Orange Canyon

★★★★★ (174)

Located on one of the steepest sections of the West Bay wall, Orange Canyon features a dramatic wall drop-off and unique, undercut topography. Orange elephant-ear sponges and other vibrant sponge varieties covering the wall gives this site its name.

Divers can explore the canyon to find a healthy reef, including a variety of reef creatures like eels, silversides, angelfish, and possibly rays.

Dive Activity

Potential Wildlife Sightings

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
14 Sightings
J
0
F
1
M
0
A
1
M
3
J
1
J
3
A
1
S
0
O
1
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.: 200

Alamy-WaterFrame

Moray Eel
11 Sightings
J
1
F
1
M
2
A
1
M
1
J
3
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
1
D
1
Shutterstock-Shane Myers Photography

Green Turtle
7 Sightings
J
0
F
1
M
0
A
2
M
0
J
1
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
1
N
0
D
2
Shutterstock-Andrey Armyagov

Hawksbill Turtle
6 Sightings
J
2
F
1
M
0
A
1
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
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.: 25

iStock/Juliosanjuan

Eagle Ray
5 Sightings
J
0
F
1
M
0
A
0
M
1
J
2
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
1
D
0
iStock-ShaneGross

Loggerhead Turtle
4 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
2
A
1
M
0
J
0
J
0
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.: 600

iStock/ultramarinfoto

Wrasse
4 Sightings
J
0
F
1
M
0
A
0
M
1
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
1
N
1
D
0
AdobeStock/G Russel Childress

Great Hammerhead Shark
1 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
1
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0
Alamy-Christian Zappel

Scalloped Hammerhead
1 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
1
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0
Alamy/BIOSPHOTO

Ocean Sunfish
1 Sightings
J
1
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
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.: 300

Alamy/Reinhard Dirscherl

Octopus
1 Sightings
J
0
F
1
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0
Show More

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
15 Sightings
J
1
F
1
M
3
A
0
M
2
J
1
J
4
A
1
S
0
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.: 100

iStock-burnsboxco

Parrotfish
15 Sightings
J
2
F
1
M
2
A
0
M
2
J
1
J
4
A
0
S
0
O
1
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.: 12

iStock/cinoby

Lionfish
12 Sightings
J
1
F
1
M
0
A
1
M
1
J
1
J
3
A
3
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.: 250

Shutterstock-Henry_and_Laura_Whittaker

Grouper/Basslets
10 Sightings
J
1
F
1
M
0
A
1
M
2
J
1
J
2
A
0
S
0
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.: 130

Shutterstock_Krzysztof Odziomek

Butterfly Fish
10 Sightings
J
1
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
2
J
0
J
3
A
2
S
0
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
10 Sightings
J
0
F
1
M
0
A
1
M
1
J
0
J
4
A
1
S
0
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.: 60

iStock-Global_Pics

Squirrelfish
9 Sightings
J
2
F
1
M
2
A
0
M
2
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
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.: 80

iStock/Extreme-Photographer

Stingrays
7 Sightings
J
1
F
1
M
0
A
0
M
1
J
0
J
2
A
1
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.: 350

Alamy-Andre Seal

Damselfish
7 Sightings
J
2
F
1
M
0
A
0
M
2
J
0
J
0
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.: 40

iStock-Hoatzinexp

Jackfish
5 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
1
M
1
J
0
J
0
A
1
S
0
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.: 110

iStock-Rainer von Brandis

Snapper
5 Sightings
J
0
F
1
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
3
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.: 40

iStock-wrangel

Triggerfish
5 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
2
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.: 7000

iStock-Michael Zeigler

Crab
5 Sightings
J
3
F
1
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
1
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.: 25

AdobeStock_Vladimir Wrangel

Boxfish
4 Sightings
J
1
F
1
M
0
A
0
M
1
J
0
J
0
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.: 55

Shutterstock-RLS Photo

Lobster
4 Sightings
J
1
F
1
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
1
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.: 150

Shutterstock-aquapix

Sweetlips and Grunts
3 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
1
J
0
J
0
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.: 60

iStock-Global_Pics

Soldierfish
3 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
1
J
0
J
0
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.: 60

iStock-Global_Pics

Spiny Lobster
3 Sightings
J
1
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
2
J
0
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
2 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
2
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.: 85

iStock-mirecca

Surgeonfish
2 Sightings
J
0
F
1
M
0
A
0
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.: 90

Shutterstock-Levent Konuk

Goatfish
2 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
1
J
0
J
0
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.: 120

AdobeStock-Composer.

Flounder
2 Sightings
J
0
F
1
M
0
A
0
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.: 3400

Shutterstock-Shane Gross

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

Grey Reef Shark
1 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
1
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0
Shutterstock-Inuka Manmitha

Kemp`s Ridley Turtle
1 Sightings
J
1
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0
Alamy-WaterFrame

Common Seahorse
1 Sightings
J
0
F
1
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
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.: 130

iStock-Christian von Mach

Pipefish
1 Sightings
J
0
F
1
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
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.: 30

Shutterstock-s_a_j

Sand Eel
1 Sightings
J
0
F
1
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
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.: 250

iStock-Miguel-Angelo-Silva.

Scorpionfish
1 Sightings
J
0
F
1
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
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.: 15

Shutterstock-Al McGlashan

Tuna
1 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
1
M
0
J
0
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.: 15

Shutterstock-Hans Gert Broeder

Garfish
1 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
1
M
0
J
0
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.: 3

Shutterstock-Miroslav Halama

Cornetfish
1 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
1
J
0
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.: 20

iStock-stephankerkhofs

Porcupinefish
1 Sightings
J
0
F
1
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0
AdobeStock_cherylvb

Garibaldi Damselfish
1 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
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.: 3

Shutterstock_Leo Lorenzo

Trumpetfish
1 Sightings
J
0
F
1
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
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.: 80

iStock-bearacreative

Emperor
1 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
1
J
0
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.: 300

Shutterstock_DiveIvanov

Squid
1 Sightings
J
0
F
1
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
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.: 120

SSI-Peter-Schinck

Cuttlefish
1 Sightings
J
0
F
1
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
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.: 50

Shutterstock_Dewald Kirsten

Sea Wasp
1 Sightings
J
0
F
0
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
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.: 3000

SSI-Peter-Schinck

Nudibranch
1 Sightings
J
0
F
1
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0
iStock-ShaneGross

Caribbean Reef Shark
1 Sightings
J
0
F
1
M
0
A
0
M
0
J
0
J
0
A
0
S
0
O
0
N
0
D
0

Dive Centers Catering This Dive Site

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 Nearby

Mares

Wild Hammer (★4.5)

Located between Wildlife Reef and Hammerhead Hole, this site offers variable topography that is great for all kinds of divers. Whether you like to see large fauna like rays, or hunt for macro life along the top reef, this easily navigable site is great for beginner divers.
Mares

Easy Street (★4.4)

Easy Street is a sheer wall site tucked into the corner of Northwest Point. Featuring a dramatic plunge off the top reef, this site truly showcases Grand Cayman’s spectacular topography and deep reef systems. Keep your eyes peeled for turtles, sharks, and eagle rays passing by in the deep.
Mares

North West Point (★4.5)

A deep wall site with a great vertical drop and lovely sponge life, much like other sites up in this area. On the top reef, divers can explore a large sand patch with finger corals stretching along it towards the shore--there’s a high chance you’ll run into a turtle here!
Mares

Bonnie's Arch (★4.5)

Named after photographer Bonnie Charles, this site features a beautiful seascape of coral formations, hardpan, and a mini-wall, but the star of the show is a natural coral archway spanning about 30 ft wide. This is a great site for exploration!
Mares

Hepp’s Pipeline (★4.5)

Hepp’s Pipeline features a fantastic sand patch and a beautiful mini-wall, stretching from 60ft up to 30ft. The pipeline itself is a remnant of an old waste disposal system that is no longer is service on Grand Cayman. The site is wonderful for finding juvenile fish and looking for macro life.
Aqualung

Schoolhouse Reef (★4.0)

A beautiful shallow site, Schoolhouse Reef is located near Lighthouse Point. It features a sloping top reef, leading to a mini wall that borders a wide sand channel. Take your time exploring the nooks and crannies of the reef. You never know what you might find.
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.
Mares

Bullwinkle East (★4.3)

One of the best dive sites to access on the south by boat with easy swim throughs and archways, big canyons to swim down while exploring the shallow dive site.
Mares

Black Forest - Grand Cayman (★4.5)

Perched on the edge of the drop off are massive coral heads, with sloping sandy bottom to the drop off. Big canyon ways to swim around and explore.
Melissa H. (#2528645)

Disneyworld (★4.3)

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.
Mares, Janez Kranjc

Smith Cove (★4.5)

Accessible by boat or from shore. Bottom of the pin is 32ft. This dive site has a mini-wall type structure with plenty of sand around the massive coral heads, and even one small archway to swim under near 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 (★4.4)

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 (★4.4)

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)

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.
Mares, Janez Kranjc

Balboa (Wreck) (★4.6)

The remains of this shattered skeleton of a 375ft ship wreck sank 1932 from a hurricane while carrying lumber. Because of its location in the main port of Georgetown, it was blown up and sunk to allow container ships to pass over the wreck. This dive site needs permission from Port Security to dive it.
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.
Aqualung

Caribbean Club Sand Chute (★4.4)

A gradually declining sand chute, this is a great spot to see eagle rays and stingrays as they love to forage in the sand, with finger coral stretching towards shore!! Also a great snorkel spot.