Dive Travel information for Cayman Brac by Caribbean Travel.

Weclome to Cayman Brac

Cayman Brac is the middle sister of the three Cayman Islands. It is a coral island surrounded by reef with a population of about 1200 residents. It has changed very little since it was discovered in 1503 by Christopher Columbus. Despite its history of pirate adventure and hidden treasure, it remains a peaceful quiet hideaway not only for divers and snorkelers, but also for sports fishermen, bird watchers, rock climbers, and those who just want to relax.

The Brac retains the distinct charm of the Caribbean of many years ago. Gingerbread details on pastel colored houses are the creations of local carpenters trained as woodcraft artists for shipbuilding. The quiet of the streets is broken only by friendly greetings and welcomes for visiting tourists. On the bluff, cattle are tended and locals utilize the land for vegetable crops. Hikers will find unlimited areas to explore. The natural vegetation of the island includes many tropical plants and fruit trees - mango and papaya - as well as beautiful wild orchids.

History

Listen to pirate tales of Black Beard, Anne Bonny and buried treasure. See where Brackers have sought refuge from storm and flood. Experience the breathtaking view from the lighthouse overlooking the sea below. Tour the local museum for an interesting glimpse of the past.

People

Cayman Brac is truly unique in its structure, as well as its population—a mixture of settlers from throughout the Caribbean, Europe and Africa. These friendly, warm “Brackers” as they are called, welcome visitors to their island with open arms. The pleasant, uncomplicated lifestyle of the Brac surely must have some influence on the amicable attitude of the locals and has definitely been responsible for infusing some harried visitors with a healthy dose of mellow relaxation. Unlike its more developed sister, Grand Cayman, the Brac has managed to remain relatively unspoiled, although modern enough to provide the comforts of home. The people of the island have always been linked to the sea, with many of the men leaving home to sail and others remaining to build ships.

Landscapes

Brac Reef Beach Resort provides a Caribbean retreat away from the pressures of modem life while catering to the comfort of guests. On the beautiful southwest shore of Cayman Brac, the resort is like a little bit of paradise nestled among the palms, sea grape trees and lush tropical landscaping. In sharp contrast to this serene delicate scene is the Island’s eastern side with its spectacular 140-foot limestone bluff rising majestically and forcefully from the sea. The Brac lies in the middle of the sea, the exposed tip of an underwater mountain. These islands differ from many others in the Caribbean in that they are limestone rather than volcanic in composition. Cayman Brac has a history of Scotch influence and takes its name from the Gaelic word “Brac,” which translates to “bluff.” All along the walls of Brac’s enormous cliff are the petrified remains of eons of marine life—fossilized corals and sea creatures immortalized forever in this monument to nature.

Brac Reef Beach Resort

Brac Reef Beach Resort boasts four and a half acres of beautiful milky white beachfront property, forty guest rooms, an award-winning restaurant, day spa, boutique, fitness center, and cyber beach, our Internet access facility. Our first class amenities will spoil you and guest’s return often because of the warmth and service of our friendly, dedicated staff. The resort is also home to the renowned Reef Divers Dive Operation.

Here you will find yourself immersed in lush tropical foliage, the serenity of the natural beauty of the surrounding crystal blue Caribbean water, swaying palms, amazing sunsets and starry midnight skies. Whether you are looking for a place with superb diving or uncluttered beaches or to just relax in a tree shaded hammock, you’ll be amazed with all that the resort has to offer.

Be lured to the laid back luxury of Brac Reef. Upon arrival, enjoy a cool rum punch. Kick off your shoes and bask in our island paradise painted with secluded beach vistas and hammocks sprinkled amidst sea grapes and coconut palms.

Located on a private beach on the southwest end of Cayman Brac, Brac Reef’s architecture reflects the quaintness and charm of the Caribbean. Our guest rooms are spacious, air-conditioned and tastefully decorated. Most rooms have a balcony or patio. We also have rooms dedicated as handicapped accessible. Other resort amenities include a pool, Jacuzzi, lighted tennis court, beach volleyball, bicycles, kayaks, paddleboats and a two-story pier.

The Palms Restaurant tempts you with the taste of the tropics as well as serving American and continental cuisines. Our internationally trained chefs feature menus including delicious seafood, island favorites and gourmet desserts.

The Tipsy Turtle Pub is the place to meet after the day’s activities are done. The poolside bar overlooking the beach specializes in refreshing tropical drinks and all of your favorite sodas, beers, and wines.

Polly’s Landing Boutique and Gift Shop offers island souvenirs, t-shirts, beautiful resort clothing, treasure coins, jewelry and giftware. Everything you can think of for the diver and the diva.

Tropical Touch Day Spa is the only spa on the island. You deserve to treat yourself to the ultimate relaxation and rejuvenation experience. Choose from an extensive menu of massage, body treatments and facials, or enjoy a manicure and pedicure at our spa.

Island Shapes Fitness Center lets you keep to your health routine with equipment including a stair stepper, free weights and a treadmill.

Cyber Beach is our Internet access facility allowing you to stay in touch with the outside world.

Reef Divers and Reef Video operate on the property to provide all of our guests with a world-class “valet diving” experience and underwater photography and video.

So, whether you come to explore the world beneath the sea or enjoy the sites of Cayman Brac, you will find Brac Reef Beach Resort to be the island’s premier resort.

Diving

Rated as a premier worldwide diving destination by leading dive magazines, Cayman Brac is recognized for the unspoiled natural beauty of its spectacular marine environment. Much of its coral reef has been protected for future generations to enjoy by its designation as a marine park by the Cayman Marine Conservation Laws. Shore diving off the white sandy beaches or iron shore is excellent.

Reef Divers Dive Center

Reef Divers offers guided SCUBA diving boat tours; snorkeling trips; complete PADI, NAUI and SSI instructional programs (including one-day resort courses, 4-day full certifications, advanced training and Nitrox certification); an air-conditioned classroom; 150 aluminum 80 cu. ft. and 63 cu. ft. SCUBA tanks, as well as 15 complete sets of Sherwood rental equipment; and an equipment repair service. The Dive Center sells a complete selection of SCUBA diving equipment, accessories and Reef Divers and Brac Reef Beach Resort logo dive sportswear.

The Reef Divers dive center provides fresh water rinsing tanks, fresh water showers, a dive gear storage area, and restrooms. Reef Divers uses Mako 20 cfm and Bauer 16 cfm electric-powered, air-cooled dive compressors, complete with state-of-the-art filtration system and plenty of air storage capacity.

Diving Highlights

Site of the world’s newest wreck dive, the Russian Frigate 356, now named the MV Capt. Keith Tibbetts.
Turtles, Spotted Eagle Rays, Reef Sharks, Nassau Groupers, Moray Eels, Stingrays, Horse-Eye Jacks, Barracuda, Flying Gurnards and more!
100 different hard and soft corals and over 500 types of fish.
Unlimited visibility...usually 100 to 150 feet...with little or no current.
Warm water...Winter 78° to 80°, Summer 82° to 86°
Trips to Bloody Bay Wall Marine Park are offered during the week depending on the weather.

Reef Diver's Boats

Reef Divers guests enjoy the advantage of three custom-designed “super” dive boats, Twin Sister, Big Sister and Little Sister. Custom designed for diving at Cayman Brac, these dive boats were built by Newton Boats, Inc., Slidell, Louisiana. Fabricated to American Bureau of Shipping specifications, they are powered by twin Caterpillar 300 hp 3116 diesel engines. These Newton dive boats are a diver's dream, 42 feet long and 16 feet wide with a cruising speed of 20 mph! Twin Sister, Little Sister, and Big Sister provide:

Fast, smooth boat rides to the best dive sites.
Comfortable, padded bench seats, convenient gear storage area and tank racks.
Plenty of shade with a sunning area on the forward deck.
Sheltered cabin area providing protection from the wind and spray.
Easy giant stride entry from the large stern dive platform.
Easy exit from the water using dive ladders and handrails.
Padded camera table in the cabin area to protect underwater photo gear.
Freshwater shower.
Ice water, fruit and snacks.
Restroom facilities on board.
A VHF ship-to-shore radio, an emergency oxygen kit, First aid equipment and United States Coast Guard approved boat safety equipment.
A hang line and regulator, a descent line, a current line and no decompression tables.

Diving Services: A "Valet" Diving Expererience

Divers don’t have to lug gear every day from their rooms. Upon checking in at the dive shop, divers receive a Reef Divers bag. They put their gear in the bag, place it outside their door the first morning, and the dive staff will take it to the boat. The diver does the initial set up of his or her gear the first time. After that, the staff changes the divers’ tanks after every dive. At day’s end, gear is taken off the boat, rinsed, and stored. Divers take their wetsuits and skins to the storage area to dry and their photo/video gear to their rooms.
Dive boats anchor only to buoys attached to permanent moorings.
Divers are welcome to use computers to maximize bottom time.
Dive boats are limited to a maximum of 20 divers.
Divers are provided an orientation at the dive shop, a briefing, dockside, on the dive
boat before departure and a briefing at the dive site.
Diving packages do not include diving on day of arrival or, for safety reasons, on day of departure. However, divers arriving at the resort in the morning may request a 1-tank afternoon boat dive.

Fishing

World-class bone fishing is found both inside and outside the reef. Light tackle spinning and fly-fishing the shallow flats for bone, tarpon and permit is second to none. Offshore fishing is a short boat ride out of the channel. Anglers can do battle with big game fish such as marlin, sailfish, kingfish, wahoo, tuna, and dorado dolphin aboard one of the several charter boats on island.

Contact Caribbean Travel on 1-888-741- DIVE (3483) or info@caribbeandivers.com for you scuba diving, vacation and dive travel arrangements in Cayman Brac.

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