Explore Grand Cayman

Grand Cayman offers an unparalleled diving experience that beckons divers worldwide with its stunning underwater landscapes and diverse marine life. Located in the heart of the Caribbean, Grand Cayman is surrounded by a barrier reef that plunges into the deep Cayman Trough, providing breathtaking dive sites. With over 365 sites, divers can explore dramatic drop-offs, labyrinthine tunnels, and captivating caverns. The North Wall is particularly famous, descending as much as 1800 meters/5906 feet, and is ideal for technical diving while offering glimpses of schooling fish and the elusive hammerhead shark.

Divers visiting the North Sound can enjoy the unique experience of Stingray City, swimming alongside and feeding gentle southern stingrays. For those seeking tranquility, the East End features the serene Maze and Three Sisters, where Caribbean reef sharks often appear. The leeward side of the island, near George Town, offers excellent shore diving opportunities. Sites like Eden Rock and Devil’s Grotto provide easy access to spectacular underwater tunnels and caverns, while the Oro Verde Wreck adds a touch of history to your dive. The USS Kittiwake Wreck off Seven Mile Beach offers an unforgettable dive amid barracudas and vibrant coral life. Whether you're a novice or an experienced diver, Grand Cayman promises a rich and varied diving adventure.

Places to explore

Mares

East End

The East End of Grand Cayman is filled with culture and places to discover with over 50 dive sites in this region.
Aqualung

West Bay

The West Bay of Grand Cayman is best known for its amazing beaches and wreck diving.
Aqualung

North Shore

The North Shore is one of the must-visit dive sites in Grand Cayman.

Dive Activity

Diving in Grand Cayman

Grand Cayman offers an array of exceptional dive sites, drawing enthusiasts to its vibrant underwater landscapes. One of the most notable wreck dives is the USS Kittiwake, a former naval ship transformed into a captivating artificial reef, teeming with marine life. Its accessible location and clear waters make it a favorite among divers.

For those preferring shore dives, Eden Rock is a must-visit, renowned for its intricate coral formations and abundant fish. The island also provides unique experiences like night dives at Bonnie's Arch, where divers can witness nocturnal marine species and bioluminescent creatures. Whether choosing shore dives or liveaboard excursions, Grand Cayman balances convenience with adventure, offering diverse opportunities for all diving enthusiasts.

Top Wildlife Sightings in Grand Cayman

Grand Cayman is a vibrant hub of marine biodiversity, renowned for its colorful coral reefs and diverse marine life. Divers frequently encounter a variety of reef fish, including parrotfish, angelfish, and butterflyfish. These species are often seen darting among the coral formations, providing a stunning display of color and movement. The island's clear, warm waters make it an ideal habitat for these fish, enhancing their visibility and abundance. Seasonal highlights include the sightings of larger marine creatures. Between May and September, divers have the chance to observe sea turtles, particularly the green and hawksbill species, as they nest on the island's beaches. Stingrays, notably at Stingray City, are a year-round attraction, while reef and nurse sharks, though less common, can be occasionally spotted around the island's deeper reefs and walls. These encounters offer an exhilarating experience for divers, marking Grand Cayman as a premier diving destination.

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: 27

iStock-Global_Pics

Barracuda
943 Sightings
J
76
F
50
M
106
A
87
M
73
J
92
J
119
A
83
S
30
O
52
N
81
D
94
Shutterstock-Shane Myers Photography

Green Turtle
661 Sightings
J
56
F
34
M
78
A
56
M
43
J
64
J
83
A
49
S
29
O
37
N
67
D
65

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

Total number of species: 200

Alamy-WaterFrame

Moray Eel
661 Sightings
J
54
F
56
M
71
A
64
M
44
J
55
J
54
A
62
S
38
O
37
N
58
D
68

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

Total number of species: 25

iStock/Juliosanjuan

Eagle Ray
419 Sightings
J
39
F
27
M
62
A
43
M
29
J
27
J
52
A
45
S
13
O
30
N
21
D
31
Shutterstock-Ed Jenkins

Hawksbill Turtle
307 Sightings
J
19
F
22
M
41
A
21
M
23
J
41
J
35
A
34
S
6
O
12
N
26
D
27

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

Total number of species: 600

iStock/ultramarinfoto

Wrasse
238 Sightings
J
23
F
10
M
19
A
20
M
20
J
31
J
23
A
16
S
8
O
19
N
25
D
24

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

Total number of species: 300

Alamy/Reinhard Dirscherl

Octopus
167 Sightings
J
11
F
12
M
15
A
4
M
14
J
15
J
11
A
16
S
17
O
9
N
30
D
13
iStock-ShaneGross

Loggerhead Turtle
133 Sightings
J
8
F
4
M
16
A
37
M
17
J
21
J
12
A
3
S
2
O
4
N
5
D
4

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

Total number of species: 100

iStock-burnsboxco

Parrotfish
1.3k Sightings
J
140
F
69
M
126
A
103
M
83
J
125
J
185
A
103
S
48
O
57
N
125
D
152

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

Total number of species: 90

Shutterstock-Rich Carey

Angelfish
1.1k Sightings
J
104
F
73
M
119
A
93
M
81
J
113
J
142
A
98
S
39
O
55
N
120
D
108
Show More

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

Total number of species: 80

iStock/Extreme-Photographer

Stingrays
1.1k Sightings
J
99
F
59
M
95
A
92
M
71
J
88
J
161
A
121
S
53
O
54
N
127
D
104

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

Total number of species: 12

iStock/cinoby

Lionfish
818 Sightings
J
62
F
52
M
78
A
87
M
42
J
64
J
113
A
78
S
44
O
54
N
70
D
74

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

Total number of species: 130

Shutterstock_Krzysztof Odziomek

Butterfly Fish
656 Sightings
J
59
F
48
M
61
A
39
M
51
J
79
J
91
A
50
S
18
O
37
N
63
D
60

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

Total number of species: 130

AdobeStock-JirinaVFR

Pufferfish
633 Sightings
J
69
F
45
M
71
A
51
M
31
J
36
J
79
A
55
S
26
O
39
N
64
D
67

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

Total number of species: 250

Shutterstock-Henry_and_Laura_Whittaker

Grouper/Basslets
549 Sightings
J
60
F
19
M
40
A
41
M
41
J
54
J
94
A
42
S
14
O
36
N
62
D
46

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

Total number of species: 110

iStock-Rainer von Brandis

Snapper
451 Sightings
J
35
F
40
M
37
A
41
M
25
J
42
J
54
A
36
S
4
O
37
N
64
D
36

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

Total number of species: 85

iStock-mirecca

Surgeonfish
423 Sightings
J
44
F
36
M
33
A
25
M
32
J
31
J
44
A
39
S
10
O
24
N
51
D
54

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

Total number of species: 2

AdobeStock-hakbak

Nurse Shark
403 Sightings
J
24
F
30
M
49
A
25
M
40
J
48
J
46
A
30
S
14
O
26
N
44
D
27

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

Total number of species: 350

Alamy-Andre Seal

Damselfish
390 Sightings
J
42
F
24
M
44
A
33
M
30
J
35
J
38
A
42
S
15
O
17
N
30
D
40

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

Total number of species: 60

iStock-Global_Pics

Spiny Lobster
364 Sightings
J
29
F
25
M
24
A
37
M
24
J
27
J
46
A
29
S
16
O
33
N
38
D
36

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

Total number of species: 40

iStock-wrangel

Triggerfish
353 Sightings
J
26
F
20
M
44
A
37
M
27
J
24
J
37
A
29
S
12
O
17
N
32
D
48

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

Total number of species: 60

iStock-Global_Pics

Squirrelfish
353 Sightings
J
39
F
15
M
44
A
15
M
25
J
29
J
55
A
26
S
9
O
13
N
45
D
38

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

Total number of species: 7000

iStock-Michael Zeigler

Crab
344 Sightings
J
35
F
35
M
43
A
31
M
30
J
19
J
33
A
17
S
17
O
23
N
29
D
32

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

Total number of species: 150

Shutterstock-aquapix

Sweetlips and Grunts
331 Sightings
J
26
F
25
M
21
A
28
M
31
J
30
J
38
A
40
S
7
O
23
N
27
D
35

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

Total number of species: 40

iStock-Hoatzinexp

Jackfish
330 Sightings
J
29
F
15
M
30
A
19
M
29
J
32
J
32
A
41
S
10
O
31
N
40
D
22

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

Total number of species: 3

Shutterstock_Leo Lorenzo

Trumpetfish
292 Sightings
J
31
F
15
M
20
A
31
M
23
J
26
J
41
A
28
S
4
O
15
N
24
D
34

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

Total number of species: 2

iStock-stock_colors

Tarpon
286 Sightings
J
12
F
17
M
42
A
15
M
18
J
36
J
33
A
28
S
20
O
16
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: 90

Shutterstock-Levent Konuk

Goatfish
277 Sightings
J
28
F
12
M
26
A
7
M
18
J
25
J
43
A
28
S
3
O
18
N
26
D
43

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

Total number of species: 55

k

Lobster
262 Sightings
J
23
F
24
M
34
A
21
M
21
J
17
J
40
A
22
S
6
O
7
N
28
D
19

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

Total number of species: 60

iStock-Global_Pics

Soldierfish
232 Sightings
J
10
F
22
M
15
A
17
M
12
J
19
J
36
A
26
S
3
O
17
N
34
D
21

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

Total number of species: 30

Shutterstock-s_a_j

Sand Eel
184 Sightings
J
22
F
11
M
12
A
13
M
10
J
7
J
31
A
17
S
19
O
5
N
14
D
23

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

Total number of species: 25

AdobeStock_Vladimir Wrangel

Boxfish
183 Sightings
J
21
F
7
M
18
A
8
M
5
J
19
J
26
A
9
S
12
O
9
N
23
D
26

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

Total number of species: 28

Udo Kefrig

Clownfish
179 Sightings
J
7
F
6
M
24
A
19
M
10
J
23
J
20
A
18
S
11
O
17
N
18
D
6

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

Total number of species: 8

Alamy-Reinhard Dirscherl

Bannerfish
155 Sightings
J
19
F
10
M
10
A
17
M
6
J
22
J
17
A
11
S
10
O
8
N
11
D
14

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

Total number of species: 3400

Shutterstock-Shane Gross

Shrimp
154 Sightings
J
16
F
6
M
20
A
10
M
16
J
10
J
18
A
7
S
10
O
9
N
11
D
21

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

Total number of species: 120

AdobeStock-Composer.

Flounder
149 Sightings
J
7
F
7
M
14
A
31
M
10
J
13
J
20
A
9
S
8
O
7
N
14
D
9

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

Total number of species: 20

iStock-stephankerkhofs

Porcupinefish
108 Sightings
J
15
F
6
M
10
A
13
M
4
J
4
J
18
A
7
S
1
O
5
N
14
D
11

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

Total number of species: 300

Shutterstock_DiveIvanov

Squid
102 Sightings
J
7
F
5
M
15
A
7
M
6
J
16
J
23
A
6
S
8
O
2
N
0
D
7
AdobeStock-Nikolai Sorokin

Blacktip Reef Shark
99 Sightings
J
6
F
5
M
7
A
19
M
9
J
5
J
9
A
9
S
7
O
5
N
7
D
11
k

Caribbean Reef Shark
81 Sightings
J
10
F
1
M
11
A
6
M
4
J
4
J
10
A
12
S
4
O
3
N
6
D
10

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

Total number of species: 250

iStock-Miguel-Angelo-Silva.

Scorpionfish
77 Sightings
J
3
F
8
M
2
A
13
M
4
J
9
J
2
A
9
S
2
O
5
N
13
D
7

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

Total number of species: 80

iStock-bearacreative

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

The best Months to dive in Grand Cayman

Grand Cayman offers excellent diving conditions year-round, with water temperatures ranging from 25°C–30°C/77°F–86°F. Visibility is typically superb, often exceeding 30 meters/100 feet, allowing divers to fully appreciate the vibrant coral reefs and marine life.

Diving is possible all year, though conditions may vary with the seasons. Winter brings slightly cooler waters and mild northeasterly winds, which can cause choppier seas. Summer tends to be calmer, but there is a higher chance of rain and occasional tropical storms. Therefore, the best conditions are usually found from March to June, when waters are warm, visibility is high, and weather is generally stable.

Dive Centers

Octopus

Vistra (Cayman) Limited, KY1-1205 Grand Pavillon, CYM

CAYMAN AGGRESSOR IV

George Town, CYM

Ocean Frontiers Ltd.

344C Austin Conolly Dr, KYI-1801 East End, CYM

Indepth Watersports Ltd

857 N W Point Road, West Bay, CYM

Divetech @ Lighthouse Point Dive Resort

Box 31435, KY1-1206 Grand Cayman, CYM

Atlantis Dive Center

37 Seafarers Way, KYI-1104 Georgetown, CYM

Dive Sites

Ocean Frontiers Ltd., KYI-1801 East End

USS Kittiwake (Wreck) (★4.7)

The Kittiwake is one of the best-known wrecks in all of the Caribbean, if not the whole world, and sits just offshore from Seven Mile Beach. Due to its shallow depth (no deeper than 65 feet) it’s popular not only among scuba divers but freedivers and snorkelers as well.
Aqualung

Paradise Reef (★4.5)

This beautiful shallow reef site has lots of hard and soft corals, schooling horse eye jacks, turtles or a sleeping nurse shark nestled among the reef.
Mares

Rainbow Reef (★4.2)

In the Somosomo straight, the first day we went to the “Fish Factory” site. A short boat ride from the Taveuni Ocean Sports Nakia Dive Shop, weather dependent will throw you into the most colorful coral dives you e ever seen, along with marine life that calls this space home.
Scubapro

Oro Verde (Wreck) (★4.5)

Originally a U.S. Army transport ship, the Oro Verde spent its last 10 years of life transporting bananas between Ecuador and Miami. It eventually ran aground in 1976 on the reef surrounding Grand Cayman, right off Seven Mile Beach.
Scubapro, Stephen Frink

Turtle Reef / Macabuca - Grand Cayman (★4.5)

Shore entry by ladder from the Macabuca Tiki Bar. A short swim at 3-7m (15-20ft) depth brings you to the mini wall directly west of the entry. Depth around 14m (50ft). Swim another 100m farther west to the Main Wall. Accessible for night diving.