Explore Northern Shore

Located at the Northern Shore of Cayman Brac, this dive site offers an exceptional underwater experience that is both captivating and diverse. The region is renowned for its stunning wall dives, where divers can explore the dramatic drop-offs adorned with vibrant coral reefs and sponges. These walls are teeming with life, offering glimpses of majestic stingrays gliding by, massive turtles navigating their way along the reef, and the occasional sighting of the elusive hammerhead shark.

Diving in Cayman Brac is a year-round affair, but the best conditions are from October to May when the weather is not only warm but also inviting for marine exploration. The waters are perfect for both shore and boat diving, allowing divers of all levels to immerse themselves in this underwater paradise. One of the intriguing highlights of the area is the Guardian of the Reef bronze statue, a unique attraction that dates back to 2014 and adds a touch of artistic intrigue to the underwater landscape. Whether you are a seasoned diver or a novice, the Northern Shore of Cayman Brac promises an unforgettable adventure.

Places to explore

Dive Activity

Diving in Norhtern Shore

Northern Shore, Cayman Brac, offers an exciting array of dive sites that cater to both shore diving enthusiasts and those seeking liveaboard adventures. Among the top attractions is the wreck of the MV Captain Keith Tibbetts, a Russian-built frigate that now serves as a vibrant artificial reef teeming with marine life. This site is accessible from the shore, making it a popular choice for divers looking to explore shipwrecks without venturing too far offshore. For those interested in unique underwater experiences, the island provides exceptional night diving opportunities. Divers can witness nocturnal marine life and observe fascinating behaviors such as bioluminescent displays and the hunting activities of predatory fish. The balance between shore and liveaboard diving allows travelers to enjoy the flexibility of exploring nearby sites or venturing further for more isolated and pristine dive locations.

Top Wildlife Sightings in Northern Shore

The Northern Shore of Cayman Brac offers a vibrant underwater scene, ideal for divers eager to explore diverse marine life. Common reef fish such as parrotfish, angelfish, and butterflyfish are abundant throughout the year, often seen darting among the colorful corals. Spotted eagle rays and southern stingrays glide gracefully along the sandy bottoms, providing regular sightings for divers. During the warmer months, the area becomes a hotspot for green and hawksbill turtles, frequently encountered near the coral heads. Reef sharks, including nurse and Caribbean reef sharks, can be seen, particularly during the cooler months, adding an exhilarating experience for those diving in the deeper waters. Divers visiting in these periods have higher chances of encountering these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat.

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

Barracuda

154 Sightings
J
2
F
11
M
9
A
7
M
14
J
24
J
18
A
15
S
3
O
30
N
12
D
9

Hawksbill Turtle

53 Sightings
J
0
F
3
M
3
A
1
M
11
J
14
J
9
A
3
S
2
O
3
N
2
D
2

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

Total number of species: 600

Wrasse

49 Sightings
J
1
F
1
M
0
A
0
M
2
J
8
J
1
A
15
S
3
O
16
N
1
D
1

Green Turtle

23 Sightings
J
0
F
2
M
1
A
6
M
3
J
5
J
2
A
0
S
2
O
1
N
0
D
1

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

Total number of species: 200

Moray Eel

22 Sightings
J
2
F
0
M
0
A
5
M
1
J
0
J
3
A
2
S
0
O
3
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: 25

Eagle Ray

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

Loggerhead Turtle

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

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

Total number of species: 250

Grouper/Basslets

182 Sightings
J
4
F
3
M
6
A
9
M
10
J
45
J
27
A
25
S
2
O
30
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: 80

Stingrays

160 Sightings
J
4
F
2
M
10
A
11
M
17
J
15
J
30
A
22
S
6
O
26
N
13
D
4

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

Total number of species: 90

Angelfish

153 Sightings
J
5
F
10
M
8
A
6
M
7
J
31
J
18
A
21
S
3
O
25
N
11
D
8

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

Total number of species: 100

Parrotfish

115 Sightings
J
2
F
9
M
5
A
9
M
3
J
32
J
8
A
19
S
4
O
13
N
4
D
7

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

Total number of species: 130

Butterfly Fish

102 Sightings
J
3
F
9
M
5
A
6
M
4
J
30
J
7
A
10
S
3
O
15
N
5
D
5

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

Total number of species: 350

Damselfish

77 Sightings
J
1
F
2
M
1
A
3
M
3
J
21
J
4
A
15
S
0
O
21
N
1
D
5

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

Total number of species: 60

Squirrelfish

66 Sightings
J
3
F
2
M
2
A
5
M
3
J
16
J
1
A
14
S
0
O
11
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: 12

Lionfish

59 Sightings
J
3
F
1
M
0
A
4
M
3
J
13
J
7
A
10
S
2
O
11
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: 40

Triggerfish

47 Sightings
J
2
F
4
M
0
A
1
M
3
J
15
J
3
A
10
S
1
O
3
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: 85

Surgeonfish

46 Sightings
J
0
F
3
M
0
A
0
M
2
J
17
J
2
A
14
S
1
O
4
N
0
D
3

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

Total number of species: 110

Snapper

46 Sightings
J
3
F
4
M
0
A
0
M
2
J
8
J
5
A
7
S
1
O
11
N
1
D
4

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

Total number of species: 40

Jackfish

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

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

Total number of species: 60

Spiny Lobster

37 Sightings
J
1
F
1
M
2
A
4
M
2
J
4
J
5
A
10
S
0
O
5
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: 130

Pufferfish

35 Sightings
J
1
F
2
M
1
A
5
M
3
J
7
J
0
A
0
S
1
O
6
N
7
D
2

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

Total number of species: 150

Sweetlips and Grunts

32 Sightings
J
1
F
1
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
7
J
0
A
10
S
1
O
4
N
7
D
1

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

Total number of species: 2

Nurse Shark

31 Sightings
J
0
F
2
M
1
A
0
M
3
J
11
J
0
A
4
S
0
O
8
N
2
D
0

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

Total number of species: 90

Goatfish

26 Sightings
J
0
F
1
M
1
A
0
M
0
J
5
J
0
A
7
S
1
O
10
N
0
D
1

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

Total number of species: 55

Lobster

22 Sightings
J
0
F
1
M
1
A
1
M
5
J
2
J
5
A
0
S
0
O
2
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: 300

Squid

18 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
2
A
0
M
0
J
2
J
7
A
7
S
0
O
0
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: 60

Soldierfish

17 Sightings
J
0
F
1
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
8
J
0
A
7
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
1

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

Total number of species: 3400

Shrimp

14 Sightings
J
1
F
0
M
0
A
2
M
1
J
2
J
0
A
5
S
0
O
0
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: 2

Tarpon

14 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
1
M
0
J
3
J
3
A
3
S
0
O
4
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: 3

Trumpetfish

14 Sightings
J
1
F
2
M
1
A
1
M
3
J
0
J
0
A
1
S
0
O
2
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: 250

Scorpionfish

13 Sightings
J
0
F
1
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
1
J
0
A
3
S
1
O
7
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: 25

Boxfish

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

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

Total number of species: 20

Porcupinefish

10 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
1
J
0
J
0
A
5
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: 7000

Crab

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

The best Months to dive in Northern Shore

The Northern Shore of Cayman Brac offers exceptional diving conditions throughout the year, with water temperatures ranging from 25°C–28°C/77°F–82°F. This consistency allows for year-round diving, making it an ideal destination for enthusiasts at any time. Visibility typically reaches up to 30 meters/98 feet, providing clear views of the vibrant marine life and stunning underwater formations.

While diving is possible all year, divers should be aware that the winter months can bring stronger winds and slightly choppier seas, which may affect surface conditions and entry points. However, these factors rarely impede the overall diving experience, ensuring that the Northern Shore remains a sought-after location for divers seeking both adventure and relaxation.

Dive Sites