© Mares

Explore Preston Bay Marine Park

Diving at Preston Bay Marine Park offers a captivating underwater journey that appeals to divers of all skill levels. Nestled in a protected region, the park boasts rich marine biodiversity, including the vibrant lionfish and the iconic Nassau grouper. The coral reefs are teeming with a plethora of colorful fish, providing a mesmerizing backdrop for underwater exploration. Whether you're a novice diver or more experienced, the park's welcoming waters ensure an unforgettable adventure.

For those eager to explore beyond the reefs, the nearby M.V. Keith Tibbets wreck is a must-visit site, offering an intriguing glimpse into marine history. The area also features an array of underwater tunnels, perfect for adventurous divers seeking a thrilling experience. Diving in Preston Bay is best enjoyed from November to May, when the climate is warm and inviting, enhancing the overall diving experience. Whether you prefer shore dives, boat excursions, or liveaboard adventures, Preston Bay Marine Park stands out as a remarkable destination, capturing the essence of underwater exploration in the region.

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Dive Activity

Diving in Preston Bay Marine Park

Preston Bay Marine Park is a diver's haven, offering a diverse range of underwater adventures. Among the top dive sites, the wreck of the SS Harmony stands out, providing a hauntingly beautiful dive experience with its coral-encrusted remains and vibrant marine life. For those interested in shore dives, the Blue Lagoon is a popular spot, where divers can explore colorful reefs and spot schools of tropical fish just a short swim from the beach.

Night diving in Preston Bay is a unique experience, revealing the captivating nocturnal behaviors of marine creatures. Divers frequently encounter bioluminescent organisms, adding a magical touch to the underwater landscape. The marine park offers a balance between shore and liveaboard diving options, catering to both novice and experienced divers seeking a variety of diving experiences in one location.

Dive Centers

Bloody Bay Scuba School

Bloody Bay Scuba School

113 Guy Banks Rd, KY3-2501 Little Cayman, Cayman Islands

Dive Sites

Mares, Janez Kranjc
Nancy’s Cup of Tea (★4.6)

Nancy’s Cup of Tea (★4.6)

Located along Bloody Bay Wall, “Nancy’s Cup of Tea“ is a beautiful and popular dive site in Little Cayman, suitable for both diving and snorkeling.

The best Months to dive in Preston Bay Marine Park

Preston Bay Marine Park offers diving opportunities year-round, with water temperatures ranging from 24°C–29°C/75°F–84°F. Visibility is typically excellent, averaging around 20-30 meters/66-98 feet, providing clear views of the vibrant marine life.

Weather conditions are generally favorable, although the winter months can bring slightly cooler temperatures and stronger winds, which may affect diving conditions. Currents are generally mild but can vary, so checking local forecasts is recommended. While diving is possible throughout the year, the period from June to August might be less favorable due to occasional storms, making spring and early fall ideal for diving enthusiasts.

Top Wildlife Sightings in Preston Bay Marine Park

Preston Bay Marine Park in Little Cayman is a vibrant ecosystem teeming with diverse marine life. Among the most common reef fish, divers will frequently encounter colorful parrotfish, angelfish, and butterflyfish darting around the coral formations. These species are present year-round and are easily spotted during a dive.

Seasonal highlights include sightings of nurse sharks and hawksbill turtles, which are more common during the warmer months. Divers may also encounter southern stingrays gliding gracefully along the sandy patches. The likelihood of encountering these species varies with the time of year, but they are generally more prevalent in late spring and summer.

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

iStock-Global_Pics
Barracuda

Barracuda
23 Sightings
J
2
F
2
M
5
A
1
M
0
J
2
J
3
A
2
S
0
O
0
N
4
D
2

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

Total number of species approx.: 25

iStock/Juliosanjuan
Eagle Ray

Eagle Ray
20 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
10
A
1
M
0
J
1
J
2
A
0
S
0
O
0
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.: 200

Alamy-WaterFrame
Moray Eel

Moray Eel
19 Sightings
J
4
F
1
M
1
A
3
M
1
J
0
J
4
A
0
S
0
O
4
N
0
D
1
iStock-ShaneGross
Loggerhead Turtle

Loggerhead Turtle
14 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
1
M
0
J
2
J
4
A
0
S
0
O
6
N
1
D
0
Shutterstock-Andrey Armyagov
Hawksbill Turtle

Hawksbill Turtle
13 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
4
A
0
M
0
J
1
J
5
A
0
S
1
O
2
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.: 300

Alamy/Reinhard Dirscherl
Octopus

Octopus
7 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
2
J
0
J
4
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
1
Shutterstock-Shane Myers Photography
Green Turtle

Green Turtle
7 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
3
A
0
M
0
J
1
J
1
A
0
S
1
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 approx.: 600

iStock/ultramarinfoto
Wrasse

Wrasse
5 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
2
M
0
J
0
J
1
A
0
S
0
O
2
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.: 80

iStock/Extreme-Photographer
Stingrays

Stingrays
56 Sightings
J
6
F
4
M
16
A
4
M
4
J
3
J
4
A
0
S
1
O
3
N
7
D
4

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

Total number of species approx.: 90

Shutterstock-Rich Carey
Angelfish

Angelfish
44 Sightings
J
0
F
1
M
8
A
6
M
0
J
2
J
5
A
2
S
3
O
6
N
8
D
3

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

Total number of species approx.: 100

iStock-burnsboxco
Parrotfish

Parrotfish
37 Sightings
J
0
F
2
M
7
A
5
M
0
J
0
J
10
A
1
S
0
O
3
N
6
D
3

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

Total number of species approx.: 250

Shutterstock-Henry_and_Laura_Whittaker
Grouper/Basslets

Grouper/Basslets
34 Sightings
J
0
F
1
M
7
A
4
M
0
J
2
J
8
A
2
S
2
O
0
N
6
D
2

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

Total number of species approx.: 12

iStock/cinoby
Lionfish

Lionfish
32 Sightings
J
0
F
2
M
9
A
2
M
0
J
3
J
4
A
0
S
0
O
2
N
7
D
3

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

Total number of species approx.: 60

iStock-Global_Pics
Spiny Lobster

Spiny Lobster
32 Sightings
J
3
F
0
M
6
A
0
M
1
J
0
J
6
A
0
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.: 130

Shutterstock_Krzysztof Odziomek
Butterfly Fish

Butterfly Fish
19 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
1
J
5
A
2
S
1
O
5
N
4
D
1

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

Total number of species approx.: 55

Shutterstock-RLS Photo
Lobster

Lobster
19 Sightings
J
1
F
3
M
7
A
1
M
2
J
0
J
2
A
0
S
1
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.: 130

AdobeStock-JirinaVFR
Pufferfish

Pufferfish
18 Sightings
J
0
F
1
M
0
A
4
M
0
J
2
J
2
A
0
S
1
O
0
N
4
D
4

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

Total number of species approx.: 2

AdobeStock-hakbak
Nurse Shark

Nurse Shark
15 Sightings
J
0
F
1
M
4
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
7
A
0
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 approx.: 350

Alamy-Andre Seal
Damselfish

Damselfish
13 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
3
A
2
M
0
J
0
J
2
A
1
S
0
O
2
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 approx.: 2

iStock-stock_colors
Tarpon

Tarpon
12 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
6
A
1
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
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 approx.: 7000

iStock-Michael Zeigler
Crab

Crab
11 Sightings
J
0
F
1
M
5
A
1
M
0
J
0
J
4
A
0
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 approx.: 40

iStock-wrangel
Triggerfish

Triggerfish
10 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
4
A
4
M
0
J
0
J
1
A
0
S
0
O
0
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.: 3

Shutterstock_Leo Lorenzo
Trumpetfish

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

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

Total number of species approx.: 90

Shutterstock-Levent Konuk
Goatfish

Goatfish
8 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
1
A
0
S
0
O
3
N
3
D
1

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

Total number of species approx.: 110

iStock-Rainer von Brandis
Snapper

Snapper
7 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
2
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
1
S
1
O
2
N
0
D
1
iStock-FionaAyerst
Lemon Shark

Lemon Shark
7 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
6
A
0
M
0
J
1
J
0
A
0
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 approx.: 28

Udo Kefrig
Clownfish

Clownfish
5 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
2
J
1
A
0
S
0
O
0
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 approx.: 60

iStock-Global_Pics
Squirrelfish

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

Shutterstock_DiveIvanov
Squid

Squid
4 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
2
J
0
J
2
A
0
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 approx.: 40

iStock-Hoatzinexp
Jackfish

Jackfish
3 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
1
A
1
S
0
O
0
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.: 85

iStock-mirecca
Surgeonfish

Surgeonfish
3 Sightings
J
0
F
1
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
1
A
0
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 approx.: 25

AdobeStock_Vladimir Wrangel
Boxfish

Boxfish
3 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
1
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
2
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.: 120

AdobeStock-Composer.
Flounder

Flounder
3 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
1
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.: 3000

SSI-Peter-Schinck
Nudibranch

Nudibranch
3 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
2
A
0
S
0
O
0
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.: 3400

Shutterstock-Shane Gross
Shrimp

Shrimp
3 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
2
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
1
AdobeStock-Marc Henauer
Grey Reef Shark

Grey Reef Shark
3 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
2
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
1
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0