Devil's Grotto, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands

5Carrie 5:00 PM Apr 16, 2020

Gorgeous Dive
Some people like walls, and others like wrecks, but I love a colorful reef with interesting topography and tons of underwater life. Devil’s Grotto is everything I wanted and more. From one swim-through to another, it was a never ending series of gorgeous sights that never stopped holding your interest. It was like an underwater theme park for divers. This location was by far the best of our ten dives on this trip, and I’d love to go back again.

5Ian M 5:00 PM Feb 7, 2017

Simple yet Breathtaking
I visited Grand Cayman on a cruise last year. We had one day to do whatever we wanted, which included Sting Ray City, Starfish Point, and a snorkeling trip which was all part of one excursion. The snorkeling that our guides took us to was well below average. Anyhow after lunch my dad and I decided that we were going to try out Devil’s Grotto in hopes for a better snorkeling experience. We literally walked across the street and down the shore a few hundred feet and jumped in the ocean where we saw the best snorkeling of our entire cruise. Besides the school of 5 foot tarpon, many parrot fish, and puffer fish, we saw great coral formations and an octopus. We stayed as long as we possibly could, and left the island stoked about our snorkeling find right off of the coast.
The whole experience gave me a great feeling because it was so simply pure. We didn’t pay anyone to take us or show us the good spots; we just typed “Devil’s Grotto” into google maps, walked a few hundred feet, and jumped into the ocean’s community. The sense that all of this wildlife was living just right off the coast was just amazing. I literally just climbed down a makeshift ladder into the ocean and experienced some of the best snorkeling of my life.
Some other great aspects of the Devil’s Grotto is that it isn't very touristy. There isn't a huge sign saying “Devil’s Grotto! Some of the Best Snorkeling Around!” it is just a little spot right off the coast where people can go for a great experience. Also anyone can do it, just remember to bring a snorkel and a pair of goggles because there isn’t anyone to rent or borrow from. This was such a great experience and would be awesome for any family with no tourist guides breathing down your neck. It really opened my perspective about what makes our world amazing, and I would definitely recommend it to anyone visiting Grand Cayman.

5Amy R 5:00 PM Jan 11, 2023

Great Shore Entry Snorkeling
Went here to snorkel a day before we finished scuba certification. Eden Rock and the adjacent restaurant, Silverside, were great! (food was delicious!). It's free to enter the water here. We were glad to leave a tip as everyone was very nice and helpful. There is a place to rinse gear, rinse yourself, and there are restrooms. Easy parking right across the street. We weren't too sure when we first got there, (close to cruise ships) but we are SO glad we stayed and snorkeled here!

5Wander10801 5:00 PM Feb 4, 2004

Great snorkel spot - steps from the cruise pier!!
Devil's Grotto is an amazing, INEXPENSIVE snorkeling spot. We saw many amazing fish, including a gar and a stingray. There are some LARGE fish here, which was intimidating at first, but they are not aggressive or dangerous. It is located about 3 minutes (walking) from the cruise pier. Once you get on land, turn right and start walking. Devil's Grotto is right on the main street where cruise passengers are dropped off. You can rent snorkeling gear (and diving gear too I think), and lockers are only $2. For those with their own gear, this is an even cheaper attraction. We discovered this unadvertised spot after a disappointing "tour" provided by the locals swarming around the pier.
Although the locals lead you to believe that you cannot tour the island on your own, I would highly recommend looking around to see what you can find away from the hustle and bustle of the cruise pier.

5Ronda R 5:00 PM Dec 14, 2013

FREE, Easy, Quality Snorkel 2-3 blocks from Cruise Pier
Walk through the cruise pier, turn Right, walk a few easy blocks until you see the "Paradise" bar (you will see it first) or the Eden Rock Dive Center. Both places offer VERY EASY access to the Devil's Grotto area with the cruise ships within view!

With 10 min tenders to/from our cruise ship to land, we opted to make TWO trips from our ship.
The first trip was to sight see and shop the galleries and tourist shops for souvenirs. Then, we took a quick tender BACK to our ship to unload our purchases, put on our swimsuits, and grab our brought-from-home snorkel gear.

Though you can rent lockers for a nominal fee ($3-$5) at both locations,
my husband "wears" our credit cards and i.d.'s in a water-proof case on a lanyard around his neck, so we just tossed our towels on a beach chair and entered the water at the Paradise bar.

The dozen or so 3-4 foot fish lurking in the water at the step's entrance were DISCONCERTING to me as an "amateur" snorkelist. But after being assured they were just
Tarpons and observing a few people (including my husband) enter the water unbothered, I took a deep breath and waded in.

SOOOOO glad I did!

As snorkelers all know, there is a WHOLE 'NUTHER world underwater!

Initially, we didn't see a ton of fish near the shore. However, in our 90 minute snorkel,
we discovered that the best viewing was in what we can only guess is the "true" Devil's Grotto,
located straight out towards the buoys and to the Left, AWAY from the yellow trampoline that was there during our visit (maybe more of a straight shot out in front of the Paradise Dive Center). We saw LOTS of interesting fish/sealife, including my FAVORITE first-time spotting of a Cuttle Fish! He was SO interesting, I probably observed him for a full 10-15 minutes!

After you snorkel, you can dry off in your wet bathing suit by sitting in one of the white plastic deck chairs at the Paradise bar.... enjoying a beer in the shade before walking back to the pier! (Note: there is a sign that states something about NO WET SUITS at the bar, but one of the waiters at Paradise assured us it would be okay and welcomed us in).

TIP, especially for NOVICE SNORKELERS:
Some of the nearby shops sold "Fish in the Caymans" t-shirts.
BUY or STUDY one of these t-shirts BEFORE you snorkel,
as a helpful way of id'ing the fish you see during your outing.
ENJOY !!

5Laurie_B_VA 5:00 PM Sep 7, 2012

Best Snorkeling in Grand Cayman
As a diver, I am pretty hard to impress with snorkeling. On previous trips to GC, I have only really enjoyed snorkeling at Smith's Cove (Barcadere) and out on the East End at Sunset Reef et al. This year we finally went to Eden Rock to snorkel; we got in right at the Eden Rock dive center and just left our shoes and towels on the ironshore just near the water. As soon as we got in we saw reef squid and tarpon, but we had heard that the real attraction is the wall that starts out by the mooring balls. It was a bit farther out than we had been lead to believe, but we saw other snorkelers out there, so we persevered. What a magnificent site, first the huge coral heads that show you are getting close to the wall were just alive with fish. Then we got the the wall and we just dumbfounded. I can only say this seems to be the closest to diving that a snorkeler can get: to see the drop offs, the crevasses and swim throughs, the changing colors in the light, the turtles gliding up from the depths...just spectacular! My non-diving companions also raved about the place and we even talked about going back the next day. We didn't go very far north or south of our entry point, but I hear that the wall and great views just go on from that point. We would and will do this spot again.

5ThirdGrace 5:00 PM Apr 12, 2018

Great snorkeling site
We wanted to do our own snorkeling and heard good things about Eden Rock/Devil's Grotto. Taxi'ed to Eden Rock Dive Center but all their rentable snorkel gear was already taken up by the cruise ship passengers. So we walked a short few steps in Georgetown and came across another rental shop on the street - rented good quality fins/masks and lockers and climbed down the access ladders. Right away a school of tarpon, barracuda, parrotfish, angelfish, blue tangs! Great coral formations and a barrier reef closer to the cruise ships. Such an easy amazing snorkel feet from the rocky shore! I also felt more secure whenever my mask needed adjustment (I'm not the strongest swimmer) that those ladders were easily accessible if I needed to take a break. I can see why this area is so popular with snorkelers. A must do! As good as the snorkeling you pay for on a boat trip - and you get this for free!

4bukagirl 5:00 PM Oct 27, 2022

Beautiful
Great spot! Easy access from Eden Rock a sort swim to a beautiful healthy reef.
Lots of parking and you can get your tanks there.
Would recommend and return.

4Nancy N 5:00 PM Sep 7, 2013

Good Snorkeling, Clear Water
This is a great place to go if you are on a cruise ship docked at the port and want a close by place to snorkel or dive. Once you get out of the cruise terminal turn right and take the short walk to Eden Rock Dive Shop. They will rent snorkel or dive equipment to you. It is an easy water entrance. It's not a beach but a dock with steps to the water. Once you are in the water, you can swim straight to a buoy and then turn right. You will see variety of fish, beautiful reef and caverns. The first time we went the water was calm. The second time it was rougher but still easily negotiated. Even 150 feet out, you are still in protected waters. Highly recommend!