10 Aquatic Animals You’ll Encounter in Grand Cayman
September 22
Written By Morritt's
10 Aquatic Animals You’ll Encounter in Grand Cayman
Grand Cayman is world-famous for its crystal-clear waters and spectacular coral reefs. Visitors can expect to come nose-to-nose with some of the most colourful and exotic underwater creatures.
If you’re a marine lover and are planning a trip to Grand Cayman any time soon, you should definitely keep an eye out for these top ten beauties on your next trip.
1. Nurse sharks
Nurse sharks are one of the most common sharks that you will see while diving in Grand Cayman. These docile creatures are not at all aggressive and can often be seen swimming close to the reefs in search of tasty shrimp, snails, or crabs.
2. Stingrays
Next up is a close relative of the shark – the ever-majestic stingray. These graceful animals are spectacular to watch, gliding through the water with true style. Eagle rays make their home in our waters, but the species most seen by swimmers and snorkelers is the Southern Ray. They are often seen close to the shore, so keep an eye out for them. And of course, for a guaranteed stingray encounter, be sure to visit Stingray City!
3. Sea turtles
Sea turtles are a must-see while diving in Grand Cayman. These magnificent creatures often congregate near the reefs, so be sure to keep an eye out for them. You can also find them hanging out in the waters at Spotts Beach. And if you’re looking for a more educational experience that is fun for kids and parents alike, we highly recommend the Cayman Turtle Centre.
4. Parrot Fish
Take one look at a parrot fish and you can easily see where it gets its name! These are sure to be some of the most colourful fish you will ever encounter. Here’s a fun fact – their bird-like beak helps them scrape and eat dead coral, which is later digested and eventually excreted as sand. Gross, but pretty cool! You can find these rainbow fish at just about any dive site and coral reef.
5. Octopus
🐙 The Caribbean reef octopus is a highly intelligent animal and a fantastic hunter. You will rarely see these creatures out in the daytime, since they prefer to hunt in coral reefs by night. Keep your eyes peeled, as these masters of disguise will change colour and even texture to camouflage against their surroundings.
6. Tarpon
With their huge mouths and 8-foot long silvery bodies, we wouldn’t blame you for feeling a little intimidated around a tarpon. They look scary, but unless you are a smaller fish, you have nothing to worry about. Tarpon are creatures of habit and are known for hanging out in their favourite spots, like Tarpon Alley…or at Mimi’s Dock Bar!
7. French Angel Fish
It’s not hard to spot these dapper looking fish on the reef. With their unique shape and bright yellow speckles, these angel fish are known to be curious towards divers. They also form monogamous pairs at a young age, and will spend the rest of their lives travelling and hunting with their partner.
8. Grouper
Grouper are fascinating migratory animals. They are usually solitary creatures, but during winter full moons they will travel together – often hundreds of miles – to their spawning site. Unfortunately, the number of spawning sites have been dwindling due to overfishing. While you are much more likely to spot a grouper in Little Cayman, which is where the last spawning site remains in the Cayman Islands, if you’re lucky, you might also be able to spot one on a dive in East End.
9. Lionfish
The pesky lionfish is an invasive species, but beautiful to behold. You may admire their brilliant stripes and flowing fins, but do so from afar, since their spines are venomous. Originally native to Pacific and Indian oceans, the lionfish spread to Floridian and Caribbean waters. Because they are not native to this region, they have very few predators and voraciously feed on young fish. A single lionfish can deplete native marine creatures in its range by up to 90% within just 5 weeks. Many governments have implemented culling programmes in an attempt to keep the lionfish population at bay.
10. Green Moray Eel
The green moray eel is another rather intimidating looking animal, due to its large size, intense stare and sharp teeth. However they are generally non-aggressive, so long as they are carefully approached. They are not choosy about where they call home, and can be found resting in bays, mangroves, and of course coral reefs. Green morays are nocturnal, so if you’re searching for one in the daytime, you may need to check in holes or crevices where it likes to hide until nighttime.
Recommended Reading.
Caribbean Wildlife: Creatures of the Cayman Islands
For only having 100 square miles across all three islands, Cayman is home to an impressive variety of native wildlife. Whether you’re above or below in the crystal-clear waters of the Caribbean Sea, opportunities to encounter these special creatures in their natural habitats are plentiful. Check out our blog, Things to See and Do Around Morritt’s, for a list of places where you can see and interact with a few of the animals mentioned below.
Birds
Did you know that over 200 different species of birds can be found in Cayman? This includes several endemic species, such as the Cayman Parrot (the Islands’ national bird is a beautiful bright green and usually seen in pairs), the Grand Cayman Woodpecker and the Cayman Bananaquit (a small bird boasting a bright yellow chest that is lovingly referred to by locals as a “banana bird”) – to name a few.
Two of the best places for bird watching is the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park and the Mastic Trail (further details on both can be found in our blog mentioned above).
Iguanas
There are three types of iguana found in the Cayman Islands: the common green iguana, the rock iguana and the blue iguana. Most iguanas you will see in Cayman are the green iguanas, however they are considered an invasive species. The protected rock iguanas reside on the sister islands of Cayman Brac and Little Cayman. Blue iguanas can most easily be found at the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park, which runs a conservation programme for the endangered reptile.
Stingrays
No trip to Cayman would be complete without visiting Stingray City! Wild Southern Stingrays are plentiful in this area of the North Sound, where you can easily stand thanks to a natural sandbar. Tour boats depart daily to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to interact with these gentle creatures – and legend has it that a kiss on one of their noses will bring you seven years of good luck!
Turtles
Much like the iguanas, Cayman is also home to three species of turtle: the green, loggerhead and hawksbill. Some of these can be seen diving or snorkelling around the Islands, and if you’re lucky enough you might happen upon a nesting female during a beach walk or a group of hatching babies making their way from the beach to the sea. Guaranteed sightings and encounters can be found at the Cayman Turtle Centre, an attraction showcasing these magnificent creatures that also includes a research and conservation centre.
December 22