Explore West Bay

Diving in West Bay, Grand Cayman, is a captivating experience, offering a blend of tranquil beauty and exhilarating adventures. Known for its breathtaking beaches and world-renowned wreck dives, West Bay provides divers of all skill levels with exciting opportunities. One of the most famous sites is the USS Kittiwake wreck, a former submarine rescue vessel that now serves as an artificial reef. Sitting at 18 meters/60 feet at its deepest point and 4 meters/15 feet at its shallowest, this wreck offers divers the chance to explore its decks and discover its underwater secrets.

The vibrant marine life around West Bay is another highlight, with divers often encountering a dazzling array of tropical fish, graceful sea turtles, and playful dolphins. The coral reefs are teeming with life, providing a colorful backdrop for underwater photography and exploration. Whether you prefer shore dives, boat dives, or even a liveaboard experience, West Bay accommodates every diving style. Each dive promises new discoveries and memories, making West Bay a must-visit for any diving enthusiast.

Places to explore

West Wall

4 Divesites 2 Centers

Explore the West WallWest Wall diving, stretching from the South West corner to the North West corne

Trinity Caves

2 Divesites

Explore Trinity CavesMade famous in the ’90s by the crime thriller film ‘The Firm’, Trinity Ca

Seven Mile Beach

5 Divesites 1 Center

Explore Seven Mile BeachSituated on the western side of Grand Cayman, Seven Mile Beach attracts visi

Georgetown

14 Divesites 4 Centers

Explore George TownLocated on Grand Cayman, George Town is the capital of the Cayman Islands. The ci

Dive Sites Show on map

Melissa H. (#2528645)

Devil’s Grotto North (★4.5)

Located off George Town, Devils Grotto is a popular dive site among beginners as well as intermediate snorkelers. Devil’s Grotto features massive hulking coral heads with open chimneys and swim-throughs filled with tarpon, parrotfish, barracuda and schools of silversides.

Melissa H. (#2528645)

Disneyworld (★4.2)

2 massive coral heads are located west of the mooring line in the middle of the sand. The dark spots can been seen from the surface, reminiscent of a certain mousey friend. At the bottom of the mooring line, you’ll find the hardpan stretching towards shore and the mini-wall parallel to shore.

Melissa H. (#2528645)

Eagle Ray Rock (★4.3)

Located on the edge of the big wall are massive coral heads and a sloping sandy bottom with a few canyon ways to swim through at the bottom of the mooring line.

Melissa H. (#2528645)

Armchair Reef (★4.2)

Bottom of the mooring line is 35 ft. This dive site is full of colorful reef around the edges of the mini-wall. The maximum depth can reach 70ft where you can see nice massive sponges.

Melissa H. (#2528645)

Mermaid Reef (★4.5)

Located off of Sunset House, this is the area of the reef where the “mermaid“ statue is located. The “mermaid“ statue is easiest located if you enter through the sea pool, swimming directly out the cut and following the “sandy area“ to the statue

Melissa H. (#2528645)

Sunset House Reef (★4.3)

Sunset House Reef is the most popular dive site in all of the Cayman Islands. This is shore diving at its best with so much to see in shallow clear water, it’s an amazing dive for both scuba divers and snorkelers alike.

Melissa H. (#2528645)

Killer Pillar (★4.3)

Only 1 of the very few sites in all of the Cayman islands to find this rarely seen pillar coral growing. Other marine life to be seen include grunts, snappers, parrot fish, and octopuses too!

Melissa H. (#2528645)

Lone Star Reef (★4.4)

Beautiful shallow reef system with ledges all over the dive site. There is an exit to an underwater fresh water cave system located on the southern part of the site, which on a rainy day you can feel the thermocline exiting the system.

Melissa H. (#2528645)

Wildlife Reef (★4.5)

Long stretching coral fingers with big open sandy patches. Hardpan like bottom on shore side; plenty of reef or sand to explore in both directions.

Melissa H. (#2528645)

Meridian Drop (★4.3)

An enchanting wall dive with a with a nice sandy patch with a chance to be engulfed with oceanic trigger fish and the mini wall with bright orange elephant ear sponges.

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.

Mares, Predrag Vuckovic

Christina's Wall (★4.3)

This dive site description is under construction and a brief description with all the dive details will be added soon, stay tuned for more info soon.

Aqualung

Pallas (★4.2)

One of the best sites of the south side, Pallas Reef features beautiful, wide canyon-like finger corals sloping down into sand patches with a dotting of swim-throughs, small archways, and overhangs. Be sure to spend time on the shallow top reef as well, home to soft corals and juvenile reef fish.

Mares

Gary’s Wall (★4.2)

If you like deep this is your site with the mooring pin starting at 82 ft and the sheer drop of the wall with overhanging coral formations along the top and sand channels between the fingers.

Scubapro, Stephen Frink

Laura's Reef (★4.4)

A beautiful South-side dive, Laura’s Reef is a winding maze of canyons, finger corals, and swim-throughs, all bordered by a picturesque sloping sand patch that stretches out towards the trench. The topography really shines on this dive site. There is always a new nook or cranny to explore here.

Diving in West Bay

West Bay, Grand Cayman, offers divers a spectacular array of sites, known for their vibrant marine life and diverse diving experiences. The Kittiwake wreck is a standout, resting at 18 meters/59 feet, allowing both novice and experienced divers to explore its well-preserved features and thriving ecosystems. Nearby, Turtle Reef is a popular shore dive, celebrated for its easy access and the chance to swim alongside turtles and eagle rays.

For those seeking a unique underwater experience, night dives reveal the mesmerizing bioluminescence of coral polyps and nocturnal marine life. West Bay balances shore diving ease with the adventure of liveaboard excursions, ideal for exploring the island's deeper reefs and outer wall. Whether you’re looking for accessible entry points or the thrill of open water, West Bay offers an engaging dive destination for all levels.

The best Months to dive in West Bay

West Bay, Grand Cayman, offers excellent diving conditions year-round, making it a prime destination for divers. Water temperatures range from 26°C/79°F in winter to 30°C/86°F in summer, providing comfortable conditions for diving throughout the year. Visibility is typically superb, often exceeding 30 meters/98 feet, allowing divers to fully appreciate the vibrant marine life and stunning coral reefs.

While diving is possible all year, seasonal trade winds may affect conditions, particularly from December to March. During this period, stronger winds can create choppier seas and stronger currents, which might be less suitable for beginner divers. However, these conditions are generally manageable, and divers can still enjoy safe and rewarding experiences. Overall, West Bay remains a top choice for divers regardless of the season.