About Cayman Marine Lab

Established in 1986, Cayman Marine Lab caters to folks interested in a smaller eco-diving experience. The equipment is new and well-maintained because we do virtually everything ourselves; by the way, this also helps to keep us sane because getting things done in the tropics will test you, to say the least. CML will run with as few as 2 or as many as 10 divers. The atmosphere is very informal, and the only thing more fun than the dives are the mini-lessons given between dives.

Perhaps our most important asset is experience. That's right, we're old for dive masters which means we know the local waters, how weather affects each spot, and how to make the right decisions so that all will have a safe and enjoyable adventure.

Cayman Marine Lab is the only marine eco-tourism operation in the entire Caribbean run by a "real" marine biologist. CML director, Tom Byrnes was lured away from a faculty position with Hofstra University in New York after just one visit to the Cayman Islands. Although well-traveled in the Caribbean, most of Tom's research and publications are from studies carried out in the Indo-Pacific. After a six year stint in Australia, Tom became somewhat disillusioned with research because it requires one to be extremely specialized eventually becoming the "worlds authority" on something only 100 people care about. He wanted to help fill a void in the diving industry. Divers needed to be educated about the silent world they were dropping into and damaging all too often. Although some divers understand that reefs are delicate and easily damaged, they do not know how and why. After a few marine lessons, which are given during dive intervals, people become much more careful and have more fun. They learn about coral reefs, mangroves, rocky intertidal shores, and turtle grass lagoon ecosystems.  A number of special topics such as tropical fish, invertebrates, marine symbiosis (intimate relationships between different species), bioluminescence (biological light), and others are offered.  Even the most veteran divers cruise the reef with child-like curiosity because with each lesson, another aspect of reef life suddenly comes to life! In addition to catering to the knowledge of tourist divers and consulting on video, television, documentaries and various articles, the Lab keeps busy with academic groups from colleges and universities all across North America and also offers PADI and NAUI certifications as well as NITROX certifications.