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Snorkeling in the Cayman Islands

Reefs, Wrecks and Stingrays

Grand Cayman is one of the world's premier diving destinations. But you don't need a tank to discover the island's underwater treasures. At short swim from shore will bring you to colorful reefs and shallow shipwrecks, and dedicated snorkel boats visit many more sites, including world-famous Stingray City. Here, southern stingrays gather in clear, shallow water over a white sand bottom. The rays are neither shy nor aggressive; they glide among swimmers and waders, brushing silky-smooth wings against legs and gently slurping tasty fish bits from outstretched hands. Snorkelers can also follow the rays to a nearby coral reef that swarms with colorful tropical fish.

Highlights

  • Best for: Everyone, solos, couples and families looking for watersports and adventures from soft to rugged and stingray encounters
  • Best season to visit: Year round
  • Weather: Mid 70s in winter to high 80s in summer. The rainy season runs from May to October, but precipitation does not affect diving conditions

Things to Do

The Cayman Islands Information

Snorkeling in The Cayman Islands Overview

The island's west end offers the best conditions to snorkel from shore. Boats provide access to additional sites that are a bit farther from shore. The Seven Mile Beach area is the starting point for boat trips to reefs and stingray encounters, which take place in shallow water at the mouth of North Sound.

Snorkeling in The Cayman Islands Tips

Popular sites on the island's west end can be crowded with cruise ships are in port. Schedule trips earlier or later to avoid the rush. If possible, schedule stingray trips during slack or incoming tides, which pull extremely clear waters in from the reef. Stick close to guides who are feeding if you want maximum contact with the rays. Move to the edge of the group if you are looking for the best photo ops in clear water.

Best Places to Snorkel in The Cayman Islands

The scattered remains of the Cali wreck sit in clear shallow waters near George Town Harbor. Eden Rock and Devil's Grotto provide swim throughs and lots of fish; a bronze mermaid resides at Sunset Reef. At Sandbar, stingrays swirl around waders toes, while nearby Stingray City and Stingray Alley are where snorkelers swim with the rays.

What to Pack for Snorkeling in The Cayman Islands

Since most stingray tours include both wading and swimming stops, bring both water shoes for the sandbar and snorkel gear for the coral reef. A waterproof shirt is advisable for sun protection. A selfie stick will allow you to get good underwater video of the rays while you are wading.

Specials

Snorkeling

Cayman Islands

Sunshine Suites Resort

SEVEN MILE BEACH GRAND CAYMAN SCUBA DIVE PACKAGE includes 5 nights Studio Suite accommodations, 3 days 2-tank boat diving with Red Sail Sports, roundtrip airport transfers, hotel tax and service charges.
Includes benefits at sister property located on Seven Mile Beach: charging privileges, use of beach, chairs, umbrellas, towels, concierge, pool treats, fitness center, workout studio, sauna, hot tub/steam room (based on avail at Hibiscus Spa), live music, weekly activities (soccer, corn hole, nature scavenger hunt, beach ball rally, water balloon toss, water drop relay, bocce ball tourney, trivia night, sand sculpture competition).

Valid 8/18/24-10/31/24. Rates from $1,038 per person/double diver.

Additional room categories and other dates also available! Book on-line or Contact Caradonna Adventures at 800.328.2288 or email us sales@caradonna.com.
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From $1,038 per person double diver

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Snorkeling

Cayman Islands

Westin Grand Cayman Seven Mile Beach Resort and Spa

SEVEN MILE BEACH GRAND CAYMAN SCUBA DIVE PACKAGE includes 5 nights Island View accommodations, 3 days of 2-tank boat dives with Red Sail Sports, roundtrip airport transfers, hotel tax and service charges.

Island View from $1,641 per person/dble diver. Valid 8/18/24-10/31/24.
Partial Ocean View from $1,750 per person/dble diver. Valid 8/18/24-10/31/24.
Ocean/Pool View from $1,858 per person/dble diver. Valid 8/18/24-10/31/24.

Additional room categories and other dates also available! Book on-line or Contact Caradonna Adventures at 800.328.2288 or email us sales@caradonna.com.
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From $1,641 per person double diver

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Resorts

Snorkeling

Cayman Islands

Westin Grand Cayman Seven Mile Beach Resort and Spa

SEVEN MILE BEACH - The Westin Grand Cayman Seven Mile Beach Resort & Spa offers 343 luxuriously appointed guest rooms amid lush tropical gardens with waterfalls and fountains, freshwater pools, whirlpools, restaurants with indoor and outdoor seating, lounges, 24-hour room service, swim-up pool bar, fitness center and luxury spa. Red Sail Sports is located onsite offering diving services.

Book on-line or Contact Caradonna Adventures at 800.328.2288 or email us sales@caradonna.com.
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Cayman Stingrays
Snorkeling

Cayman Islands

Sunshine Suites Resort

SEVEN MILE BEACH - Retreat to the all-suite boutique hotel offering affordable lodging with full kitchens. A short walk from the sparkling ocean waters, and white sand of Grand Caymans famous Seven Mile Beach. Enjoy the convenience of this prime location, freshwater pool with sundeck, dive storage lockers and rinse tanks. Near the 18-hole North Sound Golf Course, and dozens of shops and restaurants. High end accommodations, excellent guest services, plus enjoy a host of amenities at neighboring sister property on Seven Mile Beach. Whether your visit is for business or pleasure, a warm and friendly team awaits you.

Book on-line or Contact Caradonna Adventures at 800.328.2288 or email us sales@caradonna.com.
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Snorkeling

Cayman Islands

Sunset House

GEORGE TOWN - With tropical colonial furniture and Wi-Fi access throughout the beautiful landscaped property, Sunset House is located on the water’s edge with excellent diving right offshore. Sunset Divers, the onsite dive operation, offers an exciting, professional, customer service-oriented staff.

Book on-line or Contact Caradonna Adventures at 800.328.2288 or email us sales@caradonna.com.
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Passport and/or Visa Requirements

A valid passport is required for entry with one available page for entry stamps. No Visas are required for U.S. and Canadian citizens. Check the entry and exit requirements here.

Immunizations

Vaccinations are not required for entering the Cayman Islands if you're coming from the U.S., Britain, or Canada. Please check with your doctor or visit the Center for Disease Control's website here for more information.

 

Culture and Customs

For almost as long as it has been a mecca for divers, Grand Cayman island has also served as an international hub of finance and banking. This has provided the island with one of the highest standards of living in the region. Upscale shops, galleries and modern office buildings line the streets of downtown George Town, while West Bay Road is lined by high-end beachfront resorts and the gateway facades of new residential developments. But these islands aren't just for the international elite. Not far from five-star dining, one can purchase a meal of jerk chicken and peas'n rice from a beachside shanty, or savor a cold draft and a game of dominoes with a crew of fishermen and dive masters. At trip to the island's eastern shore, or the palm-fringed shores of Rum Point is like stepping back in time, while a flight to the Sister Islands is a different world entirely. Social climbing on Cayman Brac means inviting someone to join you for a walk up the Bluff Road for panoramic island views from Deadman's Point. On even quieter Little Cayman, nightlife might involve a tumbler full of rum and a beachside hammock under the stars.

Electricity, Phone and Internet Access

Electrical current is 110 volts AC, 60Hz. American-style two-pin plugs are standard and adapters aren't needed for U.S. and Canadian appliances.

Phone service is provided by Cable & Wireless. Check with your provider to see what rates apply or you will be subject to roaming charges.

There are many public WiFi hot spots on Grand Cayman and most hotels offer WiFi.

Water Quality

Cayman water supplies piped water to the Seven Mile Beach and West Bay areas of Grand Cayman and is safe to drink by World Health Organization (WHO) standards. Cayman Brac supplies desalinated salt water and Little Cayman has its own water system. If you are unsure of the water quality, bottled water is also available for purchase.

Language & Currency

English is the official language. The local currency, is the Caymanian dollar, but the U.S. Dollar is used interchangeably. Credit cards are widely accepted. The Cayman Dollar is represented as CI and offers denominations o f $100, $50, $25, $10, $5, $1 and coins of 25 cents, 10 cents, 5 cents and 1 cent. Check the current exchange rate here.

Time

The Cayman Islands are on Eastern Standard Time (EST) and do not observe Daylight Savings Time. The Caymans are 5 hours behind Greenwich Mean Time (-5 GMT).

Location, Size and Population

The Cayman Islands are comprised of 3 islands and are a British Overseas Territory located in the Western Caribbean. They are located South of Cuba and Northwest of Jamaica. Grand Cayman, the largest of the three Cayman Islands, lies in the far Western Caribbean, 480 miles south of Miami and occupies 76 square miles. The sister islands of Cayman Brac (14 square miles) and Little Cayman (10 square miles) are 89 miles to the northeast of Grand Cayman. Grand Cayman is approximately 22 miles long and 8 miles at its widest point. Cayman Brac is 12 miles long and just over a mile wide and has the most dramatic topography of the trio. Little Cayman, only 10 miles long and a mile wide, is flat, reaching a maximum elevation of 40 ft. The three islands are limestone outcroppings, the tops of a submarine mountain range called the Cayman Ridge, which extends west southwest for the Sierra Maestra range off the southeast part of Cuba to the Misteriosa Bank near Belize. The population of the Cayman Islands is 60,764 (2016).

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