The Cayman Islands, three fantastically serene islands that are actually the peaks of a massive underwater ridge, provide divers from novice to expert with unparalleled opportunities for underwater exploration. With magnificent geology, warm clear water, and fantastic biodiversity, the area is truly a paradise you’ll want to return to time and time again. While the entire area is surrounded by fantastic dive sites, some really do shine. Let’s take a look at just a handful of the best dive sites Grand Cayman has to offer.
Big Tunnels - Grand Cayman Dive Sites
This sheer wall, which has been shaped by the relentless forces of nature, is approximately 300 feet long. Its top is 105 feet beneath the surface, and it meets the seabed at 120 feet. There is a massive coral archway here which can be swum through, as well as a labyrinth of meandering tunnels, canyons, and channels to explore. The many glassy sweepers and silversides that take shelter here are accompanied by schooling tarpon, yellowtail snapper, and all sorts of colorful tropical fish.
Stingray City - Grand Cayman Dive Sites
Don’t discount a trip to Stingray City just because it is Grand Cayman’s most visited dive site! Whether you’re a novice or an expert, you will enjoy interacting with the friendly stingrays that inhabit this 12 foot deep sand patch, with its scattering of coral heads. The quality of light is excellent, and the rays can be fed by hand.
Sentinel Rock - Grand Cayman Dive Sites
A truly magical site, located right next door to Big Tunnel, Sentinel Rock is a soaring coral pinnacle that rises straight up from the seabed at 90 feet, where a steeply sloped drop off covered in more coral and home to a wealth of sea creatures great and small waits to be explored. The pinnacle has a tunnel which can be swum through in its center, which is filled with a colorful collection of sponges and beautiful black coral trees. The pinnacle itself is covered in stands of fantastic red and purple gorgonians, some of which are very large, plus red encrusting sponges and big orange elephant ear sponges. You’ll find everything from nudibranchs to octopus, to schools of tropical fish here! Be sure to bring a light so you can enjoy all the brilliant colors that make this site unforgettable.
Eagle Ray Pass - Grand Cayman Dive Sites
Nothing quite compares to diving in the company of spotted eagle rays, and when you find yourself at Eagle Ray Pass, you will be astonished, as there are normally groups of these fantastic creatures here – sometimes as many as 10 to a group! The area itself is beautiful, with a coral canyon that drops to nearly 100 feet below the surface, which is brimming with red gorgonians, black coral, and enormous sponges. You exit the canyon at a steep wall where you can simply fly suspended, surrounded by crystal clear azure water. Besides the eagle rays, you are likely to encounter turtles, sharks, and tarpon, plus many smaller fish.
Tarpon Alley - Grand Cayman Dive Sites
Unlike most other sites at Grand Cayman, Tarpon Alley is sometimes subject to poor visibility. Nevertheless, the site is fantastic, as it is home to schooling tarpon, most of which are between 3 and 4 feet long, and some of which are 5 feet long and weigh an astonishing 150 pounds!
This beautiful coral canyon is located near the edge of the great drop off, which leads to the abyss, and at about 100 feet, it is a dive reserved for those with plenty of experience. The area is also the site of frequent hammerhead and nurse shark sightings, and is home to some very large lobsters. You will also encounter schooling yellowtail and blue striped snapper, as well as spotted eagle rays.
Grand Cayman is home to many superb dive operators, all of which are equipped to take you to a variety of well-known dive sites as well as some that are more remote and less travelled. Whether you choose to enjoy the services of a liveaboard or spend time enjoying all the other attractions the island offers between dives, you are certain to have the time of your life!