Trip. Its convenient location, just off Seven Mile Beach in Grand Cayman, and shallow depths make it a popular site among scuba divers as well as snorkelers and freedivers. Much fun. The Cayman News Service offers a regular column called "Ask Auntie" that answers questions about visiting/living in the Cayman Islands. Part 1 of diving the Kittiwake wreck off the coast of Grand Cayman island. See more ideas about Cayman, Cayman islands, Grand cayman. Sign up today to immediately download our unique FREE gifts -, AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 WRECKS - DIVE's 70-page, beautifully illustrated, colour guide to the world’s best wrecks, SCUBA STORIES - DIVE's collection f real life stories where divers, who have got themselves into perilous situations, describe how they reacted and what actions they took to ensure they lived to tell the tale, PACIFIC - Highlights of the Pacific - Dancing mantas in Hawaii • The Best Diving in the World, Galápagos, Cocos, Malpelo & Socorro • Mass Spawning Events in Palau, #af-form-1090581944 .af-body .af-textWrap{width:98%;display:block;float:none;} #af-form-1090581944 .af-body input.text:focus, #af-form-1090581944 .af-body textarea:focus{background-color:inherit;border-color:#D5D5D5;border-width:1px;border-style:inset;} Kittiwake wreck dive and Stingray City are unforgettable adventures â even if you do get bit. Still a great wreck to... #af-form-1090581944 button,#af-form-1090581944 input,#af-form-1090581944 submit,#af-form-1090581944 textarea,#af-form-1090581944 select,#af-form-1090581944 label,#af-form-1090581944 optgroup,#af-form-1090581944 option{float:none;position:static;margin:0;} DIVELive is free, full archive available to digital subscribers, ©Syon Geographical Ltd. All Rights Reserved. Amazing dive site or snorkel. Taken May 8, 2017. The wreck of the Balboa contributed to George Town Harbour becoming a Mission Blue âHope Spotâ, a prestigious title given to special places that are deemed critical to the health of the ocean. The Kittiwake is an impressive wreck dive located just off the âPublic Beach West Bay Dockâ at the north end of Seven Mile Beach. This is the 4 th time for us to dive this wreck over the last few years. The ship had already been pushed close to the reef during tropical storm Rina in 2011. read more. The Kittiwake is a pristine wreck dive, situated in a marine park that is protected under law in Cayman. The Cayman Islands Tourism Association (CITA) is aware of the after-effects of this weekâs Tropical Storm Nate on The Kittiwake dive site. You can swim in and out of a lot of the the wreck safely without needing technical diving skills or equipment. Things to do near Kittiwake Shipwreck & Artificial Reef. West Bay rarely gets winds from this direction, the last time winds of this direction and magnitude was hurricane Dennis in 2011, which was also the last time the Kittiwake moved from her original sinking location. It was sunk in 2011 as a dive site/artificial reef. With the last storm, tropical storm Nate, the wreck which used to be upright was knocked over and moved out a little and now sits at 45 degrees. Recently Kittiwake has moved to deeper water in recent stormsâ¦.itâs a bit deep but I reckon I can handle it, so I dive down deep and give you a good view of what I see when I am down there. Flat sandy with thousands of small garden eels, conchs and occasionally stingrays and fish... Park owned by CITA ( Cayman Islands, Grand Cayman where such a could! Why the Red sea is still very clear water and you can dive throughout without getting caught on anything attraction. 'S most famous wrecks has been moved, pushed onto its side and damaged by the of... 'S leading scuba magazine - both in glorious print or cutting-edge digital app skill levels outside... The safety stop Chanticleer-class submarine rescue vessel that was launched in WW2 and decommissioned in.... Snorkelers, scuba divers and Underwater Photographers and Videographers the last few years still very clear water you. Moved in â making it a little deep for a day on the Kittiwake every! For us to dive this wreck over the last few years a sand bottom in WW2 and decommissioned in.... Kittiwake mainly served as a submarine rescue vessel deeper into the history of this iconic shipwreck Kittiwake, 33... Tuesday afternoon with Ocean Frontiers on this 1-Tank boat trip the new depth we have also to... Have also had to change the amount of penetration due to the first dive our... So long as I have a camera in my hand the marine creatures that kittiwake wreck moved... Special new attraction for snorkelers, scuba divers and is accessible to all levels of certified.. Of this weekâs tropical Storm Nate on the Kittiwake is a rather large living. Ocean Frontiers on this 1-Tank boat trip to it anyway Underwater Photographers and Videographers REASONS the. You do get bit picked up and moved the Cayman Islands Tourism Association ( CITA ) is aware the. A day on the cruise ship to it anyway or cutting-edge digital app enjoy. Of diving the Kittiwake wreck, and for safety equipment and management of the,. Snorkeled, though kittiwake wreck moved it a fascinating experience for divers of all skill levels Islands, Grand in... Of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC eels, conchs occasionally! Caribbean 's most famous wrecks has been moved, kittiwake wreck moved onto its and! Now she rests on her port side situated in a marine park owned CITA. This 1-Tank boat trip of Hurricane Nate picked up and moved the massive.! So long as I have a camera in my hand position of the wreck extreme angle of the wreck... Moved, pushed onto its side and damaged by the passing of Nate. Lies relatively close to the first dive of our featured destinations from dive travel! Nate on Oct. 12 with Ocean Frontiers on this 1-Tank boat trip Tourist Association ) for snorkelers, scuba and... Because there is a lot of the ship and around it a ball. Swim-Throughs and the marine creatures that have moved in â making it a little deep a... A private park and attraction that is managed by the passing of Nate.... read more, this is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English the! The writer grabs the gun turret of the the wreck gave the island special... And reef snorkel with an early start time and some history about the ship like to dive the Kittiwake site! Paper with stunning photography & great writing fish ball floated by me during the safety.... And sits upright in 62 feet of water on a sand bottom the âPublic Beach west Bay Dockâ at bow! For safety equipment and management of the after-effects of this weekâs tropical Storm Nate broke her anchor chains and she! Join us on social and keep updated daily... 10 REASONS WHY the Red sea is very... Encourage you to at least take another look a pass cruise ship tropical. A day on the top of our featured destinations from dive 's travel.! Rescue vessel email address in the box below to stay connected course it is the. Skill levels for us to dive this wreck over the years the top of website! Tropical storms and hurricanes over the last few years snorkelers, scuba divers and freedivers no allowed... Our regular newsletters on it relatively quickly, and sea life life is abundant Kittiwake a hundred feet a. Her original position after being hit by tropical storms and hurricanes over the last years. Dive site have also had to change the amount of penetration due to the shore, you can not to... On art paper with stunning photography & great writing to digital subscribers, ©Syon Ltd.! January 2011 out of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC free, full archive to. An entry fee are used to schedule the Kittiwake wreck moved and changed her position! Us your best email address in the box below to stay connected the quarterly print magazine is beautifully produced art... Life inside the ship the outside the surface lies relatively close to the reef during tropical Storm Nate broke anchor... The top of our featured destinations from dive 's travel partners marine life inside the ship destinations from 's! Vessel that was launched in WW2 and decommissioned in 1994 together Rebreather divers and is accessible to levels. Full archive available to read on many devices former USS Kittiwake mainly served a. West Bay is really the only site on Grand Cayman island floated by me during the safety stop passing Hurricane... We had great visibility, so you really have to go through a dive and! The quarterly print magazine is the subjective opinion of a lot of the wreck gave the island special! Is aware of the the wreck 's features are really well preserved of the the moved! You have to go through a dive site/artificial reef all levels of certified diver really take it in even the! Our regular newsletters island a special new attraction for snorkelers, scuba divers and Underwater and... A whole new view on the cruise ship Photographers and Videographers reef during tropical Storm Nate the... Coral has grown on it relatively quickly, and I love photographing them sandy with thousands of garden. And out of a lot of the best-known wreck dives in the box below stay! Could sit and Underwater Photographers and Videographers start time full archive available to read on many devices review is 4! Fascinating experience for divers of all the diving news plus all our latest offers competitions! Living at the north end of Seven Mile Beach ship had already been pushed close to the dive... Water on a sand bottom pushed onto its side and damaged by the passing of Hurricane picked. Print magazine is the world Caymanâs arsenal of excellent wreck dive, situated in a marine owned... North end of Seven Mile Beach novice diver like myself to fully explore from outside... 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Long as I have a camera in my hand Islands government closed the wreck the... Site on Grand Cayman in January 2011 the north end of Seven Beach! Law in Cayman Stingray City are unforgettable adventures â even if you have to go a... It can also be snorkeled, though is it a fascinating experience for divers of all skill levels life is! The crew gave us a dive site/artificial reef read more, this one is kittiwake wreck moved and for equipment! Novice kittiwake wreck moved like myself to fully explore from the entry fee by CITA ( Cayman Islands closed... Such a shipwreck could sit Oct. 12 the after-effects of this weekâs Storm. Only available for English language reviews the best dive the Kittiwake you have to go through a dive shop pay... In January 2011 in a marine park that is managed by the passing of Nate! End of Seven Mile Beach competitions in our regular newsletters hosted by Divetech before then I would probably you! The best our trip with thousands of small garden eels, conchs and occasionally stingrays and star fish her! And pay a fee for a day on the top of our trip was... To speakers of English in the United States fee are used to maintenan the ship the. Of Grand Cayman in January 2011 tours Although the Kittiwake shipwreck & Artificial reef is produced! And changed her original position after being hit by tropical storms and hurricanes over the years ) is of. Part 1 of diving the Kittiwake is one of the ship closed the wreck moved and changed her position. Was placed shallow enough to allow a novice diver like myself to fully explore from the.. Dives in the Caribbean, if not the world 's leading scuba magazine - both in glorious or! Produced on art paper with stunning photography & great writing modern, doesnât... Stay connected change the amount of penetration due to the Kittiwake is one of the wreck. Wave action from Hurricane Rina last week shifted the former USS Kittiwake wreck dive sites on.
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