Just a Quick Flight From Miami is a Sunken Navy Ship with World-Class Wreck Diving

Ex-USS Kittiwake Artificial Reef

Florida’s best wreck dive isn’t in Florida at all. Just an hour south by plane, the USS Kittiwake rests in Grand Cayman’s pure blue water, trading its Navy rescue mission for reef life.

Here’s the story of the most carefully placed shipwreck near American waters.

From Naval Service to Underwater Wonder

The USS Kittiwake began its journey in 1945 as a Chanticleer-class submarine rescue vessel built in Savannah, Georgia.

This 251-foot steel vessel served the U.S. Navy faithfully for nearly five decades, participating in numerous significant missions that shaped military history.

During its 49 years of service, the ship supported submarine operations throughout the Atlantic, Mediterranean, and Caribbean waters.

Its primary purpose was to accompany submarines during sea trials and to perform underwater rescue procedures if needed.

Historic Achievements Beneath the Waves

The Kittiwake’s operational history includes several remarkable accomplishments that few visitors realize when exploring the wreck today.

In 1959, the vessel set a world record for the deepest submarine rescue exercise, taking an officer and four crew members to an impressive depth of 705 feet.

In 1960, the Kittiwake stood by off Cape Canaveral, Florida as the submarine USS George Washington launched the first Polaris ballistic missiles ever fired from an underwater submarine.

This historic moment marked a significant advancement in naval military capabilities during the Cold War era.

Perhaps most famously, the Kittiwake and her crew recovered the black box from the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster in 1986.

This tragic mission helped investigators understand what caused the catastrophic explosion that claimed the lives of seven astronauts.

From Mothballs to Caribbean Treasure

After being decommissioned in 1994, the Kittiwake sat idle for years at a naval facility in Virginia.

The ship might have faced scrapping if not for an innovative idea from the Cayman Islands Tourism Association (CITA).

In 2009, the vessel was donated to the Cayman Islands government, becoming the first U.S. “ghost ship” sold to a foreign entity.

Before its sinking, the Kittiwake underwent extensive environmental preparation, with all hazardous materials like PCBs, asbestos, and lead-based paint carefully removed.

After meticulous planning and preparation, on January 5, 2011, the Kittiwake was intentionally sunk just off Seven Mile Beach in Grand Cayman.

Positioned only 800 yards from shore on a sandy bottom area, the location was specifically chosen to minimize impact on natural reef systems while maximizing accessibility for visitors.

A New Life as an Artificial Reef

Since its sinking, the Kittiwake has transformed into a thriving artificial reef ecosystem.

Marine life quickly claimed the steel structure as home, with colorful sponges and corals attaching to the hull and superstructure.

Divers regularly encounter schools of horse-eyed jacks, barracuda, groupers, and angelfish swimming around and through the wreck.

Garden eels populate the sandy bottom surrounding the ship, while eagle rays and southern stingrays occasionally visit the site.

The smaller marine creatures are equally fascinating, with peppermint shrimp, arrowhead crabs, fire worms, and banded coral shrimp inhabiting various nooks and crannies throughout the vessel.

This abundant sea life provides an ever-changing experience for underwater explorers.

Exploring the Underwater Time Capsule

Advanced divers can access the entire ship, while openwater divers are typically limited to the upper three decks for safety reasons.

Inside the wreck, visitors can discover fascinating artifacts and spaces including two recompression chambers, a large mess hall, crew quarters, and the captain’s wheelhouse.

One particularly popular feature is the head (bathroom) with an intact mirror, allowing divers to capture their reflection underwater.

The massive propeller and towering smoke stack remain impressive features, along with the water cannon on the upper level.

Large holes cut into the hull facilitate safe swim-throughs for divers of varying experience levels.

A Shifting Underwater Landmark

In October 2017, the underwater landscape of the Kittiwake changed dramatically when Tropical Storm Nate swept through the Caribbean.

The powerful ground swell snapped the wreck’s anchor chains, pushing the vessel onto its port side and moving it about 80 feet from its original position.

This unplanned shift actually created new diving opportunities, though it did increase the overall depth.

Originally sitting with its highest point just 15 feet below the surface, the Kittiwake now rests with its shallowest point approximately 20 feet down and its deepest at around 65 feet.

Visitor Information

To explore the Kittiwake, visitors must book with a licensed local dive or snorkel operator as swimming from shore is prohibited.

Tours typically cost between $100-150 USD per person for either diving or snorkeling experiences, with prices including the mandatory $25 marine park fee.

Most tour operators depart from locations along Seven Mile Beach on Grand Cayman’s west side.

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