Explore the Captain Keith Tibbetts Wreck
On the northwest side of Cayman Brac - the second-largest island in the Cayman Islands - lies the wreck of the MV Captain Keith Tibbets. In 1984, the Soviet Union built this 100-metre long Koni II class frigate for the Cuban Navy. After years of storage, the Cayman Islands government purchased the ship which was then sunk off the shore of Cayman Brac in 1996, where it has since been renamed the MV Captain Keith Tibbets after a local dive operator.
The wreck has since become a spectacular artificial reef for snorkelers and divers to explore. This multi-leveled dive is one of Cayman Brac’s most premiere dive sites. Scuba diving the MV Captain Keith Tibbetts Wreck is possible via dive centres and dive resorts on Cayman Brac and Little Cayman. To dive Caymans three tropical islands, hop on visiting liveaboards in George Town.
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Diving at Captain Keith Tibbetts Wreck
The wreck can be reached by shore via a long surface swim of about 183-metres, yet, most people decide to hop on a dive boat. A 2004 hurricane has broken the wreck in two but there are still some excellent sights. Divers can visit the fore and back turret guns which provide fascinating photo opportunities before heading to the conning tower, which reaches up to the shallows, providing the ideal place for a safety stop. Experienced wreck divers can peer into the inner structures through small entrances while those intending to gain wreck diver certification can visit the wreck while on dive courses.
The best Months to dive at Captain Keith Tibbetts Wreck
MV Captain Keith Tibbetts Wreck is best dived in March and April, where the winds can be strong on the surface but below, the visibility is incredible and the conditions calm. From July to November is the summer period, where a number of great dives happen on the wreck. Yet, July to November is also hurricane season, with the conditions often being unpredictable on the Cayman Islands. The visibility on the Cayman Islands is incredible and it’s often possible to see up to 30-metres of the 100-metre ship.
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