Experience some of the world’s best diving in the Grand Cayman Islands, renowned for their breathtaking underwater landscapes and diverse marine life. From iconic sites like Bloody Bay Wall in Little Cayman, endorsed by Jacques Cousteau, to the sunken USS Kittiwake and vibrant reefs of Eden Rock and Devil’s Grotto in Grand Cayman, the islands offer unparalleled opportunities for underwater exploration.
Whether you’re diving amidst shipwrecks like the Oro Verde and MV Captain Keith Tibbetts, hand-feeding Southern stingrays at Deep Stingray City, or navigating coral canyons at Trinity Caves, the Grand Cayman Islands promise unforgettable adventures beneath crystal-clear Caribbean waters.
Bloody Bay Wall
Bloody Bay Wall, situated in Little Cayman, is one of the world’s deepest sea walls, plunging 2,000 meters to the ocean floor. Renowned diver and explorer Jacques Cousteau once praised Bloody Bay Wall as one of the top dive sites globally. Divers here can encounter a variety of sea creatures, including octopuses and arrow crabs.
USS Kittiwake
The USS Kittiwake, a former US Navy ship, was intentionally sunk off Grand Cayman to establish a new dive site.
For those vacationing in Grand Cayman, diving at this site is a must-do activity. Access to the wreck requires a boat trip.
Wilderness Wall
Wilderness Wall, situated on the south side of Cayman Brac, is a must-visit destination. This impressive deep wall plunges several hundred feet into the abyss, offering a breathtaking experience for anyone vacationing on the island.
Eden Rock & Devil’s Grotto
Eden Rock and Devil’s Grotto are two adjacent dive sites located in George Town, Grand Cayman. Just a 10-minute walk from the cruise ship port, Eden Rock offers abundant coral and fish, while Devil’s Grotto features underwater caves perfect for exploration. The area is also home to many tarpon and small silver sprats.
Deep Stingray City
Deep Stingray City is located in Grand Cayman and is a must-visit dive spot. Here, you can hand-feed wild Southern stingrays in approximately 12 feet of water.
For more information on the differences between Deep Stingray City and Stingray City Sandbar, click the link below to read our article.
Macabuca
Macabuca, situated in West Bay on Grand Cayman, is a popular shore-access dive spot. It features convenient ladders for safe entry and exit from the water. The site boasts abundant coral and marine life. Additionally, Macabuca offers a restaurant, bar, and dive shop for visitors.
Tarpon Alley
Tarpon Alley is situated at the North Wall in Grand Cayman. The depth of the waters ranges from 15 to 25 meters. Although it’s called Tarpon Alley, sightings of tarpon are not guaranteed, but it’s common to see at least a few.
This location also boasts an abundance of other fish and coral. With some luck, you might even encounter hammerhead sharks.
Cheeseburger Reef
Cheeseburger Reef is situated in George Town, Grand Cayman. This site is accessible as a shore dive, where divers enter the water from the shore and swim out to the reef. At Cheeseburger Reef, you will encounter numerous tarpon, along with vibrant coral and a variety of other fish. The water depth ranges from approximately 10 to 20 feet.
Sunset House
Sunset House is situated on the south side of Grand Cayman, close to George Town. Shore diving is possible here thanks to the ladders provided for easy water entry and exit.
The dive site, which is approximately 20 feet deep, boasts abundant coral. Additionally, there is a dive shop and a restaurant on-site.
Lighthouse Point
Lighthouse Point is situated in West Bay, Grand Cayman. It offers good shore diving from its dock, and there is also a small restaurant and dive resort on site.
Wreck of the Oro Verde
The wreck of the Oro Verde is located in Grand Cayman. Originally constructed for the US Army Transportation Corps over 70 years ago, the ship was intentionally sunk in Grand Cayman in 1980 to create a new dive site.
Babylon North Wall
Babylon is situated on the North Wall in Grand Cayman. This site features an abundance of soft coral, creating a fascinating underwater environment. The depth plunges to over a hundred feet. To access this location, you will need to take a boat.
MV Captain Keith Tibbetts
The MV Captain Keith Tibbetts, originally built for the Cuban Navy in 1984, is a former Soviet Union ship. Measuring 330 feet in length, it was intentionally sunk off the coast of Cayman Brac in 1996. Today, it stands as one of the premier dive sites in Cayman Brac and is a must-see for diving enthusiasts.
Orange Canyon
Orange Canyon, located on the west side of Grand Cayman, is a well-known dive site. Its name comes from the prominent orange Elephant Ear Sponges that inhabit the area.
Eagle Ray Pass
Eagle Ray Pass is situated along the North Wall in Grand Cayman. In this area, you can observe Spotted Eagle Rays gliding by at depths ranging from approximately 30 to 100 feet.
Princess Pennies Pinnacle
Princess Pennies Pinnacle, situated on the North Wall in Grand Cayman, is a renowned dive site named after the famous free-diver Penny Ventura. Here, divers can explore various entrances along the wall, making for an exciting underwater adventure.
Lemon Reef
Lemon Reef, situated on the North Wall in Grand Cayman, is a popular “mini-wall” dive site. Divers in this area frequently encounter barracudas and schools of horse-eye jacks.
Roberts Wall
Roberts Wall is situated on the North Wall of Grand Cayman. The water depth at this location is approximately 18 meters. Divers can explore various swim-through areas where the wall descends to significant depths.
Roundabout
Roundabout is situated along the North Wall in Grand Cayman. The water depth is approximately 100 feet, offering a diverse range of both soft and hard corals.
Trinity Caves
Trinity Caves is a popular dive site that is located off the coast of West Bay in Grand Cayman. This dive site first became popular in the 90s when it was featured in the film “The Firm”, starring Tom Cruise.
Despite the name, there aren’t actually caves here. However, there are large coral canyons that provide exciting swim-throughs for divers.
Conclusion
The Cayman Islands offer a diverse array of world-class dive sites, each with its own unique attractions. From the legendary Bloody Bay Wall in Little Cayman, praised by Jacques Cousteau, to the sunken USS Kittiwake off Grand Cayman, and the vibrant marine life of Eden Rock and Devil’s Grotto, these sites promise unforgettable underwater experiences.
Whether exploring wrecks like the Oro Verde or the MV Captain Keith Tibbetts, encountering Southern stingrays at Deep Stingray City, or diving amidst colorful coral at Cheeseburger Reef and Tarpon Alley, the Cayman Islands are a paradise for diving enthusiasts seeking adventure and natural beauty beneath the waves.
