USS Kittiwake

George Town · Grand Cayman · Cayman Islands

The USS Kittiwake is one of the Caribbean's most accessible and photogenic wreck dives, sitting upright on a white sand bottom just a short boat ride from Grand Cayman's famous Seven Mile Beach. This 77-metre former US Navy submarine rescue vessel was purposely sunk in January 2011 after being thoroughly cleaned of hazardous materials and fitted with large entry and exit points, making it one of the safest wreck penetration dives available anywhere. The top of the superstructure begins at around 5 metres, while the main deck sits at approximately 12 metres and the sand bottom at 20 metres. This shallow profile means generous bottom times and plenty of natural light filtering through the openings, creating dramatic beams that photographers chase on sunny mornings. Five decks offer extensive exploration: the bridge, engine room, decompression chambers, and crew quarters each retain enough original fittings to give a sense of the vessel's working life. Marine life has colonized the wreck impressively in the years since sinking. Green moray eels have taken up residence in the darker compartments, while dense schools of silversides fill entire rooms during summer months, creating a shimmering silver curtain that parts as you swim through. Outside the hull, yellowtail snapper, French angelfish, and spotted drum circle the wreck, and southern stingrays rest on the sand below. The surrounding sand flat occasionally hosts garden eels and jawfish. The Kittiwake suits divers of every level. Open Water divers can comfortably explore the exterior and upper decks, while more experienced divers can penetrate deeper into the engine spaces and lower compartments. Night dives on the wreck are particularly rewarding, with octopus hunting along the hull and bioluminescent organisms lighting up around the superstructure. The site is diveable year-round, though summer months bring the best silverside action. A small marine park fee supports ongoing maintenance of the moorings and site.