The Cayman Islands are known worldwide for offering fantastic scuba diving opportunities. Home to incredibly diverse marine life, divers are able to view a wide range of coral up close, as well as many different species of creatures, from fish to sharks and beyond. The sites found offshore are unparalleled in their beauty and excitement.
Stingray City
Perhaps the most well known, the sand bars of Stingray City can be found off of Grand Cayman's North Sound. A shallow area, divers are able to swim with and feed friendly southern stingrays at a depth of up to 4 metres. Ideal for beginners, this area is also an incredibly popular tourist attraction.
USS Kittiwake
The USS Kittiwake is a former navy ship that sunk off of Seven Mile Beach in 2011 after being in use for half of a century. Divers are able to explore all 5 levels of the 76.5 metre ship in length, underwater – including the mess hall, ammunition lockers, propulsion rooms and more. The site goes as deep as 20 metres, making it ideal for all levels of expertise. This site also offers a great view for snorkelers.
MV Captain Keith Tibbetts
Another sunken ship, the MV Captain Keith Tibbetts was brought to the islands from Cuba and can be found just off of Cayman Brac's coast. The only warship of Soviet origin that is accessible to divers in the West, the wreck was divided into two parts by Hurricane Ivan in 2004. Great for underwater photography, portions of the inside of the ship are still accessible and it is home to many species of marine life, including barracuda, grouper, tube sponges and more.
Trinity Caves
Located on Grand Cayman's West Side, Trinity Caves is home to several swim-through tunnels, complete with stunning coral formations. After swimming through, divers emerge along a deep wall and must venture through an archway, after which they swim up around a pinnacle and back through a separate tunnel. That tunnel leads to a breathtaking shallow reef area. A nearby sand flat is home to eagle rays.
Easy Street
A site meant for intermediate divers, Easy Street's keyhole swim-through makes it truly unique. At a depth of 100 feet, it is situated off of West Bay. Many additional swim-throughs make great hiding places for all species of marine life, including orange elephant ear sponges, and stunning Hawksbill Turtles, a common predator of the aforementioned, frequent the area.
Bloody Bay Wall
One of Little Cayman's most popular dive sites, Bloody Bay Wall is located in the protected Bloody Bay Marine Park. Visibility is incredibly high and marine life is abundant, from brightly coloured tube sponges to fish of all kinds, lobsters, turtles, waving fans and luminescent coral. A sheer wall drops down 200 metres. There are a number of designated sites located along the wall, including Mixing Bowl and Eagle Ray Roundup.
Babylon
A dive site found along Grand Cayman's North Wall, Babylon features sandy flats as the top, which are perfect for beginners. Descending deeper, scuba divers are able to witness the beauty of black coral, barrel sponges, parrot fish, hawksbill turtles, purple sea fans, barracuda, hammerheads and more. It makes a great stop on a full-day diving excursion.
Jackson's Bight
Another Little Cayman gem, Jackson's Bight is located in Bloody Bay Marine Park. Known for its spectacular collection of tunnels, reefs and crevices, there is plenty to see. From Caribbean reef sharks to eagle rays, sailfin bennies, garden eels, yellow-headed jawfish and peacock flounder, you're guaranteed not to be disappointed.
Ghost Mountain
An underwater pinnacle situated off of Grand Cayman's northern point, Ghost Mountain is ideal for more advanced divers. Going to a depth of 30 metres, there is a stunning cavern as well as an incredible range of coral and other sea creatures, including banded coral shrimp, finger sponges, starlet coral and more. If you have some practice under your belt, this is the site for you.
Bonnie's Arch
Located in West Bay's northern end, Bonnie's Arch is named after noted photographer Bonnie Charles who disappeared while diving the wall. An undercut coral arch spanning a sand chute can be found 70 feet down and there is an abundance of sea fans, tube sponges, chromis, squirrel fish and more for divers' viewing pleasure. It is worth a visit.
