Page 559 - The British Big Four
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Cayman Brac
CAYMAN BRAC FACTS: CAPT KEITH TIBBETTS WRECK 40’ – 110’ (12-33m) 330’
“Brac” is Gaelic for “Bluff ”. (100m) Soviet-era frigate #356 was scuttled in 1996 and rests
Size: 12 Miles (19 Km.) Long x 1- 2 Miles (1.6 to 3.2 Km.) Wide. on sand by Buccanner Inn Resort. It is the only diveable Soviet
Population: 1200; Daily tourist: 1200. warship in the Western Hemisphere, with a maximum depth of
Caves were once used by pirates to hide their booty. 110’ (33m) at the bow and a main deck at 40’ (12m). The ship is
Uninhabited when discovered by Columbus in 1503. upright, but has shifted to bury her props, while the bow sits high.
NORTH CAYMAN BRAC SIDE DIVE SITES (West to East): Marine life is slowly encrusting the entire ship. From the bow
DOUBLE WALL 66’-100’ (20-30m) divers can peer over the drop-off into Davy Jones’ locker.
AIRPORT WALL 66’-100’ (20-30m) Gradual sloping wall with KISSIMEE WRECK 25’-50’ (8-15m) This 55’ (17m) tug rests on
sandy crevices has colourful tube sponges, gorgonians, sea whips, her port side in 50 feet of water. It was deliberately sunk in 1982,
and on rare occasion, passing whale sharks. and now provides a corroding, fully encrusted wreck for divers.
AIRPORT REEF 32’-60’ (10-18m) Good night dive on coral gar- STRAWBERRY SPONGE WALL 75’-100’ (23-30m) Brilliant
den reef and rock. strawberry sponges and colourful nudibranchs.
WEST CHUTE: 66’-100’ (20-30m) BUCCANEER 25’-66’ (8-20m) Entry by boat or via ironshore at
EAST CHUTE: 66’-100’ (20-30m) Old Buccaneer Inn for snorkeling or scuba diving on coral garden,
MIDDLE CHUTE: 30’-50’ (9-15m) “The Chutes” are sandy which is particularly good for night diving.
chutes that spill over the drop-off amongst high coral spurs with GARDEN EEL WALL 66’-100’ (20-30m) Sand flats have garden
barrel and tube sponges. East Chute features one of the most eels poking out of their tiny holes, plus southern stingrays.
popular dives in the area because it includes the wreck of the Capt. CHARLIE’S REEF 30’-50’ (9-15m) Named after a friendly 6-foot
Keith Tibbetts. green moray, this site is also known for Spanish grunts. Among
sand chutes and coral gardens are golden-tail morays, sailfin blen-
nies, damselfishes, wrasses, and tiny gobies. Snorkelers enjoy the
dive as well.
