The best snorkeling in the Cayman Islands

From shallow shipwrecks to ancient coral reefs, the Cayman Islands have a diverse set of snorkeling sites to suit every traveler. Here’s where to find the best spots.

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The Cayman Islands have world-class snorkeling and scuba diving thanks to the incredible underwater visibility, rich sea life, and healthy coral reefs. With shallow coves and sandbars, barrier reef systems, and an abundance of sea creatures, the islands are home to some of the best snorkeling in the Caribbean.

Whether it’s your first time snorkeling or your fortieth, there are plenty of exciting destinations to choose from in the Cayman Islands. Here are the best places to snorkel in Grand Cayman, Little Cayman, and Cayman Brac, plus some tips to help you plan your trip.

Wreck of the Cali, Grand Cayman

The Wreck of the Cali lies about 40 yards offshore in the George Town harbor, just next to the cruise port. Since the wreck is only about 15 to 20 feet deep, it’s easily accessible for freedivers and snorkelers ¹.

The wreckage has become an artificial reef and provides a habitat for corals, sponges, tarpons, and other sea life. The water at this site is usually calm, but you’ll want to watch out for boat traffic. Consider bringing a brightly-colored snorkel vest or swim buoy to increase your visibility in the water. You can read about which snorkel vest we recommend here.

Seven Mile Beach, Grand Cayman

Frequently ranked among the Caribbean’s best beaches, Seven Mile Beach boasts some of Grand Cayman’s best snorkeling spots. Cemetery Beach on the northern end has a relaxing vibe and calm, clear waters that are ideal for snorkeling. The public beach offers easy access to Cemetery Reef, located about 30 yards offshore with more extensive corals further out. The areas next to the Marriott Hotel and Governor’s Beach (look for a white buoy marking the reef) are also excellent choices.

For those willing to venture further from shore, the Kittiwake Shipwreck is another top snorkel and dive site at Seven Mile Beach. Since the wreck is in a protected area, you’ll need to access the marine park with a licensed operator and pay a fee of $4 Caymanian Dollars (around US$5) to snorkel there.

Bloody Bay Marine Park, Little Cayman

Although it’s better known as a world-class dive site, Bloody Bay Marine Park off the coast of Little Cayman island has plenty to offer snorkelers as well. The protected marine park is home to healthy coral reefs and abundant sea life. The area is famous for its awe-inspiring drop-off known as the Bloody Bay Wall, where the seafloor plummets from around 20 feet to over 1,000 feet deep ².

Bloody Bay is renowned for its excellent underwater visibility and stunning coral cliffs. There are six designated sites for snorkelers, but Jackson Point and Nancy’s Cup of Tea are some of the best. Little Cayman is about 80 miles from Grand Cayman, and there are no ferries. Most people fly to the island from Grand Cayman or take a boat from the nearby island of Cayman Brac.

Stingray City, Grand Cayman

Stingray City is a must-see on your trip to Grand Cayman if you want to swim and snorkel with stingrays. This beginner-friendly spot is popular among tourists and can get very busy, especially when cruise ships are in port. The stingrays in the area are used to people and are quite friendly, so you can expect to interact with these intriguing creatures up close.

Stingray City is located offshore around a shallow sandbar and is only accessible by boat. There are numerous guided tours and private charters available from George Town and resorts on Seven Mile Beach. Many tours also stop at other attractions, like the Cayman Turtle Centre, Starfish Point, and Rum Point Beach.

Eden Rock and Devil’s Grotto, Grand Cayman

Eden Rock and Devil’s Grotto are centrally located in George Town and offer easy access from the cruise ship terminal. These excellent snorkeling and dive sites allow visitors to explore tunnels and caves and view the area’s varied marine life, including sergeant majors, barracudas, parrotfish, tarpons, groupers, yellowtail snappers, and nurse sharks.

You can start your snorkeling adventure at the Eden Rock Dive Center and then swim out to the mooring balls marking the Eden Rock and Devil’s Grotto sites.

Spotts Beach, Grand Cayman

Spotts Beach on Grand Cayman’s southern coast is one of the best places on the island to swim with sea turtles as they graze the seagrass beds. The picturesque white sand beach is less touristy than many other top snorkel sites, making it a perfect place to relax and unwind.

Since the area is prone to strong currents and there are no lifeguards, Spotts Beach is only suitable for experienced snorkelers and strong swimmers. We don’t recommend this location for families with young children and suggest you bring a snorkel vest to make your outing safer and more enjoyable (click here to see our recommended products).

Barrier Reef and Coral Gardens, Grand Cayman

The shallow reefs at Coral Gardens and Barrier Reef are known for their calm waters and rich sea life. You’ll need to take a private boat or guided tour to access these spots in Grand Cayman’s North Sound, but it’s worth the trip.

The reefs are home to a wide variety of marine life, including moray eels, lobster, conch, nurse sharks, and schools of tropical fish. There are so many fish in the area that many snorkelers feel like they are in an aquarium. The Coral Gardens and Barrier Reef sites are close to Stingray City, so you can easily visit all of these locations in a single trip.

Smith Cove, Grand Cayman

Also known as Smith Barcadere, this small public beach in South Sound is a local favorite with fantastic snorkeling. Unique rock formations along the coast combined with clear turquoise waters and sandy shores make the area very scenic. In fact, Smith Cove is one of the Caribbean’s most photographed beaches ³.

Amenities like picnic tables, outdoor showers, public restrooms, and plenty of shade-providing trees make Smith Cove a wonderful place to spend the day. Snorkelers can explore iron-shore rock formations in the shallow water or head further offshore to find a reef teeming with marine life.

Cheeseburger Reef, Grand Cayman

Located next to a Burger King restaurant in George Town, Cheeseburger Reef has some of the best snorkeling in the Cayman Islands’ capital city. This popular snorkel spot is easily accessible from the cruise ship port and is a well-known and classic destination.

To get to the reef, follow a path on the north side of Burger King and then swim about 30 yards out. You’ll see fascinating reef formations and sea creatures, such as snappers, sea turtles, large tarpons, and smaller reef fish. The coral heads at Cheeseburger Reef are impressive and extend from the seafloor to within about 10 feet of the water’s surface.

Cayman Brac

The tiny island of Cayman Brac is known for its scuba diving, but there are several interesting sites for snorkelers to explore. The best snorkeling on the island is along the north shore.

The thriving Buccaneer Reef is accessible from Buccaneer’s Beach (located north of the airport in West End) and has an abundance of marine life, including stingrays, eagle rays, sea turtles, reef sharks, and reef fish. In Stake Bay, Radar Reef is also a good spot for shore snorkeling.

The 330-foot Wreck of Captain Keith Tibbetts is a popular dive site, but impressive underwater visibility makes the wreck interesting for snorkelers too. Although it’s possible to reach from shore, most snorkelers and divers take a short boat ride to access the shipwreck. The wreckage sits between 30 and 100 feet beneath the surface and about 200 yards offshore near Scott’s Dock in West End ⁴.

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