Top 7 Exceptional Snorkeling Spots in Grand Cayman

Grand Cayman, one of the most happening islands of the three, offers endless adventures & wonderful places- making it difficult for the tourist to plan their first itinerary. Truth be told, this enchanting destination is a retreat for people of all likings.

Soak in the beaming sun rays, indulge in water sports during the day, and enjoy bar hopping or relish an exquisite seaside dinner at night. You are sure to create unforgettable memories.

Moreover, if you are a thrill seeker who loves adrenaline rush and water sports, Grand Cayman is the place for you. This 76 square miles island is swamped with exhilarating water activities, and we have put together the most popular ones you must go for!

Snorkeling

Snorkeling should be at the top of your checklist if you are keen to discover Grand Cayman’s colorful, mystical, and fascinating underwater life. This water sport is a safe and fun activity and ideal for beginners. With expert guidance and little practice, you will learn to trust the gear and swim effortlessly beneath the waters.

Finding a snorkeling site in Grand Cayman is a cinch because nearly every site follows the same route, starting from Stingray City and Sandbar, continuing to adjacent Coral Gardens and, often, the barrier reef. While some sites require you to swim in the surf, others are accessible through a boat tour.

Scuba Diving

Diving in Grand Cayman is nothing but a sheer pleasure! This world-class destination is characterized by seemingly never-ending coral plateaus stretching out to sea. The incredible wall dives and a breathtaking view at the drop-off will give you a visualization of heaven on earth.

One of the best parts about Grand Cayman is that it has a total of 240 mesmerizing diving sites, so even if you dive for 120 days straight, you won’t repeat the same ones. Each of the 240 sites offers you an eclectic sight of the sea, and you will spot a variety of aquatic creatures such as Tropical Fishes, Sea Turtles, Stingrays, Slugs, Squids, Groupers, Tarpons, Sponges, and more.

Choosing an interesting spot is equivalently important for a splendid diving experience. Go for a lively beach spot, with a great crowd and abundance of fish and corals. To make your job easy, we have drafted a selection of some of the prime snorkeling sites in Grand Cayman.

Best Snorkeling Sites in Grand Cayman

1. Barrier reef

The barrier reef is a snorkeling spot located parallel to the north side of Grand Cayman. This spot is a couple of miles away from the offshore, so you will need to book the Cayman Islands boat tour to get around this site. These turquoise waters are warm and 10 meters deep, but as you reach closer to the reef, it becomes very shallow.

2. Cemetery Reef

Our next spot is positioned on the northern end of Seven Mile Beach. This reef is shaded by Casuarina and Sea grape trees, offering a beautiful and peaceful scenic environment.

The best part of Cemetery Reef is that it is secluded from the crowd, leading to a fantastic snorkeling experience. You can plunge directly into the sea and encounter phenomenal Sea Fans, Sea Sponges, Nudibranchs, and Blennies.

3. Cheeseburger Reef

Cheeseburger Reef is about 40 yards beyond the Lobster Pot Dive Center in George Town, the capital of the Cayman Islands. The clear waters at this reef are usually very calm, with no waves, making it relatively easier for snorkelers to swim from the shore.

Right about 20 yards from the offshore, you will discover 12,000-year-old coral formations, and merely 10 feet below, you will find turtles and tarpons swimming around numerous ancient caves.

4. Coral Gardens

This famous snorkeling site sits in the North Sound of Grand Cayman. Coral Gardens are well known for their high density of coral heads, meaning you will witness lots of fish, wild turtles, and lobsters.

Considering this site is a mile or two offshore, you are required to grab a boat to snorkel, and the easiest way to do that is to take a Stingray City tour, as it includes a snorkel stop at coral gardens.

5. Eden Rock

Eden Rock nestles in the capital of the Islands, George Town. This site teems with tarpons and diverse species of marine creatures. Snorkeling here is relatively easy, especially for beginners, as there is a ladder to enter and exit the water safely. On top of that, you can snorkel from the shore.

6. Stingray City Sandbar

This shallow sandbar is located in the northwest corner of Grand Cayman. As the name suggests, this snorkeling site is replete with dozens of Stingrays. Stingray City is the most popular and preferred choice among snorkels, as the waters are generally calm and not too deep.

Stingray City can only be visited by boat, so you must book a Grand Cayman snorkeling tour to get there. Snorkelers can even feed and brush the bodies of these unique and broad-finned rays.

7. Wreck of the Cali

This snorkeling site is right off the main road in the heart of the Cayman Islands, George Town. Less than 70 yards from the shore, you can detect the ancient freighter, Wreck of Cali, settled 20 feet below the water.

Wreck of Cali is home to a myriad of fishes, eels, sea urchins, and many more marine life. This spot has its way of capturing people’s hearts with its peculiar and colorful sponges and corals rooted to the remains of the wreck.

To visit Cali Wreck, you will need to get to the dock and hop on a boat, and this short ride will take you to the snorkeling spot.

Here’s a list of well-known snorkeling operators you can choose for your tours.

• Frank’s Water Sports
• Living The Dream Divers
• Captain Marvin’s
• Ebanks Watersports
• Ocean Frontiers
• Red Sail Sports

Final Thoughts

A visit to this divers paradise will leave you awestruck by its magnificent sea life and natural habitat. And here’s a pro tip for our snorkelers — get your snorkeling equipment before submerging into waters to secure the right fit.