Ex USS Kittiwake

The Ex-USS Kittiwake is one of the Caribbean's most celebrated wreck dives, purposefully sunk in 2011 as an artificial reef off Seven Mile Beach on Grand Cayman's west coast. This 76-metre former US Navy submarine rescue vessel now rests upright on a sandy bottom, offering divers an extraordinary wreck penetration experience in the crystal-clear Cayman waters. The Kittiwake was carefully prepared for divers before sinking, with hazardous materials removed and multiple entry and exit points created throughout the vessel's five decks. This preparation allows divers of various experience levels to explore different areas of the ship, from simple swim-throughs on the main deck to more complex multi-compartment penetrations deeper within the hull. The wreck's superstructure rises from the seabed, with the bridge, communication mast, and various deck structures creating a multi-level diving experience. The top of the wheelhouse sits in relatively shallow water, making it accessible even to less experienced divers during calm conditions. Natural light floods through the prepared openings, illuminating the interior spaces and reducing the claustrophobic feeling that some divers experience in wreck interiors. Marine life colonisation has been impressive since the sinking. The hull and deck structures are now covered in a growing layer of encrusting corals, sponges, and algae. Silversides school in dense clouds within the wreck's open compartments, creating spectacular light shows when sunbeams penetrate the shoals. Green moray eels have taken up residence in the engine room, while large groupers station themselves at popular entry points. The wreck occasionally shifts position during severe storms, and Hurricane Nate in 2017 moved the vessel, changing the dive profile. Dive operators maintain current information on the wreck's orientation and condition. Water temperature hovers between 26 and 29 degrees year-round, with visibility typically exceeding 25 metres. The Kittiwake's proximity to Seven Mile Beach makes it one of the most accessible world-class wreck dives anywhere in the Caribbean.