Submarine Tours

Diving and snorkeling are the way to enjoy Grand Cayman underwater but what if you don't dive? Don't worry! There are a number of ways to enjoy underwater in Grand Cayman without even getting wet.

The Atlantis Adventures' semi-submersible is the brightest and airiest way to see Grand Cayman underwater -- the reefs, wrecks, and reef fish -- because you don't even leave the surface. It's like a glass-bottom boat only the glass is in the sides of the hull instead of the floor. The seating is comfortable, the viewing windows a good size and, if you're the nervous kind, you can go on deck to see where you are.

The boat circles a reef or, in our case, the Cali wreck, and you see fish, lots of fish, particularly when a crew member jumps into the sea with food for them. We saw Parrotfish, Sergeant Majors, Damselfish, and too many others to remember. 

Parrot fish, like this one, make 60% of the sand on Caribbean beaches. Natural erosion by waves and wind makes only the other 40%. Parrot fish eat coral; i.e. the small living creature that makes itself the protective shell we call coral. Parrot fishes have a strong 'beak', hence the name, which they use to bite chunks off the reef before chewing and swallowing the food and shell. The shell is ground up inside the fish before being excreted as sand. Remember that next time you feel like lying on a Caribbean beach.

The Atlantis submarine is also bright and friendly but it is a submarine so if you're claustrophobic it may not be for you. It seats 48 so it's a fair size and the atmosphere is relaxed -- Das Boot, it's not. The windows are necessarily smaller because the vessel goes down a hundred feet where the fish are different and more 'wild', if that makes sense. We saw Tarpons and Snapper hunting their prey and, to the delight of many on board (I'm a tad squeamish), catching and killing it. We also saw, an Octopus, Lobster, Stingray, among others.

The submarine does day and night tours of the reef. We chose the night dive and it's different, particularly when they turn out the lights so you can appreciate darkness at 100 ft below. You also get a chance to see the bioluminescence from millions of tiny sea creature that produce their own light -- an idea for our scientists to follow up on in the present day efforts to reduce our individual carbon footprints.

To see Grand Cayman underwater at night, we lined up for the submarine tied up at the Atlantis dock on the waterfront at George Town. Then, as departure time approached, the crew began getting the boats ready and we passengers began jockeying for position in the line for the best seats. Then the boats, submarine and tender, left without us, heading out to sea into the gathering darkness. It looked like we weren't about to see Grand Cayman underwater at night on this occasion! Everyone checked the tickets for departure time. I'd have found it funny if we hadn't already paid the fare (nearly US$100 for two) and now seemed to be set for a dispute to get our money back.

The mystery solved itself when, after casting off the submarine, the tender returned for us. Apparently, the submarine goes up and down, and cruises about below the water, but needs assistance to go far on the surface. Transferring from the tender to the submarine is simple and safe, then it's down into its spacious cabin and enjoy the ride.

Look for Atlantis Adventures, Grand Cayman when you get there and try it out.
Two other ways to see Grand Cayman underwater are:

'Bubble Sub', a really unique two-passenger private submarine, find them at, appropriately enough, www.bubblesub.com or (345) 916-3483,

Sea Trek, which provides what looks like a high-tech old-fashioned diver's helmet fed with air from the surface. You just walk out under the water. Call them at:(345) 949-0008 or 926-0008 for reservations. NOTE: Just so no one sues - this one does get you wet:)