Dive Site: Blackie's Hole

About Blackie's Hole

Blackie's Hole is a notable marine dive site located off Grand Cayman's West Bay and Seven Mile Beach. This site offers a distinctive blend of reef, canyon, and cave topography, making it an engaging experience for intermediate divers. The typical depth for a dive here averages around 15 meters, providing ample opportunity to explore its formations. Water temperatures at Blackie's Hole remain consistently warm, ranging from 27 to 30 degrees Celsius year-round. While not explicitly detailed, the site is described as part of Grand Cayman's West side, an area renowned for consistently excellent visibility, often exceeding 24 to 30 meters, and light to moderate currents. Divers can anticipate encountering a variety of marine life, with sponges being very common. French angelfish and great barracuda are also sighted, though less frequently. Other species like horse-eye jacks, brassy chubs, pearl blennies, sea anemones, and permit are observed occasionally. Access to Blackie's Hole is exclusively by boat, typically involving short rides from Seven Mile Beach. Divers should be mindful of boat traffic in the area.

Dive site facts: Blackie's Hole

Depth

15 m

Typical dive

15 m, 60 min

Current

Light to moderate

Water temperature

27–30°C

Entry

Boat entry

Level

Intermediate

Dive type

Reef, canyon, cave

Region / port

Grand Cayman, West Bay

Coordinates

19.2717° N, 81.3960° W

Conditions & Currents

Blackie's Hole is situated on the west side of Grand Cayman, an area generally protected from prevailing winds, leading to calm surface conditions for much of the year. Currents here are typically light to moderate, allowing for relatively relaxed diving. Visibility is consistently excellent, often exceeding 24 to 30 meters, which is characteristic of the west side's clear waters. Divers typically access the site by boat and perform a boat entry; awareness of boat traffic is a necessary safety consideration in this area. These stable conditions contribute to Blackie's Hole being suitable for intermediate divers seeking a comfortable exploration of its underwater features.

Marine life & sighting chances

Sponge

occasional

Horse Eye Jack

occasional

Brassy Chub

occasional

Pearl Blenny

occasional

Permit

occasional

Sea Anemone

occasional

French Angelfish

rare

Great Barracuda

rare

Dive profile & how the dive runs

Diving at Blackie's Hole commences with a boat entry from one of the dive operators along Seven Mile Beach. The site's average depth is around 15 meters, guiding divers through a landscape rich with reef, canyon, and cave formations. A typical dive lasts approximately 60 minutes, allowing for thorough exploration of the site's unique topography. Divers will navigate through various coral structures and into open canyon spaces, maintaining the average depth. The dive concludes with a safety stop before ascending to the surface, where the boat will be waiting for pickup.

Underwater photography

Blackie's Hole's combination of reef, canyon, and cave structures presents diverse photographic opportunities. For capturing the broader landscape and unique formations, a wide-angle lens would be beneficial. Macro lenses can be employed to focus on the details of the very common sponges or less frequent smaller species like Pearl Blennies. Given the generally excellent visibility and moderate depths, natural light is often sufficient, but a strobe can enhance colors in the canyons and caves. Buoyancy control is paramount, especially when navigating confined spaces or near delicate corals, to avoid disturbing the environment and maintain clear shots. Always respect marine life by maintaining a safe distance and avoiding harassment.

Combine with nearby dive sites

• Big Table Rock

  Big Table Rock is a well-known dive site located in George Town, Grand Cayman, offering a diverse and visually striking underwater…

• Eagle Ray Rock

  Eagle Ray Rock is a prominent dive site located approximately two miles off Grand Cayman's southwestern coast, just south of Smith Cove.

• Bonnie's Arch

  Bonnie's Arch is a renowned dive site located on the West Side of Grand Cayman, celebrated for its spectacular natural arch formation and…

• Oro Verde Wreck

  The Oro Verde Wreck, situated off Grand Cayman's Seven Mile Beach, offers a unique underwater experience as an artificial reef.

Getting there & logistics

Access to Grand Cayman for diving typically involves flying into Owen Roberts International Airport (GCM) in George Town. Blackie's Hole, located off West Bay, is primarily accessed via boat, with many dive operators offering complimentary pickups along Seven Mile Beach from hotels or condos. Dive boats are fast and seaworthy, ensuring short travel times to sites on the West and South sides, often less than 15 minutes. A typical dive at Blackie's Hole is included in half-day or full-day dive trips, usually alongside other nearby sites. There are over 160 named dive sites around Grand Cayman, providing ample options for itineraries. Snacks and ice water are commonly provided on board, but divers should bring their own towels and sunscreen. No specific park fees are mentioned for Blackie's Hole itself, as it's part of the wider Grand Cayman dive experience.

Safety & environment

For diving in Grand Cayman, it is advisable for divers to have comprehensive dive insurance covering medical emergencies and evacuation. The nearest recompression chamber is located on Grand Cayman itself. Blackie's Hole is accessed by boat, and divers should remain aware of potential boat traffic in the area, particularly near the surface. While currents are generally light to moderate, divers should still exercise good judgment regarding their skill level. Given its intermediate rating and typical depths of 15 meters, adequate training and adherence to dive plan briefings are crucial. For those who haven't dived in a while, a refresher course is recommended, especially if it's been over 18 months or if they have limited prior experience.

Who it suits — and who it doesn't

FAQ

Blackie's Hole FAQ

Liveaboards diving Blackie's Hole

These liveaboards may visit Blackie's Hole on selected itineraries — the exact dive sites depend on departure, weather and conditions.

Cayman Aggressor IV

Cayman Islands

18 guests32.9 m

$328/day