Cayman Islands – With tourism numbers up over last year, Cayman’s dive leaders anticipate a good new year as they say goodbye to 2014, and they extend Season’s Greetings to all customers and travel partners who help keep the Cayman Islands one of the world’s most popular dive destinations.

“We look forward to another great year diving with both old and new customers, and continue our commitment in the coming year to providing excellent service with a wide variety of diving options from young to old, new to experienced,” said Divetech owner Nancy Easterbrook.

“We are looking for continued growth in the stay-over air arrivals and good weather – most hotels seem optimistic for the First Quarter of 2015,” said Red Sail Sports Operations Manager Rod McDowall. “With our hotel partners we are looking forward to marketing some attractive dive packages to guests.”

Warm clear water, healthy coral reefs, steep deep walls, wrecks and abundant marine life combine for great dive experiences that secure Cayman’s place in dive travel. The wreck of the USS Kittiwake continues to grow in popularity and Stingray City remains as popular as ever.

The island’s dive industry works hard to keep its diving fresh and exciting, while being a good environmental steward. Operators actively support the Cayman Islands Department of Environment’s conservation programs: the fight against predatory Lionfish, the sea turtle nesting program and the Grouper Moon Project, aimed at saving the endangered Nassau grouper. Reef and beach cleanups are routine.

Cayman’s Dive 365 initiative has created 68 new dive sites alleviating stress on other popular sites. The Cayman government has approved a National Conservation Law that calls for expansion of the marine parks; it has already extended protection to Stingray City. A group of dedicated volunteer divers, led by local dive operators and the Department of Environment, are now working hard to restore a reef damaged by a cruise ship anchor.

2014 was a year of celebration in the Cayman Islands. Divetech marked its 20th anniversary with the creation of an exciting new dive site, the Guardian of the Reef, and it also received the Certificate of Excellence on travel website Trip Advisor. Cayman’s dive industry launched Legends and Lions a scuba festival that included the induction of several dive pioneers into the International Scuba Diving Hall of Fame.

This year Cayman won accolades from Scuba Diving readers for its excellent diving and professional dive operations, voted #1 overall destination in the Caribbean and Atlantic. Voters recognized Cayman’s shore diving, underwater photography, wall diving and visibility. Ocean Frontiers rated No. 1 as the best dive operation and Sunset House was named best dive resort.

Cayman’s outstanding diving attracts visitors from all over the world, but industry leaders understand that good customer service and comfort will keep them coming back year after year. As 2014 comes to a close, Cayman’s dive industry would like to wish everyone Happy Holidays! (Please click the link below for a video greeting from Sunset House)

http://youtu.be/i748ioETNZY?list=UUl41_WPW6NJqV12dTZbpl7Q

About Us

The Cayman Bottom Times is news collaboration by five leading dive operators to promote the superb diving of the Cayman Islands, and keep the diving public informed of important developments and events. Divetech, Ocean Frontiers, Red Sail Sports and Sunset House in Grand Cayman, and the Southern Cross Club in Little Cayman, all members of the Cayman Islands Tourism Association, represent more than 100 years of solid experience in a destination that is recognized as the birthplace of recreational diving. With a unique combination of deep wall and shallow reef diving, several wrecks, and world-famous Stingray City, the Cayman Islands has cemented its place as the top diving destination in the Caribbean.

Offering diverse and wide-ranging dive programs on both Grand Cayman and Little Cayman, the members of this dive group represent the best Cayman has to offer; Divetech (www.divetech.com), Ocean Frontiers (www.oceanfrontiers.com), Red Sail Sports Grand Cayman (www.redsailcayman.com), Sunset House (www.sunsethouse.com) and the Southern Cross Club (www.southerncrossclub.com).

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