Explore East End

Diving in the East End of Grand Cayman offers a unique and authentic experience for those seeking adventure beneath the waves. Known for its more traditional and "off the beaten track" atmosphere, this diving destination is perfect for explorers eager to discover the hidden gems of the Caribbean Sea. The East End boasts over 60 dive sites, featuring breathtaking walls interspersed with a myriad of caverns and swim-throughs that promise to captivate divers. Notably, the region's canyons, like Babylon and Jack McKenny, are renowned for their stunning formations and abundant marine life, including lionfish and typical Caribbean reef fish.

For those who appreciate diverse marine encounters, East End delivers with sightings of sharks and, on occasion, the majestic manta ray. A must-visit site, Dumbo’s Lookout, offers the chance to witness the elusive pygmy elephants, adding a playful touch to the underwater adventure. Whether you're wall diving at Black Rock Drop or simply exploring the vibrant coral reefs, the East End provides an unparalleled dive experience. With the option to dive from local resorts or explore via liveaboards, it's accessible for both casual and dedicated divers alike. This rich marine environment, coupled with the area's cultural charm, makes East End a standout dive destination.

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    Diving in East End

    For novice divers who intend to take part in dive courses, there are a number of shallow sites with pristine reefs, such as Grouper Grotto where you’ll find Nassau grouper around every corner. While for the more experienced diver, there are staggering wall dives, some which drop down to the Cayman Trough, the deepest part of the Carribean Sea. Almost every wall dive is a labyrinth of fissures, caves, and swim-throughs - including The Maze, Snapper Hole, and Turtle Pass. - while at the Three Sisters dive site float among towering pinnacles adorned with a variety of corals.

    Top Wildlife Sightings in East End

    Due to the incredible topography of East End’s underwater world, there’s an astonishing amount of biodiversity to be found in the crystal clear waters. Alongside huge brain corals and sea fans are countless colourful creatures, such as octopus, snapper and moray eels. Great barracuda and tarpon patrol sites while electric rays, yellow rays, and the giant southern ray can be found digging into the sand in shallow dive sites.

    There are three types of sea turtles in the area, green, hawksbill and loggerhead and black-tip reef sharks are commonly seen assessing the scene below them. Caribbean reef sharks are occasionally seen at The Maze dive site while if you are very lucky divers, manta rays and hammerhead sharks may decide to make an appearance.

    Wildlife Sightings are Based on User Generated Content

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 27

    Barracuda

    Barracuda

    202 Sightings
    J
    15
    F
    5
    M
    17
    A
    28
    M
    22
    J
    17
    J
    24
    A
    16
    S
    8
    O
    21
    N
    17
    D
    12

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 200

    Moray Eel

    Moray Eel

    155 Sightings
    J
    7
    F
    4
    M
    20
    A
    29
    M
    13
    J
    8
    J
    15
    A
    7
    S
    10
    O
    12
    N
    20
    D
    10

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 600

    Wrasse

    Wrasse

    84 Sightings
    J
    3
    F
    4
    M
    20
    A
    12
    M
    7
    J
    10
    J
    5
    A
    4
    S
    2
    O
    10
    N
    6
    D
    1
    Green Turtle

    Green Turtle

    70 Sightings
    J
    9
    F
    6
    M
    8
    A
    4
    M
    6
    J
    4
    J
    3
    A
    5
    S
    7
    O
    2
    N
    9
    D
    7

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 25

    Eagle Ray

    Eagle Ray

    51 Sightings
    J
    0
    F
    1
    M
    7
    A
    10
    M
    7
    J
    4
    J
    3
    A
    3
    S
    5
    O
    5
    N
    2
    D
    4
    Hawksbill Turtle

    Hawksbill Turtle

    48 Sightings
    J
    4
    F
    4
    M
    6
    A
    6
    M
    2
    J
    2
    J
    6
    A
    5
    S
    3
    O
    2
    N
    2
    D
    6
    Loggerhead Turtle

    Loggerhead Turtle

    31 Sightings
    J
    0
    F
    1
    M
    1
    A
    13
    M
    5
    J
    5
    J
    2
    A
    2
    S
    0
    O
    0
    N
    1
    D
    1

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 300

    Octopus

    Octopus

    25 Sightings
    J
    2
    F
    1
    M
    4
    A
    0
    M
    1
    J
    0
    J
    3
    A
    1
    S
    3
    O
    1
    N
    8
    D
    1

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 100

    Parrotfish

    Parrotfish

    270 Sightings
    J
    14
    F
    13
    M
    33
    A
    35
    M
    20
    J
    28
    J
    26
    A
    17
    S
    11
    O
    24
    N
    32
    D
    17

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 90

    Angelfish

    Angelfish

    222 Sightings
    J
    11
    F
    13
    M
    26
    A
    34
    M
    23
    J
    21
    J
    23
    A
    12
    S
    9
    O
    22
    N
    18
    D
    10

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 80

    Stingrays

    Stingrays

    195 Sightings
    J
    15
    F
    14
    M
    29
    A
    26
    M
    10
    J
    12
    J
    10
    A
    11
    S
    15
    O
    13
    N
    23
    D
    17

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 12

    Lionfish

    Lionfish

    188 Sightings
    J
    12
    F
    9
    M
    16
    A
    41
    M
    14
    J
    14
    J
    18
    A
    13
    S
    15
    O
    16
    N
    11
    D
    9

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 130

    Butterfly Fish

    Butterfly Fish

    149 Sightings
    J
    7
    F
    6
    M
    21
    A
    21
    M
    15
    J
    19
    J
    16
    A
    9
    S
    0
    O
    21
    N
    8
    D
    6
    Caribbean Reef Shark

    Caribbean Reef Shark

    132 Sightings
    J
    9
    F
    6
    M
    23
    A
    17
    M
    9
    J
    9
    J
    11
    A
    14
    S
    6
    O
    5
    N
    10
    D
    13

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 250

    Grouper/Basslets

    Grouper/Basslets

    126 Sightings
    J
    9
    F
    7
    M
    16
    A
    10
    M
    8
    J
    9
    J
    15
    A
    9
    S
    6
    O
    19
    N
    14
    D
    4

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 110

    Snapper

    Snapper

    125 Sightings
    J
    6
    F
    3
    M
    12
    A
    15
    M
    6
    J
    12
    J
    11
    A
    10
    S
    2
    O
    28
    N
    17
    D
    3

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 85

    Surgeonfish

    Surgeonfish

    125 Sightings
    J
    3
    F
    4
    M
    24
    A
    11
    M
    12
    J
    12
    J
    10
    A
    8
    S
    4
    O
    12
    N
    21
    D
    4

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 40

    Triggerfish

    Triggerfish

    122 Sightings
    J
    4
    F
    5
    M
    24
    A
    18
    M
    10
    J
    12
    J
    10
    A
    8
    S
    4
    O
    14
    N
    7
    D
    6

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 130

    Pufferfish

    Pufferfish

    111 Sightings
    J
    5
    F
    3
    M
    11
    A
    21
    M
    8
    J
    10
    J
    18
    A
    4
    S
    1
    O
    13
    N
    10
    D
    7

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 60

    Squirrelfish

    Squirrelfish

    97 Sightings
    J
    3
    F
    3
    M
    19
    A
    7
    M
    7
    J
    10
    J
    10
    A
    6
    S
    1
    O
    10
    N
    11
    D
    10

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 40

    Jackfish

    Jackfish

    96 Sightings
    J
    4
    F
    2
    M
    13
    A
    7
    M
    15
    J
    12
    J
    8
    A
    10
    S
    0
    O
    12
    N
    10
    D
    3

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 350

    Damselfish

    Damselfish

    96 Sightings
    J
    3
    F
    6
    M
    17
    A
    16
    M
    9
    J
    12
    J
    8
    A
    6
    S
    2
    O
    9
    N
    3
    D
    5
    Blacktip Reef Shark

    Blacktip Reef Shark

    95 Sightings
    J
    6
    F
    5
    M
    9
    A
    14
    M
    5
    J
    4
    J
    6
    A
    7
    S
    9
    O
    5
    N
    12
    D
    13

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 150

    Sweetlips and Grunts

    Sweetlips and Grunts

    93 Sightings
    J
    3
    F
    5
    M
    11
    A
    16
    M
    13
    J
    11
    J
    9
    A
    9
    S
    2
    O
    8
    N
    5
    D
    1

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 60

    Spiny Lobster

    Spiny Lobster

    87 Sightings
    J
    7
    F
    3
    M
    5
    A
    16
    M
    4
    J
    9
    J
    6
    A
    4
    S
    3
    O
    12
    N
    9
    D
    9

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 28

    Clownfish

    Clownfish

    78 Sightings
    J
    4
    F
    1
    M
    6
    A
    15
    M
    7
    J
    10
    J
    10
    A
    7
    S
    2
    O
    10
    N
    6
    D
    0

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 3

    Trumpetfish

    Trumpetfish

    76 Sightings
    J
    5
    F
    3
    M
    8
    A
    14
    M
    4
    J
    7
    J
    11
    A
    3
    S
    3
    O
    5
    N
    6
    D
    7

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 2

    Nurse Shark

    Nurse Shark

    74 Sightings
    J
    7
    F
    2
    M
    6
    A
    9
    M
    6
    J
    2
    J
    10
    A
    7
    S
    7
    O
    6
    N
    10
    D
    2

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 60

    Soldierfish

    Soldierfish

    65 Sightings
    J
    2
    F
    0
    M
    9
    A
    11
    M
    4
    J
    6
    J
    8
    A
    7
    S
    2
    O
    9
    N
    4
    D
    3

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 7000

    Crab

    Crab

    64 Sightings
    J
    2
    F
    3
    M
    4
    A
    14
    M
    8
    J
    3
    J
    6
    A
    6
    S
    5
    O
    4
    N
    4
    D
    5
    Grey Reef Shark

    Grey Reef Shark

    57 Sightings
    J
    4
    F
    9
    M
    2
    A
    7
    M
    3
    J
    1
    J
    10
    A
    4
    S
    5
    O
    3
    N
    4
    D
    5

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 90

    Goatfish

    Goatfish

    56 Sightings
    J
    2
    F
    1
    M
    12
    A
    3
    M
    7
    J
    9
    J
    4
    A
    2
    S
    0
    O
    12
    N
    1
    D
    3

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 8

    Bannerfish

    Bannerfish

    56 Sightings
    J
    2
    F
    0
    M
    6
    A
    12
    M
    5
    J
    8
    J
    7
    A
    2
    S
    3
    O
    6
    N
    2
    D
    3

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 2

    Tarpon

    Tarpon

    50 Sightings
    J
    3
    F
    0
    M
    8
    A
    2
    M
    3
    J
    1
    J
    4
    A
    5
    S
    7
    O
    10
    N
    4
    D
    3

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 25

    Boxfish

    Boxfish

    47 Sightings
    J
    3
    F
    0
    M
    8
    A
    4
    M
    2
    J
    8
    J
    8
    A
    3
    S
    1
    O
    7
    N
    2
    D
    1

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 250

    Scorpionfish

    Scorpionfish

    38 Sightings
    J
    2
    F
    2
    M
    3
    A
    12
    M
    3
    J
    3
    J
    1
    A
    2
    S
    1
    O
    1
    N
    8
    D
    0

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 3400

    Shrimp

    Shrimp

    37 Sightings
    J
    3
    F
    0
    M
    5
    A
    5
    M
    3
    J
    1
    J
    3
    A
    1
    S
    7
    O
    3
    N
    2
    D
    4

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 55

    Lobster

    Lobster

    36 Sightings
    J
    5
    F
    2
    M
    2
    A
    4
    M
    3
    J
    2
    J
    3
    A
    3
    S
    3
    O
    3
    N
    5
    D
    1
    Whitetip Reef Shark

    Whitetip Reef Shark

    29 Sightings
    J
    6
    F
    3
    M
    4
    A
    4
    M
    2
    J
    1
    J
    0
    A
    2
    S
    0
    O
    1
    N
    6
    D
    0

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 120

    Flounder

    Flounder

    28 Sightings
    J
    0
    F
    0
    M
    2
    A
    10
    M
    2
    J
    3
    J
    2
    A
    3
    S
    0
    O
    3
    N
    2
    D
    1

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 80

    Emperor

    Emperor

    23 Sightings
    J
    0
    F
    0
    M
    1
    A
    1
    M
    2
    J
    8
    J
    1
    A
    2
    S
    2
    O
    6
    N
    0
    D
    0

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 30

    Sand Eel

    Sand Eel

    22 Sightings
    J
    1
    F
    0
    M
    4
    A
    5
    M
    2
    J
    1
    J
    4
    A
    1
    S
    0
    O
    0
    N
    4
    D
    0

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 3000

    Nudibranch

    Nudibranch

    20 Sightings
    J
    0
    F
    0
    M
    5
    A
    4
    M
    0
    J
    0
    J
    2
    A
    0
    S
    2
    O
    2
    N
    3
    D
    2

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 15

    Tuna

    Tuna

    19 Sightings
    J
    0
    F
    1
    M
    0
    A
    7
    M
    1
    J
    2
    J
    2
    A
    1
    S
    1
    O
    1
    N
    3
    D
    0

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 20

    Porcupinefish

    Porcupinefish

    19 Sightings
    J
    3
    F
    1
    M
    2
    A
    4
    M
    2
    J
    2
    J
    0
    A
    2
    S
    0
    O
    0
    N
    0
    D
    3
    Garibaldi Damselfish

    Garibaldi Damselfish

    14 Sightings
    J
    0
    F
    1
    M
    0
    A
    7
    M
    0
    J
    1
    J
    0
    A
    1
    S
    2
    O
    1
    N
    1
    D
    0

    The image shown is a representative illustration and does not depict every individual animal in this category.

    Total number of species approx.: 15

    Garfish

    Garfish

    14 Sightings
    J
    0
    F
    0
    M
    0
    A
    0
    M
    3
    J
    3
    J
    2
    A
    1
    S
    0
    O
    2
    N
    2
    D
    1

    The best Months to dive in the East End

    East End diving is best in mid-March through to mid-August. Outside of these times, East End experiences strong winds and, while the wind doesn’t always affect dive operations, to experience scuba diving in East End at its absolute best visit in April, May, June or July. One of the grest things about diving on Grand Cayman is that the island is flat with no river-off, so the visibility is always incredible.

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