Grand Cayman Snorkeling Guide

Snorkeling the reefs of Grand Cayman is a real treat.  What most people do not realize is how easy it really is to just jump in the water from shore and enjoy first class underwater beauty.  We have included some of the Island's best locations, from beach entrances to remote snorkeling spots we hope you experience snorkeling the way the locals do it, just jump in the water and view some the best nature has to offer.  Please note that not all places are accessible from shore, you will have to take a boat trip in order to "see it all", make sure you go to Activities for the best discounts and offers this Island has ever seen.

Legend: Easy◊ Hard◊◊◊◊◊

West Bay, Turtle Farm

West Bay, Cemetery Reef

George Town, Wreck of the Gamma

George Town, Cheese Burger Reef

George Town, Wreck of the Cali

George Town, Eden Rock/Devil's Grotto

South Sound, Blue Parrott

South Sound, Smith's Cove

Bodden Town, Beach Bay

Bodden Town, Cemetery

East End, Colliers

East End, Queen's Monument

North Side, Rum Point

All pictures and maps enlarge when clicked

West bay, Turtle Farm

The Turtle Farm's Miniwall is a very good snorkeling spot, mostly known for diving; snorkeling here is mostly overlooked by visitors because of lack of promotion.  There are two different entrances in this location, one, in front of the dive shop by taking a step ladder or by entering in the cove right next to the Turtle Farm.  The cove entrance is not as simple but the snorkeling in the cove is really neat. 

Take a look at the cove and see if you are comfortable with the entrance and exit before you get in.  The entrances and exits are fairly simple but booties should be worn in order to be able to walk on the rocks in the secluded cove entrance. 

This snorkeling spot offers the best views close to shore right in the entrance and on "the lip" of the miniwall.  By the entrance you can see amongst many sea creatures tons of juvenile fish, octopus, soft sponges and sea fans.  This area is well known for the gigantic parrot fish that schools between the entrances and the miniwall, some up to 2ft long, the "crunching" noise you will hear underwater is the sound of these beautiful fish feeding off the coral and ocean floor.

Parrot Fish are known for their colorful bodies and produce up to a pond of sand a year. Some of these bigger Parrot Fish species most likely produce even more sand! 

The miniwall "bottoms out" at 40ft in a sandy bottom, so it's best to keep between the two areas.

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West bay, Cemetery Beach

Cemetery Reef is a very popular spot for both snorkeling and sun tanning.  This beautiful location will offer the best of both worlds, a beach entrance and good snorkeling nearby. 

The reefs are few minutes away resting in about 20ft of water.  The marine life is very abundant, of you are brave, bring some fish food with you so you can have the  "Cayman Piranhas" experience.  Sergeant Majors, so called "Cayman Piranhas", will literally swarm you for a morsel, better yet, look for somebody else with food so you can watch the "other guy" get enveloped by fish. (Probably a smarter move) 

Sea Turtle are also known to frequent the area, some al large as the biggest found at the Turtle Farm swim by on a daily basis looking for food and shelter from deep water. 

Being one of the most picturesque areas in Grand Cayman this spot should not be missed.  Huge Australian Pines offer plenty of shade on the shore for the whole day at the beach you might be looking for.

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George Town, Wreck of the Gamma

The Wreck of the Gamma is an old freighter that crashed against the shoreline.  The wreck is visible from shore but unfortunately it is crumbling from rust damage. 

The wreck actually sits sticking out of the water so the snorkeling is conducted "around" the wreck rather that "over" the wreck. 

Wrecks make a great home for sea life and the Gamma is no exception, you will be able to view many different species within a very small area. 

The nearby shoreline is also home to beautiful coral formations nearby.  Try to concentrate your snorkeling close to shore as most of the beauty lays just a few feet from the entrance.

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George Town, Cheeseburger Reef

The location of this site kind of gives away why the name was chosen.  The nearby reef lays in about 30ft of water with the larger coral formations in just 10ft of water. 

The entrance is very simple and a sandy walk in makes it that much easier.  The marine life here is spectacular, mostly due to the long popularity of the spot, people have been feeding fish here for years with incredible results, the fish are not scared of people. 

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George Town, Wreck of the Cali

The wreck of the Cali is an old freighter that sank right in front of George Town. 

Legend tells of the Cali taking in a lot of water and was brought closer to shore, unfortunately it was carrying large amounts of rice, which of course expanded with all the water.  The Cali virtually exploded from the rice expansion.  No one can confirm this story, heard being told time and time again. 

Truth or fiction, the Cali is a nice wreck to view.  It rests on the Sea floor in pieces with all the ribs exposed making a really nice home for thousand of fish, giant sea urchins, eels, octopus and many other creatures. 

The wreck is really close to shore in very shallow waters, that makes it a fun site for all ages.

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George Town, Paradise to Eden Rock/Devils Grotto

Eden Rock and Devils Grotto are a favorite amongst snorkelers and divers alike. 

Free divers love the spot because it's many short caves they can free dive into, feeling totally enveloped in the underwater nature. 

Although we do not recommend people diving in these caves without air tanks, (scuba diving) Eden Rock is a beautiful place to view some of the most impressive coral formations on the Island. 

The site sits a few yards away from shore, do not get discouraged when the bottom seems to get deeper (30ft) without any coral to be seen, at that time you are getting very close to the formation that rises up from 30ft to a mere 10ft of water. 

Fish feeding here is also very popular.  If you have ever wanted to jump into an aquarium, this is the perfect chance.  The small coves to the right of Eden Rock are also fun to explore.  Take your time and view the underwater wonders through out the whole area for an experience you will never forget.

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South Sound, Blue Parrott

The Blue Parrot is actually the name of a bar that used to be a very popular "hang out" for divers. 

Unfortunately, a storm decided to pun an end to the fun, bar fun that is.  The site is now, as was before, at the Coconut Harbor.  Because the bar is gone, you can drive your car right to the edge of the water and suite up. 

The entrance is easy, with steps carved out of the rocky shoreline; one can jump right in and snorkel the 20 yards to the beginning of the coral formation. 

This site sits in about 30ft of water eventually getting deeper to 50ft in a sandy bottom.

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South Sound, Smith's Cove

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Bodden Town, Beach Bay

Beach Bay is a small cove hidden just before entering Bodden Town.  You have to drive down the long Beach Bay road, about two miles, before you reach the shore.  There is a small parking lot as soon as you get to the end of the road.  From there just walk downhill to the beach, you will see the cove to the left.

This snorkeling spot is situated at the end of Pedro's Bluff, it offers that remote, untouched Eden our returning visitors have yet to discover.

The entrance is fairly easy, the small man made lagoon makes for an easy access to the outside barrier reef that surrounds the area.  Because of the weather this location can be very rough so keep the snorkeling on the inside of the reef if conditions do not allow you to explore farther out.

The area consists of mostly shallow water snorkeling with dramatic coral formations outside the reef in about 30ft of water.  The sea life is plenty but elusive as most of the creatures are not used to seeing many snorkelers.

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Bodden Town, Cemetery Beach

Bodden Town in general offers good snorkeling grounds because of the large reef surrounding the Town.  The snorkeling here consists of shallow coral heads spread out over a very large area within the reef.

Gifted with a beach, the entrance is easy but booties should be worn for additional comfort while walking out to a decent snorkeling depth.

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East End, Colliers

East End holds some of the most secretive snorkeling on the island.  Because of it's sheer size, the largest district on the island, snorkeling the whole area can take your whole vacation and then some.

Some of the best spots can be found by the Tortuga Club's reefs, to both the left or right of the Resort as well as the pier.  The multitude of Conch, Sea Fans, Tarpons, Lobsters and schools of fish shows just how untouched this area really is.

As the map shows, the barrier reef takes a turn closer to shore north of Colliers making it easier to access from shore.  Be aware of the channel that sometimes carries quite a lot of current, snorkel on the right of the pier at the Tortuga club or on the left of the channel by walking on beach or driving to the beach by the point.

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East End, Queen's Monument

The Queen's Monument has long being regarded a top location for both off shore diving and snorkeling.  Because of it's diverse geography it provides a barrier reef, shallow reefs and the famed wall close enough to explore. 

The entrance is fairly easy but rocky so booties should be worn.  to begin, the barrier reef can be viewed first by going left once entering the water.  The Barrier ends shortly after and allows a passage to the outside of the reef to view the shallow reefs in about 30ft of water.

For the expert snorkelers a 120yard swim to the wall is well worth it.  The wall here starts at a mere 55ft, with Cayman's water clarity the majestic drop off can be viewed from above.

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Rum Point

Magical Rum Point, with restaurants, bars, secluded beaches, boat access, beautiful mansions, solid snorkeling, Rum Point has it all.  This area is "a must" for every visitor to the Cayman Islands.

Entering the Rum Point area there are several hidden beaches underneath the bluff that hold pristine coral formations in shallow waters. The snorkeling at Rum Point is done within the barrier reef so it's mostly accessible all year.

The snorkeling at the Public Beach is equally beautiful, the area holds tables and restrooms for all the comforts not found as you enter Rum Point from North Side.

Rum Point beach is great for viewing fish and stingrays (Do not feed or touch these rays, only look, you are not at stingray city) the coral is by the point at the Retreat Condos.  Walk over on the beach and enter the water from the condos, the coral heads are on the right about 40yards from shore.

At Cayman Kai, the main underwater attraction happens to be Starfish.  There are plenty to look and play with, but please return them to their habitat once you are done marveling.  Rum Point is a replenishment zone, the taking of any marine animal is strictly prohibited.

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