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Private Snorkeling Charters

Grand Cayman Snorkeling Charters: Two Boats, Endless Reefs

Surfside Charters runs private snorkeling trips in Grand Cayman for your group only, with snorkel gear, life jackets and vests included. Choose the calm, reef-protected North Sound — Stingray City, Coral Gardens, the Barrier Reef and Starfish Point — or the wrecks and reefs off Seven Mile Beach and George Town, including the Kittiwake. Half-day snorkeling charters start at US$1,250 for the whole boat.

AreasNorth Sound, or Seven Mile Beach & George Town (one area per trip)
Best-known sitesStingray City, Coral Gardens, Barrier Reef, Kittiwake, Cemetery Beach, Eden Rock
GearSnorkel gear, life jackets, snorkel vests and noodles included
Trip length4-hour half day or 7-hour full day
PriceFrom US$1,250 per boat (Mojito Majic) · US$4,200 (Bamboozled)
AbilityBeginners to experienced snorkelers — the crew chooses sites to suit
DepartsCamana Bay; pick-ups by arrangement

Whole-boat prices for a 4-hour half day. Compare all trips · All rates

Where We Snorkel

The Best Snorkeling Sites in Grand Cayman

We cover a selection of sites close to each other, in either the North Sound or along Seven Mile Beach and George Town. Your captain picks the best of them for the day’s conditions and your group’s ability.

Depths are approximate. Conditions, visibility and marine life vary day to day.
SiteAreaDepthWhat you’ll see
Stingray CityNorth SoundAbout 12 ftWild southern stingrays over white sand
Coral GardensNorth SoundAbout 10 ftLarge coral heads, parrotfish, jacks, snappers; stingrays pass through
Barrier ReefNorth SoundShallow reefSea fans, sponges, schools of tropical fish; occasional turtles and eagle rays
Starfish PointNorth SoundKnee-deepRed cushion sea stars — view only, never lift them out
Kittiwake wreckSeven Mile Beach60 ft (top near surface)251-ft former US Navy submarine rescue ship, sunk 2011; jacks, eels, nurse sharks
Cemetery Beach reefSeven Mile BeachShallow reefBright coral, snappers, sergeant majors, turtles, moray eels
Wreck of the GammaGeorge TownUnder 10 ftHalf-submerged wreck; parrotfish, butterflyfish, turtles, rays
Soto’s ReefGeorge TownCoral within 10 ft of surfaceEnormous formations and big snappers
Wreck of the CaliGeorge Town Harbour15–20 ft1940s freighter sunk when its rice cargo swelled; engine parts visible
Eden RockGeorge TownAbout 46 ft (visible from surface)Underwater maze; tarpon, silversides, angelfish, barracuda
Bioluminescent BayNorth SideAbout 4 ftGlowing plankton after dark; about two weeks each month
Coral and sea fans at Coral Gardens

Calm & Family-Friendly

Snorkeling the North Sound

The North Sound is a 35-square-mile lagoon sheltered by the Barrier Reef, so the water is usually calm and clear. Coral Gardens is about 10 feet deep with big coral heads full of parrotfish, jacks and snappers; turtles, eagle rays, eels and barracuda appear from time to time. The Barrier Reef adds sea fans and sponges. Both sit near the Sandbar, so southern stingrays are a common sight.

Pair them with a Stingray City tour and knee-deep Starfish Point for the classic North Sound day.

The Kittiwake shipwreck seen from the surface off Seven Mile Beach

Wrecks & Big Reefs

Snorkeling Seven Mile Beach & George Town

The west coast is home to Grand Cayman’s famous wrecks. The Kittiwake, a 251-foot former US Navy submarine rescue ship sunk in 2011, rests in 60 feet of water with its upper decks close enough to the surface to see clearly. Nearer George Town, the Wreck of the Gamma sits in under 10 feet and the Cali in 15–20 feet.

Cemetery Beach, Soto’s Reef and Eden Rock round out some of the island’s best reef snorkeling.

Bioluminescent plankton glowing in the water at night, Grand Cayman

After Dark

Bioluminescent Bay Snorkeling

The most unusual snorkel in the Cayman Islands. After sunset, single-celled plankton in a calm, 4-foot-deep bay light up in thousands of sparkles whenever the water moves. The bay glows year-round, but it is only dark enough for about two weeks of each month because of the moon, so it needs to be planned around your dates.

We run Bio Bay nights on request aboard Mojito Majic. How our private bioluminescence tour works.

Ask About Bio Bay Dates

Snorkeling Charter Prices

How Much Is a Private Snorkeling Trip?

Prices are per boat, with all snorkel gear included.

*Per-person figure is the whole-boat price divided by the recommended group size, before the 5% card surcharge and optional gratuity. Up to 30 guests on Bamboozled and 10 on Mojito Majic, with a US$50 per-person surcharge beyond the recommended number.
BoatPrice (whole boat)GuestsPer person, full boat*Book
Mojito Majic · half day (4h)US$1,250Up to 8 recommended, 10 max≈ US$156 (8 guests)Book
Bamboozled · half day (4h)US$4,200Up to 14 recommended, 30 max≈ US$300 (14 guests)Book
Mojito Majic · full day (7h)US$1,850Up to 8 recommended, 10 max≈ US$231 (8 guests)Book
Bamboozled · full day (7h)US$6,600Up to 14 recommended, 30 max≈ US$471 (14 guests)Book

Choose Your Yacht

Two Different Ways to Snorkel Grand Cayman

Both boats carry a full set of snorkel gear. The difference is pace and space.

Bamboozled catamaran anchored off Seven Mile Beach, Grand Cayman Up to 30 guests

Bamboozled · 56ft Lagoon Sailing Catamaran

Room to relax between swims, with shade, a flybridge and a stable platform that suits non-snorkelers too. Add SeaBobs, paddleboards and a kayak between reefs. Best for families, mixed groups and larger parties.

Explore Bamboozled

Mojito Majic, a 38ft Intrepid, at anchor in turquoise water with her triple Suzuki 300 outboards Up to 10 guests

Mojito Majic · 38ft Intrepid Power Yacht

Faster travel between sites means more time in the water — ideal for keen snorkelers, couples and small groups who want several reefs or wrecks in one trip. Dual dive platforms and a boarding ladder make entry easy.

Explore Mojito Majic

Snorkeler in clear Grand Cayman water

Your Crew

Safe, Supported Snorkeling

Surfside Charters is family owned and Caymanian crewed, and every trip is private: the boat, captain and crew are yours for the whole charter. Our captains and crew hold professional qualifications covering captain credentials, first aid, CPR, marine radio and safety training, alongside PADI experience and years of local knowledge of the North Sound.

  • Private charter — never shared
  • Departs Camana Bay; pick-ups by arrangement
  • Snorkel gear, life jackets & noodles included
  • Towels, WiFi & Bluetooth music
  • Fresh fruit platter, chips, water & soda
  • Rated 5.0 from 68 reviews on TripAdvisor, Google & FishingBooker

Everything That’s Included

Your Snorkeling Day

Your Private Grand Cayman Snorkeling Day, Designed Around the Water

A private Grand Cayman snorkeling charter gives you control of the day. Instead of following a crowd from stop to stop, you spend longer in the water, rest aboard between swims and choose sites that suit your group, through the North Sound or along Seven Mile Beach and George Town.

Set the Pace, Choose the Stops and Leave the Crowds Behind

Confident swimmers may want several reef and wreck stops; families with young children may prefer calm, shallow water and more time aboard. A private itinerary lets you:

  • Prioritise reefs, shipwrecks or wildlife encounters
  • Stay longer at the places your group enjoys most
  • Skip the fixed timetable of a crowded group tour
  • Combine snorkeling with Stingray City, swimming, water toys or simply relaxing
  • Adjust the route around the day’s weather and visibility

Choose Bamboozled for Space and an Unhurried Day

Bamboozled, our 56-foot Lagoon catamaran, suits families, mixed-age groups and anyone who wants comfort as much as reef time. Non-snorkelers stay comfortable in the shade while others swim. Choose her for:

  • Larger private groups, up to 30 guests
  • Indoor and outdoor space, sun and shade
  • Groups with different activity levels
  • Longer charters with catering or a private chef
  • SeaBobs, paddleboards and a kayak between snorkel stops

Choose Mojito Majic to Cover More Water

Mojito Majic, our 38-foot Intrepid, moves quickly between sites, so couples, small groups and confident swimmers can fit more snorkeling into the same time and even combine the North Sound with Seven Mile Beach. Choose her for faster travel between sites, an energetic half or full day, and groups of up to 10.

Half-Day or Full-Day Snorkeling Charters

A four-hour half day suits a focused trip: usually two reef or wildlife stops, such as Stingray City and Coral Gardens. A seven-hour full day leaves room for several sites, lunch at Kaibo or Rum Point, Starfish Point and the west-coast wrecks. Surfside is licensed to take guests to the Kittiwake, so it can be part of your day when conditions allow.

Snorkel Gear, Crew Support and Comfort Between Swims

Masks, snorkels, fins, snorkel vests and noodles are provided for every guest, so there is no rental gear to organise. The crew briefs each stop, helps first-timers find their feet and keeps an eye on everyone in the water. Between swims there is shade, fresh towels, a freshwater shower, and a fruit platter with snacks and cold drinks waiting aboard.

Read our guide to the best snorkeling in Grand Cayman, or check availability for your dates.

Before You Book

Grand Cayman Snorkeling FAQs

In the North Sound, the top sites are Stingray City, Coral Gardens and the Barrier Reef. Off Seven Mile Beach and George Town, the best-known are the Kittiwake wreck, Cemetery Beach, the Wreck of the Gamma, Soto’s Reef, the Cali and Eden Rock. Your captain picks the best of these for the day’s conditions.

Yes. The crew chooses calm, shallow sites for first-timers, and life jackets, snorkel vests and noodles are on board. Guests who prefer to stay dry can relax on the boat.

Yes. Snorkel gear, life jackets, snorkel vests and noodles are included on every Surfside charter, along with towels.

We usually cover sites close to each other in one area per trip so you spend your time in the water, not travelling. A full-day charter on the faster Mojito Majic gives the most flexibility.

Yes. The Kittiwake rests in about 60 feet of water, but its upper decks sit close to the surface, so snorkelers can see the wreck clearly when conditions are good.

A private half-day (4-hour) snorkeling charter is US$1,250 per boat on Mojito Majic or US$4,200 on Bamboozled. Full days are US$1,850 and US$6,600. Gear is included.

See All FAQs

More Ways to Spend Your Day

Stingray City tours, Half-day charters, full-day charters, sunset cruises and reef and deep-sea fishing — every Surfside trip is private and built around your group.

Your Reef, Your Pace

Book Your Private Grand Cayman Snorkeling Charter

Tell us your group’s ability and the sites you most want to see, and we will plan a route that makes the most of the day.

Call Us Book Snorkeling