Prevailing weather conditions, together with your experience and comfort in the water will determine where all of the best snorkel sites for you are on any given day when you snorkel in the Cayman Islands.

With the exception of a few very special snorkel sites reserved for our forum members, we will show you all of the very best Cayman snorkel sites, including many that very few visitors are aware of.

Many dramatic Cayman snorkel sites lie remarkably close to shore in relatively shallow water. The photo to the left was taken at Devil's Grotto in George Town less than 30 yards from shore in about 30 feet of water. Besides an interesting topography and abundance of fish, giant tarpon and masses of silverside can often be seen while snorkeling at Devil's Grotto, which is part of the Eden Rock/Devil's Grotto marine park. You can access this magnificent protected assortment of Cayman snorkel sites absolutely free from Eden Rock Diving Center, who will also rent any snorkel or flotation equipment you require. If you are coming on a cruise, be sure to pass the first somewhat misleading "Eden Rock" sign, which is actually a different operation; proceede a few steps further and you will see the real Eden Rock, which is a new modern facility with showers and an easy entry/exit ladder. Just look for the Eden Rock logo, a small apple.

Good snorkeling can be found in the waters off virtually any resort or condo along Seven Mile Beach. In general, the closer to George Town you are on Seven Mile Beach, the better the snorkeling conditions will be; this is due primarily to the slightly more rocky composition of the shoreline, which provides a habitat for many interesting sea creatures. There are of course exceptions, such as Cemetery Beach, which is a very popular snorkel site with fair to good snorkeling. Cemetery Reef lies roughly 30-50 yards from shore in 20-40 feet of water. Its close proximity to Seven Mile Beach and relatively easy access from a typically calm sandy beach make this one of Cayman's more popular snorkel sites. On a scale from 1 to 10 by Cayman's exceptionally high snorkel site standards, Cemetery Reef snorkel site a 3. Please bear in mind that the Cayman Islands are one of the top ten diving destinations in the world so snorkeling conditions in the Cayman Islands are among the highest in the world; hence, what would rate as a 3 in the Cayman Islands would easily be a ten or higher somewhere else, like Florida or the Bahamas. You will find a comprehensive Grand Cayman snorkel site rating topic at our forums, with every Cayman snorkel site assigned a rating based on average weather and sea conditions.

The Wreck of the Cali is a perfect snorkel site for beginners. Many of the cruise ships sell a Cali snorkel trip—some call it a "wreck and reef" tour. Here's a picture of Cayman's Cali Shipwreck snorkel site, less than 50 yards from shore. You can easily swim to it in about 30 seconds—a minute tops, if you are not a strong swimmer. The Cali Wreck lies in about 20-30 feet of water with a very easy entry/exit cove. Besides the wreck itself, there are an abundance of fish and interesting marine life in and around the wreckage. The surrounding cove area is an interesting snorkel site in itself, with lots of interesting critters in and around the rock formations that comprise the shoreline. This is one of the best beginner reef/wreck snorkel sites on Grand Cayman and it is absolutely free and accessible to the public, as are all of the beaches in the Cayman Islands, commencing from the vegetation line.

Smith Cove, located less than 2 miles east of George Town is one of Grand Cayman's most popular snorkel sites. The primary reef structure is loacted between 50 and 100 yards from shore at 40-60 feet, making that area more suitable for diving. However, the area in and around the rocky cove is only 10-20 feet deep, which makes it ideal for snorkeling. The rocky cove structure creates many interesting formations and even shallow swim throughs, in addition to a large variety of fish, corals and many forms of marine life. Smith Cove offers a picnic table, fresh water and portable bathroom facilities all free to the public.

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As you venture out to deeper water, be mindful of currents and keep a watchful eye on your point of entry. Darker areas below the surface usually denote the presence of a reef, sometimes only several feet below the surface. Here you will find myriad species of colorful fish including: snapper, angelfish, tang, barracuda, damselfish, trumpet fish and parrot fish. Take three deep breaths (and no more), holding the third breath and dive down for a closer look at the fascinating creatures below. DO NOT TOUCH ANYTHING! There are many fish and corals which deliver a painful (and sometimes toxic) sting; also, the reef is an extremely delicate entity which can be easily destroyed by contact.

Excellent snorkeling can be enjoyed in the waters off virtually any resort or condo’ on Seven Mile Beach. Other popular spots include: Cemetery Beach, Public Beach, Wreck of the Cali , Smith Cove, Eden Rock, and Devil’s Grotto. Refer to our dive site map to easily locate these and other popular snorkeling locations.

Visit our message board at www.caymanactivityguide.com/forums where you will find pictures, photos, reviews, directions, tips, maps, reports and all the inside information on the very best snorkel sites in the Cayman Islands. It takes only a few seconds to register and it's absolutely free.

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