Night diving in a bioluminescent bay, Grand Cayman

[indigo_dc]

Going on holiday in less than two weeks and we have plans to do tons of normal diving, snorkelling etc. but I've read about a bay on Grand Cayman than has a ton of bioluminescent microbes in the water that glow when you swim/snorkel/dive. We're booking to do a boat tour/snorkelling session - not going to link details here, PM me if you want info - but was wondering if anyone had done this before? And slightly off topic, if you've photographed it before?

Anyway, I was chatting to the boat owner about diving too and they suggested it's a fantastic night dive as well, very shallow and provided there aren't too many jellies, pretty safe and reliable. Something like 3m, sandy bottom and simply sitting there watching fish, your hands, your eyelashes etc. make sparkly trails in the water is supposed to be fantastic!

Has anyone done this before and can recommend a dive operator to use?

 

[Alex777]

It tends to be everywhere. I don't know of one particular bay like that. Given the 3 m. depth, you may be talking about the East End somewhere?

 

[indigo_dc]

North side I think, near the mangroves apparently. But if it's everywhere then I probably won't have a problem finding an operator prepared to take us out there.

Photographing it will be a challenge I think but I'll ask that question in the correct forum

 

[Testudo]

The cove most visited for bio-luminescence is located across the street from our place in GC. It is located in Cayman Kai, near Rum Point (Map Location). While very cool to visit by kayak (on a dark, dark night), I have not yet had enough motivation to snorkel it (I plan on taking my UW camera when I do). I really can't see diving in 3-6 feet of water as being more interesting than snorkeling, but won't knock it since I haven't tried it. Since you need a long exposure to capture the "glow", taking video might be a better option.

There are two tour companies that regularly take folks to the area. Both use kayaks and one has a boat option.

 

[indigo_dc]

Thanks for the update - also your snorkelling Google map is fantastic!
Definitely starting to think aside from some attempts at long exposures I'll probably stick with the video.

 

[nipi]

The cove most visited for bio-luminescence is located across the street from our place in GC. It is located in Cayman Kai, near Rum Point (Map Location). While very cool to visit by kayak (on a dark, dark night), I have not yet had enough motivation to snorkel it (I plan on taking my UW camera when I do). I really can't see diving in 3-6 feet of water as being more interesting than snorkeling, but won't knock it since I haven't tried it. Since you need a long exposure to capture the "glow", taking video might be a better option.

There are two tour companies that regularly take folks to the area. Both use kayaks and one has a boat option.

I have done the kayak tour Testudo mentions & agree that it is nice to swim or snorkel but don't think it would be worth diving.

 

[Testudo]

Let us know if you do snorkel the bio-bay. Would love to get your impression and know if shooting video or stills is better (or even any good).

 

[indigo_dc]

Will do, I'll be sure to post the results on here too so you can see for yourself!

 

[Testudo]

Looking forward to it! I'll try and give it a go in a couple weeks when I get back to GC as well.

 

[nipi]

Coral spawning in Cayman tonight at 22.10.