Located near Seven Mile Beach, the wreck sits at a shallow location of 60 feet (18 meters), with the top of the wreck just 15 feet (4.6 feet) below the surface, making it an accessible wreck dive, even to open water divers. Scuba divers have plenty of time to explore the wreck’s five decks, which were made more accessible to divers with many of its doors, hatches, bulkheads, and floors removed. Snorkelers can also view the wreck from above.
The Kittiwake is one of the most popular dives in the Cayman Islands; it’s highly advised to reserve with a tour group ahead of time, especially in high season.
Open water divers are limited to the first three decks; advanced diving certification is required to go deeper.
The site is suitable for both beginner and more advanced wreck divers.
All visits must be through a licensed operator, and all visitors must pay a fee to visit.
The Kittiwake is located in West Bay, off the northern end of Seven Mile Beach on the west coast of Grand Cayman. Visits must be through a licensed operator, who will bring scuba divers, snorkelers, and free divers to the wreck site by boat.
It’s possible to scuba dive and snorkel in Grand Cayman year-round. December–February offers the most pleasant weather, but also bigger crowds. May–November is the rainy season, with greater chances of hurricanes September–November, which can also lead to rougher waters.
Highlights of the 251-foot (77-meter) wreck include its mess hall, two recompression chambers, smoke stack, huge propellers, and the head with a still-intact mirror, allowing divers to get a glimpse of themselves underwater. The captain’s wheel is still in the wheelhouse, though the panels have been removed due to storm damage. The wreck is also home to more than 50 species of coral and more than 500 species of fish.
