For those who love the underwater world, the Cayman Islands offers year-round warm temperatures, crystal-clear waters, outstanding visibility, magnificent coral reefs, and vibrant marine life. With hundreds of dive sites, great snorkelling, and a host of professional dive companies, it is a spectacular destination for underwater adventures.
With abundant marine life, every dive or snorkelling trip offers the opportunity to see something unique. Here are some favourite underwater residents you can hope to see.
1. Angel Fish
Queen Angelfish are a highlight for divers, with this tropical beauty showcasing some of the most vivid colours you’ll see underwater. Among the Cayman Islands’ three types of angelfish, divers can also be on the lookout for the French and Grey angelfish, which are common in the Cayman Islands.
2. Southern Stingray
The iconic Southern Stingray is a famous resident of the crystal waters of the Cayman Islands. It is often spotted by divers but more frequently found in the shallow waters of Stingray City and The Stingray sandbar, where visitors can enjoy the unforgettable experience of swimming, snorkelling, and even feeding this graceful creature. Numerous excellent tour operators on the Islands offer tours to both the reef and the sandbar.
3. Juvenile Spotted Drum
The Spotted Drum, particularly in its juvenile stage, is exceptionally stunning. It showcases striking black-and-white markings and dramatically elongated, flowing fins that make it dance through the water. Spotted Drums are nocturnal hunters, so they are usually found during the day under coral ledges or near the entrances of small caves.
4. Spotted Eagle Ray
Spotted Eagle Rays are commonly seen alone or in pairs in the waters of the Cayman Islands. If you are lucky enough to see one of these majestic creatures, it is an awe-inspiring experience. With their striking spotted patterns, large wingspan, and graceful glide through the ocean, it’s something you will never forget.
5.Parrot Fish
Parrot fish are vibrant residents of the Cayman Islands’ reefs. They are easily recognised for their bright colours and strong, beak-like mouths. Parrot fish feed on algae by scraping and grinding coral. As they eat, they also produce vast amounts of coral reef sand each year, which makes up the fine sand on the island’s beaches.
6. Tarpon
These impressive fish can often exceed a meter in length and are known for their shimmering silver bodies, enormous mouths and powerful, streamlined forms. Tarpons are frequently sighted in popular snorkelling and diving spots like Eden Rock, Devil’s Grotto, and Tarpon Alley. Or, for an on-land experience, you can visit The Wharf restaurant’s famous tarpon feeding – An excellent experience for all the family.
7. Sea Turtles
The iconic symbol of the Cayman Islands is a firm favourite sighting. These graceful creatives are well-known and loved inhabitants of these waters and always a delight to encounter. Divers and snorkelers may spot the green sea turtle feeding on seagrass or the Hawksbill turtle generally found on the coral reef.
8. Moray Eel
Divers will find Moray eels typically hiding in crevices and underhangs, with distinctive heads poking out with open mouths showing off their impressive teeth. You may also occasionally spot them gliding over the reef. With several varieties, you may see either a green or spotted variety, and although they have an intimidating appearance, they are, in fact, docile and gentle.
9. Silversides
The shimmering silver of hundreds of silversides collecting toegther in a large school for protection is a spectacle you won’t forget. As the sun’s rays filter through the water, the synchronised movement of hundreds of Silversides creates a stunning show that is not to be missed.
Cayman’s underwater world
With so many choices, this represents a tiny fraction of the inhabitants of the magical underwater world in the Cayman Islands. You will be spoiled for choice from teams of tropical fish varieties, coral reefs, sharks, lobster and more to see across hundreds of dive sites and many stunning snorkelling posts to explore. So, whether you are a beginner or seasoned diver or prefer snorkelling from the shore, abundant marine life awaits you in the Cayman Islands.