TESTUDO'S SNORKELING GUIDESTM

Rum Point Shore Snorkel RouteGrand Cayman, Cayman Islands

Queen Triggerfish, Surgeonfish and Harlequin Bass, Rum Point , Grand Cayman

LOCATION INFO: This reef is located to the east of the ‘point’ at Rum Point and starts about 30-40 ydsoff shore. You can park at the Cayman Kai Public Beach which is a little over a half-mile from the RumPoint Club parking lot or make the walk up along the beach to the Public Beach or a bit farther to the SeaLodges buildings (this is also a good entry for the Barrier Reef route).There are mats of turtle grass that eventually give way to a small ridge system running parallel to theshore. The corals, sea fans and majority of fish can be found along these ridges.

ENTRY: The water entry along this section of the North Side beach ranges from little pockets of sand thatquickly give way to turtle grass or a combination of iron-shore and rubble which continue out to the ridgesystem. The route map below provides some idea of the better entry points I have found for accessingthe snorkel grounds. Survey the area and find what looks to be the best entry point. The non-sand orgrass bottom areas consist of rock and broken coral bits that for the most part are not sharp on bare feet.Tread lightly when you enter to get your fins on and you should be fine; no urchins or other hiddennasties around.

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WHAT CONDITIONS YOU CAN EXPECT: Depending on where you enter the water, there will be amixture of grassy area interspersed with sandy bowls and shallow water for about 20-30 yards. The areawill then open and the depth will increase to around 4 to 8 feet as you approach the ridges. On the seaside of the ridges you will see a sandy expanse that continues out until the Barrier Reef. There is usuallya steady east to west current the will help push you along towards Rum Point. Visibility is usually good,but being a shallow snorkel site it can get stirred up easily with stronger winds or currents. This is atypical drift snorkel, so take your time and explore all the nooks and crannies.

WHAT I SAW THIS TRIP: I met up with the resident school of Rainbow Parrotfish, some of the matureones approach 4 ft, was greeted by the always shyly inquisitive school of Blue Tang, more QueenTriggerfish than usual, and some comical little Wrasse and juvenile fishes. This is definitely a goodsnorkel for seeing fish and being able to observe their behaviors; without having to go far from shore orexpend to much energy swimming.

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT TO SEE: The corals here are much smaller than at the Rum Point CoralGardens; the majority consisting of soft corals, fans and sea whips with some nice Brain Coral specimenshere and there. The area is usually loaded with smaller fish that congregate around the corals. Thelargest fish tend to be Rainbow Parrotfish; you’ll know you are getting close to some when you hear theircoral crunching getting louder. Snapper, Butterflyfish, Squirrelfish, Triggerfish, Grunts and Triggerfish areusually prevalent; Lobsters can sometimes be seen in crevasses, keep on the lookout for their antennea.As you move toward the west, the ridge-line will begin to split into a wider ridge closer to shore with a

narrower one toward the sandy sea floor zone. I usually choose to initially follow the ridge farther fromshore as the schools of fish and corals are more interesting here. Then as this ridge-line begins tobreakdown, I will head back to the wider section closer in. The corals begin to become more spread outand less healthy as you approach Rum Point. There will be large areas of dead corals with little to seeother than the occasion Sting Ray or Sand Tilefish or other bottom dwellers. Once you reach the lasthouse along the beach before the Retreat Condos you can either 1) head closer to shore and search the

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grassy areas for resting Sting Rays or the occasional Eagle Ray fly-by or 2) Continue over the dead zoneand eventually come upon the small reef directly off the rocky point. The nooks and ledges immediatelyalong the iron-shore are a great spot to get up and personal with smaller fish. The water is very shallowand the Wrasses and other small fish are accustomed to being studied. You can exit on the beach aroundthe point or continue to swim towards the pier and look for the resident Barracuda.

Cayman Kai Public Beach Parking area makes a good jumping off spot

School of Blue Tang Spotfin Butterflyfish

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Goldline Blenny Rainbow Parrotfish

© 2010 Testudo Guides, LLC

© 2010 Testudo Guides, LLC

Rum Point Shore Route Reef Seascape

More images from this area can be found here (labeled as Rum Point Shore Route):http://picasaweb.google.com/testudo92/GrandCaymanSnorkelImagesRumPoint…AndBarefootBeachApril2010#

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