Introduction

Cayman Brac is the middle sister of the three Cayman Islands, located next to Little Cayman. It is a coral island surrounded by coral reef with a population of about 1200 residents, which has changed very little since it was discovered in 1503 by Christopher Columbus. Despite its history of pirate adventure and hidden treasure, it is today mainly a quiet hideaway for divers.

Travel facts

Diving type

Destination

easily accessible

bargain destination

Diving level & type

for beginners

for advanced divers

shore diving

liveaboard

Diving Characteristics

pelagics

lots of fish

lots of corals

interesting underwater scenery

Other activities

attractive natural spots

gastronomy

night life

beach

snorkeling

Infrastructures

• diving center
  

  Reef Divers
  Reef Divers (diving center)
  rating : 2 / 4 stars

  comments :

  As in Little Cayman, the diving center is extremely well equipped, both in boats and material, and divemasters are really competent. They tried several times to go out with the boats even when the weather was bad to allow us to dive. But the security rules that apply in this center are completely absurd. Diving is limited to 30 meters (general rule in Cayman Islands), but worst of all, no diving is allowed 18 hours before taking a plan (even if the journey lasts 5 minutes, to reach the sister island). And the management of this diving center is obviously not interested in arranging clients' interest: it is not possible to make morning dives on the arrival day (the boat leaves 30 minutes too early, 2 dives are lost), nor afternoon one the day before the departure (even if the plane leaves 19 hours later, which means one more lost dive). It is really a pity that, on an island where there is nothing else to do than diving, everything is done to limit the number of dives.

  
  
• hotel
  

  Brac Reef Beach Resort

  
  Brac Reef Beach Resort (hotel)
  telephone : only phone from the US is available : 1800 594 0843

  email : bestdiving@reefseas.com

  internet : www.bracreef.com

  rerservation : Reef Fanta-Seas
  
  4127 5th Avenue North St. Petersburg
  Florida 33713
  rating : 4 / 4 stars

  comments :

  The hotel and the scuba diving center are isolated together, but surrounded by great spots! Sea can be rather rough sometimes, even preventing from diving...

    
  

Diving Sites

• 

  End of the Island - Airport Reef

  rating : 3.0

  depth : 20 m

  visibility : average
  description :
  
  Reef located next to the airfield: very lively, with great soft and hard corals (including a huge one of 1.5 meter high), on a sandy bottom. Lots of fishes, 1 green stingray, 3 barracudas, 1 stone-fish and a lot of pufferfish.
  
  
• 

  Russian Wreck

  rating : 3.0

  type of diving : wreck

  depth : 10-28 m

  visibility : good
  description :
  
  This famous wreck was sank after being bought from Cuba. It is considered as one of the most beautiful in the world. However, this appraisal must be accompanied with some detailed information: the wreck was broken in January 1999, and now is lying in two parts on the ocean bottom (of course, this information is seldom given to people interested by Cayman Brac). The stem of the boat lies on its side, while only the stern being still in the vertical position. Penetration is possible in 2 or 3 places, including the commandant's room. However, there is not a lot to see, as many interesting artifacts have been removed prior to the sinking. Most of the doors and windows are sealed to prevent further penetration, and for example the crew's dormitory can not be visited. Despite all those disadvantages, there still is a lot of divers on the site. We saw a green moray and an eagle ray close to the wreck. Probably, the two reefs located at less than 25 meters of the wreck are more interesting.