Reef Smart Guides Grand Cayman

By Ian Popple, Otto Wagner and Peter McDougall

The Definitive Guide to Scuba Diving and Snorkeling in The Grand Cayman Islands

“The collection of Reef Smart Guides is a great resource for the touring diver. Incredible detailed 3D maps and up to date editorial content based on information from local dive experts, these cutting edge guidebooks are a must have for all scuba divers before they travel.” Clearly Cayman Dive Resorts

#1 New Release in Scuba Travel Guides, Caving & Spelunking, and Swimming

For Lonely Planet fans comes a unique and essential scuba, snorkel, and surf travel guide.

A great Caribbean travel book. The ultimate guide for beach and marine activities in the Grand Cayman Islands. The detailed descriptions and illustrations of beaches, coral reefs, shipwrecks, and other dive spots are ideal for divers, snorkelers and surfers. Make the most of your time on the Island and in the water.

Detailed descriptions and map art. Reef Smart catalogues the beaches, surf spots, and dive and snorkel sites in the Cayman Islands. With the help of Reef Smart’s unique 3D-mapping technology, learn all you need to know about the regions' top dive and snorkel sites. These maps provide useful information such as depths, currents, waves, suggested routes, potential hazards, unique structures, and species information.

Don’t go diving without it. This indispensable resource will help you plan and execute dives without a hitch. Pack this guidebook with the rest of your scuba gear.

Guidebook provides:

• The best locations for diving, snorkeling, and surfing, and how to access them
• Detailed 3D maps, graphics, and information to help you plan your time in and out of the water
• Species guide to help you identify and understand the marine creatures in the Cayman Islands and its surrounding areas
• And much more!

A unique and comprehensive SCUBA diving book. Also look for Reef Smart Guides Florida: Fort Lauderdale, Pompano Beach, and Deerfield Beach; Reef Smart Guides Barbados; and the best-selling Reef Smart Guides Bonaire.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Open Road Integrated Media
• Release date: Oct 27, 2020
• ISBN: 9781642505856

Ian Popple

Born and raised in the U.K., Ian earned his undergraduate degree in oceanography from the University of Plymouth in 1994. He worked for five years at Bellairs Research Institute in Barbados, supporting research projects across the region, before completing his Master’s in marine biology at McGill University in 2004. He co-founded a marine biology education company, Beautiful Oceans, before founding Reef Smart in 2015 to raise awareness and encourage people to explore the underwater world. Ian has published in both the scientific and mainstream media, including National Geographic, Scuba Diver Magazine and the Globe and Mail. He is a PADI Dive Master with over 3,000 dives in 25 years of diving experience.

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Copyright © 2020 Reef Smart Inc. www.reefsmartguides.com

Published by Mango Publishing Group, a division of Mango Media Inc.

Series concept and development: Ian Popple, Otto Wagner, Peter McDougall

Reef Smart team contributors: Emil Stezar, Andreea Campeanu, Holly Trew, Camille Segonne

Front cover photo Alex Mustard©

Back cover photo Jo Ann Snover/Shutterstock©

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Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands: Scuba Dive. Snorkel. Surf.

ISBN: (print) 978-1-64250-584-9, (ebook) 978-1-64250-585-6

Printed in the United States of America

How to use this book

Our blue planet

About Grand Cayman and the Cayman Islands

Grand Cayman beaches

In case of emergency

Diving and snorkeling

Shore diving

Diving and snorkeling services

Dive and snorkel sites

WEST BAY

Cobalt Coast Reef

Hepp’s Pipeline

Turtle Reef

Lighthouse Point

Bonnie’s Arch

Sentinel Rock and Big Tunnels

Round Rock and Trinity Caves

SEVEN MILE BEACH

Kittiwake and Sand Chute

Cemetery Beach

Doc Poulson and Marty’s Wall

Spanish Anchor

Angelfish Reef and Aquarium

Killer Puffer

Jax Dax

Oro Verde and Paradise Reef

GEORGE TOWN

Bob Soto’s Reef

Cali

Eden Rock

Devil’s Grotto

LCM David Nicholson and Sunset House Reef

Eagle Ray Rock

SOUTHWEST COAST

Spotts Beach

EAST END

Breakers Cutback

Fantasea Land

Ironshore Gardens

High Rock Drop-Off

Kangaroo Gorge

Three Sisters

Playing Field

The Maze

Pat’s Wall

Grouper Grotto

Sunset Reef and Sunrise Reef

Dragon’s Lair

Snapper Hole

Mimi’s Dock at Morritt’s Tortuga Club

Valley of the Dolls

Black Rock Reef

Fish Tank

Split Rock

Anchor Point

Top Secret

Babylon

NORTH SOUND

Rum Point

Starfish Point

Hammerhead Hill

Stingray City and Sandbar

Species

Acknowledgments

Reef Smart is indebted to numerous individuals and organizations who contributed their advice, knowledge and support in the production of this guidebook. We would particularly like to thank the following people who assisted in many ways, including through the provision of diving support and accommodations during our fieldwork in Grand Cayman. Stephen Broadbelt and the dedicated staff at Ocean Frontiers were instrumental in ensuring that the East End was suitably represented in this guidebook. Jason Belport and the team at Cobalt Coast Resort, a property of Clearly Cayman, and Reef Divers helped us map some of the northern sites, as well as providing extensive support for mapping work in the Sister Islands, which will form a guidebook in its own right. Wayne Brown at Aggressor Adventures and the crew of the Cayman Aggressor V also supported our mapping work in Grand Cayman and the Sister Islands. Mike Pinnington and the staff at Sunset House Resort and Sunset Divers provided valuable advice and feedback on numerous sites and assisted us with the mapping of Sunset House. Jason Washington at Ambassador Divers provided advice and feedback on a number of dive sites. Mike Painting at Lobster Pot Dive Center provided valuable assistance with the modeling of Bob Soto’s Reef. Kerry Arnold frequently went out of her way to fact-check various details related to the sites included in this guidebook, and helped collect data for Eden Rock along with James Walker. Chris Zinsli reviewed information associated with some west coast sites, as did Ollen Miller and Jo Mikutowicz. We are also grateful to numerous other recreational divers and dive pros, too many to name, who happened to be visiting Grand Cayman during our fieldwork there, or interacted with us on various social media platforms, to provide their perspective and experience on all aspects of the island. A special thanks, also, to the talented Alex Mustard who provided so many of the outstanding images in this book, not to mention the cover shot, for which we are very grateful.

About Reef Smart:

Reef Smart creates detailed guides of the marine environment, particularly coral reefs and shipwrecks, for recreational divers, snorkelers and surfers. Our products are available as printed guidebooks, waterproof cards, wall posters, dive briefing charts, beach signage and 3D interactive maps, which can be used on websites and as apps. Reef Smart also provides additional services to resorts that are dedicated to offering an environmentally aware experience for their guests; these include marine biology training for dive professionals and resort staff, implementation of coral reef monitoring and restoration programs, and the development of sustainable use practices that reduce the impact of operations on the natural environment.

www.reefsmartguides.com

How to use this book

Objective

The main objective of this guidebook is to provide a resource for people, particularly divers and snorkelers, who are interested in exploring the marine environment of Grand Cayman. This guidebook is designed to be used alongside Reef Smart waterproof cards, which can be taken into the water. It will be most useful for watersports enthusiasts but it also includes information that any visitor to the island will find useful.

Mapping

We have attempted to catalog all the island’s dive and snorkel sites, which are listed in a counterclockwise order starting with Conch Point in the island’s northwest. We have also featured 56 of the island’s dive and snorkel sites in greater detail, with 49 sites presented using Reef Smart’s unique 3D-mapping technology. These maps provide useful information such as depths, currents, waves, suggested routes, potential hazards, unique structures and species information that cannot be found in other guides.

Disclaimer

Reef Smart guides are for recreational use only – they are not navigational charts and should not be used as such. We have attempted to provide accurate and up-to-date information for each site, as well as activities to enjoy in the surrounding areas. However, businesses close and new ones open, prices are adjusted and change is inevitable in the marine environment. The information contained in this guide is accurate only at the time of publication. The size and location of structures may vary. Depths and distances are approximated in both metric and imperial units, and the suggested route is optional. Reef Smart assumes no responsibility for inaccuracies and omissions, and assumes no liability for the use of these maps. If you do see information that should be updated, please let us know at [e-mail].

Information boxes

Additional information for the featured sites is provided in the form of special information boxes, which appear throughout the book:

DID YOU KNOW?          

Interesting facts about the site or the surrounding area.

SAFETY TIP         

Advice that aims to improve safety.

ECO TIP          

Information that will help limit damage to the ecosystem or improve environmental awareness.

RELAX & RECHARGE         

Information on where refreshments can be purchased, or where to unwind on land. No compensation was received in exchange for featuring these establishments.

SCIENTIFIC INSIGHT         

Information of a scientific nature that can help you understand what you see and experience.

Map icons

Species identification

The species listed for each location were chosen to represent the most unique or common organisms found at each site, as determined from personal observations, discussions with divers and snorkelers who have experienced these sites, and from scientific studies conducted in these areas. Many of the species described in this publication are mobile or cryptic (or both), and so may not always be found where indicated. However, we have attempted to place key species on each map in the locations where they are most commonly found.

Species description

The species letters and numbers on each map link to descriptions located at the back of the book (on pages 292-324). Reef Smart uses the most frequently cited common name for a species. As common names vary from place to place, we have also provided the scientific name for each species, which remains the same worldwide. Scientific names are usually of Latin or Greek origin and consist of two words: a genus name followed by a species name. By definition, a species is a group of organisms that can reproduce together such

that it results in fertile offspring; a genus is a group of closely related species.

The descriptions of each species are based on the scientific literature as it existed at the time of publication. Scientific knowledge often advances, however, and the authors welcome any information that helps improve or correct future editions of this guidebook. In-depth species profiles, including images and videos, are available for free on our website – Reefsmartguides.com.

Our blue planet

Oceans

Water covers nearly three-quarters of our planet’s surface and approximately 96 percent of this water is contained in the major oceans of the world. The oceans drive our planet’s weather, regulate its climate and provide us with breathable air, which ultimately supports every living creature on Earth.

The oceans are also vital to our global economy. They produce the food that billions of people depend on for survival, while being a source of resources, including valuable medicines that treat a wide range of ailments and diseases. The oceans also drive local and regional economies through tourism. Every year, millions of travelers are drawn to coastal regions around the world to enjoy activities above the water and to explore what lies below the surface. Considering how important the oceans are to our way of life, it is incredible how little we know about what lies beneath their surfaces.

Coral reefs

The oceans include a wide range of different ecosystems, but perhaps the most frequently visited marine ecosystems of all are coral reefs. Coral reefs are known as the rainforests of the sea for good reason – they are one of the most diverse ecosystems on the planet, supporting about a quarter of all known ocean species. This figure is even more astounding when you consider that coral reefs comprise just a fraction of one percent of the ocean floor. They are also particularly vulnerable to degradation, given they are only found in a narrow window of temperature, salinity and depth.

Humans have studied the biology and physiology of corals for decades, but the underwater environment remains largely foreign to many people. Fact is, we have more accurate maps of the surface of Mars than we do of the seafloor. And guides of the marine environment suitable for recreational users are almost non-existent.

Reef Smart aims to change this situation. Our detailed guides seek to educate snorkelers and divers alike. Our goal is to improve safety and enhance the marine experience by allowing users to discover the unique features and species that can be found at each site.

Preserve and protect

Hopefully our guidebooks and handheld waterproof cards will help you get to know the underwater environment in general, and coral reefs in particular. We believe that the more people can come to appreciate the beauty of the underwater world, the more they will be willing to take steps to protect and preserve it.

The world’s oceans are experiencing incredible pressures from all sides. Rising temperatures, increasing acidification and an astonishing volume of plastics that end up both in the water and in marine organisms are endangering these precious ecosystems.

There are some big problems to overcome. But a better, more sustainable future is possible. Each and every one of us can make a difference in the choices we make and the actions we take. Together we can help make sure the coral reefs of this world are still around for future generations of snorkelers and divers to enjoy.

Sincerely, the Reef Smart team

About Grand Cayman and the Cayman Islands

Location and formation

The Cayman Islands consist of three islands located in the Western Caribbean Sea: Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac and Little Cayman. At 76 square miles (197 square kilometers), Grand Cayman is the largest of the three islands and home to the capital city, George Town. It is located approximately 200 miles (322 kilometers) northwest of Jamaica and 190 miles (306 kilometers) southwest of Cuba. Cayman Brac and Little Cayman, collectively known as the Sister Islands, are located around 68 miles (109 kilometers) east and slightly to the north of Grand Cayman. Both the Sister Islands are less than a fifth of the size of Grand Cayman. Cayman Brac measures just under 15 square miles (38 square kilometers) and Little Cayman measures 11 square miles (28 square kilometers).

The Cayman Islands are located on the Cayman Ridge, which is a vast, mostly submarine mountain range that extends for nearly 1,000 miles (1,610 kilometers) from the Sierra Maestra mountains in Cuba to the Misteriosa Bank, which lies underwater off the coast of Belize. The ridge marks the boundary between the Caribbean and North America plates – a boundary that is known as a transform or strike-slip fault, which is when two tectonic plates rub against each other horizontally, resulting in periodic seismic activity. The Cayman Ridge came into being during a massive and prolonged uplifting event caused by the movement between these two plates. The resulting pressure forced a vast area of the seabed toward the surface. The three islands represent mountain peaks in this submarine range. They first broke the surface of the ocean approximately 10 million years ago.

Immediately to the south of the Cayman Ridge lies the Cayman Trough, also known as the Cayman Trench, which is a 100-mile (161-kilometer) wide crease in the Caribbean plate that plummets to over 4.7 miles (7.6 kilometers) in depth. The Cayman Trench is the deepest part of the Caribbean Sea.

All three of the Cayman Islands are very flat, with the highest point on Grand Cayman only 60 feet (18 meters) above sea level. The highest point across all three islands is known as the The Bluff, which is a steep ridge that runs through the center of Cayman Brac and produces sheer cliffs on its northeastern shore. The Bluff rises 150 feet (45 meters) above sea level. The underwater terrain of the islands is completely different than what can been seen above the water, with dramatic reef walls plummeting to depths in excess of the limits of recreational SCUBA.

Seven Mile Beach is an iconic stretch of beach on Grand Cayman’s west side.

The history of Grand Cayman

Early history

Archaeological studies indicate there were no native settlers in the Cayman Islands prior to the arrival of European explorers in the 16th century. Christopher Columbus was the first European to document the islands, sighting the Sister Islands during his final voyage to the New World In 1503. He named them Las Tortugas after the incredible number of turtles found in the islands’ waters. By the 1520s, the islands were known as both the Lagartos and the Caymanos – the latter in reference to the alligators, also known as Caimans, which were present on the islands at the time. Explorers continued to visit the Cayman Islands for the next century, including Sir Francis Drake in 1586, however, the islands remained uninhabited.

In 1654, a British fleet was sent to capture Spanish territories in the Caribbean. It is believed that two of the marines from this military expedition named Watler and Bodden (or Walter and Bawden, spellings vary) were the first setters of the Cayman Islands. They supposedly came over from the newly conquered island of Jamaica in 1658. It is not clear whether these men were demobilized troops or deserters, nor whether they came from the British Isles or were picked up in Barbados along with a number of other conscripts while the fleet was en route to Jamaica. The first native Caymanian is said to be Isaac Bodden, who was born on Grand Cayman around 1700. He is believed to be the grandson of one of the first settlers.

In the early years of settlement, the Cayman Islands were considered to be a lawless and dangerous frontier outpost. The islands were technically governed by the British as part of their Jamaican colony, but pirates were said to run amok in the island’s waters, as did Spanish privateers who were commissioned by the Spanish Crown to attack English interests wherever they found them. The first settlements on the Sister Islands, which were essentially camps set up by turtle fishermen, were completely abandoned by 1671 because of these pirate attacks, and were not permanently resettled for another 150 years.

Throughout the 1700s, Grand Cayman’s population grew slowly through a combination of shipwrecked mariners who decided to remain on the island, asylum-seekers escaping debts in England and Jamaica, and slaves. The island’s residents were based in four villages: Bodden Town, which still remains on the south coast; Arnold’s, located on the north shore in Old Man Bay; Old Issacs, which became East End; and Hogsties, which became George Town. Historians believe that by 1773, there were approximately 500 people living on Grand Cayman.

There was little means of support for these islanders. The mahogany industry that succeeded in Jamaica failed to take hold in Grand Cayman, so most residents either fished, farmed pigs or relied on subsistence agriculture. The main industry in the Cayman Islands during the 18th century was turtling, which involved the catching and killing of turtles for their meat and shells. But the green sea turtle population had become so depleted by the end of the century that Caymanians had to travel as far away as Nicaragua to find any.

A cotton industry developed around this time, and it dominated the economy for a while until the abolition of slavery in 1835. By then, the population of the Cayman Islands had grown to an estimated 1,500 people, which included just over 500 formerly enslaved people.

Recent history

By the early 20th century, the population of the Cayman Islands had reached over 5,500. In 1959, the Cayman Islands ceased to be a dependency of Jamaica, but remained a British Crown Colony, eventually becoming an autonomous British Overseas Territory. Jamaica and the Cayman Islands still held many ties however. For example, the Cayman Islands used the Jamaican dollar until the Cayman Islands dollar was created 1972. In addition, around half of the expats living in the Cayman Islands are from Jamaica.

In the last fifty years or so, the Cayman Islands have undergone incredible development in the tourism, banking and finance sectors. This has brought a great deal of wealth to the islands. Today, the Cayman Islands have the highest per capita income in the Caribbean and their status as a direct tax-exempt nation has resulted in the country having more businesses than people at 100,000+ versus 63,000, respectively.

The Cayman Islands today

Population

According to the United Nations, the Cayman Islands population is just over 63,000 people, with most (96 percent) living on Grand Cayman. Almost half of Grand Cayman’s population is located in the capital George Town, with around 10,000 people in each of West Bay and Bodden Town. The Cayman Islands have a sizable population of expatriates, mostly from Jamaica, the United Kingdom, the United States and Canada.

The basics

English is the official language in the Cayman Islands, although it is not uncommon to hear Spanish, and even sometimes Filipino, spoken by immigrants to the islands. The official currency is the Cayman Islands dollar, which is sometimes referred to as CI dollars. The currency is pegged to the United States Dollar (USD) such that $1.00 USD equals $0.82 CI (or $1.00 CI equals $1.20 USD). The bank notes of the Cayman Islands currency feature a variety of marine creatures, from sea turtles, to angelfish, stingrays and scallops, which highlights the strong link between Caymanians and