Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
6
caves, grottos, and a miniwall, plus tunnels that rise up 12m (39
ft.) from the sand. Divers and snorkelers are treated to an array of
colorful fish, sea fans, and sponges, along with an “in-r
esidence”
family of tarpon.
•
The Maze:
Located in G rand Cayman's South Channel, close to
the famous Wreck of the Ten Sails, is this honeycomb of deep, nar-
row coral ravines that ev oke a maze. Sponges and soft corals gr eet
you at ev ery turn, along with such cr eatures as Caribbean r eef
sharks, green turtles, and spotted eagle rays. Depths reach from 17
to 30m (56-98 ft.).
•
Snapper Hole:
A favorite with beginners and one of the top div e
sites in the islands, this networ k of chutes, tunnels, and cav erns at
a depth of 20m (66 ft.) is located off G rand Cayman, southeast of
Morritt's Tortuga Club. Tarpon occupy many of the cav erns and
tunnels, and schools of snapper swim b y, sharing the water with
nurse or black-tip shar ks, eagle rays, and other deniz
ens of the
deep. Visibility is in excess of 24m (79 ft.).
•
Tarpon Alley:
Near Stingray City, this Grand Cayman wall is at a
depth of 15 to 24m (49-79 ft.). I t's named for the many (at least
100) tarpon who find food and r efuge in the r eef. Many of these
“silver kings” are 1m (3
1
/
4
ft.) long, and some can reach a length of
1.2m (4 ft.). H awksbill tur tles also inhabit the site, as do barra-
cuda, stingrays, yellowtail snapper, and other creatures. Because of
its drop-offs and canyons, Tarpon Alley is a favorite with underwa-
ter photographers.
•
Julie's Wall:
Opposite the to wn of O ld Man Bay on Grand Cay-
man, this exposed and rather windy , intermediate-lev el div e site
has ex cellent under water visibility at depths ranging fr om 20 to
30m (66-98 ft.). The wall her e is home to stunning black coral
formations, as well as stingrays and other marine life.
•
Grand Canyon
(also called White Stroke Canyon and 3-Bs Wall):
Along the North Wall, off Grand Cayman, lies this undersea can-
yon. At a depth of 15 to 30m (49-98 ft.), two mammoth coral
buttresses form a wide r ecess, which is filled with a v ariety of
sponges and soft corals. Visibility is usually some 30m (98 ft.).
Bermuda chub, purple Creole wrasse, spotted eagle rays, and green
sea turtles inhabit the site.
•
Japanese G ardens:
This site is located inside G rand Cayman 's
South Wall drop-off, with depths of 9 to 15m (30-49 ft.). I t has a
maze of passageways and is known for its schools of Bermuda chub
and the tiny , bright blue “juv enile fish” that hide in its dramatic
strands of elkhorn coral.
•
The Wreck of the
Captain
Keith Tibbetts:
A 5- to 20-minute
boat ride fr om most r esorts on Cayman B rac, the
Captain K eith
1
