Snorkeling in Grand Cayman

Snorkeling is one of the most popular activities on Grand Cayman, with crystal-clear waters, abundant marine life, and colorful coral reefs making it an unforgettable experience. There are numerous snorkeling spots around Grand Cayman and on this page you will find an overview and some details of each snorkeling location on Grand Cayman, including how to find them.  If you did not bring your snorkeling gear, there are quite a few dive shops that pepper Grand Cayman.  Since they are dive shops, they will usually have snorkeling masks and fins for rent.  Check to see if they rent for the week rather than daily, particularly if you are going out to snorkel every day.  

Eden Rock
Lots of Sergeant Majors in Eden Rock

Eden Rock

Located in George Town, Eden Rock is a popular snorkeling site for both beginners and experienced snorkelers. This spot is perfect for those who want to explore underwater caves, tunnels, and swim-throughs. The marine life at Eden Rock is abundant and diverse, with colorful fish, sea turtles, and other sea creatures swimming around the vibrant coral reefs. Bear in mind that this is where cruise ships dock during the early morning so it will be busy.

Note from a local: This snorkeling spot is right off the cruise ship dock in George Town, so its very accessible to cruise ship visitors. The Eden Rock Dive shop is right next to it so if you don’t have snorkeling gear, you can rent.

The water at Eden Rock is clear and calm, making it ideal for snorkeling. The reef starts in shallow water and extends out to a depth of around 40 feet. There is a ladder for easy access to the water. Eden Rock is a great spot for families who love snorkeling as an activity.

Smith Cove

Smith Cove is a beautiful, secluded beach located on the southern coast of Grand Cayman. This snorkeling spot is popular with locals and tourists alike, thanks to its calm waters and impressive coral formations. The beach itself is small but picturesque, with soft white sand and crystal-clear water.
Note from a local: You have to swim out of the cove to explore the areas but please be aware that the water can sometimes be rough.

The snorkeling at Smith Cove is excellent, with a diverse range of marine life to be found in the coral reefs. Snorkelers can spot a variety of fish, including parrotfish, sergeant majors, and blue tangs. There are also sea turtles that frequent the area, so keep an eye out for these creatures!

Cemetery Beach
Artificial Reef found on Cemetery Reef

Cemetery Beach

Located on the northern coast of Grand Cayman, Cemetery Beach is another popular spot for snorkeling. This beach is quieter than some of the other snorkeling sites on the island, with fewer crowds and a more relaxed atmosphere. The water at Cemetery Beach is clear and calm, with excellent visibility for snorkeling.

The reef at Cemetery Beach is diverse and colorful, with an array of coral formations and marine life. Snorkelers can spot schools of colorful fish, sea turtles, and even stingrays in the shallow waters. The beach itself is also beautiful, with soft white sand and calm waters for swimming and lounging.

Note from a local: The reef is about a 150 ft swim from the beach so this spot is ideal for good swimmers. Although there is marine life right next to the beach, on a large rock formation, so if you are not a strong swimmer, this rock formation has enough marine life to keep you busy.

Sunset House Mermaid
Sunset House Mermaid

Sunset House

Sunset House is known for its incredible underwater statue park, which is located just off the shore. The park is home to a variety of sculptures, including a mermaid. The statues are made of eco-friendly materials and have been designed to encourage the growth of coral and other marine life.

Apart from the Mermaid statue, Sunset House’s snorkeling site is also home to a variety of marine life, including colorful fish, sea turtles, and even the occasional reef shark. The water is typically clear and calm, with excellent visibility for snorkeling. The reef is quite shallow and starts just a few feet from the shore, making it easy to access for snorkelers of all levels.

Note from a local: This is the best place to snorkel (or even go diving) at the end of a work day because you can have a beer and dinner right afterwards! Great place to hang out with friends and family. Food can be hit or miss depending on what you order but overall, a pretty great time to be had.

In addition to the excellent snorkeling, Sunset House also offers a range of other amenities for visitors, including a pool, bar, and restaurant. There are also plenty of rental gear available, including snorkels, masks, fins, and vests. Overall, Sunset House is an excellent choice for snorkelers (and scuba divers) on Grand Cayman.

Wreck of the Cali

Wreck of the Cali

This snorkeling spot is located right in the middle of George Town on the Waterfront. Your drop off point can be where the Fish Market is, although, when they are actively selling their fishes, that might not be a good time because the Tarpons are expecting food. The restaurant near that snorkeling spot is called Cayman Cabana. Expect lots of Tarpons and we saw quite a few Barracudas. The Wreck is interesting too!

Macabuca / Turtle Reef
Macabuca / Turtle Reef

Macabuca / Turtle Reef

Located in West Bay — Turtle Reef isn’t really a snorkeling spot, its more of a divers spot but if you don’t feel like diving, snorkeling is an alternative. Although the water can be deep so, this spot is recommended for strong swimmers. Because it is a diver’s spot, its always fun watching the divers explore the caverns underneath. Turtle Reef is where you find, “Tarpon Alley” and you can see it from above as a snorkeler. After snorkeling, you can always hang out at the restaurant and bar, Macabuca, which serves amazing Jerk chicken and Island drinks.  The dive shop in Macabuca is called Sun Divers and you can easily rent a mask and fins for snorkeling.

The restaurant in this snorkeling / diving spot is called Cracked Conch and its a wonderful place to grab dinner.  The bar is called Macabuca, and its a wonderful place to hang out. 

Governor’s Reef
Governor’s Reef

Governor’s Reef

This can be accessed from the Governor’s Beach on Seven Mile Beach.  You have to swim out just before the buoys to be able to see the reef.  When you get there, a school of bermuda chubs will always greet you with a smile on their fishy faces, its quite a greeting!  This snorkeling spot is further out but the waters are usually calm during in the mornings.

Grand Cayman offers some of the best snorkeling opportunities in the Caribbean, with numerous sites to explore. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced snorkeler, there is something for everyone on our beautiful island. If you have any questions, or simply want to get more information, please feel free to get in touch. 

This article has been collaboratively crafted with the assistance of AI-driven insights and meticulously curated by Fevi Yu, our  SEO Content Manager and Web Administrator. It has undergone rigorous editing and fact-checking by a Destination Editor-At-Large, who is also a resident of the Cayman Islands. Should you have any inquiries, require clarifications, or seek additional information, we invite you to contact us at [email protected]