Snorkel Clear Blue Waters in the Cayman Islands – Snorkeling Sites & Tour Operators
With several vibrant coral reefs around Grand Cayman, including the west coast and North Sound’s large protected bay, the Cayman Islands are a great place to snorkel. Slip into the warm Caribbean sea and swim out to a nearby reef, or take a short boat ride to some of the best Grand Cayman snorkeling spots further from shore. You can even snorkel sunken ships and wrecks that sit in as little as 20 feet of clear blue water. Explore a world full of diverse tropical fish and coral that you just can’t experience on land.
While it’s not exactly snorkeling, a trip to Grand Cayman is incomplete without visiting Stingray City – A once in a lifetime experience to swim with and maybe even touch a Stingray! If that’s not enough, Grand Cayman is also home to Starfish Point – Shallow waters where starfish are abundant.
There are also close to a dozen great snorkeling spots off the coasts of each, Little Cayman and Cayman Brac!
Local Boat / Tour Operators who will get you in the water are listed below…
The best Grand Cayman snorkeling sites in the North Sound Marine Park include:
- The Reef (Cayman Barrier Reef) – No more than 10 feet (3m) deep, this area has boat wrecks and is home to large fish like snappers, groupers as well as moray eels.
- Coral Gardens – Further into the bay, this protected area, no more than 10 feet (3m) deep, has coral and plenty of tropical fish including angel fish, sergeant majors, parrot fish and needle nose fish. Rays, eels and even lobster can also be found here!
- Secret Garden – Another protected area in 10 feet (3m) of water, this area is home to large corals and sea fans. Barracuda frequent the area and large sea snails (Conch) can also be seen on the ocean floor.
- Rum Point Reef – This spot features massive coral formations in just over 5 to 10 feet (2m) of crystal clear water. There’s plenty of colourful fish here too. Parts of this reef are accessible from the beach.
- Starfish Point – In 2-3 feet of water a hundred feet or so from a secluded beach, the sandy bottom is home to, you guessed it, starfish – The Red Cushion Starfish to be precise. They are a bright orange colour and can grow up to 20 inches in diameter!
- Stingray City – Dozens of wild Stingrays frequent this shallow sandbar. The prehistoric creatures are gentle and can even be held – If you have the right touch. The water is about 3 to 4 feet (1m) deep so it’s easily visited by non-swimmers and children.
- Stingray City Deep / Stingray Valley – This is another area frequented by friendly stingrays, although this area is 12 to 14 feet (4m) deep and is also home to corals and assorted fish.
The best Grand Cayman snorkeling sites along the west coast include:
- Turtle Farm Reef – This spot is known for Sea Turtles
- Cemetery Beach Reef – This shallow site is beach accessible (for strong swimmers). A variety of tropical fish can be found here, along with coral.
- The Kittiwake Shipwreck – The US Navy ship was sunk in 2011. This vessel is 250 feet long (76m) and 47 feet (14m) tall. The depth of the ship ranges from 15 feet (5m) to 60 feet (18m).
- Eden Rock / Devil’s Grotto – This site is beach accessible (from George Town) and features large coral formations and underwater caves, along with plenty of fish
- Tarpon House / Cheeseburger Reef – This site is home to tarpons (no surprise), as well as sea turtles and even the occasional shark
- Smith Cove – This site is beach accessible (from Smith’s Barcadere beach)
- The Cali shipwreck – What’s left of this ship sits in approximately 20 feet (6m) of seawater. You’ll find fish and sponges around…
Looking for Grand Cayman Snorkeling? These local Tour Operators will take good care of you:
(Click on a Tour Operator name below for more details)
- Guided Grand Cayman Snorkeling (Coral Gardens & Barrier Reef)
- Private Charters to:
- Stingray City; Starfish Point Private; Cayman Mangrove Forest
- Optional Add-Ons include Tubing or Reef Fishing
- Snorkeling inside the Cayman Barrier Reef
- Stingray City Boat Charter
- Starfish Point Boat Charter
- Above Tours are Customizable
- Private Boat Tours with Custom Itineraries that could Include: Coral Reef Snorkeling; Stingray City Sandbar; Starfish Point; Lunch Stops; Sunken Ships / Wrecks; Tubing; and Trolling (Fishing)
- 3-Hour Private Charter – 2 or 3 Stops
- 4-Hour Private Charter – 3 Stops
- 6-Hour Private Charter – 5 Stops
- 8-Hour Private Charter – 7 Stops
- Charter Options Include: Stingray City; Starfish Point; Mangroves; Kittewake and Snorkeling at Coral Gardens or Rum Point Reef
- Half-Day Charters – 3 Stops
- Full-Day Charters – 4 or More Stops
- Stingray City, Starfish Point and Snorkeling (Coral Gardens or Barrier Reef or Secret Garden) – Cruise Ship Friendly Tour
- Private Tours & Charters
- Private Charters:
- Snorkeling
- Stingray City
- Starfish Point & BBQ
SaltyRays Parasailing & Adventures
- Snorkel Tours (2 Stops off west coast)
- Sailing aboard Splendour in the Wind (47′ Beneteau Oceanis 473 sailing boat):
- Half-Day Charter (Morning or Afternoon) – Stingray City plus Snorkel stop
- Full-Day Charter – Stingray City plus Snorkel stop, lunch stop and Starfish Point
- Optional – Kids Pirate Cruise Add-On
- Sailing aboard the 38 foot Lagoon Catamaran:
- Half Day Charter with 3 stops
- Full Day Charter with 4-5 stops
- Cruise Ship Special with 4 Stops
- Power Boat Tours:
- Early Bird Tour – Stingray City
- Half-Day Charter – Could include: Stingray City, Snorkeling, Starfish Point, Reef Fishing and Mangrove Reserve
- Full-Day Charter – Stingray City, Snorkeling, Starfish Point, Lunch, Fishing and Mangrove Reserve
- Private / Customizable Tours for
- Snorkeling
- Stingray City
- Starfish Point
- Under The Sea Snorkeling Tours
- Seven Mile Beach WaveRunner (Jet Ski) & Snorkel Experience
- Private Luxury Cruiser Escape (Boat Tour with Snorkeling and Stingray City)
- Jetski Snorkel Safaris
- North Sound Charter – Customizable to include: Stingray City; Coral Gardens; The Barrier Reef; Starfish Point; Beach Stops
- 7 Mile Beach Charter – Customizable to include: Cheeseburger Reef; The Kittiwake; Cemetery Beach Reef
- Customizable East End Island Tour (includes Snorkeling)
- Customizable West End Island Tour (includes Snorkeling)
- Seven Mile Beach – Bike & Snorkel
- Double Water Slide Pontoon Boat Snorkeling Tour
- Stingray City Snorkel Tour
- Sail Snorkel Safari Tour
- Half or Full Day Snorkeling Charters
- Bioluminescence Night Snorkeling
- Bioluminescent Bay Boat Ride and Swim Tour
- Mangrove Snorkel Tour
There are also other boat/tour operators who will take you out to the Stingray City Sandbar. They include:
- Capt. Marvin’s Watersports
- Cayman Private Charters
- IslandLife Water Sports
- Jungle Float Cayman
- Just Fish’n
- Paradise Sailing and Snorkeling
- Resort Sports
- Slackem Charters
- Stingray City
- Surfside Charters
For those who want longer / deeper underwater experiences, but don’t have scuba diving experience, Sea Trek Cayman also offers a ‘helmet diving’ (Air Hose Snorkeling) Tour.
For the ultimate underwater experience, check out our Cayman Islands Diving pages
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