East End, Grand Cayman, Ilhas Cayman

Snapper Hole

Snapper Hole sits on Grand Cayman's protected East End and is celebrated as one of the most dramatic coral-canyon dives on the island. The site begins on a sandy plateau in roughly 12 metres and drops into a complex labyrinth of coral pinnacles, narrow swim-throughs and overhangs that descend to about 21 metres. Inside the canyons, an enormous old iron anchor — believed to be from a colonial-era sailing ship — lies wedged between coral walls and is now encrusted with sponges and corals, serving as the site's signature feature. The hole itself shelters dense schools of yellowtail snapper, schoolmaster snapper and blackbar soldierfish, while green moray eels, spotted moray eels, southern stingrays, hawksbill turtles, queen angelfish and the occasional nurse sheltering under ledges round out the marine life. East End reefs benefit from the prevailing easterly trades that limit boat traffic and keep the corals healthy and visibility frequently above 25 metres. The dive is operated almost exclusively by East End shops such as Ocean Frontiers and Compass Point. Best conditions December to May.