Long recognized as the birthplace of recreational diving and renowned for its exceptional and diverse diving, the Cayman Islands’ dive industry is inviting all divers to join them in a weeklong celebration of the sport called Legends and Lions.

Taking place from the 4th – 11th October 2014, the inaugural dive festival will showcase Cayman’s superb dive product, honor dive legends being inducted into the International Scuba Diving Hall of Fame, give attendees the chance to join the fight against invasive Lionfish and feature incredible savings in dive packages offered by Cayman’s top dive operators Red Sail Sports, Divetech, Ocean Frontiers and Sunset House.

“It is only logical that one of the world’s top scuba diving destinations should have an annual festival celebrating the sport and highlighting Cayman’s fantastic marine world,” said Red Sail Sports Operations Manager Rod McDowall.

Teaming up with the Cayman Islands Department of Tourism, the dive industry leaders are bringing together several existing scuba promotions during this traditionally slow time of year to take advantage of excellent off-season rates for this scuba week. Legends and Lions will feature plenty of excellent diving and a number of special topside events. Conservation-minded divers can join the frontline in the battle against the invasive Lionfish – threatening all Caribbean reefs – with a Lionfish culling certification and then removing the pesky predators from local reefs. But that’s not all – the day’s fresh Lionfish catch will be cooked up and enjoyed during a street party hosted by local artist and environmentalist Guy Harvey.

To cap off this scuba week celebration, participants will attend the International Scuba Diving Hall of Fame Induction Dinner, where some of the biggest names in the dive industry will be honored. Cayman is host to the International Scuba Diving Hall of Fame and all Legends and Lions participants will be invited to attend. These year’s inductees are Alese and Mort Pechter, Bill Acker, Chuck Nicklin, Dan Orr and Neal Watson.

“Divers from around the world will have the opportunity to dive with a dive legend who helped create the sport we all love, and diving with a legend is something you cannot do anywhere,” said Sunset House General Manager Keith Sahm. “Here in the Cayman Islands each attendee will not only be able to dive with them, but they’ll also get a chance to mingle with these dive pioneers when they attend the Awards Night dinner as part of their Legends and Lions package.”

Also invited to attend the festival on a familiarization trip are the top performers from dive shops and booking agents who have participated in Cayman’s Tanks A Lot Rewards Program.

Taking advantage of shoulder season rates, Legends and Lions dive packages offer an excellent price for a 7-day stay. The packages include six daily 2-tank dives to the island’s top dive sites, a dive on the ex-USS Kittiwake wreck, a Lionfish certification with Lionfish Hunt Dive Competition, Lionfish Dinner with Underwater Photo Competition, International Scuba Diving Hall of Fame Induction Dinner and assorted on-island discounts.

Cayman’s leading dive operators are pulling out all the stops to ensure everyone enjoys an unforgettable dive vacation. Red Sail Sports is adding a free Sunset Sail aboard a luxury Catamaran and a 20% discount on beach toys at all its beach locations. Divetech’s package offers a full meal plan, unlimited shore diving, a dive on the underwater sculpture ‘Guardian of the Reef’, and a pool rebreather test and demonstration. Sunset House’s perks include a Stingray City dive, an afternoon dive on the USS Kittiwake, unlimited shore diving, DAN insurance for an additional $40, plus a welcome drink and gift. Ocean Frontiers’ package added-value offerings include a car rental for the entire stay, shore diving, a catamaran sail and a bottle of wine.

Leading dive operators hope to grow Legends and Lions into the destination’s signature annual dive event promoting its best natural resources – Cayman’s spectacular underwater world, presented by the best dive operators in the business, topped off with exceptional Caymanian hospitality.

“It should soon be on every divers calendar – fantastic diving and accommodations, great air connections, the chance to meet industry celebrities and greats, help the environment by culling and eating the dreaded Lionfish, party and have fun in the Caribbean – what more would you want?” asked Rod McDowall.

To book a Legends and Lions package visit www.divecayman.ky/scubaweek.