Scuba diving in Grand Cayman
Grand Cayman is a good place to scuba dive, from a shore entry to wrecks reached by boat. Boats go out from George Town and other spots on the island to the Ex-USS Kittiwake and deeper sites, so divers can pick between a short walk in and a longer trip by boat.
Places to go
Kittiwake
The Kittiwake is a sunken American warship that now serves as an artificial reef off Seven Mile Beach. Divers and snorkelers reach it by hired boat.
Eden Rock
Eden Rock is a shore dive off George Town, entered straight from the water's edge. You walk in from the shore, with no boat needed.
Stingray City
Stingray City is a set of shallow sandbars in the North Sound of Grand Cayman, where southern stingrays gather around visiting boats. Most people reach it on a boat tour from George Town.
Tours to book
Prices are per person, booked with our partner, Shore Excursions Group.
What to expect
Most divers choose between two styles. One is the shore dive at Eden Rock, which starts from the water's edge. Next to it are Devil's Grotto's underwater caves, where you may see silver sprats and tarpon. The other is a boat trip to the Ex-USS Kittiwake, a sunken American warship off Seven Mile Beach that is now an artificial reef in clear water.
Certified divers can also go out by boat to the deep Stingray dive, a 12-foot dive where confident divers hand-feed Southern stingrays. Operators run trips from George Town, Seven Mile Beach, South Sound, East End and North Side. Discover-scuba and training dives are also offered for people who are not yet certified, so the day can work for a first dive as well as for experienced divers.
Where to go
- Ex-USS Kittiwake. Sunken American warship off Seven Mile Beach, now an artificial reef in clear water, dived from a hired boat. Off Seven Mile Beach, by boat.
- Devil's Grotto. Underwater caves with silver sprats and tarpon in the area, close to Eden Rock. Next to Eden Rock, by walk.
- Macabuca. Dive spot in West Bay reached from the shore, with ladders for safe entry and a restaurant and bar beside it. By shore access.
Getting there
The Ex-USS Kittiwake and other wrecks are reached by hired boat from operators based in George Town and on Seven Mile Beach.
When to go
Diving runs year-round on Grand Cayman, so the season does not change the plan.
Good to know
- Certification is needed for the wrecks and the deep Stingray dive; uncertified divers can book discover-scuba or training dives.
- Bring your certification card and logbook if you plan to dive from a boat.
- Ask your operator about the boat schedule.
- A restaurant and bar sit beside the Macabuca dive spot, which helps with a longer day at the water.
Questions
Do I need certification to scuba dive in Grand Cayman?
Not for every dive. Discover-scuba and training dives are offered for uncertified divers. The Kittiwake wreck and the deep Stingray dive are for certified divers, and the deep Stingray dive suits confident divers.
What is the best dive in Grand Cayman for a first-timer?
Macabuca is a dive spot in West Bay reached from the shore, with ladders for safe entry. It is suited to first-time divers, and a restaurant and bar sit next to it.
