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

West Wall diving, stretching from the South West corner to the North West corner, is Grand Cayman’

Trinity Caves

Made famous in the ’90s by the crime thriller film ‘The Firm’, Trinity Caves has since become

Seven Mile Beach

Situated on the western side of Grand Cayman, Seven Mile Beach attracts visitors all over the world

Georgetown

Located on Grand Cayman, George Town is the capital of the Cayman Islands. The city has palm-fringed

Dive Activity

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.

Top Wildlife Sightings in West Bay

West Bay, Grand Cayman, offers a vibrant underwater ecosystem, popular among divers for its diverse marine life. Among the colorful coral reefs, common species such as parrotfish, angelfish, and butterflyfish are frequently seen. Divers can also encounter schools of blue tangs and sergeant majors, providing a lively underwater experience.

Seasonally, West Bay is home to larger marine animals. From May to September, divers have a higher chance of spotting turtles, while southern stingrays are often seen throughout the year. Nurse sharks, although less common, can occasionally be seen in deeper waters. These encounters vary, with turtles more prevalent near the reefs and rays often found in sandy patches close to coral formations.

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
659 Sightings
J
53
F
46
M
87
A
54
M
48
J
60
J
82
A
62
S
21
O
28
N
57
D
61
Shutterstock-Shane Myers Photography

Green Turtle
528 Sightings
J
42
F
35
M
68
A
48
M
31
J
46
J
66
A
39
S
24
O
26
N
59
D
44

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
487 Sightings
J
37
F
51
M
60
A
38
M
33
J
37
J
36
A
53
S
29
O
19
N
42
D
52

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
318 Sightings
J
37
F
18
M
55
A
30
M
15
J
17
J
36
A
38
S
7
O
24
N
16
D
25
Shutterstock-Andrey Armyagov

Hawksbill Turtle
215 Sightings
J
13
F
15
M
22
A
10
M
17
J
37
J
26
A
27
S
2
O
5
N
23
D
18

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
149 Sightings
J
8
F
14
M
14
A
4
M
11
J
13
J
10
A
15
S
17
O
8
N
25
D
10

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
137 Sightings
J
16
F
9
M
11
A
12
M
9
J
17
J
13
A
11
S
7
O
10
N
14
D
8
iStock-ShaneGross

Loggerhead Turtle
92 Sightings
J
8
F
4
M
22
A
20
M
7
J
15
J
5
A
1
S
2
O
4
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: 100

iStock-burnsboxco

Parrotfish
962 Sightings
J
113
F
73
M
108
A
64
M
56
J
81
J
131
A
80
S
38
O
36
N
82
D
100

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
821 Sightings
J
81
F
59
M
88
A
56
M
55
J
87
J
97
A
80
S
29
O
32
N
89
D
68
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
809 Sightings
J
73
F
58
M
71
A
57
M
53
J
54
J
123
A
87
S
38
O
33
N
88
D
74

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
557 Sightings
J
39
F
47
M
60
A
45
M
22
J
40
J
82
A
59
S
32
O
31
N
54
D
46

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
466 Sightings
J
56
F
37
M
62
A
25
M
19
J
24
J
54
A
47
S
22
O
23
N
48
D
49

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
445 Sightings
J
44
F
40
M
43
A
24
M
32
J
52
J
56
A
39
S
16
O
16
N
47
D
36

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
366 Sightings
J
48
F
13
M
21
A
25
M
25
J
36
J
67
A
34
S
9
O
15
N
41
D
32

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
289 Sightings
J
28
F
33
M
39
A
21
M
19
J
28
J
31
A
23
S
2
O
10
N
35
D
20

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
278 Sightings
J
13
F
28
M
40
A
15
M
28
J
30
J
27
A
20
S
7
O
17
N
33
D
20

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
270 Sightings
J
33
F
31
M
21
A
16
M
21
J
17
J
22
A
31
S
8
O
12
N
28
D
30

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
262 Sightings
J
25
F
39
M
43
A
14
M
16
J
15
J
21
A
12
S
12
O
16
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: 350

Alamy-Andre Seal

Damselfish
249 Sightings
J
31
F
22
M
28
A
18
M
16
J
18
J
25
A
29
S
14
O
8
N
18
D
22

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
237 Sightings
J
19
F
23
M
23
A
17
M
10
J
16
J
30
A
20
S
13
O
18
N
23
D
25

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
229 Sightings
J
12
F
12
M
30
A
11
M
17
J
32
J
27
A
23
S
15
O
6
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: 60

iStock-Global_Pics

Squirrelfish
210 Sightings
J
31
F
10
M
24
A
6
M
17
J
14
J
41
A
17
S
7
O
3
N
23
D
17

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
205 Sightings
J
22
F
10
M
21
A
7
M
12
J
19
J
23
A
27
S
9
O
14
N
26
D
15

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
202 Sightings
J
19
F
16
M
10
A
10
M
16
J
13
J
26
A
31
S
7
O
13
N
18
D
23

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
195 Sightings
J
17
F
12
M
31
A
18
M
10
J
9
J
18
A
19
S
8
O
7
N
19
D
27

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
189 Sightings
J
22
F
13
M
8
A
3
M
11
J
16
J
35
A
24
S
3
O
8
N
17
D
29

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

Total number of species: 55

k

Lobster
177 Sightings
J
14
F
19
M
23
A
16
M
12
J
10
J
30
A
13
S
2
O
4
N
20
D
14

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
172 Sightings
J
23
F
5
M
9
A
13
M
18
J
14
J
21
A
21
S
3
O
8
N
16
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
148 Sightings
J
21
F
7
M
9
A
9
M
8
J
4
J
24
A
14
S
19
O
4
N
11
D
18

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
131 Sightings
J
4
F
17
M
6
A
6
M
5
J
10
J
20
A
16
S
1
O
7
N
23
D
16

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
107 Sightings
J
12
F
5
M
14
A
8
M
10
J
6
J
13
A
3
S
8
O
5
N
8
D
15

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
107 Sightings
J
3
F
3
M
20
A
8
M
6
J
13
J
11
A
11
S
8
O
5
N
14
D
5

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
105 Sightings
J
12
F
2
M
9
A
6
M
0
J
10
J
20
A
4
S
11
O
2
N
12
D
17

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
103 Sightings
J
6
F
6
M
12
A
15
M
8
J
7
J
14
A
5
S
8
O
5
N
10
D
7

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
93 Sightings
J
16
F
7
M
2
A
6
M
3
J
11
J
10
A
9
S
7
O
3
N
9
D
10

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
85 Sightings
J
6
F
3
M
15
A
4
M
5
J
14
J
20
A
6
S
7
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: 20

iStock-stephankerkhofs

Porcupinefish
81 Sightings
J
10
F
8
M
11
A
8
M
2
J
3
J
15
A
3
S
0
O
4
N
8
D
9

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.

Dive Centers

Octopus

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

CAYMAN AGGRESSOR IV

George Town, Cayman Islands

Divetech @ Lighthouse Point Dive Resort

Box 31435, KY1-1206 Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands

Indepth Watersports Ltd

857 N W Point Road, West Bay, Cayman Islands

Atlantis Dive Center

37 Seafarers Way, KYI-1104 Georgetown, Cayman Islands

Off The Wall Divers

37 Seafarers Way, KY1-1201 George Town, Cayman Islands

Sunset Divers

390 South Church St., KY1-1106 George Town, Cayman Islands

Dive Sites

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.