In the heart of West Bay, Grand Cayman Island, lays the scuttled USS Kittiwake - a 250ft US Navy Chanticleer class submarine rescue vessel that remained in service from 1946 to 1994. In 2011, it found its final resting place at the bottom of West Bay, and has since become one of the most renowned wreck diving experiences in the entire Caribbean.
The USS Kittiwake dive is considered one of the most accessible, memorable, and visually striking dive sites in the Cayman Islands. Where is the Kittiwake shipwreck? Amazingly enough, it is directly offshore of Seven Mile Beach, which is famous for its luxury hotels, pristine white sand beaches, and tranquil azure waters.
A myriad of dive operations run daily trips to the USS Kittiwake, but you would be doing yourself a disservice if you didn't visit this iconic wreck with Cayman Turtle Divers (caymanturtledivers.com). These guys know how to run a dive boat, and if you're lucky enough to have TJ at the helm...well, you're in for a great time! The USS Kittiwake depth is 70ft, making it easily accessible for divers of all skill levels. In fact, prior to its sinking in 2011, the wreck was "opened up" to enable divers of all skill levels to easily penetrate all decks, creating an exceptional opportunity to explore an extraordinary piece of US Naval history...inside and out.
One of my favorite aspects of the USS Kittiwake dive is the visibility and calm conditions that are more or less guaranteed in West Bay. While Grand Cayman Island is known for its exceptionally clear water most of the year, West Bay is very protected from the wind, which means waves and swell are a rarity. Current is almost nonexistent on this wreck, which is a refreshing change of pace from what we're used to in the Florida Keys. The calm water, excellent visibility, and relatively shallow depth of this spectacular wreck create the perfect conditions for amazing photos and video. I do hope you'll enjoy this video, and that it inspires you to take your own trip to Grand Cayman Island so you too can enjoy the USS Kittiwake dive.
