Diving In Grand Cayman - Cemetery Rreef

Overall Rating 2.75 out of 5

Access - Moderate; boat only and about 15 to 20 minutes from Hotels on Seven Mile Beach
Depth to 60+ ft
Visibility - moderate
Current - minimal to none
Marine Species variety - Moderate to Good; Yellow Stingrays, Turtles, Angelfishes, Blue Tang
Reef health - moderate (poor closer to shore)

Cemetery Reef is just offshore of the north end of Seven Mile Beach and is a quite good second dive site following scuba diving on the west wall You may also snorkel off of the beach closer to shore. One can come across a number of different fishes on the site such as, Angelfishes, Doctorfish, Garden Eels, Black Durgeon, Spotted Drum and much more. The site has a assortment of coral fingers and sand channels to explore and a few nice Encrusting Octopus sponges.

Visibility on the dive site might be reduced some on this site due to the amount of debris in the water Yet, the site is compelling and when you take your time you can get some very good underwater photographs. You can usually come across Yellow Stingrays on this dive scuba diving site partly buried in the sand. There is also an old lawn chair sitting in the sand where you can take a picture reclining on the chair.

Some divers have seen Nurse Sharks on this site but it is not common. The reef is in poor to moderate shape across much of the dive site however you will yet discover several quite good hard and soft corals. You may find a Green Morays or 2 hiding in the coral. Be sure that you take a look at the under hangs and pockets in the coral reef. You will also come across Spiny Lobsters along with additional crabs, shrimps and clams. At this dive site there more than a few large sandy flats which run at numerous places on this scuba diving site and can be good locations to look for various types of rays, such as the Yellow Stingray}. I have found several juveniles on the dive site from time to time.

Close up wide angle and macro photography are probably the best to use on this dive site because of the quantity of sand and bio matter which are usually in the water. Cemetery Reef has a good assortment of marine species on the dive site and I have seen the elusive Spotted Drum on occasion. This is usually a dive site that you may dive as a buddy team otherwise you may be able to tag along with your dive master. It can be a good variation compared to one of the usual second dive sites on the west side especially if you have not been to the site it is definitely worth at least one trip.

I certainly suggest taking the dive slowly and take the moment to appreciate this site. Read other site assesments on my blog and look at other underwater photography on my website and follow me on Twitter @ images2inspire.The pool is open...