This dive site, the MV Captain Keith Tibbetts, is a spectacular 330-foot-long Koni II class frigate, purpose-sunk as an artificial reef and dive attraction in 1996. Built for the Cuban Navy by the Soviet Union in 1984, it now lies on the northwest side of Cayman Brac, offering clear navigation around its extensive structure. Divers can explore the ship's exterior, superstructure, and potentially some open interior sections.
The wreck has become a vibrant habitat for numerous marine species. Divers frequently encounter nurse and reef sharks, graceful eagle rays, and various turtles. The hull and surrounding reef teem with schooling fish such as snapper, angelfish, and grunts, alongside grouper and colorful anemones, contributing to a rich biodiversity.
The best time to visit the MV Captain Keith Tibbetts, like much of the Caribbean, is generally from November to May when the waters are calmest and visibility is at its peak, though diving is excellent year-round. This site is ideal for wide-angle photography and offers opportunities for both recreational divers to explore the exterior and more experienced divers to carefully penetrate accessible sections. Freedivers will also find the average depth of 12 meters appealing for breath-hold exploration.
