Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Tibbetts
is one of the most famous wreck dives in the Caribbean. A
Russian frigate sent o ver fr om Cuba, it was deliberately sunk in
1996 on the nor th side of Cayman B rac at a depth ranging fr om
17 to 34m (55-110 ft.). The wreck is home to barracudas, gr een
moray eels, big groupers, scorpionfish, and an array of other tropi-
cal species. The coral formations, including beautiful y ellow tube
sponges, are stunning. See p. 166.
•
Bloody Bay Marine Park:
This dive site, located off Little Cay-
man, is one of the best in the Caribbean. It roughly covers the area
between Jackson Point in the east and S pot Bay to the w est, and
encompasses 22 of this little island 's dive sites. M any of the div es
here are deep, as the r eef plummets to 1,800m (5,904 ft.). H ow-
ever, the r eef starts at 6m (20 ft.), so shallo wer dives are possible.
Grouper, horse-eye jacks, triggerfish, and many small tr opical fish
call this area home. See p. 181.
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4
THE BEST SNORKELING SITES
1
Several of the beaches and div e sites around the Cayman Islands also
happen to be great spots for snorkeling. Below is a list of our favorites,
including sites not listed elsewhere in this guide.
•
The Wreck of the
Cali:
Wreck sites aren't just for scuba divers. Just
a short swim from George Town's shores you will find the wreck of
the
Cali,
sitting in shallow water and an easy snorkeling adventure.
The wreck rests in 6m (20 ft.) of calm waters about 30m (98 ft.)
offshore. Built in 1944, the
Cali
was a 66m (217-ft.) masted schoo-
ner that was labeled as a shipping hazard in 1957. It was blown up
by the B ritish Corps of Army E
ngineers and has since been a
popular snorkeling site.
•
Seven Mile Beach & Cemeter y Beach:
Many snorkelers staying
on G rand Cayman snor kel off S even M ile B each because it 's so
convenient to many of the r esorts and r ented villas and condos,
and colorful reefs lie right offshor e. The snorkeling near the M ar-
riott and Westin resorts is excellent. To the nor th, Cemetery Reef
and its public beach are good spots for underwater exploration. At
Cemetery Reef we've seen shoals of parrotfish and sergeant majors
and even the elusive reef shark. See p. 106.
•
Devil's Grotto:
Just south of Eden Rock, this popular Grand Cay-
man snorkeling site is a mer e 45m (148 ft.) off P arrot's Landing
Rock. You can wind through a series of long and intricate tunnels
here. The fun begins at a depth of 3m (10 ft.).
Tarpon are often
seen at rest during daylight hours.
