Best Places to Snorkel in the Cayman Islands

The Cayman Islands is home to a vibrant kaleidoscope of marine life, crystal-clear waters, and unforgettable snorkelling experiences.

At Red Sail Sports, we’re based in Grand Cayman, the largest of the three Cayman Islands.

Our little part of paradise is surrounded by the shimmering Caribbean Sea, coral formations, shipwrecks, geological formations, and much more.

And our boat excursions in Grand Cayman include trips to the best snorkel sites!

If you would like more information about our snorkelling excursions in Grand Cayman, please get in touch.

For now, though, let’s take a look at the best places to snorkel in the Cayman Islands.

woman snorkelling with stingray

Get Up Close and Personal with the Stingrays at Stingray City!

Prepare for an extraordinary encounter at Stingray City, where you’ll meet friendly southern stingrays in their natural habitat. 

This world-famous snorkelling site is a must-visit for anyone planning a vacation in Grand Cayman. 

Wade into the shallow sandbars and watch as the graceful stingrays glide effortlessly around you. 

These playful creatures are completely comfortable with human interaction, so they will swim up to say hello!

You can even touch and hold them. And if you’re feeling brave, you can kiss one for seven years of good luck! 

Stingray City is an interactive snorkelling experience like no other.

Discover even more about this unique snorkel site by reading our Visitor’s Guide to Grand Cayman’s Stingray City.

Boat at Starfish Point

A Seaside Oasis of Starry Delights at Starfish Point 

Located on the north side of Grand Cayman, near Rum Point and Kaibo, Starfish Point offers a rare opportunity to see some of the ocean’s most famous creatures in the wild.

The shallow, turquoise waters here are home to a resident starfish population in vibrant shades of red and orange.

While it’s possible to see starfish in the shallow water without snorkelling, most of the starfish live on seagrass in the deeper drop-off beyond the beach.

Snorkelling out a little further, then, allows you to see many more of these incredible creatures!

You can enjoy the Starfish Point experience — along with a visit to Stingray City and snorkelling at a coral reef — on our North Sound Eco-Safari.

Kittiwake Snorkel

Peer Down at the Eerie Sight of the USS Kittiwake 

Calling all adventure seekers and history buffs! Prepare for an unforgettable journey as you snorkel over the USS Kittiwake, a sunken naval vessel that is now a vibrant artificial reef. 

Sitting on the ocean bed around a half mile off Seven Mile Beach, this wreck is now home to an impressive range of marine life.

Float on the surface looking down into the water and marvel at the breathtaking sight of the USS Kittiwake below.

It’s important to note that, due to the distance from the shore and the busy boat traffic in the area, it’s not possible to swim to this snorkel site.

For the full shipwreck experience, however, you need to dive. Check out our Guide to Shipwreck Dives in the Cayman Islands to learn more.

a man and a woman snorkelling

A Vibrant Symphony of Colors Awaits in the Coral Gardens and the Barrier Reef

Get ready to be dazzled by nature’s vibrant palette at Coral Gardens in Grand Cayman’s North Sound. 

Immerse yourself in a rainbow of coral formations, teeming with an array of tropical fish and mesmerizing sea creatures. 

Swim alongside schools of vibrant parrotfish, butterflyfish, and angelfish as they dart through the coral maze. 

Check our Stingray Sandbar and Reef Excursion or enjoy our Breakfast with the Rays trip and catch a glimpse of the majestic rays soaring overhead. This snorkelling paradise will leave you in awe. 

With stunning snorkelling experiences like this, it’s easy to see why the Cayman Islands is so special.

woman snorkelling

Eden Rock is a Hidden Gem for Snorkeling Enthusiasts! 

Escape to a snorkeler’s paradise at Eden Rock, where underwater wonders await you. 

Dive into the crystal-clear waters and you’ll find yourself surrounded by colourful corals, intricate rock formations, and an abundance of marine life. 

Large numbers of shining silver tarpon populate this area.

It’s like stepping into a tropical aquarium; the sheer beauty will take your breath away.

And best of all, you can easily access Eden Rock from the shore. Located on the George Town waterfront, you can enter and exit the water using the ladder provided.

man snorkelling by coral reef

Find Serenity and Splendor at Cemetery Beach

For those seeking a quieter snorkelling experience, head to the serene shores of Cemetery Beach. 

Nestled away from the crowds, this hidden gem offers calm waters and a vibrant underwater ecosystem. 

And for clarity, Cemetery Beach is part of Seven Mile Beach — there just happens to be an old cemetery behind the beach in this area.

There is a reef around 60 yards from the shore, so we recommend this for people with previous snorkelling experience.

Of course, with coral comes a mesmerizing array of sea life, so keep your eyes peeled and see which fish and other animals you can spot!

green sea turtle

Keep an Eye Out for Sea Turtles at Spotts Beach

Tucked away on Grand Cayman’s south coast, Spotts Beach is something of a hidden gem.

Some of the more popular beaches along the west coast can become crowded at certain times of day during peak season. But Spotts Beach rarely has this problem.

Home and waterfront condos surround this beach, so it attracts more locals than tourists.

The smaller crowds and lack of water traffic also make this a great snorkelling spot. 

And while there’s beautiful coral and vibrant fish to discover at your own pace, sea turtles have become the star of the show here.

You may see them at any time of day, but they’re especially active in the morning and evening.

Spotts Beach also has free parking and picnic tables, so you can take your time in this quiet corner of Grand Cayman.

For more travel inspiration, check out our five tips for having the best Cayman vacation.

Red Sail Sports boat

Come Snorkeling in Grand Cayman with Red Sail Sports!

We hope this introduction to the best places to snorkel in the Cayman Islands has inspired you to visit!

Find out more about snorkelling adventures with us by looking through our boat excursions in Grand Cayman or if you are looking for more action, check out our Waverunner Snorkel Safari activity.

And if you have any questions about anything you see, feel free to contact us.

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