© Mares

Explore Southern Shore

Diving in the Southern Shore is an unforgettable experience, renowned for its stunning coral reefs and diverse marine life. This region offers a vibrant underwater world teeming with parrot fish, barracuda, turtles, and angelfish. Eagle rays and a few species of sharks occasionally grace divers with their presence, adding excitement to each dive. The area is particularly famous for its colorful reefs, making it a paradise for both novice and experienced divers.

The dive environments here range from the awe-inspiring Wilderness Wall, where canyons and vibrant sponges create a striking landscape, to captivating wrecks like the Prince Frederick, Captain Keith Tibbetts, Barbara Ann, and Topsy. Each site offers a unique glimpse into the past and a chance to witness the marine life that now calls these wrecks home. Shore diving is also a highlight, especially near Stake Bay, where easy access and captivating sites make for a perfect day of exploration. Whether you prefer shore dives or more adventurous boat dives, Southern Shore provides an exceptional diving experience year-round, thanks to its warm waters and rich biodiversity.

Dive Activity

Diving in Southern Shore

Southern Shore, Cayman Brac offers a diverse array of dive sites that attract enthusiasts from around the world. Among the highlights is the famous wreck dive, the MV Captain Keith Tibbetts. This artificial reef, a Soviet warship, lies in shallow waters, making it accessible for divers of varying skill levels. Its vibrant coral growth and the presence of numerous fish species provide a captivating underwater experience. For those preferring shore dives, Radar Reef is a popular choice. Located near the island’s eastern tip, this site offers easy access and stunning marine life, including turtles and eagle rays. Night dives here unveil the magical world of bioluminescent organisms and nocturnal marine behaviors. Dive travelers will appreciate the balance of shore and liveaboard options, allowing flexibility in exploring the underwater wonders of Cayman Brac.

Dive Sites

Aqualung
Snapper Point - Cayman Brac (★4.8)

Snapper Point - Cayman Brac (★4.8)

Finger formation dive with colourful and healthy reef formations. Top of the reef is approx 30ft. Sandy channels at the bottom of the reef fingers. Max depth 70ft and often current. Lots of soft corals on top of the reef.
Scubapro, Stephen Frink
Lighthouse Reef - Cayman Brac (★4.3)

Lighthouse Reef - Cayman Brac (★4.3)

A close dive to the West End dock. Top of the reef is approx 20ft and in the sand it is about 45-50ft. There is an outer reef. The inner reef consists of multiple swim-throughs

The best Months to dive in Southern Shore

Southern Shore, Cayman Brac offers excellent diving conditions year-round, making it a popular destination for divers. The water temperatures typically range from 28°C–30°C/82°F–86°F, ensuring warm dives throughout the year. Visibility is generally outstanding, often exceeding 30 meters/98 feet, providing clear views of the vibrant marine life and stunning coral formations.

The weather is predominantly sunny with occasional showers, but these rarely disrupt diving activities. However, the period from June to November marks the hurricane season, which can bring stronger winds and currents, potentially impacting dive plans. Despite this, diving is possible all year, though divers should remain flexible during these months. For the best experience, many prefer the calmer conditions from December to May.

Top Wildlife Sightings in Sorthern Shore

The Southern Shore of Cayman Brac is a vibrant marine ecosystem renowned for its diverse underwater life. Divers can expect to see a colorful array of reef fish, including parrotfish, angelfish, and butterflyfish, which are common year-round. The reefs are teeming with life, providing an excellent spot for observing these species in their natural habitat.

Seasonally, the area is known for sightings of larger marine life. From May to August, divers have a higher chance of encountering sea turtles as they return to nest. Additionally, eagle rays are frequently spotted gliding gracefully through the waters, particularly in the winter months. While shark encounters are less common, nurse sharks can occasionally be seen resting on the sandy seabed during dives. The likelihood of encountering these magnificent creatures largely depends on the time of year and specific dive location.

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
160 Sightings
J
11
F
13
M
1
A
23
M
3
J
1
J
5
A
10
S
5
O
44
N
29
D
15

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
53 Sightings
J
4
F
7
M
1
A
0
M
0
J
2
J
1
A
6
S
1
O
16
N
5
D
10
Shutterstock-Andrey Armyagov
Hawksbill Turtle

Hawksbill Turtle
35 Sightings
J
1
F
3
M
0
A
3
M
1
J
2
J
7
A
0
S
2
O
12
N
2
D
2
Shutterstock-Shane Myers Photography
Green Turtle

Green Turtle
29 Sightings
J
4
F
5
M
1
A
0
M
2
J
1
J
5
A
2
S
2
O
3
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.: 200

Alamy-WaterFrame
Moray Eel

Moray Eel
24 Sightings
J
6
F
2
M
0
A
3
M
1
J
0
J
9
A
0
S
0
O
0
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 approx.: 25

iStock/Juliosanjuan
Eagle Ray

Eagle Ray
18 Sightings
J
3
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
1
J
0
J
3
A
1
S
1
O
9
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
12 Sightings
J
1
F
2
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
4
A
0
S
0
O
5
N
0
D
0
iStock-ShaneGross
Loggerhead Turtle

Loggerhead Turtle
9 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
1
A
6
M
1
J
0
J
1
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.: 250

Shutterstock-Henry_and_Laura_Whittaker
Grouper/Basslets

Grouper/Basslets
184 Sightings
J
22
F
13
M
3
A
27
M
3
J
1
J
10
A
10
S
8
O
36
N
24
D
27

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
136 Sightings
J
15
F
7
M
2
A
14
M
3
J
5
J
9
A
10
S
5
O
28
N
24
D
14

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
132 Sightings
J
14
F
9
M
2
A
18
M
2
J
6
J
10
A
6
S
7
O
27
N
16
D
15

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
110 Sightings
J
12
F
5
M
7
A
23
M
5
J
3
J
3
A
3
S
3
O
18
N
22
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

Shutterstock_Krzysztof Odziomek
Butterfly Fish

Butterfly Fish
98 Sightings
J
13
F
6
M
1
A
11
M
1
J
5
J
5
A
9
S
3
O
22
N
12
D
10

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
92 Sightings
J
11
F
6
M
1
A
14
M
7
J
0
J
11
A
9
S
2
O
8
N
13
D
10

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
76 Sightings
J
4
F
4
M
0
A
9
M
2
J
1
J
8
A
5
S
2
O
25
N
7
D
9

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
75 Sightings
J
5
F
3
M
0
A
5
M
2
J
4
J
4
A
11
S
4
O
22
N
9
D
6

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
69 Sightings
J
8
F
6
M
2
A
5
M
0
J
3
J
2
A
4
S
1
O
10
N
20
D
8

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
51 Sightings
J
9
F
1
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
1
J
2
A
9
S
3
O
13
N
9
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

iStock-wrangel
Triggerfish

Triggerfish
42 Sightings
J
8
F
3
M
0
A
2
M
3
J
4
J
4
A
3
S
2
O
3
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
39 Sightings
J
6
F
2
M
1
A
0
M
1
J
1
J
3
A
3
S
4
O
10
N
3
D
5

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
39 Sightings
J
6
F
0
M
1
A
4
M
4
J
1
J
3
A
2
S
1
O
9
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 approx.: 130

AdobeStock-JirinaVFR
Pufferfish

Pufferfish
37 Sightings
J
3
F
7
M
1
A
1
M
0
J
1
J
2
A
6
S
0
O
7
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.: 3

Shutterstock_Leo Lorenzo
Trumpetfish

Trumpetfish
36 Sightings
J
3
F
2
M
0
A
2
M
2
J
0
J
6
A
1
S
3
O
2
N
12
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

iStock-stock_colors
Tarpon

Tarpon
36 Sightings
J
4
F
2
M
0
A
7
M
4
J
2
J
2
A
1
S
3
O
5
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.: 40

iStock-Hoatzinexp
Jackfish

Jackfish
32 Sightings
J
2
F
1
M
1
A
0
M
1
J
0
J
2
A
8
S
1
O
4
N
9
D
3

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
32 Sightings
J
3
F
0
M
0
A
2
M
0
J
2
J
3
A
2
S
1
O
12
N
2
D
5

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

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

Total number of species approx.: 150

Shutterstock-aquapix
Sweetlips and Grunts

Sweetlips and Grunts
23 Sightings
J
3
F
0
M
0
A
3
M
0
J
1
J
2
A
1
S
2
O
8
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.: 120

AdobeStock-Composer.
Flounder

Flounder
16 Sightings
J
5
F
2
M
0
A
2
M
1
J
0
J
4
A
0
S
1
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.: 300

Shutterstock_DiveIvanov
Squid

Squid
16 Sightings
J
1
F
2
M
0
A
0
M
2
J
0
J
7
A
0
S
0
O
2
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.: 55

Shutterstock-RLS Photo
Lobster

Lobster
16 Sightings
J
4
F
0
M
1
A
0
M
3
J
0
J
5
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
2
D
1
AdobeStock-Nikolai Sorokin
Blacktip Reef Shark

Blacktip Reef Shark
11 Sightings
J
0
F
1
M
1
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
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.: 25

AdobeStock_Vladimir Wrangel
Boxfish

Boxfish
8 Sightings
J
1
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
1
J
2
A
0
S
1
O
0
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.: 3500

Unsplash-pascal van de vendel
Soft Corals

Soft Corals
7 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
6
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
1
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
7 Sightings
J
1
F
0
M
0
A
2
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
4

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
Soldierfish

Soldierfish
6 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
2
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
2
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.: 3000

SSI-Peter-Schinck
Nudibranch

Nudibranch
6 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
1
A
0
S
1
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.: 20

iStock-stephankerkhofs
Porcupinefish

Porcupinefish
6 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
1
J
0
J
2
A
0
S
0
O
0
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.: 1500

iStock-ifish
Hard Corals

Hard Corals
6 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
5
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
1
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0